Posted January 24th
I want you to consider the following verses in Ephesians 2, v8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. v9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Saved is defined in Strong's : Keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction, from
injury or peril. To save a suffering one from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health. Jesus
stated in John 10: v10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come
that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Peter stated in I Peter 5: v8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: v9, whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same affictions are accomplished in
your brethern that are in the world. From these verses we can clearly see to be saved, or salvation, is more than just getting to heaven, and that the devil is always trying to devour or destroy, so salvation is more than just a one time experience.
Grace is the favour of God and came by Jesus Christ. John 1: 17 For the law came by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Faith , which is a spirit, (2 Corinthians 4:13) comes by obeying Romans 10: 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; v9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. We use this spirit of faith to access God's mercy, to obtain grace to help in resisting the devil. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
The gift of God is Jesus Christ. But unto everyone of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Not of works is referring to keeping the Law of Moses. Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his (God's) sight. Galatians 2:16 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 3:23 states But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace. It is clear from these verses, that the devil wants you to try and keep the law of Moses, to shut up your faith, so you can not resist him and obtain salvation, or please God. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
In closing, Hebrews 2:3 states How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with sings and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? We won't! May God, according to his great mercy, lead us to repentance that we may believe and obey His Gospel, that Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the the scriptures. .....for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth...........God, bless us all. Mike