Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (I recommend listening to this song while reading this post) Who I am Not My identity is not in the temporary. My identity is not in my career, in degrees, titles, or achievements, or in my talents and skills. My identity is not in my marital, economic, or social status. My identity is not how I look, how I talk, or how old I am. My identity is not where I’m from, where I live, what I drive, or how much stuff I own. My identity is not my personal preferences, quirks, habits, or behavior. These things are temporary. They are given to me along with the fleeting time I have on this Earth . They are given to me as gifts to be thankful for. They are given to me so that I may turn to God in faith. They are given to me to use as a good steward and to the glory of God. These things are given to me, but these things are not who I am. All these things can shift, change, or be taken away at any moment, and they are all passing away in the next 50 or 60 years at best. Who I am My identity is in the eternal.  I believe in Jesus. I am saved by grace.  I am in Christ. My identity and value are found in Jesus. Jesus is Lord of Heaven and Earth, and He is my Savior. Jesus never changes. He will never be taken away. He always has been. He always will be. Jesus is eternal. Jesus is the One and Only, “I AM.”   (John 6:35, 8:12, 10:9,11, 11:25-26, 14:6, 15:5, 8:58). Jesus will always be with me, and I will always be in Him. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). I am not my own. I was bought with a price. ( 1 Cor 6:19-20) My identity is in my Creator, Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am in Christ. I am a believer. I am a follower and disciple of Jesus. I am a child of God. I am saved by grace. That’s who I am, and it’s only because of Jesus I am who I am. Therefore, the only thing I could ever boast in is in the Lord and His amazing grace (1 Cor 1:31). Dear Heavenly Father , I praise You for loving me and choosing me before the foundation of the world, that my name is written in Your Lamb’s Book of Life. I praise You for sending Your beloved Son Jesus to suffer and die on the cross for the multitude of my flagrant and secret sins, past, present, and future. Jesus paid my tremendous debt for me. Jesus saved me from an eternity in hell where I would’ve had to pay for my sins myself, justly. But God had mercy on me. Jesus loved me so much that He died on the cross to save me from my sins. In three days, Jesus rose again from the dead, and He valiantly triumphed over sin, Satan, and death. Oh death where is your sting? Oh death where is your victory?..But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:55-57). Jesus Christ is Lord over everything, including death itself. Jesus is the Light of the world, and whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12). I am eternally free and secure because I am saved by grace. I am saved by the blood of Jesus. I am in Christ. I am who I am for all eternity only because of Jesus. He is my Creator, Lord of my life, and Savior of my soul. An eternity of love, joy, peace, purpose, and new discovery awaits me because I am in Christ. I am saved by His grace alone. The best is always yet to come because I am who I am. I am in Christ. All glory belongs to my Great Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. In Jesus’ name, I pray amen.   But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31 The world is passing away and also its desires; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever. 2 John 5:17 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” John 8:58

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 13:14 Two Men on a Plane I'd like to share something a bit different with you this week. This is a lesson written by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron from the Online Biblical Evangelism Course at Living Waters. It's a fantastic illustration involving two men on a plane who are given parachutes. I just had to share this with you all on my blog! “The trouble with people who are not seeking for a Savior, and for salvation, is that they do not understand the nature of sin. It is the peculiar function of the Law to bring such an understanding to a man’s mind and conscience. That is why great evangelical preachers 300 years ago in the time of the Puritans, and 200 years ago in the time of Whitefield and others, always engaged in what they called a preliminary ‘Law work.’” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones Kirk Cameron's directions:"Give some deep thought to this lesson, because the essence of the entire School of Biblical Evangelism pivots on the illustration given in this chapter. It exposes the motive of the sinner and reveals the pit­falls of the modern gospel message." The Tragedy of the Modern Gospel "As I began to look at church growth records from around the country, I found to my horror that 80 to 90 percent of those making a decision for Christ were falling away from the faith. That is, modern evangelism was creating 80 to 90 of what we commonly call backsliders for every hundred decisions for Christ. For example, in 1991, a major U.S. denomination was able to obtain 294,000 decisions for Christ. Unfortunately, they could find only 14,000 in fellowship, which means they couldn’t account for 280,000 of their decisions—and this is a normal, modern evangelical result. The tragedy of modern evangelism is that, around the turn of the twentieth century, the church forsook the Law in its capacity to convert the soul and drive sinners to Christ. Modern evangelism therefore had to find another reason for sinners to respond to the gospel, and the reason it chose was the issue of “life enhancement.” The gospel degenerated into “Jesus Christ will give you peace, joy, love, fulfillment, and lasting happiness.” Something like this is usually said, “You will never find true happiness until you come to the Lord. You have a ‘God-shaped vacuum’ in your heart that only He can fill. God will heal your marriage and take away that addiction problem. He’ll get you out of financial difficulty and be your best friend.” The following anecdote will illustrate the unscriptural nature of this very popular teaching. First Man on the Plane Two men are seated on a plane. The first is given a parachute and told to put it on, as it would improve his flight. He’s a little skeptical at first, since he can’t see how wearing a parachute on a plane could possibly improve his flight. He decides to experiment and see if the claims are true. As he puts it on, he notices the weight of it upon his shoulders and he finds he has difficulty in sitting upright. However, he consoles himself with the fact he was told that the parachute would improve his flight. So he decides to give it a little time. As he waits he notices that some of the other passengers are laughing at him for wearing a parachute on a plane. He begins to feel somewhat humiliated. As they continue to point and laugh at him, he can stand it no longer. He slinks in his seat, unstraps the parachute, and throws it to the floor. Disillusionment and bitterness fill his heart, because as far as he was concerned he was told an outright lie. Second Man on the Plane The second man is given a parachute, but listen to what he is told . He’s told to put it on because at any moment he’ll be jumping 25,000 feet out of the plane. He gratefully puts the parachute on. He doesn’t notice the weight of it upon his shoulders, nor that he can’t sit upright. His mind is consumed with the thought of what would happen to him if he jumped without the parachute. Let’s now analyze the motive and the result of each passenger’s experience. The first man’s motive for putting the parachute on was solely to improve his flight. The result of his experience was that he was humiliated by the passengers, disillusioned, and somewhat embittered against those who gave him the parachute. As far as he’s concerned, it will be a long time before anyone gets one of those things on his back again. The second man put the parachute on solely to escape the jump to come. And because of his knowledge of what would happen to him if he jumped without it, he has a deep-rooted joy and peace in his heart knowing that he’s saved from sure death. This knowledge gives him the ability to withstand the mockery of the other passengers. His attitude toward those who gave him the parachute is one of heartfelt gratitude. "Jesus Will Improve Your Flight" Now listen to what the modern gospel says: “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. He’ll give you love, joy, peace, fulfillment, and lasting happiness.” In other words, Jesus will improve your flight. The sinner responds, and in an experimental fashion puts on the Savior to see if the claims are true. And what does he get? The promised temptation, tribulation, and persecution—the other “passengers” mock him. So what does he do? He takes off the Lord Jesus Christ; he’s offended for the Word’s sake; he’s disillusioned and somewhat embittered…and quite rightly so. He was promised peace, joy, love, and fulfillment, and all he got were trials and humiliation. His bitterness is directed at those who gave him the so-called “good news.” His latter end becomes worse than the first, and he’s another inoculated and bitter “backslider.” Warn Sinners About the Jump Instead of preaching that Jesus improves the flight, we should be warning sinners that they have to jump out of the plane—that it’s appointed for man to die once and then face judgment ( Hebrews 9:27 ). When a sinner understands the horrific consequences of breaking the Law of God, he will flee to the Savior, solely to escape the wrath that is to come. If we are true and faithful witnesses, that’s what we’ll be preaching —that there is wrath to come—that God “commands all men every where to repent: because he has appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness” ( Acts 17:30 , 31 ). The issue isn’t one of life enhancement, but one of righteousness. It doesn’t matter how happy a sinner is, or how much he is enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season; without the righteousness of Christ, he will perish on the day of wrath. Proverbs 11:4 says, “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death.” Peace and joy are legitimate fruits of salvation, but it’s not legitimate to use these fruits as a drawing card for salvation. If we continue to do so, the sinner will respond with an impure motive, lacking repentance. Can you remember why the second passenger had joy and peace in his heart? It was because he knew that the parachute was going to save him from sure death. In the same way, as believers we have “joy and peace in believing” ( Romans 15:13 ) because we know that the righteousness of Christ is going to deliver us from the wrath to come. Flee from the Wrath to Come With that thought in mind, let’s take a close look at an incident aboard the plane. We have a brand-new flight attendant. It’s her first day. She’s carrying a tray of boiling hot coffee. She wants to leave an impression on the passengers, and she certainly does! As she’s walking down the aisle, she trips over someone’s foot and slops the hot coffee all over the lap of our second passenger. What’s his reaction as that boiling liquid hits his tender flesh? Does he say, “Man, that hurt!”? Yes, he does. But then does he rip the parachute from his shoulders, throw it to the floor, and say, “The stupid parachute!”? No; why should he? He didn’t put the parachute on for a better flight. He put it on to save him from the jump to come. If anything, the hot coffee incident causes him to cling tighter to the parachute and even look forward to the jump. If we have put on the Lord Jesus Christ for the right motive—to flee from the wrath to come—then when tribulation strikes, when the flight gets bumpy, we won’t get angry at God, and we won’t lose our joy and peace. Why should we? We didn’t come to Christ for a better lifestyle, but to flee from the wrath to come. If anything, tribulation drives the true believer closer to the Savior. Sadly, we have multitudes of professing Christians who lose their joy and peace when the flight gets bumpy. Why? They are the product of a man-centered gospel. They came lacking repentance, without which they cannot be saved." - Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron Closing Thoughts “I’m doing fine. I don’t need God.” Many people feel this way because of the modern gospel message. It says that Jesus will help their marriage, remove their drug problem, fill the emptiness in their heart, give them peace and joy, etc. In doing so, it restricts the gospel’s field of influence. If the message of the cross is for people who have bad marriages, are lonely, and have problems, then those who are happy won’t see their need for the Savior. In truth, the forgiveness of God in Jesus Christ is for people with bad marriages and people with good marriages. It is for the happy and the sad. It is for people with problems and those without problems. It is for those who are miserable in their sins, as well as those who are enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season. Those who think they are doing fine need to be confronted with a holy Law that they have violated a multitude of times. Then they will see themselves through the eyes of the Judge of the Universe and will flee to the Savior. Even if you could do far better than you are doing now, you still can’t do well enough because you don’t please God by being good ( Galatians 2:21 ), but by trusting Jesus ( John 1:12 ). Also, sincerity is not the way to heaven. What if you are sincerely wrong? (Remember  John 14:6 ?) If you are relying on your sincerity, then you are saying that because you are sincere, you are good enough on your own to be with God. To appeal to your sincerity is to appeal to pride, because you are appealing to something that is in you, and not to God, for your reason to go to heaven. You must have faith in Jesus. - Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Psalm 85:10 A Good Hug Psalm 85:10 beautifully illustrates the harmony between righteousness and peace. Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. As much as love belongs with faithfulness, so does righteousness belong with peace. When the two meet, they kiss. And where you find a real kiss, you find a good hug too. To me, I think a good hug fixes a real lot. There's something about a good hug that is just so nice and can make everything feel "all better." "Shalom" Peace goes well beyond just the absence of conflict. Peace comes through God’s righteousness, which unites both parties in love. When one Jew wishes another "Shalom," they are not simply wishing for the absence of conflict but for the fullness of God's righteousness. Shalom is to wish one’s neighbor the highest goodness. It aims to replace conflict with God's righteousness. True peacemakers don't just cease conflict but actively work to replace it with the goodness and righteousness of God. Peacemakers strive for genuine reconciliation (if possible), expressing an aggressive pursuit of good, by grace through faith in Jesus. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people.  Romans 12:18 Truce Versus Peace Peace is not the absence of something but the presence of it. As a truce is the absence of conflict, peace is the presence of God's righteousness. A truce simply means putting down our weapons and refraining from shooting for a while. The world’s definition of peace is more like a temporary lull, while everyone reloads to shoot again. In reality, the world’s peace is only a truce. On the contrary, God’s peace, true peace , is when the truth is acknowledged, the matter is resolved, and the two parties come together in harmony, kissing and hugging one another. Now that's real peace! Many people believe that peace simply means ceasing fire to eliminate all conflict. However, this approach only causes tension to grow beneath the surface. What comes from a mere truce is essentially a cold war, which is still a form of conflict. By attempting to suppress conflicts in the name of peace, we might create a situation far worse than if we had allowed the conflict to play out naturally. A truce is simply an unresolved conflict that is likely to fester, blow up, or cause something chronic or even deadly to both sides. A truce is a silent, yet brewing divide. A mere truce gives us a heavy heart, but God’s peace grants us a light heart. First Pure Then Peaceable According to James, true wisdom is characterized by purity and peace. But the wisdom from above is first pure then peaceable (James 3:17). The wisdom that comes from God leads to peace only through purity. In other words, true peace cannot be pursued at the expense of God's righteousness. True peace is only achieved when people recognize and admit their own sinful ways, humbly acknowledge the truth of the matter, and earnestly seek reconciliation before God. Hebrews 12:14 emphasizes the importance of pursuing peace accompanied by holiness. Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord . Peace, holiness, purity, and righteousness are all interwoven and inseparable. They are all required for resolving conflict. Peace is a result of holiness, purity, and righteousness.  True Peacemakers Walking away from an argument or taking some space to think can be beneficial. However, when two people are fighting or arguing, the solution is not to keep them apart for long, but rather to unite them. This way they can address the issue in truth, reconcile, and hug one another to make things right, achieving real peace together and in the quietness of their own hearts. Scripture says this is what people who believe in Jesus practice; they practice peacemaking. In the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us that true believers will be characterized by peacemaking. They will exhibit a habit and pattern of peacemaking in their life for all to see. Peacemaking is evidence of being Sons of God. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called Sons of God” (Mat 5:8). The Greatest Peace As peacemakers, the greatest peace we could ever bring to someone is sharing the Gospel with them, since faith in Jesus is peace with God (Rom 5:1), the greatest form of peace that exists. When we have peace with God, we have eternal peace in our souls. The meeting of love and faithfulness and the kissing of righteousness and peace are perfectly demonstrated in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross. By grace through faith in Jesus, we are given the ultimate peace; peace with God (Rom 5:1). We receive total forgiveness for our sins and are reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Rom 5:10). Jesus’ love and mercy offer us the gift of eternal life through His sacrifice and resurrection from the dead (Rom 10:9-11). The ultimate kiss and hug of righteousness and peace in Jesus Christ brings us reconciliation with God, gifting us with eternal peace in our souls. Jesus gives us a real good hug through His perfect righteousness that brings us perfect peace. Jesus gives the best hug ever! All glory belongs to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Therefore, having been justified through faith in Christ, we have peace with God . Romans 5:1 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  James 3:18 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. Proverbs 12:20 Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:11 Part of Devotion inspired by “Happy are the Peacemakers” by John MacArthur (I recommend listening).

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry out, and He will say, 'Here I am.'   Isaiah 58:9 A Good Cry A good cry can feel good, but crying out to the Lord makes us feel better. So, if you want to have a really good cry, cry out to the Lord. We serve a God who hears and cares. We have a Father in Heaven who listens to His children when we cry out to Him. Unlike the gods of false religions, our God is not indifferent to His people's needs or cries for help. Jesus is attuned to our every sigh and tear. He understands all our weaknesses (Heb 4:15) and shares in the deepest depths of our grief. When we call, the Lord will answer. When we cry out to Him, He will say, “Here I am” (Isaiah 58:9). Jesus will be there to deliver us from all our troubles because He promises to always be with us. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 “Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows My name. When he calls to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation” (Psalm 91:14-16). To Cry Out To cry out  is to express oneself loudly in a state of distress or desperation. To cry out is to direct our needs to the Lord. He is the Master Recipient of our cries. When we lift our voices to Him we can trust that He hears us with clarity and compassion. (See 1 Samuel 7:8; Psalm 107:6,13, 19,28). When Peter found himself sinking in the water, he cried out to Jesus for help, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him (Matthew 14:30–31). Jesus heard Peter's cry for help and immediately took hold of him. He does the same for you and me when we cry out to Him. He will come to our rescue and say, “Here I am.” Crying out doesn’t always mean expressing oneself vocally. Sometimes our cries to the Lord are silent. In times of distress when no words come out, God still hears the cries of our hearts. Just as Hannah prayed silently in distress, as “her voice was not heard” since she was “praying in her heart” (1 Samuel 1:10, 13), God was there, listening to Hannah’s unspoken pleas. In our most silent moments of angst or sorrow, when no one else can hear, Jesus always does. He hears the silent cries of our hearts loud and clear, and He says, “Here I am.” Crying out to the Lord is not just an act of desperation, but a demonstration of our faith in Jesus and total dependence on Him. Through our tears or anxieties, we not only recognize our sins, shortcomings, and failures but also our limitations and the impossibility of taking on life's struggles in our own strength. Our cries are not just a plea for our Heavenly Father to intervene on our behalf but evidence of true saving faith and confidence in His ability to do so. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons and daughters, by whom we cry out, “Abba! Father!”  Romans 8:15 Two Prayed, One was Heard Scripture says that God does not listen to the prayers of unbelievers; people who are self-righteous, who pride themselves in their “goodness,” and feel no need for repentance. We know that God does not listen to sinners; but if someone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him (John 9:31). But God always listens to the cries of a repentant sinner who recognizes his own sinfulness and pleads for forgiveness. In the parable of two men praying, one is proud while the other is humble and repentant. Jesus tells us how two prayed but only one was heard. “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14    The corrupt tax collector came to God with a contrite and broken heart. He was burdened with sin and guilt and cried out to the Lord to have mercy on him. In contrast, the Pharisee, a respected religious figure in the community, prided himself on being an example of goodness and righteousness. He was blind to his own sinfulness and didn’t recognize his pitiful state like the tax collector did. Even though both men prayed to the Lord, it was only the tax collector's prayer that reached God's ears, as he was the only one who genuinely cried out to the Lord. One exalted himself and was ignored, and the other humbled himself and was received. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  Psalm 34:15-18 Jesus Died for Me. Jesus Cares. Scripture makes it clear that self-reliance is not a quality of a true follower of Jesus; only complete dependence is. As believers, we are to never rely on our own strength. Instead, we must always turn to Jesus, especially in our trials. We must continually remind ourselves of the greatest truth and love there is: that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again from the dead, so that by grace through faith in Him, we may have eternal life! So knowing this, why wouldn’t we always want to cry out to Jesus, for everything ? Jesus solved the biggest problem we’ll ever have 2,000 years ago on a cross: our sin problem that separated us from God. Will Jesus not solve all the comparably little problems too? Of course He will! All in His perfect ways and timing. Jesus died for me. Jesus cares. Jesus is compassionate, patient, and loving toward us in all our trials, big and small. He takes pleasure in helping us when we are in need, which is always! There is never a time when we don't need Jesus, whether in a tough trial or on "easy street." The beauty in trials is that it drives us to cry out to Jesus way more than when life is going smoothly for us. Trials test our faith and produce endurance (James 1:2-3). Trials give us a precious opportunity to prove the authenticity of our faith in Jesus, which gives us assurance of our salvation. And assurance of our salvation is one of the greatest blessings from God and joys we can experience in this life! When setbacks happen and troubles arise, when we find ourselves caught in a sin cycle, when people are mean to us, when life throws a curveball or seems to fall apart, just have yourself a good cry by crying out to the Lord. Only in Him do we find our help, relief, comfort, and mercy. Whether we cry out to the Lord loudly or silently, we can trust that Jesus hears our cries. We can trust that Jesus cares. We can trust that Jesus will always say, “Here I am.” And we can trust that crying out to the Lord will always make us feel much, much better! Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.  Psalm 107:6, 13, 19, 28 “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” Psalm 50:15 I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. Psalm 142:1-2 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:6 Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:3

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." Mark 2:27–28 What About the Sabbath? What does Jesus say about Christians keeping the Sabbath? In Mark 2:27, Jesus said, The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Jesus pointed out that the Sabbath was created for the benefit of man, rather than man being created to serve the Sabbath. Jesus made this statement in response to the Pharisees criticizing His disciples for "breaking the Sabbath law" by picking grain as they walked through the fields (refer to Mark 2:23–28; Mat 12:1–8; Luke 6:1–5). Furthermore, Jesus pointed the Pharisees to the OT Scriptures for understanding. He brought up the time when King David was hungry and in need of food. He was given consecrated bread, which technically was only lawful for the priests to eat (1 Sam 21:1-6). However, this sacred bread met the practical needs of David and his followers. This was just like in Jesus' situation when picking the grain in the fields met the practical needs of Jesus and His followers. David and his men did not commit any sin by eating the consecrated bread, just as Jesus' disciples did not commit any sin by picking heads of grain on the Sabbath. Jesus affirms this by saying, The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27–28). The Sabbath was Made for Man Jesus' response to the Pharisees conveys two significant lessons. The first lesson is that the Sabbath was originally designed to benefit people with rest rather than weigh them down. Jesus had to remind and/or teach the Pharisees of the original purpose of keeping the Sabbath. It was to rest from their work and worship and honor God. Unlike the relentless labor the Israelites endured as slaves in Egypt, they were instructed by God to observe a complete day of rest once a week, according to the Mosaic Law. But over time, the Pharisees twisted this beautiful purpose of the Sabbath and transformed it into a burdensome obligation. They imposed additional man-made restrictions beyond what was specified in God's Law. The simple act of plucking and eating a head of grain while casually walking through a field should not be deemed as "working" or "harvesting" as the Pharisees insisted. The disciples did not sin or violate God's Law in any way; they simply did not comply with the Pharisees' strict and obsessive demands of it. In Mark 3:1–6 (also Matthew 12:9–14; Luke 6:6–11), Jesus gives another example when He heals a man on the Sabbath. The Pharisees sought to accuse Jesus and observed His interaction with a man with a withered hand. “Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent (Mark 3:4). The Sabbath was meant to alleviate burdens, not create them. Prohibiting acts of kindness and compassion on the Sabbath goes against everything that is good and right. Jesus did what was good and right. Lord Even of the Sabbath The second lesson is that Jesus is Lord even of the Sabbath. In other words, Jesus is the Ultimate Authority over the Sabbath. Being God incarnate, He is the One who created the Sabbath day. Since He is the Author of the Law, Jesus naturally has the authority to determine how the Law should be upheld. The Pharisees had elevated their own human additions and rules to the status of God's Divine Law, laying heavy burdens on people, which led to them criticizing the Lawgiver Himself. Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath because the Sabbath symbolizes the rest that Jesus offers, by grace through faith in Him. Jesus is our ultimate rest as He completed all the necessary work for our redemption (Hebrews 4). He accomplished the requirements of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). Christ is the culmination of the Law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes (Romans 10:4). Jesus is Our Sabbath Rest As the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus possessed the authority and power to regulate it however He wanted. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus became the total fulfillment of our “Sabbath rest.” The salvation we receive through Jesus has rendered the old Sabbath-keeping law unnecessary and no longer obligatory. When Jesus proclaimed, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27), He affirmed that just as the Sabbath was established to offer mankind rest from weekly labor, Jesus came to offer mankind eternal rest from working for our salvation through our own efforts. Through Jesus’ perfect life, finished work on the cross, and resurrection, we can now rest from our efforts to earn God’s favor and earn our salvation. Instead, we find complete rest for our eternal souls in God’s great mercy and saving grace through His Son, Jesus. As believers, we are free in Christ and free to obey Him. We are not judged by whether or not we keep the Sabbath day (Colossians 2:16). Instead, we follow and obey the Lord of the Sabbath Himself, Jesus Christ, our Great God and Savior. Our rest is found solely in Jesus, and every single day of the week is dedicated to worshipping Him, forever and ever. Small Note: The Sabbath was Saturdays for the Jews. Sunday for Christians is called "The Lord's Day." Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. Colossians 2:16 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. Romans 14:5-6

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 The Wind Blows The phrase "born of God" is mainly found in the book of First John. 1 John 5:1 says, Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. Other mentions of this phrase can be found in 1 John 2:29, 3:9, 4:7, 5:4, and 5:18. In John 3:3, Jesus says a similar phrase. He tells Nicodemus that in order to see the Kingdom of Heaven, one must be born again. The phrase born of God is closely connected with being born again, born from above, and born of the Spirit. Nicodemus responded the way many of us would. He asked, “How can someone be born when they are old?” (v 4) Jesus responded with an interesting analogy. He said, The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit” (v 8). Unpredictable Why did Jesus use the analogy of the wind to explain the concept of being born again? The Greek term for "wind" is pneuma, which is also used to refer to "spirit." Just like the wind, the Holy Spirit is unseen but His effects are visible. The wind's path itself cannot be seen. The wind cannot be predicted, captured, or controlled, yet it has the power to bring about change wherever it goes. The effects of the wind can be seen through the bending of trees, the rustling of leaves, and the sensation on our faces. Similarly, the Holy Spirit is unpredictable to us, but He brings about a spiritual rebirth that is evident in the life and behavior of a person. Just like we couldn’t cause our physical birth, we couldn’t cause our spiritual birth either. Being born again is not achieved through human efforts, good works, persuasive speech, or intellectual understanding, but only through the work of the Holy Spirit in a repentant and contrite heart (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38). It's all of God's grace. A New Creature To understand what it means to be born again or born of God, one must follow the analogy of an earthly birth to explain a spiritual concept. Just as a newborn baby emerges as a completely new creature, those who are born of God emerge as a completely new creature as well. When a baby is born, a new life comes into existence that never existed before. The baby is a completely new creature who gradually starts to resemble his or her parents. Likewise, a kitten matures into a cat, a puppy into a dog, a lamb into a sheep, and so also, an infant into an adult human. This analogy also applies to those who are born of God. Those who are born of God take on His qualities and then slowly but surely grow mature in Him, reflecting His likeness more and more. To be born of God is to experience an inner transformation through faith in Jesus and begin to resemble our Heavenly Father in an outward way. As stated in 2 Corinthians 5:17, being in Christ makes someone a "new creature" where the "old has passed away and the new has come." In John 3, Jesus elaborates on how one can be born of God: Whoever believes in the Son shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). By God’s grace through faith in Jesus, we are born again into His family, and a major internal transformation takes place. By being born of God and becoming a child of God (John 1:12), we will naturally grow to look and act more like our Father. Pleasing our Father 1 John 3:9 describes a person who has been born of God: “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot keep on sinning because they have been born of God.”  Continue to sin in this context means living a life of sin; continuing in unbroken patterns of sin and fleshly, selfish living. To one degree or another, it’s the life we all lived before we were born again (Eph 2:2-3). Our Heavenly Father is holy, and He commands His children to be holy like Him (1 Peter 1:15–16). Scripture also says that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord" (Heb 12:14). When we are born of God (repent of our sins and put our trust in Jesus alone for salvation), we receive a new heart that desires to please Him (Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Cor 5:9; Col 1:10), and He puts His Spirit in us the very moment we come to saving faith in Jesus, sealing us forever as His own (Eph 1:13-14). Pleasing our Father is not achieved through mere good intentions or white-knuckling it, rather it's by yielding to His Holy Spirit whom He's given us. By the Holy Spirit who lives in us and helps us live out our Christian life, we simply desire to please our Father. It's a big part of our new nature to want to please Him. It's God’s grace that causes us to be born again, and it's God's grace that allows us to be like Him, through the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the One who teaches us, guides us, picks us up when we fall, and helps us live out the Christian life victoriously. The Holy Spirit is the One who transforms our hearts, natures, desires, affections, and will to align with God’s will (Rom 8:29; Phil 2:13) and want to please our Father in heaven as His child. What grace! Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.” John 3:3-8

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17 Our Number One Helper When you and I first repented of our sins and believed in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God the Father sent the Holy Spirit to make His permanent home in our hearts. He is our Number One Helper in living out our Christian life (John 14:16-17, 26, 15:26). One of the major roles of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers is to help us be what we already are: Christians and children of the Most-High God. The Holy Spirit aids us in our prayers (Jude 1:20) and He "intercedes for God’s people in accordance with God's will" (Rom 8:26–27), meaning He prays for us! He brings comfort, courage, strength, fellowship, and joy to us as we go through a hostile world (1 Thess 1:6; 2 Co 13:14). He is our Teacher and Guide. He leads us into all truth and protects us from false teachers, false doctrine, and lies in a post-truth world (1 John 2:26-27). He fills believers with "all joy and peace" as we trust in Jesus, causing us to "overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15:13). The Holy Spirit is a giver of spiritual gifts as well. He helps us use our gifts to help our brothers and sisters. "There are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them" (1 Corinthians 12:4). The spiritual gifts that believers have are bestowed by the Holy Spirit according to His wisdom (1 Cor 11). Our Pledge of Guarantee The Holy Spirit is the One who secures the salvation of everyone He indwells and seals us for the day of redemption (Eph 1:13-14). He is given to us as our Pledge of Guarantee of our future heavenly inheritance (2 Cor 1:22). Essentially, the Holy Spirit is the down payment of our salvation. Once we are given the Holy Spirit, by grace alone through faith alone, we are permanently sealed and can never lose our salvation (John 10:28). Scripture says that all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (Rom 8:14). We know we are children of God because the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we belong to Him (Rom 8:16). Furthermore, Scripture says we have received the Spirit of adoption as children because we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Rom 8:15). Abba is an Aramaic word that means Father. It’s a common term used to express affection, confidence, and trust. Abba represents the deep, intimate bond between a father and his child, along with the innocent trust that a young child has in his "daddy." A believer cries out to God His Heavenly Father like a small, needy child does to His Dad. Our Sanctifier Sanctification is a process guided by the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The Spirit leads the believer away from old sinful pleasures and the desires of the flesh and guides us towards righteousness and the lovely, pure, true things of God (Gal 5:16–18). The Holy Spirit works through God's Word as we read it on a daily basis; He sanctifies us by the truth. (John 17:17). As a result, the works of the flesh and the power of sin decrease in our lives, while the manifestations of the Spirit become more and more evident (Gal 5:19–26). Believers are instructed to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18), meaning that we should submit ourselves fully to the Spirit's leading in our lives. God commands us to no longer live according to the flesh but to "put to death the deeds of the body" by the Spirit (Rom 8:12-13). Through the Holy Spirit's power, believers now have the ability to obey God's Word from the heart. What grace! The Greatest Influencer The Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence only in the believer's heart, but it's also an active influence even among those who do not believe. He is the Greatest Influencer the world will ever experience because He influences people to turn from their sins, believe in Jesus, and be saved. Jesus had promised His disciples that He'd send the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). The Spirit bears witness to the truth in Jesus (John 15:26), influencing and guiding people to His saving grace. Additionally, the Holy Spirit currently restrains sin and opposes the "mystery of lawlessness" in the world, preventing the emergence of the Antichrist (2 Thess 2:6–10). He Helps Us Understand The Holy Spirit has another major important role, and that is to give believers wisdom by which we can understand the things of God. “These are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Cor 2:10–11). As believers, because we have received the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we are able to comprehend the mind of God as revealed to us in the Scriptures. The Spirit enables us to understand God's hidden wisdom. This is divine wisdom, not worldly wisdom. No amount of human understanding or reason could ever replace the teaching and the guiding of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:12–13). Divine wisdom is kept hidden by God and only revealed to His children. His wisdom can only be uncovered and comprehended by those who put their trust in Jesus. The wisdom from God is often foolish and even offensive to unbelievers. That's because without the presence of the Holy Spirit within, God's wisdom cannot be fully comprehended, trusted, or cherished (1 Cor 2:14). Dear Heavenly Father, You chose me and planned my salvation before the foundation of the world. Jesus provided the way for me by dying on the cross for my sins. On the third day, He rose again from the grave so that by grace through faith alone, I may have eternal life and be given the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is my Pledge of Guarantee and my Number One Helper in living out my Christian life. What mercy and grace! All glory belongs to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit! May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 1 John 2:27

"Judge not, that you be not judged. Matthew 7:1 The Most Abused Verse in the Bible ​ ​​"Jugde Not" (Matthew 7:1). This verse is frequently misinterpreted to justify one's actions and attitudes. It is commonly used as a shield when confronted about wrongdoing, revealing a reluctance to accept criticism. Such individuals, driven by pride, reject guidance and misuse the phrase "Judge not" to evade responsibility. Many resist correction because they prefer darkness over light, as stated in John 3:19-20. They shun truth to conceal their sins and avoid exposure of their dark deeds, distorting the meaning of 'Judge not' to seek validation (and even praise) for their sinful ways (Philippians 3:19). ​ "Judge Not" Out of Context Misinterpreting this verse is often used as a way to avoid accountability for someone's words or actions. Some individuals use this verse to manipulate others by accusing them of being judgmental. Ironically, the offended party can end up being the one passing judgment by hypocritically criticizing the other person whom they perceive as judgmental. The Scriptures teach that a wise and righteous person welcomes correction and rebuke, while a rebellious individual reacts with hostility. The passage warns against trying to correct a mocker, as it will only lead to abuse, but advises that reproving a wise person will be appreciated. Teaching a wise individual will increase their wisdom, and instructing a righteous person will enhance their knowledge (Prov 9:7-9). ​ The saying 'Judge not' is frequently accompanied by the popular expression, "Only God can judge." Indeed, only God has the ability to assess someone's intentions as He alone can discern the depths of the heart. Additionally, being a holy God, He abhors sin. While the notion that only God can judge is commonly accepted, what many fail to grasp is the dreadful prospect of facing judgment from God. As stated in Hebrews 10:31, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Although only God can judge the intentions of the heart, believers are instructed by Scripture to make righteous judgments based on a person's actions that are observable. The Bible directs us to discern the spirits to determine if they are of God (1 John 4:1). Jesus cautions us to be cautious of false prophets who appear as harmless as sheep but are actually like wolves (Mat 7:15-20), and He indicates that we can identify them by their actions or fruits. Therefore, exercising theological discernment and making righteous judgments are essential according to these teachings. "Judge Not" In Context In order to interpret 'Judge not' correctly and responsibly, it is essential to consider its proper context within the Bible and view it as part of the complete Scripture. Simply focusing on one verse and disregarding the surrounding text will not lead to a full understanding of God's intended message, which constitutes His revelation. Without grasping the true meaning intended by God, we will lack the divine guidance necessary for our spiritual well-being. When interpreting Scripture, our only entitlement is to interpret it responsibly, as instructed by the Scriptures themselves (2 Tim 2:15). Therefore, to interpret 'Judge not' responsibly, it is crucial to examine the entirety of Matthew 7 and reference other parts of the Bible as well. Jesus says, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." (Matthew 7:1-6). Nowhere in this passage does Jesus explicitly state that we should refrain from making any form of judgment. In fact, if that were the case, we would be unable to address someone's errors, missteps, or misconceptions. Guiding individuals towards the correct path, aiding in their comprehension, learning, and fostering wisdom would all be unattainable. Moreover, teaching the truth itself would be impossible without the ability to make judgments, as all these actions necessitate discernment. Truth Told in Love In this passage, Jesus does not forbid us from judging others entirely. Instead, He advises us to address our own sins first. This implies that we should reflect on our own wrongdoings before criticizing others for theirs, so that we avoid hypocrisy. By removing the log from our eye, we can then help our fellow believers by addressing the speck in their eye. Jesus teaches us the importance of righteous judgment, emphasizing the proper approach, motives, and attitude required to help others. According to Scripture, we are instructed to address others about their sins with truth spoken in a spirit of love. This means that we should approach others with gentleness and compassion when discussing their sins. Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently (Galatians 6:1). Speaking the truth in love is the most caring action we can take. It is our responsibility to discern and uphold what is good, right, and true, while also demonstrating love by sharing the truth, even in moments of discomfort. Prioritizing our own comfort or reputation over the truth would be selfish and unloving. Placing our comfort and reputation above the truth would go against the very essence of love. The ultimate goal is to guide people towards the Truth, which is embodied in Jesus (Eph 4:21). Jesus represents the highest, purest, and truest form of wisdom, because He alone saves us from our sins and offers us the free gift of salvation through His finished work on the cross and His resurrection. Only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ do we have eternal life. If we are not supposed to judge anyone at all, then we would not be able to address behaviors like lying, stealing, cheating, blaspheming, committing adultery, or murder, or even telling someone they cannot judge. In reality, all of these situations require us to exercise our judgment. Therefore, Jesus is not instructing us to refrain from judging entirely. Instead, he is guiding us on how to judge, emphasizing the importance of having the right attitude, pure motives, and a gentle spirit. Do Not Give Dogs What is Holy In verse 6, Jesus instructs us not to give valuable teachings to those who show no respect or appreciation for them. This means we should not persist in sharing the message of eternal life with individuals who are resistant, dismissive, or hostile towards it. We are not to keep preaching the gospel to those who disrespect sacred things and even attack us for it. Following this command requires us to use our judgment. When encountering such individuals while sharing the gospel, Jesus advises us to be wise, shake off the dust from our feet, and move on from that place. "If the house is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet." (Matthew 10:13-14) It's not about avoiding arguments for our own benefit, but rather out of consideration for the other person. It can be an act of mercy to refrain from sharing biblical truths with someone who is openly hostile towards them. Persisting in sharing the truth with a stubborn individual may lead them to accumulate more wrath for themselves on the Day of Judgment (Romans 2:5). Choosing to reject the good news of the gospel despite hearing it repeatedly is essentially a way of suppressing the truth, ultimately leading to a harsher judgment. As stated in Luke 12:48, those who acted without knowledge will face a lighter punishment, while those who had more understanding will be held to a higher standard. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more (Luke 12:48). Judge with Righteous Judgement In essence, Jesus instructs us not to judge in a hypocritical, unfair, or condescending manner, especially when it comes to trivial matters. Instead, He encourages us to judge with righteousness, either to assist others or to protect ourselves. Jesus emphasizes the importance of discerning rightly, advising, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (John 7:24). While Jesus cautions against prideful or harsh judgment rooted in self-righteousness, He urges us to exercise moral and theological discernment when evaluating someone's actions, speech, behavior, and public lifestyle - essentially, the fruit they bear. As stated in Luke 6:45, "The good person brings forth good from the good stored up in their heart, while the evil person brings forth evil from the evil stored up in their heart, for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." Here Jesus warns us about false prophets and how we will recognize them: 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, you will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20). Testing the Spirits Jesus warns us about false prophets and instructs us to test the spirits rather than believing every spirit. This requires us to exercise discernment. In 1 John 4:1-6, it emphasizes the need to discern spirits, as not all are from God due to the presence of many false prophets in the world. It is crucial to evaluate individuals not just by their words but also by their actions, as some may claim to know Jesus but their deeds contradict their profession of faith in Him (Titus 1:16). By observing the fruit of their lives (what they produce through observable evidence), we can discern the authenticity of their faith. Christians are encouraged to be cautious without being overly suspicious, avoiding blind trust and instead assessing others based on their consistent actions. Jesus' warning to be vigilant is relevant as false prophets are not always easily identifiable. John warns that many false prophets exist, even within the church community, seeking to deceive believers and lead them astray. Test Like the Bereans Just like the Bereans, we are expected to evaluate the spirits. The Bereans, inhabitants of Berea in Macedonia during Paul's time, were known for their diligent examination of everything in light of Scripture. Their understanding of the Word of God led them to scrutinize teachings and actions against the backdrop of God's truth. The key to making righteous judgments, distinguishing truth from falsehood, and recognizing the difference between right and nearly right, lies in accurately interpreting God's Word. The Bereans serve as an admirable example of how we should respond scripturally to teachings, presentations, or messages from people claiming to believe in Jesus. Ending With the Gospel My goal is always to incorporate the gospel into everything I write. I will conclude this piece with the gospel message: Salvation comes solely by grace, through faith in Christ alone. We must repent of our sins (even embrace the correction of our sins, as those who gently correct us are the ones who care about us). Remember, those who speak the most truth to us are the ones who love us the most. We must believe in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Salvation is not by works; it is a free gift (Eph 2:8-9). We cannot save ourselves or earn salvation by our own good works; Jesus has already accomplished salvation for us through His perfect life, death on the cross, and resurrection. All we have to do is repent (turn away from our sins) and put our total trust in Jesus Christ alone. Genuine faith in Christ will naturally result in good deeds (Eph 2:10), and we will be identified as Children of God by our words, actions, conduct, and a transformed life through the power of the Gospel. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

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 The Three Elements of True Saving Faith ​ 1. An intellectual element (notitia), which is a positive recognition of the Truth ​ 2. An emotional element (assensus), which includes a deep conviction and affirmation of the Truth ​ 3. Finally, there is a volitional element (fiducia) that involves a personal trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. A truly saved person will not casually read the Scriptures without considering their significance to his/her life. A truly saved person will diligently examine them and endeavor to live by their teachings out of genuine trust in Jesus and gratitude for their salvation. This concept is simple. Sincere obedience to Jesus' teachings is a direct outcome and clear manifestation of one's faith in Him. Striving to obey our Savior, empowered by the Holy Spirit, serves as proof of the authenticity of our faith. Genuine faith and obedient love are closely intertwined. We Cannot Earn Salvation. It's a Gift. "Legalism is an attempt to make ourselves more acceptable to God by the deeds we do...The Spirit enables us to do the duty to which the Bible calls us. It is not an attempt to make ourselves acceptable to God, but it is to live in the empowerment of God in a way that pleases Him...Hearing the Word without doing it, professing it without practicing it, singing 'Jesus is King' and pleasing myself is an indication of the fact that I have never truly trusted in Christ. And therefore, we must examine ourselves and run afresh to Christ." - Alistair Begg from False Teachers Among You Series (Part 3 of 3) God's favor cannot be earned by what we do. Salvation is not achieved through self-perceived goodness, good deeds, or lifestyle changes, as we are saved solely by grace through faith alone (Eph 2:8-9). Even our repentance and faith are not self-generated; they do not stem from personal merit, human accomplishment, or our own strength, so that we cannot boast except in the Lord. As it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31). Genuine repentance and saving faith are gifts by God's grace, and all glory belongs to Jesus for our salvation. "You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary." - Jonathan Edwards Enabled & Empowered by His Grace We are not saved by our good works, but we are saved to good works. (Eph 2:8-10) We are saved by faith alone but it is not a faith that is alone. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?...So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:14,17). “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.” – Martin Luther. Repentance and faith go hand in hand. As we turn away from our sins and put our trust solely in Jesus, living a holy life and bearing good fruit naturally follow as a result of our faith in Christ. Good deeds are a visible expression of our inner convictions and are carried out through the power of the Holy Spirit. The strength to live in a way that pleases God does not come from our own efforts or willpower. It is through God's grace that we are saved, enabled, and empowered to follow His ways, carrying out good works for His glory. Just as God the Father predetermined our adoption through Jesus Christ according to His will, He also predetermined the good works for us to walk in (Eph 2:10). Therefore, the faith that brings salvation is evidenced by our actions, the fruit we bear, the righteousness we practice, and the way we conduct our lives. As James 2:18 says, faith is demonstrated through works, not merely words. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. Pisteuo = To Believe, To Obey ​ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (John 3:36). Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death (John 8:51). Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22). (See also James 2:14-26) The terms faith and obedience, believe and obey, disbelieve and disobey are interchangeable in all of Scripture and are derived from the same Greek word. In ancient Greek, pisteuo commonly signified obedience. Pisteuo encompasses the meanings of to believe, entrust, be persuaded of, place confidence in the thing believed, dedicate one’s life to, and obey. Professing faith in God through words alone holds no value if one's actions contradict that faith. As stated in Titus 1:16, claiming to know God while behaving in a manner that goes against His teachings is hypocritical. Engaging in sinful practices and disobeying God's word reflects a lack of belief. Conversely, living righteously and following God's teachings is a genuine demonstration of our faith in Jesus. Trusting in Jesus leads us to naturally want to follow His commands. Our obedience is not a means to earn His approval through good deeds, but stems from our faith in Him as our Savior and our willingness to acknowledge Him as the ultimate authority. Our motivation comes from our belief in Jesus Christ as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). It is the result of God's grace guiding our hearts towards Him, instilling His Spirit within us, and granting us a new nature through our spiritual rebirth. This new nature fosters a deepening love for righteousness and all that aligns with God's will, as well as a growing aversion to sin and all that opposes God's ways. Easy Belivism Heresy Genuine saving faith goes beyond simply agreeing intellectually with the historical facts of the gospel. Even demons acknowledge those facts and tremble (James 2:19). This shallow form of faith is often referred to as Easy-believism within Christianity, which is a deceptive belief system promoted by Satan and prevalent in many evangelical circles today. Easy-believism and modern popular theology may acknowledge the facts (notitia) and assent to them (assensus), but they frequently lack trust (fiducia). They promote the idea that surrendering to the authority of Christ is unnecessary for being a Christian. Instead, Easy-believism distorts the concept of heartfelt obedience to God's word, turning it into a works-based gospel. It wrongly labels those who desire to obey God as legalists. This heretical belief system distorts the true message of God's Word and leads to self-deception. Jesus Paid it All Genuine faith involves relying on the character and integrity of God, believing in who Jesus is, and understanding what He accomplished for us through His life, death, and resurrection. Out of His love, Jesus did what we could never do for ourselves by living a life of perfect obedience and ultimately sacrificing Himself on the cross (Philippians 2:8). For our sake, the sinless One took on our sins so that through faith in Him we might be made righteous in God's eyes (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus bore the full weight of God's wrath on the cross for our sins, died and was buried, and in three days rose again so that by grace through faith in Him, we may have eternal life. The profound truth will naturally inspire a profound sense of gratitude and joy within us, leading to a genuine longing to follow His path. While our obedience may be imperfect due to our sinful nature, He reassures us that His grace is more than enough (2 Corinthians 12:9). Secured by His Grace Even though believers will continue to face struggles with sin while combating the flesh, the world, and the devil daily, God's grace keeps us from permanently falling away. His grace prevents us from persisting in unbroken cycles of sin, as we did before receiving Him as our Savior. God's grace prohibits us from indulging freely in sin, as we did prior to believing in Jesus. Once we are saved, we are always saved; eternally safeguarded by God's grace (John 10:28). God ensures we do not ever return to the broad and easy road again. Our security lies entirely in His grace. Whenever God's children stray from His path, He will lovingly correct us, and the Holy Spirit will gently remind and lead us back to the right way, all for His glory. God's grace is bestowed upon believers to enable us to glorify Him and carry out good deeds in His name, which He had planned for us to do even before the world was created (Ephesians 2:10). I am Not Religious. I am Saved by Grace. I am not religious. I am saved by grace. It is not through good works or practicing rituals that I find salvation, but by God's grace alone. My repentance and belief in Jesus are a gift. Jesus has freed me from sin, transformed my heart and my life, and granted me the incredible gift of eternal life by grace alone through faith alone. Jesus rescued me from the punishment I deserve, eternal damnation, and blessed me with something I could never earn, eternal life. How could I not desire to surrender to the God of the universe who has done all this for me? May I live for the One who died for me (by His grace) and praise Him for all that He is, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). I am eternally grateful for my Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. All glory belongs to Him forever and ever. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2) ❤️ With love, Jenna But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves (James 1:22). By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you continue in my word, then you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand (John 10:28). And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead (James 2:18-26).

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 Jesus is With Me In one of the most well-known texts in all of Scripture, we find great comfort from our Lord Jesus. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). There's nothing to fear because Jesus is with me. Knowing Jesus is with me helps me walk through all kinds of valleys. Knowing Jesus is with me helps me overcome every danger, trouble, or misfortune along the way. Knowing Jesus is with me helps me understand there is nothing and no one to fear. Truly! And I know Jesus is always with me because Scripture says that Jesus dwells in my heart through faith (Eph 3:17). I carry Jesus in my heart only because Jesus is the One who holds me in the palm of His hand. He's the One who never lets me go (John 10:28). He’s the One who provides for me, protects me, and preserves me. I am His sheep. He is the True Shepherd of my soul. I hear His voice, and I follow Him. No one can snatch me out of His hand (John 10:28). Jesus is with me forever (Mat 28:20). I never have to rely on my own sheep-like strength for anything, but I can always rely on Jesus for everything since He is the True Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, and The Door of the Sheep. He gives me true rest in green pastures and true refreshment from His living waters (John 7:37-38). He provides me with daily bread for my earthly body and living bread from heaven for my eternal soul (John 6:51). He laid down His life for me so that I may live eternally. My Shepherd gives me everything I need, even His own life on the cross. What more could I want? (Psalm 23:1) Only a Shadow Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. This text doesn’t say that I walk through a valley of death by myself, but it says I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, with the Lord as my Shepherd. I don't walk alone, and although a shadow on my path may look scary, a shadow can't hurt me. Even a shadow of the deadliest weapon, poisonous snake, or ferocious wolf is still only a shadow. With every creeping shadow, I can just keep on walking by because I know Jesus is with me. When I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and follow the sound of His voice, every shadow will soon fade away. The light of Jesus overpowers all darkness and every shadow there is (John 1:5). As much as a shadow of death can't hurt me, neither can death itself. That’s because I believe in Jesus. I am eternally secure in Him. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth, and He is also my personal Savior. Jesus died for me. Jesus defeated death for me when He took my place and died on the cross for me, satisfying God's judgment and wrath against my sins. That’s why right before Jesus died, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus paid my debt in full; a debt so big it would take me longer than eternity to pay for it. It was an impossible debt I owed, but not for my Lord Jesus. He paid it all with His blood (Eph 1:7). Jesus Found Me Not only did Jesus take away all my sins on the cross, but three days later, Jesus rose again from the grave so that by grace through faith in Him, I may live forever. Jesus defeated death and accomplished salvation for me: A free gift by His grace. There’s nothing I did to earn my salvation, and there's nothing I can do to lose it either (John 10:28). Salvation is not by works or by merit. It wasn't like I was wise enough to choose Jesus and eternal life on my own, otherwise I’d really have something to boast about! Jesus even told me that I didn't choose Him, but He chose me and appointed me to bear fruit (John 15:16). And I believe Him. Therefore, the only One I can boast about is my Lord Jesus (1 Cor 1:26-31). I was the one who was lost, not Jesus. As His lost sheep, I didn't go out and find Him, but He went out and found me. And when He did, He gathered me into His arms and carried me close to His heart (Isaiah 40:11). He is the True Shepherd of my soul. In this short life, I may walk through small, medium, and even big valleys of grief, loneliness, sickness, accidents, injuries, uncertainties, failures, loss, and even disasters, but none of these should ever cause me to fear. I know Jesus is in control of everything, and Jesus is with me through them all, big and small. He even walked the deepest and darkest valley there ever was. Jesus walked that valley for me 2,000 years ago when He hung on a cross for me. He walked through the darkest valley of them all, all because He loved me. So truly, there is nothing to fear. Jesus is my Lord, my Savior, and my closest Friend. Jesus is the True Shepherd of my soul. I hear His voice, and I follow Him. Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for sending Your Son Jesus into the world to save me from my sins and gift me with eternal life. Thank You for my repentance and faith in Jesus, the True Shepherd. What a gift. Jesus is with me forever. I praise You for Your saving grace. All glory belongs to Jesus Christ, my Lord & Savior. I pray these things in Jesus's name. Amen. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. John 10:2-4 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:7-9