December 28, 2024

Aren’t you grateful that Paul was appointed to preach the gospel to the Gentiles? Otherwise, we might have never known our place in God’s will. However, God’s plan always prevails. With Paul pouring out his heart in the letters to the churches, we have learned the truth of what God expects from us. As we can see in hindsight, it was God’s plan to include us in His kingdom all along. The Old Testament touches on it, but some of the Jewish people glaze over it because they think they are the only people who are chosen to be saved. That’s why Paul writes to them to clarify God’s intent for our inclusion.

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Ephesians 3:6-7

We can confidently go to God, knowing we are part of the promise.

According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Ephesians 3:11-12

Glorify and honor God in everything you do because He has included us as part of His plan and given us a power that was unavailable to most saints in the Old Testament. We are truly blessed!

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

December 27, 2024

It’s hard to wrap our minds around predestination because we don’t want to think that God didn’t choose some people for salvation. This is speculation, but maybe God chose everyone. However, because He foreknew those who would reject Him, the teaching of predestination was made possible. I cannot guess what was on the mind of God in this situation. The Old Testament is full of those who God accepted over others: Jacob over Esau, Isaac over Ismael; there are many others, but those are the ones I could think of off the top of my head. Then, you come to these verses, and it seems to compliment Paul’s teaching on predestination: 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Our salvation is by the grace of God. If you had a choice, would that be considered works? Are you deciding for yourself? God doesn’t want you to think that you had anything to do with your salvation to prevent you from being able to boast about being good enough. But what about faith? Faith is hope for the unseen; without it, it is impossible to please God. 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 

He gave you salvation as a free gift, but now you have to believe it. When the seeds that God sent you grow, He sends the Holy Spirit to strengthen your faith. Even our faith is strengthened by a gift from Him. It is all about God and His grace; you cannot do anything to earn it. This study makes me even more grateful for my salvation.

December 26, 2024

You are saved by the will of Christ. You didn’t choose, he chose you. 

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ephesians 1:5

We evangelize because we don’t know who was chosen, and God may use us as the catalyst for them to come into that knowledge. We are part of the gathering of the saints into the sheepfold. When the time is right, Jesus will separate the wheat from the tares; we are only responsible for spreading the gospel so that the chosen come to the saving knowledge of Christ. I’ve done a light study on free will, and I’m not finding much, but I will dig deeper because I’m in no way very knowledgeable on the subject, but from what I’ve noticed, our entry into the kingdom as adoptees is not by our choice. I don’t know any children who chose their parents; their adoptive parents chose them; it’s the same way in the kingdom of God. You can go willingly or fight it, but if He picks you, you’re going whether you like it or not. My suggestion would be for you to embrace your calling and learn as much as you can about your adoptive family and the One who chose you.

December 25, 2024

If we are to live in freedom, we need to break the bonds that tie us to the flesh. The Galatians had to get over the hurdle of being taught that circumcision was necessary for salvation; they had been taught wrong by those trying to make Christians adhere to the Law of Moses. In some cases, we were also taught things by those who thought they were teaching rightly but possibly misunderstood the scriptures. False teaching can happen in any church, so Paul had to write them a letter. I wonder how many churches would get a letter today. To overcome false teachings, pray constantly and search the scriptures daily. We are closing in on the end of the year when many people make resolutions; if you are not reading and praying daily, commit to God, and He will help you keep it if you ask him. Try it for three weeks to start; that’s how long it takes to make it a habit. Let nothing distract you from your time with God. I guarantee that you will reap spiritual benefits as well as physical benefits. 

Today, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, commit to making him the center of your life. When you do, he will fulfill all the desires of your heart; that’s the gift that no man can match. Merry Christmas.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:8

December 24, 2024

Along with our freedom in Christ comes a great responsibility: to exude him in our flesh and temper our responses in a Christ-like way. Because God knows that I will write about it, He sometimes gives me examples. Yesterday, I went to the gas station because I was low on fuel. I have a car with a fuel tank on the passenger side, which, in my opinion, is the wrong side, and I was having a hard time finding a pump that was available. I circled the station several times and saw one becoming available, so I waited for it. As soon as the guy pulled away, another car swooped in and took my pump. He knew what he had done. I controlled my reaction even though I wanted to blast him. I ended up seeing an opening for the pump right next to him. As I was pulling up, a woman, also looking for a pump, almost did the same thing, but she showed kindness, realizing I was turning around to be on the appropriate side of my car. We chatted a bit and wished one another Merry Christmas. God affirmed to me that holding my tongue was pleasing to Him, so He sent another person whose heart was full of kindness as a gift for following His ways. The love of another blessed me. I’m sure she must have been a Christ-follower. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

December 23, 2024

Watch out for those who try to convince you that you must adhere to the old covenant and the laws given to Moses at Mt. Sinai. We are not bound as servants; we are free and included as children of the promise and must shake off those chains. Otherwise, you invalidate what Jesus did on the cross to save us from the law that was corrupted and could hold us in bondage if we tried to keep it. 

I’ve been looking for the answer to why we don’t celebrate the appointed feasts as holidays. Well, I found the answer: it’s a part of the old covenant which we are not a part of. These verses opened my eyes to the truth. 

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. Galatians 4:9-10

Reading it on the surface, I thought we weren’t even to keep a calendar. However, after searching through several commentaries, it boils down to being free from keeping sabbath observances and feasts. Rather than making one day special to worship God, we need to worship Him daily. We probably shouldn’t be observing any holidays and make every day a holy observance to God. Still, we celebrate. It does feel like bondage because if we don’t participate in the gift-giving and feasting, we will be looked down on and made to feel like we don’t love Jesus when the total opposite is true. We love him always and celebrate our salvation daily. Maybe one day we will get there, but for now, we are chained to observing Christmas as a tradition. I don’t hate it, but perhaps I should. 

December 22, 2024

The law of Moses was given to the Israelites to make them aware of their sins. The new covenant of Christ was to provide a remedy for such sin. Before Christ, the sacrificial system was the only way for them to cleanse themselves of unrighteousness, and it was only a temporary fix. Still, it was also a type of prophecy to give them a glimpse into what was expected when the Messiah came. They got it all wrong because they were expecting when he arrived, he would kill all their enemies; what they are expecting now is what we know as the second coming, the truth was they completely missed his first coming because they hardened their hearts and couldn’t see the forest for the trees. What they will get is the antichrist; he will bring peace and safety, and they will worship him. They were not expecting their Messiah to die the sacrificial death as a lamb for the remediation of their sins, though the very scriptures they followed showed them what to expect. Their jealousy is going to rage when they realize that we, as Gentiles, because of our faith in Jesus, are also considered Abraham’s seed. All these years of trying to follow the Law of Moses were for nothing because if they erred even once, they would be responsible for violating the whole law. It’s too much and impossible to keep; that’s why God sent us Jesus. We are justified by our faith. Our goal is to try not to sin, but it’s impossible; thankfully, Jesus took responsibility for it on our behalf. I’m so grateful. 

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14