Mark Vestal Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

All are born into sin where none are righteous:

Rom 3:10
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"

However, we are living during a unique period where God is holding back His wrath and pouring out His abounding grace through Jesus Christ:

Eph 3:1-2
"For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:"

Rom 5:15
"But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many."

God is currently not imputing our trespasses unto us. We are offered God's gift of salvation and can avoid His future wrath by having faith in Jesus Christ; Whom we are then placed in, and thus made the righteousness of God:

2 Cor 5:17-21
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

We would all be doomed to God's future wrath were it not for His grace and offer of reconciliation to humanity through Jesus Christ:

Eph 2:1-9
"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Jesus Christ took the punishment that we deserve. God forgave us of our sins through Christ’s shed blood. By God’s grace we are offered His free gift and may reconcile ourselves back to Him by believing what Jesus Christ has completed for us.

1 Cor 15:1-4
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

July 28 2023 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Paul Bayne Saved by Him, for Him, from Him for His glory alone.

Romans 9

13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 

***17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.***

19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump done vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 

***22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— ***

I think to answer this question, we need to focus on verses 17 & 22 where God answers this perfectly. God raises the wicked up for His purposes for His glory. God raised Pharaoh to show His power and glory through him. When God was done with him, He killed him off. We read in verse 22 that God is patient with the wicked because He uses them to bring out Christ-like characteristics in His children. They help us be patient, loving, forgiving...etc. Without the trials and persecution of the world around us, we would never have the opportunity to be Christ-like.

September 26 2023 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report