A Way To Escape

1 Corinthians 10:13; verses from Romans 7 and 8; We are sinners; but, Paul tells us that all who are in Christ Jesus are forgiven their sins.

We Forgive Because We Cannot Keep The Law

Speak With Integrity

"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost..." (Rom 9:1 KJV)

In his letter to the Romans, Paul assures them that he is speaking the truth in Christ - that he is not lying. This verse never fails to bring a smile to my face. It reminds me of children when they are trying to create a defense when being confronted by a parent or other person in authority. 

We also swear to tell the truth when we have to be in a court of law before we are able to testify from the stand.

It is good when we can say with Paul I am speaking the truth, my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit. But, sadly that is not always the case. It is difficult to know when someone is truly speaking the truth and so we must depend upon the Holy Spirit within us to help us discern the truth.

Paul's truth in Christ, is not always pleasing to hear. Sometimes it is a word of correction out of love. Sometimes it is a word of pure love and grace that is most pleasing to hear. 

God grant that we should we always speak with integrity for the good of those whom He loves.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Grace, Mercy, Peace

 

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Greet one another with an holy kiss.

 All the saints salute you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 

                                                                                     (2 Cor 13:11-14 KJV)

About two thousand years ago St. Paul closed his second letter to the Corinthians with words of encouragement. He encouraged them to be of like minds and to live in peace. 

Today we need to hear and take heed of that same encouragement as we pray for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and communion of the Holy Spirit to be with us all. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Jesus Is Our Crutch

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2 NIV)

I was once told that people who believed in Jesus were using that as a crutch. This was told to me by a very bitter woman who held every one's actions to the fire except her own. She was very good at condemning others. In her later years, she would bounce regularly between law and Gospel. One day she would judge others for trusting Jesus and the very next day she would be using Jesus as her "crutch." I hope that she finally learn to trust him fully.

Jesus is indeed our "crutch." We need him! He is the one we lean on. He holds us up when we are about to fall. He helps us to stand and to walk when we cannot do it without help. We; who were bound by the law of sin and death, have been set free by the Spirit of Jesus Christ to live without fear of death; to live without fear of judgment; to live without fear of condemnation. We have been set free to live peaceable lives in the presence of Almighty God.  

Thanks be to God, we have been set free through Jesus sacrifice for us! We have been set free by the power of the Holy Spirit!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live By The Spirit

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3:6

Oh, yes! The letter of the law can indeed kill our spirit to move forward. It can kill our desire to do anything. But, the Spirit gives life to life here in this world. The Spirit gives us hope to continue forward. It empowers us to do what is good for others. The Spirit empowers us to love and serve our God and our neighbors wherever they may be.

Such a horrible waste of life to life imprisoned by the letter of the law. We have been freed from the letter of the law to live by the Spirit, by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God help us to not succumb to the bondage that we were once under; but, to freely live by the Spirit of the law, which is love. Therefore; in the Spirit of love that God has for us let us all love enough to show justice, have mercy, and feed His sheep!

God's Peace - Pr. J.