September 22, 2019 - “Thus it is written,” that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46-47) These words Jesus spoke to this disciples just before he ascended back to the Father in heaven. He opened their minds that they could understand the scriptures and he prepared them to be filled by the Holy Spirit, strengthened by him, that they could then go forth boldly preaching his gospel of grace and mercy. This same gospel of the love of Jesus Christ is to be taught today the same as it was in the first century AD. This gospel says that there is no other way to salvation but through our Lord Jesus Christ as he says himself.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John14:6) This is that no man can buy his salvation nor can it be earned through good works toward others, no, it must be given by the great mercy of the Father as a gift for accepting his Son, Jesus Christ as one’s own Lord and Master.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7)
The wonderful blessing, the reward for believing in and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord. The blessed hope of eternity spent in heaven in total harmony and unity with the Father and the Son and his Holy Spirit. But still, this is done only through faith in Jesus Christ and not by anything one can do for himself.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10) Some would now say, “but, this says we are created for good works” so can we work our way into heaven?
NO, good works are actually the fruit of the Spirit given us by the Father for accepting his Son as Lord. These “good works” are to live our lives as examples of the goodness of Christ Jesus. Spreading the gospel of our Lord through our words and deeds each day of our lives on earth. These are works/deeds done as a result of our salvation and not to gain our salvation. Our works are our lives, which are to reflect the love of Christ to all people, to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves as we show the love of Christ to all that we meet each day.
It is by our words and deeds each day that Christ Jesus is known by the world. The responsibility of all Christians, to show the world the love of Christ through our lives of service to him.
