Standing On The Gospel Of Jesus Christ
"As we have said before, so now I say again, If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:9)
Aaron Tippin recorded a song that said, "You've got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything."
Of all the things we are to stand for, what is the most important of all? The answer, in my opinion, is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is through the gospel that we are saved from our sins, and it is the gospel that sustains us during trials, when we embrace the hope that it brings us, concerning our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ.
The gospel is about all about Jesus Christ, and His life, ministry, His sacrificial death on the cross to pay for our sins, and His resurrection that paved the way for us to have the hope of eternal life. The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Galatia, telling them to not accept a distorted gospel. A gospel that says that we must provide works in an effort to keep the law, and to keep certain traditions and practices along with faith in the Lord Jesus for salvation. Paul says in his letter, that the law could not save us, but only point us to a Savior.
I like the illustration of meat that is cooked in a crock pot. The meat symbolizes the law, and the fork symbolizes our works, or efforts in keeping the law. When the meat (the law) is so tender, that it slides right off our fork (our works), this illustrates that there is no way that we can perfectly keep the law, traditions, and past practices, to satisfy the righteousness of God.
No the only gospel, that we are to stand on, is the gospel that says, that there is no way that we can obtain salvation, accept through the grace of God, and our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It's a gospel that says, that it's not what we can, do, but it is completely what Jesus does for us, and through us.
Paul writes to the Christians at Rome, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.(Romans 5:1-2)
There are only two things that save us, according to the gospel of Jesus Christ. God grace, and our faith. (Ephesians 2:8).
So my question to you today is: Have you responded to the right gospel, the only gospel, and have you surrendered your whole life to the Lord Jesus Christ? When you do, you will find the peace with God, that you so desperately need. Peace, with God, and the peace of God.
There is no greater way to be blessed, that to feel the peace, and joy, that only Jesus can provide, even in the midst of trials. GP
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