Holding Forth the Word of Life That We May Rejoice In the Day of Christ - Part 1035

"Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)

A glorious message of salvation, where in the old covenant, we had no access to Almighty God but because of His fore-ordained sacrifice -- He who knew no sin becoming sin for us -- we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.

"In time past, we walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit now worketh in the children of disobedience. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But God -- who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us -- even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved) and hath raised [us] up together and made [s] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

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 ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:2-10)

It is we who He has quickened -- those of us who were dead in trespasses and sins -- who loved us enough to become flesh and dwell among us, shedding His precious Holy blood on the cross for you and I. (Ephesians 2:1)

And as a consequence of our faith, "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [His] good pleasure. [Therefore,] do all things without murmurings and disputing that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation -- among whom ye shine as lights in the world -- holding forth the Word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." (Philippians 2:13-16)

Further, press in to "the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus -- that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant -- make[s] you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, in whom [be] glory for ever and ever." (Hebrews 13:20-21)

"Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset [us] and let us run with patience the race that is set before us ... looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith -- who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God -- for consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds ... " (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Similarly, "know ye not that they which run in a race run all but one recieveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run ..." (I Corinthians 9:24-27)

How do we do this? By holding forth the Word of life that we may rejoice in the day of Christ.

"Now therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner [stone]; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord -- in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Let him who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.