Made Right with God



How would you fill in this blank?

A person is made right with God through_____. 

Don’t let its brevity fool you.
How you complete it is critical; it reflects the nature of your faith.

One might say a person is made right with God through. . .

being good. 
Giving sandwiches to the poor.
Some say Christian conduct is the secret. 
Perhaps suffering is the answer. 
Sleep on dirt floors.
Malaria.
Poverty.
Bare feet.
The greater the pain, the greater the saint.

No, no, no, another contends.
The way to be made right with God?
It’s doctrine.
Air-tight theology which explains every mystery.
Inspiration clarified.

Yet, how are we truly made right with God? 

All the above are tried.
All are demonstrated.
But none are from God.


Romans 3:28 says,
 “A person is made right with God through faith.”
Through faith in God’s sacrifice on the cross.

It’s not what you do, it’s what He did.


Max Lucado
From And the Angels Were Silent






Do-Be-Do-Be-Do 


Do. Be. Do. Be. Do. Do-be-do-be-do.
Are you familiar with the old Frank Sinatra tune?

Most people embrace a do-be theology.
The assumption that God saves people who do the right thing
or who behave in the right way.

So, do good!
Be moral.
Be honest.
Be decent.
Keep your promises.
Pay taxes.
Earn merit badges.

Yet for all the talk about being good, still no one can answer the fundamental question:
What level of good is good enough?
At stake is our eternal destination,
yet we’re more confident about lasagna recipes than requirements for heaven.
Bizarre!

God has a better idea.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God”
(Ephesians 2:8).

We contribute nothing. Zilch. Our merits…merit nothing.
God’s work merits everything!

Max Lucado
From God is With You Every Day






Since


Since Jesus  is the way,
shouldn’t He be followed?

Since Jesus  is the truth,
shouldn’t He be believed?

Since Jesus is the life,
shouldn’t He be enjoyed?

Since Jesus is wise,
shouldn’t He be consulted?

Since Jesus is God,
shouldn’t He be worshiped?

Since Jesus is King,
shouldn’t He be obeyed?

Since Jesus is Lord,
shouldn’t He have the final say?

Roy Lessin


And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written,
KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:17 KJV

There's A Song To Be Sung




https://audaciouschurch.com/

Valid Entry

Jesus said to him,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.” —John 14:6

On a teaching trip outside the US, my wife and I were denied entry into
our country of destination because of visa problems.
Although we were under the assumption our visas had been correctly issued
by the country we planned to visit, they were deemed invalid.
Despite the efforts of several government officials, nothing could be done.
We weren’t allowed in.
We were placed on the next flight back to the States.
No amount of intervention could change the fact
that we did not have the proper validation for entrance.

That experience with my visa was inconvenient, but it can’t begin to compare
with the ultimate entry rejection.
I’m speaking of those who will stand before God without valid entry into heaven.
What if they were to present the record of their religious efforts and good deeds?
That would not be enough.
What if they were to call character references?
That wouldn’t work.

Only one thing can give anyone entry into heaven.
Jesus said,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”
(John 14:6).

Christ alone, through His death and resurrection,
paid the price for our sins.
And only He can give us valid entry into the presence of the Father.
Have you put your faith in Jesus?
Make sure you have a valid entry into heaven.
Bill Crowder

There aren’t many ways into heaven;
The Bible says there’s only one;
Good works won’t gain anyone entrance;
It’s only through faith in God’s Son. —Sper

Only through Christ can we enter the Father’s presence.

God’s Reward 

God rewards those who seek Him!
Not those who seek doctrine or religion or systems or creeds.
Many settle for these lesser passions,
but the reward goes to those who settle for
nothing less than Jesus Himself.

And what is the reward?
What awaits those who seek Jesus?
Nothing short of the heart of Jesus.
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:18
that as the Spirit of the Lord works within us,
we become more and more like Him.
Can you think of a greater gift than to be like Jesus?
Christ felt no guilt; God wants to banish yours.
Jesus had no bad habits; God wants to remove yours.
Jesus had no fear of death; God wants you to be fearless.

Jesus had kindness for the diseased and
mercy for the rebellious and
courage for the challenges.
God wants you to have the same.
Isn’t it just like Jesus!

Max Lucado