I was a fool for many years saying that I was a Christian, but not actually seeking to be a Christian. Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:17 And the best way this can happen is by a daily diet of reading all of God's WORD.
In reading through the Bible we learn... "What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 10:12).
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
Bible Pathway Devotionals
Through the Bible in one year in 15 minutes a day, from Bible Pathway Ministries, which also can be found at Christianity.com
Read Romans 8-10
Highlights: Free from sin nature and death; Nothing can separate; Gentiles also called children of God: Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Rom-8-39" Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38-39).
As Paul begins to search with the guidance of the Holy Spirit regarding the boundaries of grace, he comes to the profound conclusion that is conveyed here. For the human mind to come to an understanding of grace as the WORD of God reveals it, it must be understood that grace is both simple and complex at the same time. Many might question how that is possible. Understanding grace is as simple as understanding that it is the unmerited favor of God. That definition, however, is also what makes comprehending grace so complex. Why would God allow Christ, who was perfect and holy in all ways, to pay a debt for us who are neither perfect nor holy in any way? Jesus, who had no sin, took on the sin of every human who had ever lived, was living or would ever live. He did this so our sin could be eradicated.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Cor. 15:53-54). Why?
The answer to this question is the same as the answer to many question that might be asked concerning the interactions of God and man. The answer. once again, is simple. It can be given in one word, love. The love of God for mankind is quite nearly unexplainable. The fact is that the LORD loves us in spite of ourselves. He wants us to learn to love others the same way. The majority of the time it is not difficult to love those that love us and treat us well, but Christ's love is deeper than that. Likewise, He requires our love to go deeper. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matt. 5:43-44).
We learn even more of the depths of God's love here in Romans. As Paul asks the question, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ (Rom. 8:35). The answer given in the WORD of God is a resounding "No one!" He goes on to give a list of things that may try to separate the love of God from us, but he notes that each one will ultimately fail in its attempt to cause God to love us any less. While there will be times that He will dislike or even hate our actions, that will not diminish His love for us. We can be assured that God's love has always been present and always will be present.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10).
Thought for Today: Without question, the Christian who strives to read and obey God's WORD becomes a more effective servant of Jesus Christ
In reading through the Bible we learn... "What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 10:12).
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
Bible Pathway Devotionals
Through the Bible in one year in 15 minutes a day, from Bible Pathway Ministries, which also can be found at Christianity.com
Read Romans 8-10
Highlights: Free from sin nature and death; Nothing can separate; Gentiles also called children of God: Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Rom-8-39" Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38-39).
As Paul begins to search with the guidance of the Holy Spirit regarding the boundaries of grace, he comes to the profound conclusion that is conveyed here. For the human mind to come to an understanding of grace as the WORD of God reveals it, it must be understood that grace is both simple and complex at the same time. Many might question how that is possible. Understanding grace is as simple as understanding that it is the unmerited favor of God. That definition, however, is also what makes comprehending grace so complex. Why would God allow Christ, who was perfect and holy in all ways, to pay a debt for us who are neither perfect nor holy in any way? Jesus, who had no sin, took on the sin of every human who had ever lived, was living or would ever live. He did this so our sin could be eradicated.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Cor. 15:53-54). Why?
The answer to this question is the same as the answer to many question that might be asked concerning the interactions of God and man. The answer. once again, is simple. It can be given in one word, love. The love of God for mankind is quite nearly unexplainable. The fact is that the LORD loves us in spite of ourselves. He wants us to learn to love others the same way. The majority of the time it is not difficult to love those that love us and treat us well, but Christ's love is deeper than that. Likewise, He requires our love to go deeper. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matt. 5:43-44).
We learn even more of the depths of God's love here in Romans. As Paul asks the question, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ (Rom. 8:35). The answer given in the WORD of God is a resounding "No one!" He goes on to give a list of things that may try to separate the love of God from us, but he notes that each one will ultimately fail in its attempt to cause God to love us any less. While there will be times that He will dislike or even hate our actions, that will not diminish His love for us. We can be assured that God's love has always been present and always will be present.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10).
Thought for Today: Without question, the Christian who strives to read and obey God's WORD becomes a more effective servant of Jesus Christ
