GRACE +FAITH +NOTHING = SALVATION

REF: Genesis 15:6, Ephesians 2:8

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Gen.15:6

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph. 2:8

COMMENT:

Grace comes from God, faith comes from man and you are to add nothing. The end result is what all human beings, all over the world, have desired in all ages, and that is SALVATION. All human beings have a basic need and that is to desire to know what happens when we die. Death is a fact and all face it at one time in their lives (only Enoch and Elijah who disappeared to heaven without dying). Time flows towards one direction i.e. everything alive grows from young to old. The appointment with death must be kept whether we like it or not. Therefore, in life we keep asking the question, “What will happen to me when I die?”

Philosophers have tried to answer the question and in the process, have founded religions and movements all over the world. It is only the bible which has answered the question satisfactorily as to where we have come from, what we are doing here, and where we are going.  Agnostics, Atheists, scientists and world religions cannot answer the question satisfactorily and with authority.

The grace (unmerited favour) from God is always available and all we need is to exercise our faith and receive favour (grace). In doing this, we receive Jesus Christ in our hearts, and therefore we are born again – we have received salvation by faith. Spiritually, Jesus Christ has come to dwell in our hearts.

Faith does not need anything on top. Membership of a church as taught by some apparently respectable denominations is not a requirement according to the bible. Might be, it is a requirement by the traditions which in most cases contradict the bible. Works, as good as they are, cannot earn you salvation. Works follow salvation to prove it exists, and therefore may appear to be the source, but it is not.

Abraham needed only faith in God, in order to be declared righteous.  God made him righteous because of his faith and not anything else. This was before the law was given to Moses and even before his circumcision. He did not have to keep the Sabbath because it was not known then. He received righteousness and the Spirit started to guide him. He did not need the law. We also do not need the law in order to be led by the Spirit. See Galatians 5:18

MARANATHA!! Come Lord Jesus.

DEMAND FOR A SIGN

REF: Matthew 16:2-4

He replied, “When evening comes you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red, and in the morning,  “Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation look for miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

COMMENT:

These days, man is looking for miracles in order to believe what the preachers teach. Any preacher whether he preaches the truth according to the bible or not, will be followed everywhere as long as he is demonstrating some miracles. People will not care about his character. All they will be concerned about is what they can receive from him and the preacher’s concern is the money he is able to collect from the people following him.

Martin Luther the German reformer questioned the Roman Church’s practice of asking for payment for prayers to enable their dead relatives to be transferred from purgatory to heaven. Let it be noted here that purgatory does not exist as far as the bible is concerned. Perhaps it is derived from traditions like the purported existence of a mother in heaven. Purgatory was created by the Vatican for purposes of fundraising and it worked for some time. When Martin Luther, a priest in the same church, questioned the evil practice, a path for the creation of the protestant movement all over the world was created.

Jesus addressing the religious leaders of his day (Pharisees and Sadducees) who demanded to see a sign from heaven told them to do what they always did when forecasting the weather. He concluded by telling them not to expect any other miraculous sign except that of Jonah. Jonah was swallowed by a whale and remained in the belly of the big fish for three days and was vomited on dry land breathing and willing to go where God had sent him.

The sign of Jonah is likened to what Christ did while on earth. He was killed on the cross and was buried but rose again the third day. That is the most important sign because it provided the only way to eternal life. Miracles like healing, prosperity and even calling fire from heaven, cannot provide eternal life unless one makes another step to receive Jesus as their personal saviour. Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and therefore to establish a firm and personal relationship with him is profitable forever.

Man must stop asking for a sign because the most important sign has been given by Jesus himself. He is the only son of God and came into the world for a very important purpose. He came to save that which was lost and to sustain salvation by his grace. All he demands is faith in him and so we become his righteousness. We shall no longer live by the law because it is not possible. He is our righteousness and has taken residence in us.

MARANATHA!! Come Lord Jesus.

CONSPIRACY THEORIES

REF: Luke 12:2-3

There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.

COMMENT:

There are thousands of conspiracy theories in the entire world today in all fields especially politics and leadership. Leadership is defined as influence and it is nothing less, and nothing more. For that reason, if one has a hidden agenda, they will try all they can to influence the other leaders and therefore rule the entire world. One may ask, why rule the world? 

The need to influence the whole world may appear not as important but if Satan is the god of this age as demonstrated in the last article, and confirmed by the bible, then the need to keep the world under him giving orders, is of paramount importance.

The other reason is the wealth of this world. Satan will control the entire world economy and therefore the people. In Matthew 4:8 and 9, Satan promised to give Jesus, “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.”

As can now be seen, conspiracy theory is spiritual and it is expressed in the physical realm. Take the popular case of the landing on the moon in 1969 which actually never took place, but the world was made to believe a lie. The deception was well organized by Americans to show their supremacy. It cost billions of dollars and it has not been repeated and may never be attempted again unless something is done to the heavy radiation all around the moon's atmosphere. See well researched documentary in YOUTUBE.

The issue of who rules the world is discussed in numerous forums and the fact that many people are aware of one or two secret societies, it is as if nothing is abnormal. People are ignorant of many powerful groups that control and run the entire world. These are super rich and faceless human beings working in well organized network and are capable of doing anything to achieve their goals.

It must be noted that these are the people who will be used by the dreaded Anti-Christ to achieve his goals. His rule is coming soon but the Lord Jesus Christ will follow soon afterwards and will defeat the Anti-Christ and establish the millennial kingdom of hope for both born -again Christians and the Jews. It will be a time of the longed for utopia and the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Eternity will begin soon after the 1000 years of the Lord Jesus’ rule. He will rule from the city of Jerusalem. No wonder Jerusalem is the most contentious property on earth.

MARANATHA!! Come Lord Jesus.

The Fight is Fixed

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

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Have you ever watched a fight or a match that has already happened and you know the final score? There you are excited about the game and then the opposing team scores. Their fans are ecstatic as they celebrate because they are leading but as for you, you are thinking "you guys have no idea what is awaiting you in the next half." The game moves on and just before the half time, the opposing team scores another goal and the noise in the stadium is deafening.

The fans are jubilant and you would think they have already won the game. On the other hand when you look at the fans of the team you are supporting, they seem like they have given up and they have nothing to be happy about. As for you, you are not moved and you have a big smile on your face as you enjoy your cup of tea all relaxed because you know how the match will eventually end. It matters not how many goals the opposing team scores, you know that they are not going to win.

I always imagine what must be going on through the mind of God as He looks down on earth and sees us all anxious and discouraged. I guess many are the times he smiles and says "child, the game is fixed, if you stick with me, there is no way you can lose." How many times have you and I found ourselves in situations where we lament and say God why have you forsaken me? We start wondering if God cares for us and even those around us, just like the fans in the arena have nothing to shout about and no words of encouragement.

As long as the fight is not over, you and I have nothing to worry about keep pressing on. The devil may be rejoicing because it seems like he has the upper hand at the moment and the noise from his shouts and jubilation may be getting you down. You look at yourself and your health is going from bad to worse. You are chocking in debts and you can see no way out while those you owe are breathing down your neck. Your marriage seems like it is hitting rock bottom and you are almost giving up. Drugs alcohol and immorality are tearing your family apart and you are asking God why?

Because you have been serving Him the best way you know how to. Probably you had the last supper last night meaning you have no idea where the next meal is going to come from or for you it is not even the money because you have more than you need but you lack the peace of God and His joy. It is very easy to get discouraged when it seems like you are losing the fight and the cheers from the opposing team don't make it any easier. For your information, God in heaven is not having any sleepless nights because of your situation.

He says in Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. God is not worried because the fight is fixed. If you stick with Him, there is no way you are going to lose. With that kind of knowledge it is much easier to bear every blow that the enemy throws your way because you know that it is only a matter of time before the tables turn to your favour. You will still come out on top no matter how bleak the situation may look right now. Be encouraged and keep on standing. Maintain your focus on God and keep on standing. The fight is fixed there is no way you can lose!

SATAN: The god of this age

REF:  2Corinthians 4:3-4

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

COMMENT:

Satan controls the lost and the false teachers. He has privileges and powers he acquired in heaven before he fell. He visits heaven when angels go to report to God as clearly indicated in the book of Job chapter 1 verse 6. He is called the accuser of the brethren (AOB) and therefore appears before God often to report and prosecute the believers. Anyway, don’t you worry because we have Jesus Christ as our lawyer.  All we are required to do is to repent the sin we have committed and ask Jesus to wash us with his atoning blood and represent us. His blood is adequate to pay for all debts of our sins. We are then declared innocent and our case is thrown away. Jesus, the advocate is also the son of God who is the judge. Jesus has never lost a case as long as he has been requested to act as the advocate and the sin in question has been confessed and forgiven.

Satan controls all human beings who are lost either immoral or moral. It does not matter whether they are good or bad. As long as they are lost, Satan will control them. The bible in John 3:18 says, “He that believes in him is not condemned: but he that does not believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God is condemned.” All you need to do is to ask him to come in your heart and dwell there as your saviour and Lord. Believe it and do it. You are immediately born again.

Satan also controls false teachers. He has influence and power to keep a man from looking into the bible and see God’s Son giving his life for a sin cursed world. The Bible in 2Corinthians 11: 13-14 says the following: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”

The false teachers never mention the fact that Jesus Christ paid ALL man’s sin debt with his own precious blood. This is the way you distinguish false teachers from true teachers. False teachers, teach good works and church membership, but never tell you that you need to turn from your sin and trust in the work Jesus did to save you. They laugh at sin, and the current and eternal damage that it does. You can measure men’s love for God by how much they hate sin.

Jesus Christ has power over Satan. The bible says, “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Finally, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in his name.” John 1:12