Christian

The Gift

What is the gift of eternal salvation? Romans 6:23 KJV, tells us, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV calls it the … unspeakable gift.

Is it free? Romans 5:18 KJV says, Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

So what is the free gift? Jesus left his Heavenly throne in Heaven to come down to the Earth to live as a man. He showed us how to walk in the light and to live sinless before the Lord. He went to death on the cross showing us how to live our own lives. He became the sinless sacrifice for our sins when he died, the Lamb of God slain for our salvation. His resurrection further demonstrated who he truly was. It became the example to us of regeneration to a new man after water baptism and being born again.

It was indeed a free gift. Jesus completed his offering to the Lord God Almighty, Jehovah, and to us. He died to show us the way.

How do I accept the gift? You accept the gift by believing Jesus was the only begotten Son of God who died as our sacrificial atonement before the LORD. John 3:16 The Gift is complete when you believe  and are baptized. Mark 16:16.

You have accepted the gift. Upon acceptance, the gift is complete. What now? Like any other gift you can cherish the gift, you can despise the gift, you can even throw it away. The purpose of God’s great gift is to cause us to conform our life to mirror Jesus’ life. Honor Jesus’s sacrifice by not sinning. God will help you walk in the light. Where there is temptation God will provide a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV says, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

After water baptism God gave us a way to receive forgiveness for our sins. 1 John 1:9 KJV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 28:13 KJV tells us, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Beggar in a Blue Suit

I find it amazing that tv personalities can ask you for $1,000 without blinking an eye. They’re asking for you to help the gospel go around the world. I’ve watched many of the Christian channels and the ratio allotted by time seems 90% begging, 10% bible discussion. And sadly it seems that only about 2% of that bible study is accurate and worthwhile. Let them get to the heart of the matter, believe and be baptized!

One of my previous pastors would misuse a verse saying we are to give every Sunday. 1 Corinthians 16:2 KJV does say Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. But every verse should be read in context. This is a one time instruction for a monetary offering to be delivered to the saints at Jerusalem. Can you imagine modern churches giving all their offerings to another community?

Why has giving become so sanitized? Don’t give to the stinky, dirty, hungry man or woman on the street, but use your credit card to give a man 1,000 dollar “seed” without knowing how much is planted in his/her own pocket.

Jesus said the children are free! Matthew 17:26 We as children of God are free. We dont have to give, but if we do 2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV is an example to be followed.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Standard