Embrace the Within no. 191

“Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope [In the NT the word “hope” expresses a cherished desire along with the confident assurance of obtaining that which is longed for] and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power]. And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:1-5 AMP).

Grace and Shalom to your home.

I just want to start with that note in the second verse that “. . . ‘hope’ expresses a cherished desire along with the confident assurance of obtaining that which is longed for”. Hope is the word for this week and the root of living a life of faith. Hope is not just a desire for the way He wants things to become BUT hope is the “confident assurance” that things will become as He wants. Faith is an action. Hope is my confidence.

When things look horrible. When there are sufferings and hardships and obstacles and strongholds, I am to rejoice in the confidence that those sufferings and hardships and obstacles and strongholds will create a patience and endurance that will create a proven character built on a foundation of hope and confidence in Him. I know that “. . . God’s promises never disappoint.” How do I know that? I know “ . . . because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” God never forgets His promise to us. He never breaks a covenant. He never fails. He is always there because there is always hope. Hope is my confidence.

I pray that today I keep my confidence despite the troubles that are bound to come my way. I pray that my hope in His salvation is the foundation of my character. I pray that this character is evident for others to see in my walk in the Way of the Lord. I pray that my hope and my confidence helps me better be an Ambassador of His Kingdom. Faith is action. Hope is my confidence.

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH

Embrace the Within no. 190

“Then what becomes of [our] boasting? It is excluded [entirely ruled out, banished]. On what principle? On [the principle of good] works? No, but on the principle of faith. For we maintain that an individual is justified by faith distinctly apart from works of the Law [the observance of which has nothing to do with justification, that is, being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not also the God of Gentiles [who were not given the Law]? Yes, of Gentiles also, since indeed it is one [and the same] God who will justify the circumcised by faith [which began with Abraham] and the uncircumcised through [their newly acquired] faith.

Do we then nullify the Law by this faith [making the Law of no effect, overthrowing it]? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation]” (Romans 3:27-31).

Faith is action. Good works are actions too. Faith is needed for salvation and sanctification. Good works are not necessary for salvation and sanctification BUT that doesn’t mean they won’t exist. Just because good works are not going to provide salvation, this does not mean that we are not to do good works. And I think that seems to be quite confusing for some folks. Standing on faith is scriptural BUT faith is an action that requires my daily work.

The problem Paul is confronting when he is speaking of good works is merely legalism or ritualism. Folks showing up on the weekends and doing some Christian aerobics and chanting as a way to get good with God. And God didn’t create us to work out our spirit once a week. God created us to have a relationship. And relationships take daily work. Relationships take action on our part and not ritual.

So, instead of showing up on the weekends and doing your Christian aerobics and chanting, spend some time each day with Him? Take some time to get into His Word and get to know Him. I know, it isn’t as socially gratifying spending some alone time with Him when you could be in a building with a bunch of other people that just got done doing Christian aerobics and chanting while you sip some coffee and have some pastry as you carry around your pristine copy of The Bible. BUT it is probably a better investment of your time to crack that Bible open and get it a little creased. It is probably a better investment to not be part of that spectacle and work on your relationship. It is probably a better investment to find some alone time in study and prayer.

Grace and Shalom to your home.

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH