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

God hears every prayer of a true believer. I believe the bigger question is 'what is it that the believer actually believes'? 

Regardless of any denominational affiliation, there is only one requirement by God to be considered a true believer and for our prayers to actually be heard. This is to have faith in Jesus Christ and the blood that He shed for us. Does the believer believe the word of truth, the gospel of their salvation (Eph 1:13)?

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:"

Does the believer truly believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of their sins, and that He was buried, but rose the third day for their justification? Does the believer believe that what Jesus Christ did for them was the sufficient payment made on their behalf, or do they believe there is still something yet remaining for them to complete in order to please God, when pleasing Him is impossible without first having faith (Heb 11:6)?

Paul is clear on this point below:

Col 2:8-20
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,"

Look at it this way, if you were to end up 'knocking on heaven's door', will you ask why you are not allowed entry, when you have done all these things for God during your lifetime, and believing that your efforts should have sufficiently pleased Him for your entry (Matt 7:22)?

Instead, come to the understanding now while living, that GOD HAS COMPLETED EVERYTHING REQUIRED ON OUR BEHALF (Eph 2:8-9). When you appear at 'the gate' the response would then be "thank you God for your grace which has allowed my entry simply through having faith in what YOU completed for me through Jesus Christ and His shed blood"! See the difference? Salvation is about what HE did for us and not what WE do for it.

2 Cor 11:3
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."

Peace and grace!

September 13 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report