This week we'll add our fourth verse in the series of "Faith: Trusting God and Resting in His Word"...do you have the first three down?
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is God's gift.
Ephesians 2:9 "Not from works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Do you see a pattern? What is grace "for"? To save us. What is the miracle of our transformation through our new lives in Christ Jesus "for"? To accomplish God's good works here on earth. But what is the catalyst for these wonderful actions to start taking place? FAITH. And with the response of faith, the reactions to faith start occurring: our salvation immediately...and then good works to be accomplished all throughout our saved lives.
What kind of transformation takes place when we place our faith in God and in His Son as our Savior? Well our next verse talks about that miraculous transformation:
"I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
This is a powerful verse of faith. When we can recite this verse with true commitment and conviction, we can expect true transformation. For this verse express a complete surrender of self in order to allow our lives to take on all the attributes of Jesus...to be a humble servant, ready to do whatever it is that our Father asks of us. We give up all "rights" to our earthly plans...we completely put our lives in His hands. And we do so because of the acceptance of a love so amazing, so unnatural, so utterly undeserved, that we know we will never fully understand, but in which we completely trust.
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is God's gift.
Ephesians 2:9 "Not from works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Do you see a pattern? What is grace "for"? To save us. What is the miracle of our transformation through our new lives in Christ Jesus "for"? To accomplish God's good works here on earth. But what is the catalyst for these wonderful actions to start taking place? FAITH. And with the response of faith, the reactions to faith start occurring: our salvation immediately...and then good works to be accomplished all throughout our saved lives.
What kind of transformation takes place when we place our faith in God and in His Son as our Savior? Well our next verse talks about that miraculous transformation:
"I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
This is a powerful verse of faith. When we can recite this verse with true commitment and conviction, we can expect true transformation. For this verse express a complete surrender of self in order to allow our lives to take on all the attributes of Jesus...to be a humble servant, ready to do whatever it is that our Father asks of us. We give up all "rights" to our earthly plans...we completely put our lives in His hands. And we do so because of the acceptance of a love so amazing, so unnatural, so utterly undeserved, that we know we will never fully understand, but in which we completely trust.
Amazing love, how can it be, that you my King should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true, It's my joy to honor You, in all I do, I'll honor You. ~ Chris Tomlin
Let's review our past verses so they stay close to us...
The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
James 1:3-4 "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you will be mature and complete, lacking nothing."
1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice always."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray constantly."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Faith: Trusting God and Resting in His Word (12)
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift."
Ephesians 2:9 "Not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
and now
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Dwell on this verse this week, and remember that you are now living, even though you are still living in a fleshly body, the life of Christ in you. Because of your faith in Him, He lives in you.
Faith.
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
James 1:3-4 "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you will be mature and complete, lacking nothing."
1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice always."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray constantly."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Faith: Trusting God and Resting in His Word (12)
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift."
Ephesians 2:9 "Not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
and now
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Dwell on this verse this week, and remember that you are now living, even though you are still living in a fleshly body, the life of Christ in you. Because of your faith in Him, He lives in you.
Faith.
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