Tag: submissive
Saved by Christ’s mercy!
Scripture reading for October 10: Titus 3
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:1-7
Sound doctrine from God’s Word clearly states that no man is saved by his ‘good works’ or can do anything to earn salvation. It is God’s goodness and kindness revealed to us through Jesus Christ that draws us to repentance and faith that Jesus can and will forgive us and cleanse us. Christ’s work on the cross for us is our only hope of redemption and washing of our guilt and sin. Upon repentance, Christ sends His Holy Spirit as a gift of Grace to indwell us. We are born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit and adopted into God’s family. God’s Grace is richly poured out on us and we are justified and made righteous in God’s sight. Through adoption, we are made heirs and joint heirs with Christ of eternal life in God’s forever family.
Paul stated that believers should be submissive to rulers and authorities and obedient. They were to be ready for every good work. These works were not done to earn us salvation, but as a response to God’s love and goodness. The Holy Spirit in regeneration changes our dispositions to be gentle, courteous, avoid quarrelling or speaking evil of others, and to live self-controlled lives that focus on doing God’s will and obeying His Word. Good works are a supernatural response to the infilling of the Holy Spirit abiding in us. Oh how we need to apply these truths in our lives today!
Do you struggle with trying to earn your salvation by living a perfect life and doing good works? Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to indwell you and do a work of renewal and transformation? Are you secure in the hope of eternal life and your adoption into God’s family through new birth?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Gift of Your Holy Spirit that is renewing me day by day into Christ’s image. Help me to follow You in doing the good works that You have prepared for me. Let the Gospel of Grace through faith in Jesus Christ be clearly presented by my teaching, preaching, and daily life. Amen.
Follow Jesus to Father’s House!
Scripture reading for March 12th: Numbers 26-29, Luke 2
Key Scriptures: Luke 2:49-52 “And He said to them, “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that He spoke to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in the favor with God and man.”
As a young child of twelve, Jesus’ parents took Him to the temple for the required visits during the feasts. During the Feast of Passover, they went as was their custom. But as they left to return home, they found that Jesus was not among the throng of family and friends returning together. They returned to Jerusalem to find Jesus in the temple listening to the teachers and questioning them. Jesus returned with them and continued to grow in wisdom and favor with God and man!
Numbers 27:16-17 “”Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.””
Faith Confession and prayer: As one who is a disciple of Jesus, I choose to follow Jesus as my Shepherd in attending weekly believers gatherings for worship and listening to teaching of God’s Word. Help me Lord, to grow in wisdom and favor with God and man.
Mary, the Lord’s Mother!
Scripture reading for October 21st: Luke 1-2
Godly mothers are a gift from the Lord to their children and to the world. I have a godly mother and am so thankful and blessed! My mother has a close walk with the Lord. She was saved when she was young and sought to live out that faith every day. She was faithful to read her Bible and teach her children. She was the Sunday School superintendent in our church as I grew up. Now 91 years young, she still joyfully serves her family. She faithfully calls each of her many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren on their birthdays and sings to them! What a blessing now and to future generations!
Luke tells the story of two godly women who are key players in God’s work of salvation. Elizabeth was older and beyond the time of having children when God spoke into her life. An angel came to Zechariah, her husband, and he was told that his wife would have a son and his name was to be “John”. This son would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah and turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and prepare the people for the Lord. (Luke 1:13-17) Elizabeth became pregnant but her husband was unable to speak because he had doubted the angel’s prediction.
The second mother-to-be was Mary. She was a virgin, engaged to be married. Gabriel, an angel sent to her by God, announced her favor with God and told her that she would bear a child who would be called the “Son of the Most High.” Mary humbly asked how this could be since she was a virgin. The angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the child who would be the “Son of God”. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38)
These women had the privilege of working with God to bring about His plan of salvation. Their faith and obedience was a blessing to their children and families. Their faith has impacted each of us and countless millions around the world! Let’s say with Mary, the mother of Jesus, “I am the Lord’s servant.” God wants to do great things through each person who will yield to His Word!