GOSPEL NUGGET #385

Isa 51:5  "...And on My arm they will trust."

The arm of the Lord is a figurative way of referring to His might and power. It is an almighty arm. It is an all-powerful arm. Yes, it is a strong and able arm.

It needs no assistance. It requires no support. It does not cry out for help. His arm is more than adequate and enough to deliver from any difficulty and extremity.

And it is the very arm that God flexes in the salvation of a sinner. The very same power that created the universe, liberated Israel from Egypt and parted the Red Sea is the very same power wielded in the salvation of a soul. It is Christ Himself, the power of God.

1Co 1:24 ...Christ the power of God...

Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Heb 7:25 ...He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him...

Do you want to be saved? Trust in the Savior and what He did on the cross. He is able. He is the arm of God.

GOSPEL NUGGET #384

Jg 7:2 And the LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'

Although what the Lord is talking about here is physical deliverance, the intent and design of His rescues and redeeming acts are the same---no creature should deprive Him of the glory that rightfully belongs to Him.

And it is just exactly so with spiritual salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 says:

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

If you can contribute something meritorious to effect your salvation, then you have robbed God of the full glory that rightfully belongs to Him alone.

The scheme of salvation must be in a way that our mouths can only glorify
God 100% of the salvation that was wrought on our behalf. The only way for that to take place is salvation by grace through faith in the Savior and what He did on the cross. A salvation that is not the result of our own efforts. A salvation that we could never proudly claim: "My own hand has saved me."

GOSPEL NUGGET #383

Ps 32:10 "...he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him."

Many find fault and oppose the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. They say that it is not enough. One must do other things besides putting one's faith in the Savior and His work on the cross in order to be saved.

However, this verse clearly says that faith, trusting in the Lord, can make the Lord surround the trusting one with His mercy. When we trust in the Lord, when we take refuge in Him, we are acknowledging our helplessness and impotency. It is an act of humility. And anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.

Lu 18:13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross and you will be saved!