THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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I met another retired pastor on the golf course the other day. We had fun playing golf and kidding around. He was retired from a different denomination.
I tod him, "Ya know, there aren't going to be any ________ in heaven."
He asked, "Why do you say that?"
I said, "Because we're all gonna be God's children in heaven." ((hehe))
He asked, "Do you know the difference between _________ and Southern Baptists like you?"
I said, "No, not really, our statement of faith seem to be the same."
He said, "No. It's Romans 3:23. When we read it we say, "ALL have sinned." But when you read it, you say "Y'ALL have sinned!" ((hehe))
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Ps 53:1-3
1 To the chief Musician upon Ma'-ha-lath, Mas'-chil, A Psalm of David.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
KJV
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Well, my retired pastor was right, "Y'ALL have sinned!" Yup! Every single one! David says, "Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
This is called the doctrine of total depravity. Man is so lost that he would not seek to find salvation on his own. He is content within himself to travel down the road of self-destruction in sinfulness.
To this end, let us realize how great is the mercy of God!
God's mercy is like Himself - it is infinite! It is without end. It is inexhaustible.
Were it not so, we could not be saved. For each one and all of us have deliberately chosen the path to hell and destruction. Yet God meets us on the way and tells us that He will accept U-turns! That mercy extends to ANYONE! God will forgive great sins and begin to lead men on the path to heaven and eternal life with Him, if they will only surrender to Christ and make a U-turn!
For this purpose, Jesus began the church. That organization's purpose is the propogation of the Gospel. It is for the preaching and teaching of the "Good News" that Jesus has paid the price of sin and will accept ALL sinners. Yes, ALL have sinned; but ALL may be forgiven!
This mercy is not only great, it is undeserved! There is no way to earn it, nor any way to purchase it of ourselves. But God GIVES it to any and all sinners, based solely upon their surrender to Jesus as Lord and Master of their lives.
God's mercy is plentiful. It has abounded to millions, and yet millions may come! There is room at the cross for the bully, liar, thief, rapist and even the murderer!
But to the saved sinner, the most wonderful thing about God's mercy is that it is unfailing! ALWAYS there! This is important, for though we HAVE sinned, we all STILL sin! And God has provided eternal forgiveness through Christ Jesus. That's why His Bible says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
God's mercy began as He sought us.
God's mercy continues as we seek Him.
Seek Him today!
Love ya,
Bruce