We are reminded of the amazing reality that God is our Father through Jesus. He gives us everything we need for life and godliness. We lack nothing right now. In Christ you have everything you will ever need. God is enough. 

Called to Be Holy and Blameless

Ephesians 1:4 says that He chose us in Jesus before the foundation of the world. We are chosen by God. He wanted us and picked us as His people. Even before we were born, He had a plan for our life and that was to save, redeem and make us His. It is so important for us to know this. God’s plan for you is to become more like Christ. It is for each of us to be holy and blameless. To save and sanctify, which is to make holy. So, we need to know that we are God’s people and He loved us first. Now, in response to Him saving and adopting us, we are to obey Him. 

It has been pointed out throughout history that there are two ways that we mess this up.  First, is what we call Legalism.  It’s the idea that I need to do enough, be good enough, and obey enough, then God will accept me. 

Rules Only = Dead Religion

During the time of Jesus, there was a lot of this. People turned a relationship with God into a list of rules to just keep. It produces a dead religion. It did back then and they stumbled over the stumbling block of Jesus and could not receive God’s free grace. 

 There is a certain order for how things work. If you mix up the order you get it wrong every time. Think about your car. If I go into my car and just step on the gas what will happen? Nothing. What is the order? Put the key and start it. It needs power first. I can step on the gas all day, but it won't do anything if I don’t start it. 

God's Order of Salvation

The same thing happens in Christianity. There is an order on how God does things and how He designed our relationship with Him. He saves us then He sanctifies us. He loved us first now we get to love Him. The gospel of Jesus shows us that we are sinful and in need of a Savior, whom God provided for us in Christ. If I think that the gospel is just the starting point and I am changed through hard work and obeying, it will suffocate me. God’s grace saves and changes me.  

The second way we mess up this understanding is what we call License. It’s the idea that I am loved now I can just do what I want.  This is where people think that they can decide the truth for themselves. Sometimes people say silly things like “my truth.” There is no such thing as my truth. There is just the truth, and the truth sets you free. 

Fruit of the Gospel

Sometimes people will think I can sin and don’t need to obey God and just ask for forgiveness later. This is not the fruit that the gospel produces in our lives because if you really believed it, you would do what God wants.

Jesus tells us if you love Me, you will obey Me. We also see this in Romans 12:1-2 - I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

You know you have believed and received the gospel when your life changes. When God saves us from our sin, He gives us a new life of pursuing holiness and enjoying Him forever.

RSVP Now for our upcoming preschool story time on December 9th at 10:30 to 11:00 AM with a Christmas themed story and craft. Click the image above to save your spot!