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Welcome to God’s Word to You
God’s Word to You today is found in
Romans 3:12
12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”
Mark 10:18
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Romans 6:1
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
So we should be His instead of good?
I can give up my fight to stop sinning and just seek Jesus?
He loves me however I am, whether weak or strong?
I shouldn’t put man on a pedestal?
I shouldn’t be put on a pedestal?
Could it be I have looked at my relationship with God wrong all along?
Well, that depends on how you answered any or all of those questions. Chris Conlee, our pastor, back last year gave a series of sermons on us going thru the doors of Grace and Good Intentions/Works.
It has made a huge affirmation and difference in my life and my walk. But let me share some simple truths that I pray may help set you free in Christ if you have been a slave to doctrine.
And let me say doctrine in itself is not bad. But when it becomes more important or focused on more than our relationship with God then it has lost its purpose and value.
Lets look at this. Dawn is in nursing school. She studies daily. She works hard so she will be a good nurse. I think it is a great career for her because she will be secure after I am gone and be able to have a good life financially. But more, she has a loving heart and that will add to her value as a nurse. Don’t you appreciate a kind loving nurse when you are in a hospital?
But to be a good nurse she has to do these works to be able to pass tests, get certified and finally to have a job. There are standards that must be met.
God is our only salvation and that is thru Jesus. It is what He did and His grace given freely to us that saves us.
Our works are as useless as the chaff of wheat blowing in the wind. God doesn’t need them. But we do.
They don’t save us. They don’t make us good. They do demonstrate our love for Him and more, His working in us to grow and show Him to the world,
If we get stuck in the I do good things for God or I must do good things or God will stop loving me theology we promote pride and set ourselves up for failure. Why? Because we are human and we will fail. And when we fail enough we give up.
Ever started a diet and not finished it? Ever read part of a self help book? Let me be blunt. Have you ever failed at something?
Well here is the freedom in Christ.
His love never fails. He loves us at our highest and lowest. He is never worried about how good we are as much as how much of ourselves are we willing to offer Him. He wants our love above all. And He takes it all. The good and the bad.
What do the marriage vows say? For better or worse? And aren’t we the Bride of Christ?
So today I pray something in you stirred if you had doubts. I pray something in you was set free if you feel like a failure. I pray His love flows over you like a river if you felt alone.
Today may His amazing grace wash you and fill you to overflowing so it has to be poured out that others may see it and know it.
me n’ God love ya
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I’d love to know how God is working in your lives and get to know you. Please feel encouraged to send any comments and thoughts.
Email me at Chuck.Acts420@gmail.com
in His service,
Chuck
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