Saved By Grace

We are saved only by the grace of God, through faith (Ephesians 2:8,9). This is not of ourselves. God loves us even as sinners (Romans 5:8), he draws us (John 6:44) and he atones for our sin and grants us eternal life if we believe. He does it all. The great exchange-- our sins for his righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

If we believe, we have the right to be called children of God (John 1:12). But what is belief? Is it knowing the gospel? I would say that is not enough as even the demons know the gospel and they are doomed to eternal torment (James 2:19).

If we really believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, our lives will be changed (2 Corinthians 5:17). This change is reflected in our behavior as we are obedient to God's commands. So James, the Lord's brother, says faith without works is dead. Works are behaviors spurred on by our desire to be obedient to God. Works do not save us. They have nothing to do with our salvation. However, they are evident in all who believe. If we say we believe but are not fruitful in our lives, we have no reason to be assured of our salvation. In Mathew chapter 25 the Lord tells three stories that are particularly convicting. The parable of the ten virgins demonstrates the need for watchful readiness for the Lord's coming. The five virgins that knew the bridegroom was coming but weren't prepared are left out of the wedding banquet. The parable of the talents shows we will be held accountable to produce fruit dependent on the gifts we are given. Fear is not an excuse for lack of fruit. Lastly, in the parable of the sheep and the goats, the Lord separates people based on their behavior. Convicting and compelling words that we should take obedience to the commands of God very seriously.

So, we are saved by faith and works develop out of that faith and bring us assurance that we are Christ's. Faith without works is not a real faith.

Even though our works have nothing to do with our salvation, the Bible says our degree of reward in heaven will depend on our fruitfulness on earth relative to the gifts God has given us. Speaking to believers, Paul says we must all stand before the judgement seat of Christ that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.(2 Corintians 5:10). In 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, Paul talks about our works being tested with fire with resulting reward or loss depending on that testing. Now heaven will be awesome for all who believe, but Jesus was, I think, speaking literally when he said store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth (Mark 10:21).

The above is a reminder to me that if I truly believe I will be obedient to God. Disobedience can only come from unbelief. For who could stare at our God, the consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), and disobey? Who could believe: Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13) and not fall on their knees in submission?

O Lord, have mercy on me.

David's Prayer 1 Chronicles 29:10-13.

David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
"Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

Observations:
-This is a great prayer of praise to our God and King.
-Everything is God's. He is ruler over all.
-Wealth, honor and strength are gifts from God, not of ourselves.

Tozer On Pride and Criticism

After a time of growth and successful labor comes the deadly psychology of self-congratulation. Success itself becomes the cause of later failure. Those who have already entered the state where they can no longer receive admonition are not likely to profit by this warning. After a man has gone over the precipice there is not much we can do for him; but we can place markers along the way to prevent the next traveler from going over. Here are a few:

1. Don’t defend yourself against criticism. If criticism is false, it can do no harm. If it is true, you need to hear it and do something about it.

2. Be concerned not with what you have accomplished but over what you might have accomplished if you had followed the Lord completely.

3. When reproved, pay no attention to the source. Do not ask whether it is a friend or an enemy that reproves you. An enemy is often of greater value to you than a friend because he is not influenced by sympathy.

4. Keep your heart open to correction of the Lord and be ready to receive His chastisement regardless of who holds the whip. The great saints all learned to take a licking gracefully – and that may be one reason why they were great saints.

A.W. Tozer

Band of Brothers

I have been blessed with a group of men that encourage me and hold me accountable. Together we fight the daily spiritual battle that rages around us through the power given by the Holy Spirit. There is a bond that has been formed over the years through trials and laughter that is priceless. This group holds me up and strengthens me. They help me to be faithful in my walk. They are a gift of God. I don't know God's exact purpose in having twelve disciples appointed in leadership of the early church, but I imagine they felt this bond. I think God has made us in a way that flourishes in fellowship and community. I cannot run the race alone. A good friend gave me the DVD of the mini series Band of Brothers, a story about a group of men fighting in world war two. They also developed a bond that still exists to this day, in those yet living, through suffering and helping each other over the duration of their war experience. We today fight a battle against the principalities and powers unseen that would, if able, destroy us. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. God has given us the means to wage the battle as a Band of Brothers. John Eldredge in his book Wild at Heart tells the story of Henry V at Agincourt. His army is weary and greatly out numbered by the French. As they prepare for battle, Henry bolsters the troups by saying (according to William Shakespeare in Henry V 1599):

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother....
And gentlemen in England, now a bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here;
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us.

The Weight

Felt a heavy weight on me last night brought on by difficulties in life. Nothing big. Just life. I found myself ready to have the Lord take me to be with him. It's a good thing to know I have an inheritance in heaven kept for me. Sometimes the toil of life is just such a burden. My inability to stop sinning. The fact that every day there is someone who is dissatisfied with something pertaining to my actions. Rain. I am better today. God always lifts me out of the mire when I get this way. It's a reminder though that my citizeship is in heaven, not here. I shouldn't expect a world without trouble now. Jesus said I shouldn't. I met with my brothers Jack and Kevin this morning and the fellowship reminded me that there are better things to come and that the Lord loves me so much he died on a cross so that I might spend eternity in with him.

Hebrews 10:24,25
1 Peter chapter 1
John 16:33
Psalm 40:2