From our understanding that sin is essentially disobeying God in either thought, word, attitude or action we get a true, clear view of our problem of trying to earning our way into heaven by our own good efforts, the need for a Savior to rescue us from the wages of sin, and the love of Our Heavenly Father (out of pure mercy and grace) to plan and provide an atoning Redeemer in "God the Son" Jesus the Christ for the repentant Believer. Through spiritual rebirth by saving faith in the finished work of Christ, we present your bodies as a living sacrifice (from death in sin to life in the Holy Spirit), holy and acceptable to God with a regenerated heart that thirsts to follow, learn, obey and serve the Lord that we love. Once we truly comprehend and accept the gift of salvation, it is natural to resign and surrender our sinful ego-centric throne to the Lordship of our loving “Good Shepherd” to guide & provide our way through life to still waters and green pastures.
Psalm 145:8-13 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
The Lord’s purposes for us, His children, to be like living stones being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood in, but also as Ambassadors for the kingdom of Heaven to give witness a lost and dying world in need of salvation of salvation through Christ. We do not work to receive eternal life, but, once saved, desire to do good and godly works "because we have" eternal gift through Christ Jesus. This is the good words that God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Make no mistake, in this life, we have the unholy trinity of the sinful flesh, the godless world and evil Satan attempting to lure our hearts and minds by tempting us with sensual and seductive lies and lusts of dark humanistic materialism, with lawless self-centered and self-serving sinful pleasures in true rebellion to God, along with encountering some who are hostile to the gospel message because they reject the light of God, so we need to walk in the Spirit and keep our mind’s eyes on the Lord and His perfect will to light our path.
Revelation 17:14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.
Righteousness, out of holiness, sets us apart. Not a “holier than thou attitude”, but a reverence for our Creator God, who sent the Savior of the world (Jesus – God the Son), who by His blood saved us and gives us the indwelling Counselor (God the Holy Spirit) that aligns our hearts to desire the things of heaven and the way of the Master, our Lord & King. Jesus came to seek and save the lost sacrificing His own life to pay the price of our sin. May we boldly bring the light of truth and life in Christ to all, in our sphere of influence, that God has purposefully set around us today, that another unholy trinity that produces fruitless, godless & empty lives with devastating eternal consequences, may be exchanged & transformed by saving faith to fruitful and joyful lives for today and eternity. Praise the Lord!
1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
In Christ, Brian