The Bible tells us in 2 Tim. 2:15 to rightly divide the word of God as we are to be conscious that all of the Bible is the divine word of God. We know without any doubt that we are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus also tells us in Mt. 7:21-24 that not everyone who calls me Lord will enter the kingdom of God, only those who do the will of my father will enter.
Jesus also told us in Jn 8: 31+32 that we were truly His disciples if we remain faithful to His teachings. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are making a decision to follow Jesus' teachings and guidance in our lives.
In 1 Jn 2:3+4, God's word tells us we can be sure we know Jesus if we keep His commandments, and if someone claims to know God, but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. In verse 6 of 1 Jn Chpt. 2, we see that those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. God's word clearly instructs that we are not saved by good works, and many times lets us know that love is the gold standard for evidence of the Holy Spirit. It also tells us we are to follow the example of Jesus, and when we fail God's grace is sufficient and we are to repent and get back to serving Jesus in following His example.
The Bible warns us that God's grace is not a license to sin. So today, as we look at the Holy Scriptures, let us be thankful to God from whom all blessings flow.
Jn 3:16 tells us that God loved us so much He sent His Son to die on a cross and pay the debt for our sins. This gives us the opportunity to have eternal life when we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Now we have the assignment given to us by God's word to follow Jesus.
Matters of Faith is contributed each week by members of the Du Quoin Ministerial Alliance.
