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Proverbs of a 40 yr old man
Faith is a gift. We once were dead in sin but now have been made alive in Christ. Receiving a new spirit, heart and mind connected to Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ. We know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law. Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on. God has something stored up for you and me in heaven, where it will never decay or be ruined or disappear. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. We all have been given the talent of faith, there is no excuse for the Christian. Jesus gave us something to believe in, His Life and Resurrection. And as we trust in the merits of Christ's we are imputed His Righteousness. For He is the author and finisher of our faith and He flows freely in us and through us the gifts of Gospel. It is the Living Word of God that produces faith. Someone could receive faith while hearing a sermon, teaching the gospel, someone else by reading about Jesus in the Bible, any time the true gospel of Jesus is communicated, there is potential for faith. It is good for anyone who wants faith to ask for it. God freely gives what is good to all who ask, and it’s good to ask for an increase of faith. The disciples said to Jesus that they wanted an increase to their faith. Jesus even prayed for Peter's faith to be strengthened. God wants Christians to understand they have done nothing to earn faith, it’s only because of what Christ did on the cross that God gives anyone faith. Christians can find comfort and peace of mind knowing their faith is from God, because He has said He will finish the good work He started. As with any gift from God, it is our responsibility to exercise the gift and not become complacent, lazy, or apathetic. That is why in view of God's mercy, we are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is our true and proper worship. Imagine what God can do in a person with a willing spirit. Though the flesh is weak Jesus can show himself strong in the very life of a believer. Think about this: If man is left to himself, he remains dead in his sins, hostile to God, and unwilling to repent and concede the throne of his heart and be saved. Sin is sometimes misunderstood as a little bit of bad mixed into a person who is otherwise mostly good. But this is not what the Bible teaches, Sin has so corrupted our hearts that no part of our being is left untainted and our whole will is governed by our rebellious nature, leading us to continually reject the only hope of life. Grace and mercy and faith are gifts from God. He has saved us from the wrath we deserved. He has granted us forgiveness, redemption, and life through the priceless blood of his Son. Our life worship is our reasonable service.
Study Eph. 2:8
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