But Speak Thou the Things Which Become Sound Doctrine - Part 1004

"For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another -- but after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared -- not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour ... that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:3-7)

Read that latter part again -- "That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:7)

Sadly, again today, I read a message from a high profile evangelist, stating that if we would just be happy and self-sufficient, we would be successful in this world. As I contemplated this idea further, I realized that when we focus on ourselves -- our abilities and what we think by ourselves we can accomplish -- we often deny our Lord God and Saviour and His kindness and love for man. How can I say this?

Because the scriptures tell us -- "For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:20) Each and every one of us have fallen short of the grace and mercy of God. Moreover, as Paul wrote: "Knowing that  a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law -- for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16)

But if -- "while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor, for I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God." (Galatians 2:17-19)

Why? Because it is "the grace of God that bringeth salvation ..." (Titus 2:11) "Therefore, it is of faith, that [it might be] by grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. (As it is written) I have made thee a father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, "So shall thy seed be." (Romans 4:16-18)

Thus, our salvation is not by the works of the law or by the deeds of the law, or for that matter, something that we could do in and of ourselves. Our salvation is a gift that is bestowed upon us because the same God who created us in the beginning willingly became our Saviour. This is the mystery that was hid from the beginning of time that has been revealed to us in this dispensation of grace -- if we would only seek Jesus through His Word.

Indeed, our salvation is not by the works of the law, or by the deeds of the law because in this context ... "there shall no flesh be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin -- but now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all these that believe." (Romans 3:20-21)

This is why we need to stop frustrating the grace of God with our vain repetitions -- "for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2:21) If righteousness could come through something we do -- like being happy or self-sufficient -- then similarly, Christ is dead in vain. But this is not from whence comes our salvation and hope. Rather, like Paul wrote -- we that are crucified with Christ. "nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ that liveth in me, and the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written -- "The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:17) There is only one Saviour and those of us who are known of God know that God is manifest in them -- for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made [even] His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." (Romans 1:19-20)

Seek Jesus today with all your heart, soul, mind and strength today. Study His Word to prove what is true. And know that this Saviour (who had been promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures) concerning Jesus Christ our Lord. And be not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes -- "for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith." (Romans 1:18) Stand in the offering plate with Jesus Christ today.