THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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Little Randy was going to spend the weekend with Grandpa and Grandma who lived in the country. They came to pick him up, and drove him to their house. By the time they got home, it was dark.
Grandma and Grandpa left the lights off until they got in the house in order to keep the pesky fireflies from following them in. But a few got in anyway.
Realizing what Grandpa and Grandma were doing, Billy said, "It's no use, those mosquitoes are following us in with flashlights!"
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Gal 2:16-21
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
(KJV)
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Sometimes while visiting I will ask a person if they died tonight are they certain they would be in heaven with Jesus. Some say, "Yes." Then I say, "Praise God! Would you mind sharing with me what you would tell Jesus if He asked why He should let you in heaven?" Then they will say something like, "Well, I've lived a good life. I haven't bothered anybody. I don't kill or steal."
However, justification is by grace through faith in Christ and not by the law. Using the law for justification is like using a flashlight to get in God's house instead of the REAL LIGHT.
It is Christ Himself Who justifies the sinner above the law. For the law condemns us. For "by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified" (Verse 16 above). No person can expect to be obedient to ALL the law.
When we come to Christ we are dead to the law, for we are "crucified with Christ." Having been crucified with Christ, we are raised again by His Spirit in us to "live unto God." We are given a new birth and we live in grace.
Living by grace, we live in a constant state of dependence upon our Lord. We live "in the flesh," but we live "by faith."
Faith in Christ grips us, and holds us until He brings us to Him!
PRAISE GOD! WHAT A SAVIOR!
No more do we seek entrance by "flashlight," or perfection of self. But we live by "THE LIGHT" of Christ Himself!
Love ya,
Bruce
mcge3582@bellsouth.net
bmcgee@linktojesus.org
http://www.linktojesus.org
Surrender to Christ is commitment to THE One Who can HOLD us!
((Philippians 1:6))