Category — biblical exposition

Dr. Kerby Anderson, national director of Probe Ministries [source article] explains why:

At this point in our discussion, we need to consider the claim made by some homosexuals that, “God made me gay.” Is this true? Is there a biological basis to homosexuality? For the remainder of this essay, we will consider the evidence usually cited. Simon LeVay (a neuroscientist at the Salk Institute) has argued that homosexuals and heterosexuals have notable differences in the structure of their brains. In 1991, he studied 41 cadavers and found that a specific portion of the hypothalamus (the area that governs sexual activity) was consistently smaller in homosexuals than in heterosexuals. He therefore argued that there is a distinct physiological component to sexual orientation. There are numerous problems with the study. First, there was considerable range in the size of the hypothalamic region. In a few homosexual men, this region was the same size as that of the heterosexuals, and in a few heterosexuals this region was a small as that of a homosexual.

Second is the chicken and egg problem. When there is a difference in brain structure, is the difference the result of sexual orientation or is it the cause of sexual orientation? Researchers, for example, have found that when people who become blind begin to learn Braille, the area of the brain controlling the reading finger actual grows larger. Third, Simon LeVay later had to admit that he didn’t know the sexual orientation of some of the cadavers in the study. He acknowledged that he wasn’t sure if the heterosexual males in the study were actually heterosexual. Since some of those he identified as “heterosexual” died of AIDS, critics raised doubts about the accuracy of his study.

In December 1991, Michael Bailey and Richard Pillard published a study of homosexuality in twins. They surveyed homosexual men about their brothers and found statistics they believed proved that sexual orientation is biological. Of the homosexuals who had identical twin brothers, 52 percent of those twins were also homosexual, 22 percent of those who had fraternal twins said that their twin was gay, and only 11 percent of those who had an adopted sibling said their adopted brothers were also homosexual. They attributed the differences in those percentages to the differences in genetic material shared.

Though this study has also been touted as proving a genetic basis to homosexuality, there are significant problems. First, the theory is not new. It was first proposed in 1952. Since that time, three other separate research studies come to very different conclusions. Therefore, the conclusions of the Bailey-Pillard study should be considered in the light of other contrary studies. Second, most published reports did not mention that only 9 percent of the non- twin brothers of homosexuals were homosexuals. Fraternal twins share no more genetic material than non-twin brothers, yet homosexuals are more than twice as likely to share their sexual orientation with a fraternal twin than with a non-twin brother. Whatever the reason, the answer cannot be genetic.

Third, why aren’t nearly all identical twin brothers of homosexuals also homosexual? In other words, if biology is determinative, why are nearly half the identical twins not homosexual? Dr. Bailey admitted that there “must be something in the environment to yield the discordant twins.” And that is precisely the point; there is something (perhaps everything) in the environment to explain sexual orientation. These are two studies usually cited as evidence of a biological basis for homosexuality. Next we will consider a third study often cited to prove the claim that “God made me gay.”

Now let’s look at another study often cited as proof of this claim. This study is often called the “gay gene” study. In 1993, a team of researchers led by Dr. Dean Hamer announced “preliminary” findings from research into the connection between homosexuality and genetic inheritance. In a sample of 76 homosexual males, the researchers found a statistically higher incidence of homosexuality in their male relatives (brothers, uncles) on their mother’s side of the family. This suggested a possible inherited link through the X chromosome. A follow-up study of 40 pairs of homosexual brothers found that 33 shared a variation in a small section of the X chromosome. Although this study was promoted by the press as evidence of the discovery of a gay gene, some of the same concerns raised with the previous two studies apply here. First, the findings involve a limited sample size and are therefore sketchy. Even the researchers acknowledged that these were “preliminary” findings. In addition to the sample size being small, there was no control testing done for heterosexual brothers. Another major issue raised by critics of the study concerned the lack of sufficient research done on the social histories of the families involved.

Second, similarity does not prove cause. Just because 33 pairs of homosexual brothers share a genetic variation doesn’t mean that variation causes homosexuality. And what about the other 7 pairs that did not show the variation but were homosexuals?

Finally, research bias may again be an issue. Dr. Hamer and at least one of his other team members are homosexual. It appears that this was deliberately kept from the press and was only revealed later. Dr. Hamer it turns out is not merely an objective observer. He has presented himself as an expert witness on homosexuality, and he has stated that he hopes his research would give comfort to men feeling guilty about their homosexuality.

By the way, this was a problem in every one of the studies we have mentioned in our discussion. For example, Dr. Simon LeVay said that he was driven to study the potential physiological roots of homosexuality after his homosexual lover died of AIDS. He even admitted that if he failed to find a genetic cause for homosexuality that he might walk away from science altogether. Later he did just that by moving to West Hollywood to open up a small, unaccredited “study center” focusing on homosexuality.

Each of these three studies looking for a biological cause for homosexuality has its flaws. Does that mean that there is no physiological component to homosexuality? Not at all. Actually, it is probably too early to say conclusively. Scientists may indeed discover a clear biological predisposition to sexual orientation. But a predisposition is not the same as a determination. Some people may inherit a predisposition for anger, depression, or alcoholism, yet we do not condone these behaviors. And even if violence, depression, or alcoholism were proven to be inborn (determined by genetic material), would we accept them as normal and refuse to treat them? Of course not. The Bible has clear statements about such things as anger and alcoholism. Likewise, the Bible has clear statements about homosexuality.

Well, it’s time for us to dive into the word of God again. I know many of you will probably skip past this because the truth is of no concern to you, but for those of you who love the truth, believe the truth, desire the truth, and live the truth we know, just as the Apostle Paul did, that the word of God (The Gospel):

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 ESV

We are not ashamed or dismayed by the truths found in God’s word. We don’t shrink back from them nor avoid them because of the hardheartedness of men. We don’t care if we will be embarrassed or made fun of by those who would consider the word of God to be foolish or out of date. Why? Because we know that God’s word is the power of God unto salvation, and in it, the righteousness of God is revealed.

In this study we are going to deal with soteriology or the study of salvation. I want to present to you exactly what God’s word says concerning His salvation. May God’s word do exactly what He has ordained it to do….(brdavision)

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1

I love how Paul always gets right to the most important point when he is teaching. In Ephesians chapter 1 he explains how we (those of us who believe) have received all spiritual blessings! This is a big contrast to the man centered preaching that goes on in the pulpits today. “God wants to bless you, all you gotta do is praise Him.” or “If you will just open your mouth and shout yes then God will move on your behalf no matter what you need.”

This types of apostate church vernacular plagues the pulpits and curses those who receive it. But I digress….

Paul lets these believers know exactly what state they were in before God saved them: “And you were dead….”. Today, many attempt to interpret Paul as merely saying that we were on sleep state or just dead in our minds. But upon further study of the original Greek we can know exactly what Paul meant. The word translated for dead is νεκροὺς pronounced {nek-ros’}.

The greek word means this: “one that has breathed his last, lifeless  1b) deceased, departed, one whose soul is in heaven or hell  1c) destitute of life, without life, inanimate  2) metaph.  2a) spiritually dead  2a1) destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God,  given up to trespasses and sins  2a2) inactive as respects doing right  2b) destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative .”

Lets use our heads here: If a man has breathed his last or is lifeless, deceased, departed, destitute of life, inanimate, spiritually dead, inactive as respects to doing right and so forth then it is proper for one to understand that the Apostle Paul is not talking about a sleep state or mind deadening state here. But exactly what he says: “DEAD”. Paul lets us know that we were spiritually dead, unable to breath, move, and most importantly unable to chose God. Another word for this state is totally depraved. Paul said:

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

Dead people don’t chose life. They are unable to do so. I drive by an old cemetery every Sunday on the way to church, and I have yet to see a dead man rise from the grave, walk to my church and sit next to me in the service. If I do that will be another blog post….

Not wanting to be redundant but to stress my point, Paul refers to us (in our unregenerate, natural state) as dead. Unable to accept, nor understand the things of God. However, these Ephesians believers were now alive:

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

How were they alive? Because the Gospel Message had been preached to them, and they had believed in the work of Christ on the cross. By their faith they had been sealed with the Spirit of God, who is the guarantee (not our works) of salvation until it is made manifest, with all glory going to God. In laymen terms He saved them, He gave them all the spiritual blessings, and He filled them with His Spirit. Therefore all the glory goes to Him.

Are dead men capable of doing this for themselves? Of course not. This gives further proof to the doctrine of regeneration. It is the Spirit’s job to give life to those who have been called. The bible says:

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

Now this is a awesome truth! But we need some back ground to fully understand what Paul is saying here. This just so happen to be apart of my Pastor’s sermon this Sunday.

First Paul makes it clear that his ministry did not need to be affirmed by any human. His ministry was confirmed by those whose lives were changed by God through the preaching of the gospel.

“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”2 Corinthians 3:5-6

Paul makes it clear that he is not boasting in himself but in God. And then he makes an interesting statement, one that he actually has been building upon for the two previous chapters. He is comparing Moses to Jesus, and making a solid argument that Jesus is indeed far superior. Moses gave us the law and that covenant which God made with him actually only leads to death. Which is why he says “the letter kills” and calling it a “ministry of Condemnation”. See Hebrews 3 and Romans 5 for more information.

Those who follow (work) the law of Moses will end up in Hell! But those who believe in Christ shall have eternal life. Those who make this transition from death (Moses and the law) to life (Christ and the cross) do so because of the power of God’s Spirit. We (me and you) were just as veiled as those who still follow the law but now, because of the “Lord who is the Spirit”, our eyes have been unveiled and can now behold the glory of the Lord! Praise God for His salvation!

This scripture (2 Corinthians 3:18) can be used to defend the deity of God the Holy Spirit.

This brings us back to our first point, as we walked this earth we were dead in sin. But God, who the bible says “is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” (Jude 1:24), has made us alive through Christ Jesus. Amen….

stay tuned for the next study!

Psalm 24:6,  2 Chronicles 7:14

The prolific 18th century Christian author and preacher Charles Spurgeon wrote:

[...]“true seekers are very dear in God’s esteem, and are entered upon his register. Even seeking has a sanctifying influence; what a consecrating power must lie in finding and enjoying the Lord’s face and favour! To desire communion with God is a purifying thing. Oh to hunger and thirst more and more after a clear vision of the face of God; this will lead us to purge ourselves from all filthiness, and to walk with heavenly circumspection.”

Seeking God, his face and the kingdom of God is a welcome and open invitation to all who truly desire to know God.

The drama in this story is so crazy it sounds like some cable TV reality show. But its not, its true, recorded in Genesis 29:16-35; 30:1-12 Note: the scripture doesn’t tell the story in true chronological form.

In summary, a man has got two women —two sisters— but he’s playing one of them. Having babies by her but not giving her the love she truly wants from him. She’s definitely not the woman of his dreams. Even after popping out healthy kids for him, she still cant get his love. His heart is with the other woman. The beautiful younger sister takes his breath away. But wait, there’s a problem. The other woman isn’t as sexually fertile as the one he doesn’t love. It gets so crazy between the three of them, even other women are brought in to be surrogate lovers.

Amid the many larger than life narratives in the Old Testament, the story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah is perhaps one of the more poignant ones. They are all, in a way, caught up in the drama, victimized and in the process passing on the hurt, pain and mistrust even to their offspring.

In the end,  the lesson learned by Leah and its revelatory resolution sticks out as one we all can take a moment to pay attention to.

The hurt inflicted upon Leah is obvious. Of no fault of her own, she is diminished and rejected despite her attempts to give Jacob what she thinks he wants. But from the beginning, Jacob never wanted to be with her.

When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” vs 25

You probably know people in this situation right now as youre reading this. You may have been there yourself. Trying to please someone, doing your best, but when you look in their eyes you can tell they aren’t happy. I’ve been there. You see it in the church as well as in the world. People are wasting away trying to get something that will never produce what they think it should.  It doesn’t matter if its a family member, friend, spouse, a pastor or a child some people will never be satisfied with you or what you do to win their affection.

This can cause a tremendous amount of emotional pain and lead to patterns of  broken relationships.

This may be more about learning who truly matters and who truly loves you more than anything. In our hearts, there is a place that can only be filled by the love of God. Its a place where the pains of our past must give way to praise because we finally realize that nobody can love us like Jesus can.

Verse 31 says that when GOD saw that Leah was unloved he caused her to concieve, but Rachel, the apple of Jacob’s eye, remained childless. Leah’s focus wasnt on God (like many of us) it was on getting a man to love her. When their first son was born, she knew that things would change

Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben,[b] for she said, “It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.” vs 32

But it didn’t and eventually bitterness overtook her.

Don’t think that Rachel was unaffected just because she had Jacob’s affection. Not being able to bear him children, ate her up inside. Despite Jacob’s love she attacked him about it. It was considered a shame upon a woman not to be able to bear children for her husband.

When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” Jacob became angry with her and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?” Gen 30:1-2

Sometimes it takes us having to go through something to experience an irrevocable shift in our understanding.  We come to the end of ourselves. That’s what happened for Leah.

33 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the LORD heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon.

34 Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.

35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” So she named him Judah.  Then she stopped having children.

When will you learn what God is trying to show you? Will you continue pursuing people, things, places, positions, popularity, giving up your body, your heart your soul to someone or something that will not love you back? And please don’t think this is a woman thing. Many men are emotionally and relationally broken as well.

If you can see what Leah finally saw, you can come to the same conclusion. Finally she realized that she could release herself from pining after Jacob and began praising God.

Some people think that praise is some sort of religious get out of jail free card.  While there are examples in scripture of praise releasing people from certain threats and bondages, its still not the purpose of praise. Praise isn’t intended to stop a problem, what it does is reposition your mind on God who is greater than your problem, whatever that might be. If God stops an entire army after you praise him that’s great. But even if he doesn’t do it, He’s still worthy. That’s what praise teaches you, no matter what happens or doesnt happen, God is still worthy to be praised.

Praise ascribes the worth to God for his mighty works. The benefit you get is that in the praise you (not necessarily your situation) are transformed.

That’s why King David had such a reputation as a man who gave God the praise. His life was riddled with troubles and issues. But in the midst of it all he blessed the Lord out of his soul, indeed all that was within him.

Remember Jacob still didn’t love Leah when she decided that she would praise God, but guess what?  Seeking his love was no longer her objective. Her focus now was exalting God who was greater than Jacob and greater than her past pain.

Hebrews 9:11-14, 14-22

[...]one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. John 19:34

I’m sure for those who stood at the cross watching this particular scene live, it must have been excruciating and horrifying to behold. But now that we know how deep his love for us was to shed his blood, it is a glorious thing see in the spirit.

First the natural

Blood has tremendous significance –and application— in the Word of God. Its meanings involve profound aspects for our spiritual lives. To wit, through the blood of Jesus,  supernatural transformation occurs for anyone who has been born shackled to the oppressive sin nature.

To understand spiritual implications, let’s look first at some functions of blood in your own body.

In one aspect, blood, in the most intimate way, is a unique factor associated with sustaining life. If a person loses his blood, he loses his life. When an individual’s blood becomes tainted by disease, the body and life again are threatened. Unless a tranfusion of new blood comes, life will surely end. Our blood performs many functions that help to keep our bodies healthy. For example,  blood dutifully transports nutrients from the digestive tract to the body’s many cells. It also moves hormones and assists in regulating the body’s temperature. If these functions were inhibited in any way, the consequences would set off a dangerous chain of reaction, which for the body,  could prove fatal.

When the blood encounters problems (whether genetic or otherwise) several medical anomalies could arise:  blood clots, HIV, sickle cell, leukemia to name a few. No one wants diseased blood.

Its no wonder then that the physical functions and significance of the blood finds a specific parallel to our spiritual life. Jesus’ blood was uniquely pure, innocent and had no diseases or defects. In order to redeem mankind from under the weight of sin, it took blood untouched by the disease of sin (Gal 5:19-21).  The blood of Jesus bridged the wide chasm that existed between sinful man and a holy God.

In the text, John writes that  blood and water gushed out of Jesus’ side as a result of his body being pierced by a soldier’s spear.  As brutal as that sounds to our sensibilities, the bible declares that it had to happen to fulfill the scriptures. You must understand that without the shedding of his blood, there could be no remission (or forgiveness) for sin.  Had the blood not been shed, we would be forever bound to sin’s deadly power with no hope of recovery.

Think about it. For every war that has been waged, it has cost the blood of someone’s life to gain victory and freedom. Its the same in the spiritual. The war between sinful man and holy God could only be satisfied with the price of blood. Someone who would give his life to save us all. Someone who’s love was of the highest order who would willingly take our sin upon himself and receive the punishment, so we could go free.

Thats why I’m glad right now, today on August 2nd, that there is still a fountain filled with blood and it still flows from our Savior’s veins. Sinners can still plunge beneath that flood and lose all their guilty stains. Its amazing that as dark as our sins are, his red blood can wash us white as snow!

If you want to stop right here and tell the Lord how much you love him for washing all your sins away, do it.

According to Hebrews 9, the blood of Jesus supercedes and surpasses the old system of sacrifice. Its greater than and more perfect than the blood of goats, bulls and birds. By virtue of his own sinless blood our High Priest was able to enter into the holy place and obtain eternal redemption for us. In plain words, he got the job done.
That’s why the blood will never lose its power and never cease its flow.

It has an equal opportunity flow and equal opportunity power. For the sick, for the diseased, for the homosexual and the prostitute, for the liar and the murderer, for the thief and the atheist. For me and for you it reaches to the highest mountain and flows to the lowest valley. I was one who almost 22 years ago came to Jesus sick, diseased, choking and drowning in an ocean of sin. But his blood made me whole.

Blood washed benefits

When the blood of Christ flows over you, the benefits are phenomenal.

1. It redeems you 1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect

2. It cleanses you 1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

3. It justifies you Romans 5:8-9
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

The beauty of God’s word is that He has designed it to be the very food the soul needs for sustenance (Matthew 4:4). Without it, the soul withers and is destined for eternal torment apart from God. By taking it in and letting it nourish and protect our souls, we are able to find the pathway to God. What a glorious realization this is that can only be found in His word. As we begin this “Week in the word” I want to make sure you are blessed and encouraged by this very important biblical truth:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16

Consider if you will what the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What is Justification?

First, there’s no way to understand (and appreciate) our justification unless we understand (and accept) the reason why God had to justify us in the first place. Justification is being declared NOT GUILTY by God. You are like a man who has committed and been proven guilty of a crime, God—despite the evidence—declares you not guilty and orders that your record be wiped clean! In this case God is both judge and jury, exonerating you based on the standard of His righteousness. Your responsibility? Believe and accept it by faith.

Bible teacher John MacArthur wrote once that “God has declared Himself to be a war with every human being because of man’s sinful rebellion against Him and His Laws.”

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10

We were enemies (actively opposed or hostile to someone or something) of God when He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. We were indeed hostile to God and His righteousness. The unregenerated nature of man wanted sin and would go great lengths to get it. It fights against God not in a natural sense with guns and bombs, but in a spiritual sense by rebellion and disobedience.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Romans 1:18

Beloved we must reorient of the character of God as revealed through the scriptures so that we get the gravity of his extravagant gift to us. Here it is: God hates sin and His wrath is against man’s sinfulness not man himself. Our unrighteousness suppresses His truth. So even those who have never heard the gospel still suppress His truth in their hearts because they are not submitted to his authority. This inward moral law is not of men but has been placed there by God. Alone, man has no ability to restrain himself morally.

God reveals His wrath in two ways. 1. Natural consequences of violating His universal law 2. Directly through His personal intervention.

Divine wrath produces the cure for sin

Justification is actually a legal forensic term that comes from the Greek word for “righteous” and means “to declare righteous”. As I said before, everyone who receives it does so by faith in the work of Christ on the cross, thus they have their sins removed from their account and the righteousness of Christ is imputed unto them. They are now at peace with God and no longer His enemies under His divine wrath against sin. This is an eternal security.

If the imagery of a court room, judge, trial, conviction comes to mind, that’s exactly how you should visualize the biblical perspective of justification. God’s wrath against sin has always been there even if we don’t want to talk about it. From the time when He flooded  entire earth saving only 8 people to when he destroyed Pharaoh and the Egyptian army as they pursued the Children of Israel. Remember he slew the firstborn of Egypt who didn’t have the blood of the lamb on their door post.

The wrath of God is also stored up against those who reject the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the propitiation (appeasement) of God’s wrath against sin.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:6

Why is the wrath of God upon them? According to the scriptures.

“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Ephesians 5:3-5

Because of all the sin the wrath of God comes upon and will eventually overcome those who have not believed in Christ Jesus. Colossians 3:5-6

We all rightfully deserved the wrath/anger of God but instead of being poured out on us, Jesus took our place.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.” Romans 3:23-25

After God’s righteous anger had been appeased by the suffering and death of Christ, then peace with God was made possible.

Paul said: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

Take note that it didn’t say that you are being justified or that you will be justified. He said you HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED! The death of Christ on the cross is not some on and off power that might save you if you continue to “be a good person”. NO! The death of Christ on the cross is an eternal work that has eternal ramifications (a consequence of an action or event).

Therefore, we know that by our faith in Christ we have an eternal security. Not because you always do what God says (of course those who are truly saved will do what God says by the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit because without holiness no man shall see God (Hebrew 12:14), but by your faith in Christ which includes repentance of sin. If you continue to do what God says, it is an indication of true conversion.

Justification isn’t merit based, its mercy based. No one can qualify themselves, only God can do this for us!

“Those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Romans 8:30

Please join me for part two of this post on the blessings of  justification .