Posts Tagged ‘Gospel’

Does God guarantee our salvation?

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

Salvation, June 8

 … We who first trusted in Christ…
In Him you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:12-14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul was a Jew speaking to Jews and here in his letter to the Ephesians, a Gentile area, Paul teaches us that those who love You and obey You are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”. Father, for this degree of certainty, we are grateful.

We are Your “purchased possession”. Father, we sometimes forget to focus on what You paid for our salvation. Jesus suffered immeasurably, not just at the Cross, but in his descent into the bowels of hades, which removed him temporarily from Your presence. We know You will not allow sin or sinners into Your presence, but that is exactly why Jesus came…to comingle with us and to save sinners and that includes every human being in history. He paid a great price for our personal salvation.

Father, Chuck Smith, one of Your more effective servants offers the following clarification about this complex thought of Jesus being separated from You. “Through the eternity past, He has always been one with the father, never separated. But when God laid on Him the iniquities of us all, because God can not look in agreement upon sin, there came that separation, as He tasted for a moment that separation from God, in order that you would not have to be separated from God eternally. God laid on Him the iniquities of us all. And when the sin’s of the world were laid on Jesus, He was forsaken of God. And thus that cry, that rang out; my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me.”

We are Your purchased possession, cleansed by Jesus. You, Father, are the guarantor of our salvation. Perfect! Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

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Posted in Christianity, Forgiven, Holy Spirit, Religion, salvation | 21 Comments »

Run the race of life, but not alone. It is too hard…

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Perseverance, April 1

 …be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
You … must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,
for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
This is a faithful saying: for if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.
If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, he also will deny us.
If we are faithless, he remains faithful; he cannot deny Himself.
Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.          

2 Timothy 2:1-15, www.solascriptura.com

Father, the words Paul wrote to Timothy ring true to each of us as modern day disciples. Our prayer Father is that we understand these verses and take them to heart. Help us to rightly divide the word of truth and to never tire of pursuing a relationship with You.

When Your word says that when we died with You, we shall live with You, we know Jesus that crucifying our heart of flesh that we might be born again with Your Spirit in us, is a vivid picture. We pray that You will sustain us, every day, even when we do not “feel” the presence of the Holy Spirit in us. Help us today to run the race set before us in Your strength. Your friendship and counsel is a fact even when we don’t feel well. Help us notice all that is lovely and good in Your creation as evidence of the fact of Your love.

In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project P.O.Box 302 Franklin TN 37064

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Posted in Christianity, Courage, Perseverance, faith, salvation | 27 Comments »

The death of a saint is glorius…the death of an unrepentant sinner is an eternal tragedy.

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Revenge, March 25

… it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,
and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power…

II Thessalonians 1:6-9, www.solascriptura.com

Jesus, Paul reminds us that when judgment is dispensed it will be a righteous thing because it will be based upon justice. We know Father that the mercy seat sits upon the top of the Ark of the Covenant (the Law) and that mercy will prevail for those who seek it.

Revenge will be taken upon the enemy, not the children of You, Father. We, in sadness and with a sense of despair, see people pursuing sin and running from obedience. Give us, this day, a sense of urgency in our witness to those who seem to be fleeing from You.

The death of a saint is glorious but the death of an unrepentant sinner is an eternal tragedy. Help us focus on the things You would have us do in the face of such circumstances. We know that Your love in us is our only hope in reaching out to others. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

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Posted in Christianity | 21 Comments »

God’s grace and mercy will turn my fear to joy!

Friday, February 22nd, 2013

Law of God, February 22

…we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,
knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,
according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

1 Timothy 1:8-15, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul is teaching us, in this letter to his young protégé, Timothy, that the law, when adhered to, does not present a problem. It is law breakers that will feel the rod of correction, sometimes physically, and sometimes in ways that simply convict us and make us feel terrible.

We know that the wages of sin is death and that we all have sinned. Thank You, Jesus, for making it possible to have every sin that we have ever committed to be expunged from our record, gone forever.

Every one of us, Father, can say, with Paul, “I am a sinner and except for You, Jesus, my sins are still with me.” But thank You God, that the confession of our sins, in all humility and contrition, and our will to sin no more, separates our sin from us as far as the east is from the west. What a relief to stand before You, Father, as if we had never sinned. Your mercy and grace make it so. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

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Posted in Christianity, Law of God | 148 Comments »

Proclaiming the Gospel… Is that too risky?

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

Mind of Christ, August 23

… I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools,
and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.

Romans 1:16-25, www.solascriptura.com

Father, when we say we are not ashamed of the Gospel, help us to be much more than not ashamed and to boldly, and in Your righteousness, proclaim You to men.

We know Your wrath will be revealed against the unrighteous and that it will be just and fair because You have revealed Yourself to all men and those who reject You will be without excuse.

Father, help us today not to hide our Light under a bushel, knowing that when we witness of Your love, made manifest at the Cross, we are witnessing to Your children, created in Your image and that You will that not one single person perish, no not one. In the Holy name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

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Posted in Christianity, Courage, Mind of Christ, Religion, salvation | 9 Comments »

Ashamed of the Gospel? A really serious error!

Friday, August 17th, 2012

The Narrow Gate, August 17

… I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Romans 1:16-21, www.solascriptura.com

Father, we too are not ashamed of the Gospel. We gratefully accept Your grace and mercy, by the shed blood of Jesus, the final sacrifice for sin, and we willingly proclaim You before everyone we know. We live by faith in the facts, given to us by Your Holy word.

Father, when Jesus went to the cross and then was resurrected, He told us that He was the Deliverer of the New Covenant. We know that one facet of the New Covenant is that the truth about You was written on the heart of every person. No more wondering about Your existence, Your creation, and Your love for us. These truths have been made self-evident to us.

Father, we have seen mankind, try turn off the Light within. You do give us a choice and some, as You say here, have hearts that have been darkened. What a sad circumstance, Father, to have a soul reject Your love. To whom can they turn for eternal life? Help each of us to lovingly intervene when possible to tell such persons of Your love. Bless us, this day, as we seek to serve You. Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

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Posted in Christianity, Courage, Law of God, Perseverance, salvation | 19 Comments »

The Law, in stone, yet alive in your heart…

Thursday, August 2nd, 2012

Mind of Christ, August 2

…for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,
who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them
in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Romans 2:13-16,  www.solascriptura.com

Father, we acknowledge that simply hearing Your words and Your law is insufficient. We must do that which You command of us. Thank you for not making it difficult to know what You expect. You tell us the law is written upon our hearts.

Father, our thoughts and actions are under Your constant examination. We realize we will be without excuse if we fail to heed Your word.  We admit we are weak at times and imperfect. If it was not for the power of the Holy Spirit, an unending resource, we would be in bad shape, depending upon our strength instead of Yours.

Thank You Jesus for teaching us that we never go forward in our perfection, but instead we clothe ourselves with Your cloak of righteousness, seeking to be like You, all day, every day. In the Holy name of Jesus we pray for complete fidelity to You, amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

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Posted in Conscience, God's Children, Law of God, Mind of Christ, Providence of God, Religion | 6 Comments »

Sealed by the Holy Spirit… How do you know?

Friday, July 13th, 2012

Salvation, July 13 … We who first trusted in Christ…

In Him you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:12-14, www.solascriptura.com

Father, Paul was a Jew speaking to Jews, at first, (but many rejected Jesus as Messiah) and here in his letter to the Ephesians, a Gentile area, Paul teaches us that those who love You and obey You are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”. Father, for this degree of certainty, we are grateful.

Our inheritance is guaranteed. It was purchased by the blood of Jesus, whose redemptive act guarantees our standing before You. Help us, this day, to fully grasp what has happened, what was foreknown to You before it ever happened and that which was clearly declared by Your prophets, hundred of years before it happened. Prophecy fulfilled; adding certainty where doubt could arise. You, Father, are the guarantor of our salvation. Perfect! Amen.

Bruce Caldwell

The Sola Scriptura Project, P.O. Box 302, Franklin TN 37064

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Posted in Christianity, God's Children, Holy Spirit, Providence of God, Religion, salvation | No Comments »