If You Are Converted

Conversion is repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). The Holy Spirit enables you to repent and believe the gospel of Christ. God's goodness leads you to repent (Romans 2:4). If you are converted, you have faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

If you are converted, it's the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The Holy Spirit brings conviction as you hear the gospel. Conversion is preceded by the Spirit of grace. The Lord opens your heart to hear the gospel (Acts 16:13-15). The Holy Spirit convicts and convinces you of the need to believe in Christ (John 16:7-11). 

If you are converted, your life is changed through the Holy Spirit. Repentance is a change of mind through the renewing of the Holy Spirit transforming your life (Romans 12:2). Faith is an abiding gift of the Holy Spirit. He enables you to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 18:27).

Evidence that you are converted is clear. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him (1 John 5:1). Conversion to Christ is evident, as you love God and others. Love is the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit, because God is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 John 4:8). 

If You Fear God

Godly fear is the highest reverence for God. To the contrary, tormenting fear is not from God. It is never good, and always evil. It doesn't come from God (2 Timothy 1:7). Yet, Godly fear motivates you to have faith in God. "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark" (Hebrews 11:7).

"And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good, but I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will not depart from Me" (Jeremiah 32:40).

If you fear God, you are in the everlasting covenant of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jeremiah prophesied the everlasting covenant. It is confirmation to you as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:20-21). It means God is working in you what pleases Him. He puts His fear in your heart.

If you fear God, you have eternal salvation in Christ. Fearing God is designed for your good and gives you assurance that you will not depart from Him. Godly fear is evidence that God is at work in you. God says, "I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will not depart from Me" (Jeremiah 32:40).

Do you fear God? Without the fear of God, you are lost without a saving relationship with God. "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:18). Thank God for putting His fear in your heart.

Interpreting the Bible

Frederick Bruce wrote,"Any part of the human body can only be properly explained in reference to the whole body. And any part of the Bible can only be properly explained in reference to the whole Bible." Dr. Bruce understood the danger of taking a verse out of context. It must be explained in the context of the chapter and book where we read it, as well as the context of the whole Bible.

Interpret verses in the Bible within the context. The Bible is given by inspiration of God the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). When we interpret a verse with other verses, we are being taught by the Spirit of God. He will guide us into all truth (John 16:13).

Interpret verses in the Bible comparing Scripture with Scripture. Look at the other verses in the same chapter, as well as the book and the whole Bible. That is to say, you interpret Scripture with Scripture. A verse in the Bible is not properly interpreted, when taken out of context.

Satan tempted Jesus, quoting a verse taken out of context (Luke 4:3-8). Other Scripture was ignored. Jesus overcame this temptation, quoting another Scripture to interpret Scripture. That's a warning for us today not to take verses in the Bible out of context. Remember to interpret Scripture with Scripture. The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth.

God Is with You

God is like the very air you breathe. You can't see the air. Yet, you know that without air, you can't live. So it is with God. His very presence sustains your life. "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?"(Psalm 139:7). Wherever you are now, you can know God is with you.

"God is spirit"(John 4:24). That means God is unseen to your eyes. God is like the air you breathe, you cannot see him. Only faith can recognize his presence. That's the reason you must come to God by faith. 

Our faith is not based upon what our eyes can see."Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"(Hebrews 11:1). Faith is sure of God's presence everywhere and always.

Only the heart transformed by the Spirit of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, can know God's presence always. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). God's Spirit enables us to believe his presence is with us. God says to us,"I will never leave you. I will never forsake you"(Hebrews 13:5).

God is with you. Think of the very air you breathe, in you and all around you. So it is with God. Walk with God by faith and talk with God along the way. He is there for you today and everyday. No matter where you are, recognize God is with you.

Born Again and Sure

Charles H. Spurgeon said, "You are born again if you believe that Jesus is the Christ, if you are relying upon a crucified Savior you are assuredly begotten again unto a lively hope." 

We may not comprehend all the movements of the Holy Spirit in our new birth, but we can be sure of our new birth by faith in Jesus Christ. There is mystery involved in our new birth (John 3:8). Jesus taught that people must be born again to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). It is a work of the Holy Spirit changing our hearts to believe in Christ (Romans 10:9).

The Bible confirms what Spurgeon clearly explained. "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of him" (1 John 5:1). If you are born again, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is sure evidence.

If you are born again, you believe that Jesus is the Christ. You believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. He died for your sins. He is risen from the dead as your Lord (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The written word of God and your faith in Christ is the evidence. That's certainly true, if you are born again.

If you are born again, the sure evidence is believing in Christ. Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah in the Old Testament and the Christ of the New Testament. New birth finds evidence by faith in Christ. That's the reason Spurgeon said, "You are born again if you believe Jesus is the Christ." 

Know God as Father

J.I.Packer wrote, "What is a Christian? The question can be answered in many ways, but the richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father." 

Jesus said, "No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him" (Matthew 11:27). 

Packer taught, "Sonship to God is not, therefore, a universal status into which everyone comes by natural birth, but a supernatural gift which one receives through receiving Jesus."

Dr. Packer was right! Being a Christian is knowing God as your Father. God's grace enables us to repent of our sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 17:30; 16:31). The Holy Spirit comes into your life to know God as your Father. 

"You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:15-16).

Jesus Christ came into this world that all believers may know God as Father. Trusting Christ gives us a relationship with God as our Father. Believers are children of God the Father through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. 

Change Your Mind

God commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Charles Spurgeon explained, "To repent is to change your mind about sin and Christ and all the great things of God." He went on to say, "The person who truly repents is never satisfied with his or her repentance. We can no more repent perfectly than we can live perfectly."

When you repent, there is a change of mind about sin and Christ. You knew that you were a sinner who had fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). You knew that only the Lord Jesus Christ could save you from the curse of sin and the power of sin. Repentance is turning from the sin of unbelief to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).

Christians are not perfect people in this life. We are still tempted and sin from time to time. Therefore, when you repent, you confess your sins to God. Then, you find fresh cleansing from your sins, through the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9).

Spurgeon said, "To repent is to change your mind." As you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through Bible study, your mind is changed by receiving more truth from the word of God. That is one reason Spurgeon taught that "we can no more repent perfectly than we can live perfectly." You receive more understanding in "all the great things of God."

The Gospel Is Christ

The word gospel simply means good news. It's the good news of God to all nations, about the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It's good news because Christ died on the cross to save us from the judgment of our sins. It's good news because God gives us eternal life, through believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is risen from the dead to give believers everlasting life (Romans 6:23).

The gospel of Jesus Christ is sufficient for all. Yes, all are sincerely invited to Christ. Most assuredly, the gift of eternal life in Christ is certain for all who repent and believe. Therefore, the gospel must be preached to all nations and people without exception (Matthew 28:18-20).

If the gospel of Christ is for all, why are all not saved? Jesus answered the question. "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). All people will simply not come to Christ, but many are certain to come to Him. All who do so will never be turned away (John 6:37).

The gospel for all people certainly doesn't imply that anyone is saved without responding to the gospel. It does mean that the death of Jesus Christ for our sins effectively saves all who believe. Christ risen from the dead saves all who call upon him (Romans 10:9-13). Therefore, the gospel of Jesus Christ must be preached to all nations and people (Mark 16:15). 

Christ the Only Way

John MacArthur said, "Salvation from eternal condemnation is by faith alone (sola fide), and Christ alone (solus Christus) saves. Apart from Christ, there is no hope for anyone."

What MacArthur wrote is based upon clear Bible teaching. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Jesus is the only way to God the Father.

Jesus Christ is the only true way to God the Father. He said, "I am . . . the truth." He is the truth according to the Scripture. The Holy Spirit bears witness to the truth of Christ in our hearts. The Holy Spirit enables you to believe and confess the truth (1 Corinthians 12:3). 

Jesus Christ is the only living way to God the Father. He said, "I am . . . the life." The resurrection of Jesus from the grave on the third day proves that He is the living way. The power of the Holy Spirit raised Him from the grave (Romans 1:4).

Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me." Others may say, "There are many ways to God." Choose the words of Jesus our risen Lord over other opinions. Jesus is the only one who died for our sins. Jesus claimed that He would rise from the dead. He proved His words true. 

How We See God

Jesus said, "God is Spirit ..." (John 4:24). That means we cannot see God with our eyes, because he is invisible to us. However, we can see God and walk with him by faith. 

Moses was an example of faith that sees God who is invisible. "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27). He fulfilled his destiny, because of faith that endured, seeing him who is invisible. 

We see the invisible God like we see the wind move. We see what the wind is doing and where it is moving. So faith is able to see what God is doing and where he is moving. Faith sees "that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men" (Daniel 4:17). Faith sees the Most High God ruling and reigning in life. Faith enables us to see what God is doing in our lives.

Faith sees not by natural vision through our eyes, but with understanding from the word of God (Romans 10:17). We walk with God daily by faith. We remember that faith is "the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). We are walking by faith, "as seeing him who is invisible."

Those who have faith in God see him ruling over all. "For of him and through him and to him are all things, to whom be glory forever" (Romans 11:36). Faith sees God according to the truth of the word of God. Believers see God at work in all things to his glory forever.

Predestined In Christ

The word "predestination" is a controversial term. However, the important point is that all in Christ are predestined to an inheritance as adopted children of God. Most people probably think it means predestined to heaven or hell. The Bible does not teach that. However, Scripture does teach that God "in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ." 

"He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (Ephesians 1:4-5). 

We are predestined in Christ, and in Christ alone. The word predestined means to foreordain or mark off before hand. Christ was chosen by God the Father to be our Savior "before the foundation of the world." God has "predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ."

We are predestined in Christ to be adopted children in God's eternal family. God chose us in union with Christ as His adopted children. Jesus is God the Father's only begotten Son (John 3:16). Through God's Son, we are predestined "to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will." 

Doubts of Salvation

From time to time genuine believers may have disturbing doubts about their salvation. Such doubts are most often because we focus upon ourselves and not on Christ. Trusting in ourselves leaves room for all manner of doubt. Our assurance of salvation is in Christ alone. It's knowing who saved you. 

Faith in Jesus Christ is our assurance, testifying, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to him until that Day" (2 Timothy 1:12). It's faith in Christ alone. He alone has the authority and power sure to save and keep us. 

Do not focus on your work for Christ, but his work for you and in you. The grace of Christ initiates your salvation. What he begins, Christ is more than able to finish. "Being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it unto the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). Your salvation is sure by faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. What he began in you continues even to the final day. That is the day of Christ, when he returns.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved and sure (Acts 16:31). You are saved by what Christ has done for you at the cross and through his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). You are saved by what Christ is doing in you and through you (Colossians 1:27; Hebrews 13:20-21). Christ alone saved you and not yourself. Assurance of salvation is by faith in Christ alone.

How to Love God

Love God in a personal relationship. It's all about love. Remember the greatest commandment of all. Jesus tells us, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength" (Mark 12:30). 

Love God by responding to His great love for us. God gave His only begotten Son as eternal proof of His love for us. We can testify with the apostle Paul in these words, "I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). That's our relationship with God. It's all about love so amazing, so divine.

At conversion, the love of God fills your heart through the Holy Spirit. We experience the love of God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts, that we may know the love of God in a personal way. "For we know how God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love" (Romans 5:5).

Love God through worship. We adore and praise Him for His great love. We surrender to His good will. We desire to please Him in the way you live. More than that, we love others because His love is in us. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). God loves them through us. We love God by loving others.

Knowing God Today

There is a difference in knowing God and knowing about God. Most people know about God from things they have observed or heard. Your parents may have talked to you about God. You may attend church and hear a sermon about God. However, knowing about God is not knowing God today.

Know God by faith. He who comes to God must believe (Hebrews 11:6). We cannot come to God any other way. Because God is Spirit, you cannot see Him (John 4:24). Only faith can usher us into the presence of God.

Know God through your heart. The heart is your mind, will, and emotions. God changes our hearts through the gospel of Jesus Christ, enabling our faith to know God the Father through the Son (John 14:6). We know God by looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Know God in a personal relationship. We walk with God by faith. For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith assures us that God is with us, and all the time. Faith is the assurance that God hears our prayers. Faith is the evidence. When we know God, faith is the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

How to Rest In Christ

Works may boast and say to us, I can get you to heaven, if you try hard and labor to do your best. Salvation is the gift of God to be received. We don't work to earn a gift, we simply receive it. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). It's not by your works, but by resting in the finished work of Christ alone. Rest in Christ through faith alone.

Rest in Christ by God's grace alone. It's about what God has done for us in Christ. It's what God is doing in us and through us. That's called grace, and its fulness is found in Jesus Christ our Lord (John 1:16). 

Jesus says to you,"Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"(Matthew 11:28). Jesus invites all who are weary to come to Him and find rest. The word rest refers to our relationship with God in Christ. Faith in Christ means we are completely depending upon Him to do in us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Rest in Christ through faith alone. That means your confidence, trust, and reliance is in Christ alone, to do in your life what you are unable to do by yourself. Only Jesus Christ can save you. That means you rest in Christ. Rest in God's love, mercy, and grace, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31).

Grace Must Save Us

Charles H. Spurgeon said, "Men need to be told that, unless divine grace brings them out of their enmity to God, they will eternally perish." He went on to say "that if they are to be saved, it must be by grace, and by grace alone."

Spurgeon recognized that we are not saved by our works. If salvation is by works, we could boast of what we have done. However, salvation is by grace alone, which means it is the gift of God. Salvation is the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Christ alone. If you are saved, it's by grace alone to the glory of God alone!

Spurgeon knew that grace alone must save us, not by grace plus our works. Many teach that salvation is initiated by God's grace and must be completed by our works. Not so. If you are saved, it must be by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). God's grace begins and completes our salvation in Christ (Philippians 1:6). 

Grace must save us in Christ as the gift of God. Faith receives the gift of God in Christ. The gift of grace is found in Christ alone. He alone died for our sins. He alone is risen from the dead as our living Lord. Grace is trusting the finished work of Christ for us, and the work of Christ in us. If we are saved, "it must be by grace, and by grace alone."

Faith that Pleases God

"But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Your relationship with God is based upon faith. You can never please God without faith. Therefore, you need to understand the faith that pleases God.

Faith that pleases God is more than an intellectual assent to the teaching of the Bible. Faith is a gift of God's grace, an abiding gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13). The indwelling Holy Spirit gives faith to God's people as a gift which endures.

Faith that pleases God is trust. All good personal relationships are built upon trust. To know God in a meaningful relationship is to trust God through Jesus Christ (John 14:1; Ephesians 1:13). In the Greek New Testament, the word pisteuo means to believe or trust. The Bible describes God as trustworthy. Those who trust in God and His Son Jesus Christ are not disappointed (Romans 10:9-11).

Faith that pleases God is confidence. The believer's confidence is in God who works in us to please Himself. "For it is God who works in you both to will and do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). God works in our hearts to trust Him and believe on His Son. Faith that pleases God is "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).

How to Experience God

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good" (Psalm 34:8). To taste and see is to experience God. The Bible was not written simply to give you academic information about God. It was written that you may experience God today in a personal way. The Bible is your guide to experience God. 

Experience God through the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31). Come to God through faith in Christ. Jesus is the only mediator between God and you (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus is the true and living way to God (John 14:6). Experience God's assurance of your salvation through faith in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Experience God through prayer. The Bible teaches us how to pray. Prayer is our personal conversation with God. It's more than speaking words from memory. Your heart is open to God in true prayer. Talk to God about anything and everything on your heart. Pray in the name of Jesus (John 14:14).

Experience God through worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Understand that worship is your personal response to God's love and goodness. Worship God daily with your songs of praise and prayers of thanksgiving. Present yourself to God through worship (Romans 12:1-2).

God Will Accept You

God will accept you in His only begotten Son (John 3:16). Our sin is always unacceptable to God. He sent his Son into this world to take away our sins. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). At the cross, Jesus died for our sins. We are accepted by faith in God's beloved Son. "He made us accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6).

God will accept you through the righteousness of Christ. God takes away our sins and accounts us righteous in Christ alone (2 Corinthians 5:21). Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive the righteousness of God. That's why we can sing, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness."

God will accept you in Christ, though you are not perfect, and never will be in this life. We have failed God in many different ways. The Bible calls it sin. We can never earn our way into God's favor. His unmerited favor is called grace, and it's always a gift received by faith in Christ. Then we may testify, "by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10).

God will accept you with love divine. His love for us is personal. God's love for us is reality seen at the cross of Jesus (Romans 5:8). He died for our sins. His sacrifice takes away all our sins (1 John 1:7). His resurrection gives believers life abundant and everlasting. God accepts us by faith in Christ (Romans 5:1). God's love for us is forever (Romans 8:38-39). 

God's Sure Mercies

"And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, the sure mercies of David" (Isaiah 55:3). Sure mercies are promised to you in a covenant relationship with God. You know from the Bible, that it is God's will to extend mercy, even the sure mercies of David. God made covenant with David concerning the coming of Christ (2 Samuel 7:12-16). It was a sure promise, because it was the promise of God fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ.

God's sure mercies are in the everlasting covenant through Christ (Hebrews 13:20-21). God promises to have sure mercies upon us in Christ alone. It's God's sworn promise through the everlasting covenant. Simply stated, it means that God will never change His mind.

God's sure mercies are seen at the cross of Jesus. He died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus in our place. God declared it to be true by raising Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9). 

God's sure mercies cleanse us from all sin through Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7-9). Believe the covenant sure mercies of God in the Lord Jesus Christ to save you (Acts 16:31). God's everlasting covenant mercies are sure by faith in Christ. 

Christ Our Salvation

Christ is our salvation (Romans 1:16). The gospel is simple and clear for all to understand. Christ alone died for our sins according to the Scripture. He was buried and raised from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Christ is our salvation freely offered to all people everywhere without exception. Christ is offered for all to receive, calling upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13). Believers confess Jesus as our Lord risen from the dead (Romans 10:9).

Jesus commanded His disciples to preach the gospel to everyone (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47). Christ offers himself to all people in all nations. Believing in Jesus our Lord is receiving him (John 1:11-12).

Christ is the salvation of every true believer from the condemnation of sin (John 3:17). Believers are saved from everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46). Believers are delivered from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (1 Peter 2:9).

Christ is salvation received by faith or rejected by unbelief (John 3:18). Those who reject the gospel of Christ are judged and perish in their own unbelief (John 3:16). That's because they believe not the Son of God (John 3:36).

Receive God's Promises

We end our prayers with the word Amen. That word means "so be it." It's a covenant term from the Old Testament. When Israel entered into the old covenant, known as the law of Moses, they spoke collectively the word Amen to agree with the commandments. Today, we use the same term to end our prayers.

The old covenant law was conditional, based upon the obedience of the people. The new covenant is unconditional, based upon the complete and perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we pray "in the name of Jesus. Amen." That means believers in Jesus Christ our Lord receive all of God's covenant promises.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is our Amen, according to the new covenant, also known as the everlasting covenant (Hebrews 13:20-21). Observe the contrast. Under the old covenant, the people promised with an Amen to obey God. Yet, they disobeyed. However, under the new covenant Jesus is our Amen. Jesus is the "Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation" (Revelation 3:14).

According to the law, we are all covenant breakers. In essence, we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). Jesus came to fulfill the law and bring the promises of the new covenant. Jesus is our Amen of all the promises of God (2 Corinthians 1:20). All of the promises of God are for us through the perfect obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Be Free In Christ

Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). You are free in Christ from the condemnation of sin, the curse of the law, and eternal judgment. He purchased freedom for every believer at the cross, in His own blood. Believing the truth of Jesus Christ makes you free indeed.

Be free in Christ from the bondage of sin. Jesus said, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). That's freedom from the bondage of sin, guilt, shame, and fear. All of us have been prisoners to the bondage of sin, until Jesus Christ makes us free. All who call upon the Lord Jesus Christ are free indeed. "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

Be free in Christ from the past. We are free from the past with a new beginning. We are forgiven of everything that we have ever done wrong. We are reconciled to God and renewed in Christ. God is working all things together for our good, according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). 

Be free in Christ from the guilt of sin. Believers are cleansed from all sin (1 John 1:7). God has justified us by faith in Christ. Our sin debt is paid in full at the cross. We have a new life, even everlasting life in Christ (Romans 6:23). Thank God Almighty! Believers are free in Christ, free indeed.

True Faith Saves You

Charles Spurgeon said, "It is not great faith, but true faith that saves you; and salvation does not lie in the faith, but in Christ whom faith trusts. Faith as a grain of mustard seed will bring salvation to you." A mustard seed is a very small seed. So it is with faith. It's not how much faith you have, rather it is the one in whom you have faith.

True faith is focused upon Jesus our Lord. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He is the only true way to God the Father. Your faith in Christ is faith in the truth. The power is in the truth, not your faith. It is faith that receives the truth in Christ.

True faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit. He is sent to bear witness of the truth in Christ. He confirms the truth in your heart and life. The Holy Spirit reveals the truth to you through the Holy Scripture. Jesus said, "If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 14:6). The gift of faith comes from the word of truth, inspired by the Holy Spirit (Romans 10:17). The word of Christ is the word of truth.

True faith abides in Jesus our risen Lord. That means true faith comes from the one who is the truth, "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). Your faith is always looking unto Jesus. Look not to yourself, nor any other but Jesus. He who is the author of your faith is also the finisher of your faith.

Who Are Sanctified?

Martin Luther wrote, "There is no justification without sanctification, no forgiveness without renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow."

In Scripture, all believers are sanctified in Christ. Sanctification is not the "second blessing," coming as a distinctly separate stage in the Christian life. One who believes in Christ is immediately justified and sanctified by the Spirit of God. 

As a true believer you are "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:2). The blood of Jesus sanctifies every true believer in Christ. We are sanctified, set apart, as God's people in Christ.

Believers are immediately sanctified, or "set apart" as the purchased possession of Christ. We are bought with the price of His blood shed at the cross. The cross work of Christ is applied to our lives in regeneration as well as sanctification.

For the believer, justification happened in the past upon trusting Christ as Lord and Savior. However, sanctification is past and present, leading to glorification at the return of Christ. Until then, believers are sanctified in Christ.

Why God Answers Prayer

Charles Spurgeon said, "God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart. When you are so weak that you cannot do much more than cry, you coin diamonds with both your eyes. The sweetest prayers God ever hears are the groans and sighs of those who have no hope in anything but His love." 

Spurgeon prayed, because of the assurance that "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Some may think it's only about saying the right words, so they read a prayer or memorize a prayer. You can say words without considering God is love. Spurgeon understood that prayer is about a relationship focused on God's love. He said, "The sweetest prayers God ever hears are the groans and sighs of those who have no hope in anything but His love." 

Spurgeon knew that God answers prayer for "those who have no hope in anything but His love." If you really believe that God loves you, then you know that He will hear you. If you love your children, you listen to them. He who loves us, listens to our prayers.

Spurgeon understood that prayer is trusting God's love to hear and answer. We may not understand how or when God will answer our prayers. Yet, as Spurgeon said, "The sweetest prayers God ever hears are the groans and sighs of those who have no hope in anything but His love."