Perverted Shades of Truth - Part 967

"But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the Law." (Galatians 5:18) "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8) "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (Acts 15:11)

Many institutions (including the religious, political and cultural of this day) would have us believe that we are subject to old covenant law, including the ten commandments. These respective organizations do not inform their members that we are NOT saved of ourselves but rather, because of the precious blood that Jesus -- God Himself in the flesh -- shed on the cross. (John 1:1-18) Instead these offer varying shades of truth hoping that we would not ourselves read His Word for knowledge and understanding. Still, the scriptures remain explicit on this point.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Even the apostle Paul wrote from prison, saying, "But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God, who hath saved us, and called with an holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began ... but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (II Timothy 1:8-10)

For God who is rich in mercy for His great love wherewith He loved us, even while we were dead in sins has quickened us together with Christ ... and it is because of His sacrifice on the cross -- the sacrifice of He who knew no sin becoming sin for our sake -- that we have been made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus -- so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace and kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)

Therefore, if we inherit our salvation by grace, then it can no longer be of works -- "otherwise, grace is no more grace." (Romans 11:5-6)

Take hold of the good news gospel truth that Jesus wants to instill in you today. Don't let the worldly shades of truth blind you to the peace that He has declared to us in this generation. That is the same God who created Adam and Eve in the beginning, loved us enough to become as one of us, in the human body of an "only begotten" son, so that we could have life everlasting.

Yes, this is the gist of God's salvation message to you and I.

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus -- whom God hath set forth -- a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God, to declare at this time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus." (Romans 3:23-28)

Respond to His message of love today. Ask Jesus to become Lord in your life. Study His Word to show thyself approved. Stand in the offering plate.