1Pe 2:5 ... acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ...
Although this refers to the offerings a Christian offers to God; that his offerings are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, what we have here can also be applied to the salvation of a sinner.
There is only one means by which a sinner can be acceptable to God. It is "through Jesus Christ."
He is the only door, the only way and the only bridge that one must go through in order to be accepted by God. After all, He is the only One who died for our sins and was raised again from the dead by God.
And you can go through Him by trusting in Him and what He did on the cross alone for salvation.
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Monday, December 23, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #596
The Most Well-Known Christmas Verse In The Bible
JN 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
* The Reason for the Season --- "For God so loved the world"
* The Person of the Season --- "that He gave His only begotton Son"
* The Benison of the Season --- "that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
* The Person of the Season --- "that He gave His only begotton Son"
* The Benison of the Season --- "that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
GOSPEL NUGGET #595
The True Christmas Tree
The true Christmas tree was the tree on Calvary Hill. The Lord Jesus was born for that tree.
The true Santa is the Lord Jesus. On that tree on Calvary, the Lord Jesus has laid so many gifts for us all. To name a few, we have the gift of salvation, the gift of forgiveness, the gift of adoption, the gift of eternal life, the gift of justification, the gift of redemption and I could go on and on and on. There is so much more.
In fact, the Bible list AT LEAST 215 gifts that the Lord Jesus has made available on that tree.
The gifts are there for each and every single man. Sadly, some have left their packages unclaimed.
Be that as it may, never forget that the true Christmas tree was the tree on Calvary and the true Santa is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Claim your gifts now by putting your faith in Him alone for salvation!
Claim your gifts now by putting your faith in Him alone for salvation!
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #594
Ro 5:19 "...by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
The "one" here refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. The "obedience" here refers to His submission to God the Father as the sacrifice for the sins of sinners.
Php 2:8 ... he humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
One Man's obedience, yet, the benefit of many. It was He who obeyed to pay the price, yet, it was the many who were constituted righteous in God's sight. The work of One resulted in the blessing of many.
If you ask the "many" here: "What good works did you do that you were justified in God's sight?"
They would reply: "We were not justified by our own works. It was He, the Lord Jesus Christ, who did that one work, that one act of sacrifice on the cross, and we are just the beneficiaries. It was His pain but our gain.
My friend, do you want to be part of the many who will benefit from Christ's work on the cross? Put your trust in Him and what He did on the cross and you will be justified.
The "one" here refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. The "obedience" here refers to His submission to God the Father as the sacrifice for the sins of sinners.
Php 2:8 ... he humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
One Man's obedience, yet, the benefit of many. It was He who obeyed to pay the price, yet, it was the many who were constituted righteous in God's sight. The work of One resulted in the blessing of many.
If you ask the "many" here: "What good works did you do that you were justified in God's sight?"
They would reply: "We were not justified by our own works. It was He, the Lord Jesus Christ, who did that one work, that one act of sacrifice on the cross, and we are just the beneficiaries. It was His pain but our gain.
My friend, do you want to be part of the many who will benefit from Christ's work on the cross? Put your trust in Him and what He did on the cross and you will be justified.
Friday, November 8, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #593
ISA 27:5 “... let him rely on My protection, Let him make peace with Me, Let him make peace with Me.”
In verse 4, God is pictured as a man with a torch in His hand and stomping and burning the devices of His enemies that they set against Him. Here, in verse 5, God is offering the alternative of peace to His enemies. Judgment in verse 4 but peace in verse 5. They can take their pick.
The words here in verse 5 can be applied to the salvation sinners can have in Christ Jesus.
The Lord Jesus, as the sinner's Savior, is God's protection for them from His wrath. Moreover, the Lord Jesus is also the sinner's peace with God.
Do you want to be protected and saved from God's wrath? Rely on God's protection. Rely on the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for you.
Do you want to have peace with God? |Rely on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for you become your peace-offering to God.
Ro 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus
Ro 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
In verse 4, God is pictured as a man with a torch in His hand and stomping and burning the devices of His enemies that they set against Him. Here, in verse 5, God is offering the alternative of peace to His enemies. Judgment in verse 4 but peace in verse 5. They can take their pick.
The words here in verse 5 can be applied to the salvation sinners can have in Christ Jesus.
The Lord Jesus, as the sinner's Savior, is God's protection for them from His wrath. Moreover, the Lord Jesus is also the sinner's peace with God.
Do you want to be protected and saved from God's wrath? Rely on God's protection. Rely on the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for you.
Do you want to have peace with God? |Rely on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for you become your peace-offering to God.
Ro 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus
Ro 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
GOSPEL NUGGET #592
Saving Faith Is Relying On The Efficacious Work Of Another
A sinner is not saved by his own efforts and labors. Rather, he is saved by what the Lord Jesus worked and labored on the cross. It was Him who did all the strenuous toil and exerted all the grueling effort for the sinner's behalf.
And that atoning work was eternally finished and completed to the satisfaction of God. Nothing more can be done in addition to it. No extra works are necessary.
People often react vehemently against the thought that salvation is by faith alone. In many cases, they think of "faith alone" as taking place in a vacuum, without any connection at all to anything that is efficacious. Nothing could be further from the truth. Saving faith is relying on the efficacious work of the Lord Jesus on the cross.
Saving faith is not relying on nothing. It's not plugging onto empty space. No, it's relying on something that Someone did for us. It's plugging into a powerful dynamo of a work that can truly affect our standing before God. It's banking on a project, an undertaking and an enterprise that can truly make a difference with our relationship to God.
And so, you see, trusting and relying ON CHRIST AND WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS is not a sterile exercise. It's hooking up with God's powerful force for salvation.
Monday, November 4, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET # 591
ISA 22:12 Therefore in that day the Lord GOD of hosts called you to weeping, to wailing, To shaving the head and to wearing sackcloth.
ISA 22:13 Instead, there is gaiety and gladness, Killing of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, Eating of meat and drinking of wine: “ Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die.”
ISA 22:14 But the LORD of hosts revealed Himself to me, “Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you Until you die,” says the Lord GOD of hosts.
Judgment and destruction were coming to Jerusalem. And God was calling them to mourn and be in sorrow over their condition; He called them to repent. But, instead, they held a feast in the face of impending death. They did not turn to God to deliver them; they did not believe that He was powerful enough to save them from what was coming. Instead, they took a hedonistic stance and carried on with a devil-may-care attitude and lived for the moment. A sure condemnation awaited them.
How about you my friend? You know that you are a sinner. Are you in sorrow over this fact? Do you mourn that you are not right with God? Do you long for His forgiveness and deliverance?
Or are you someone who can afford to be unconcerned about the condition of your soul before God? Are you someone who could care less about the sins you have committed in your life? Are you someone who can party over the many transgressions you have made against God?
Oh, my friend! I hope that you are not the latter but the former! I hope you are someone who realizes your spiritual bankrupt condition before God and mourn over it. "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted," the Bible says. That is, blessed are those who mourn over their spiritually bankrupt condition because they will be comforted with God's forgiveness and salvation.
Mt 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Jas 4:9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
In one word --- Repent! And those who repent will find the comfort of forgivness and salvation in Christ Jesus and what He did on the cross for our sins.
ISA 22:13 Instead, there is gaiety and gladness, Killing of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, Eating of meat and drinking of wine: “ Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die.”
ISA 22:14 But the LORD of hosts revealed Himself to me, “Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you Until you die,” says the Lord GOD of hosts.
Judgment and destruction were coming to Jerusalem. And God was calling them to mourn and be in sorrow over their condition; He called them to repent. But, instead, they held a feast in the face of impending death. They did not turn to God to deliver them; they did not believe that He was powerful enough to save them from what was coming. Instead, they took a hedonistic stance and carried on with a devil-may-care attitude and lived for the moment. A sure condemnation awaited them.
How about you my friend? You know that you are a sinner. Are you in sorrow over this fact? Do you mourn that you are not right with God? Do you long for His forgiveness and deliverance?
Or are you someone who can afford to be unconcerned about the condition of your soul before God? Are you someone who could care less about the sins you have committed in your life? Are you someone who can party over the many transgressions you have made against God?
Oh, my friend! I hope that you are not the latter but the former! I hope you are someone who realizes your spiritual bankrupt condition before God and mourn over it. "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted," the Bible says. That is, blessed are those who mourn over their spiritually bankrupt condition because they will be comforted with God's forgiveness and salvation.
Mt 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Jas 4:9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
In one word --- Repent! And those who repent will find the comfort of forgivness and salvation in Christ Jesus and what He did on the cross for our sins.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #590
Martin Luther's Breakthrough
Ro 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
The expression "the righteousness of God" was very crucial to Martin Luther's thinking. Initially, he thought that it refers to God's active, harsh, punishing wrath demanding that a person keep God's law perfectly in order to be saved. He saw God as a Being who was seeking righteousness from sinners. If there is none, He would punish them.
Imagine God saying to you: "Where are your works of righteousness that I might justify you oh poor and wretched sinner? I will punish you if you have none!" That's how Luther understood the words "the righteousness of God."
But Luther stuck with the apostle Paul (the writer of the epistle of Romans). He continued to read and study the book and then finally he saw it! It was a complete reversal of what he initially thought. Instead of God demanding righteousness from sinners, the expression, "the righteousness of God," actually meant God offering and imputing righteousness to poor sinners through faith and faith alone!
Ro 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
Ro 3: 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
Ro 4: 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
Ro 4: 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
Ro 4: 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness
Elsewhere, Paul writes:
Php 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
My friend, are you seeking to be right with God? Do you long to have a right standing with God? Do you want to be perfectly righteous in His sight even though you are still a sinner right now?
Well, by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did for all your sins on the cross, you can have it. You can have the righteousness of God placed in your spiritual bank account. Martin Luther's breakthrough can be your breakthrough, and it's all in Christ. Come to Him now in faith!
Ro 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
The expression "the righteousness of God" was very crucial to Martin Luther's thinking. Initially, he thought that it refers to God's active, harsh, punishing wrath demanding that a person keep God's law perfectly in order to be saved. He saw God as a Being who was seeking righteousness from sinners. If there is none, He would punish them.
Imagine God saying to you: "Where are your works of righteousness that I might justify you oh poor and wretched sinner? I will punish you if you have none!" That's how Luther understood the words "the righteousness of God."
But Luther stuck with the apostle Paul (the writer of the epistle of Romans). He continued to read and study the book and then finally he saw it! It was a complete reversal of what he initially thought. Instead of God demanding righteousness from sinners, the expression, "the righteousness of God," actually meant God offering and imputing righteousness to poor sinners through faith and faith alone!
Ro 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
Ro 3: 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
Ro 4: 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
Ro 4: 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
Ro 4: 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness
Elsewhere, Paul writes:
Php 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
My friend, are you seeking to be right with God? Do you long to have a right standing with God? Do you want to be perfectly righteous in His sight even though you are still a sinner right now?
Well, by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did for all your sins on the cross, you can have it. You can have the righteousness of God placed in your spiritual bank account. Martin Luther's breakthrough can be your breakthrough, and it's all in Christ. Come to Him now in faith!
GOSPEL NUGGET #589
Nu 23:21 "He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, Nor has He seen wickedness in Israel..."
Israel's history before this has been wayward, unbelieving and rebellious many a time. Israel, no doubt, has been marked by iniquity and wickedness. But, here, God is said to have not observed and seen iniquity and wickedness in Israel. How is that?
The Bible, elsewhere says: "Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin or iniquity." (see Psalm 32:2)
God, in Numbers 23:21, looked ahead, into the future, when Israel, as a nation, will repent and turn to the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, in faith. By then, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Lamb of God, will take away all their sins, and they will be covered with the robe of His righteousness.
Isa 61:10 says: "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
My friend, Israel's future blessing can be your present enjoyment if you turn to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith, trusting in Him and what He did on the cross for your justification. Yes, you may be marked with iniquity and wickedness but, in Him, God will never see and observed in you any sin at all. In Him, you will be covered with His perfect righteousness.
Israel's history before this has been wayward, unbelieving and rebellious many a time. Israel, no doubt, has been marked by iniquity and wickedness. But, here, God is said to have not observed and seen iniquity and wickedness in Israel. How is that?
The Bible, elsewhere says: "Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin or iniquity." (see Psalm 32:2)
God, in Numbers 23:21, looked ahead, into the future, when Israel, as a nation, will repent and turn to the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, in faith. By then, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Lamb of God, will take away all their sins, and they will be covered with the robe of His righteousness.
Isa 61:10 says: "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
My friend, Israel's future blessing can be your present enjoyment if you turn to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith, trusting in Him and what He did on the cross for your justification. Yes, you may be marked with iniquity and wickedness but, in Him, God will never see and observed in you any sin at all. In Him, you will be covered with His perfect righteousness.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET # 588
Isa 10:3 What will you do in the day of punishment, And in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your glory?
4 Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners, And they shall fall among the slain."
God was about to leave Israel to the Assyrians as punishment for their sins. They will come and invade Israel and leave them desolate. Some will be taken away captive. Others will be slain. Without God, who will help Israel?
Applying this to spiritual salvation, my friend, you know that you are a sinner. If you remain unrepentant, what will you do in the day of punishment and desolation? Without taking refuge in the Savior and what He did on the cross, to whom will you flee for salvation?
My friend, come to the Savior now! Repent, turn to Him and trust in what He did for you on the cross of Calvary. Without Him, you shall bow down in humiliation and will be forever imprisoned in the place of judgment, suffering the kind of death that never dies.
4 Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners, And they shall fall among the slain."
God was about to leave Israel to the Assyrians as punishment for their sins. They will come and invade Israel and leave them desolate. Some will be taken away captive. Others will be slain. Without God, who will help Israel?
Applying this to spiritual salvation, my friend, you know that you are a sinner. If you remain unrepentant, what will you do in the day of punishment and desolation? Without taking refuge in the Savior and what He did on the cross, to whom will you flee for salvation?
My friend, come to the Savior now! Repent, turn to Him and trust in what He did for you on the cross of Calvary. Without Him, you shall bow down in humiliation and will be forever imprisoned in the place of judgment, suffering the kind of death that never dies.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #587
How To Raise Your Chances Of Not Getting Murdered
A lot of crimes happen to people when they are being the wrong kind of people which then leads them to the wrong kind of places to meet the wrong kind of people.
A lot of crimes happen to people when they are being the wrong kind of people which then leads them to the wrong kind of places to meet the wrong kind of people.
Here is a couple who loves to spend their time in night clubs who then happen to chance upon another couple who are into thrill-killing. They invite them back home and then the crime happens.
Because they are being the wrong kind of people (they enjoy morally-compromising places) their wrong characters gravitated them to the wrong kind of places like night clubs. And there, chances are high, they would meet the wrong kind of people; which, in this case, is a couple who are into thrill-killing. The result? The wrong kind of happening --- they got murdered. This is a true story. And crimes of this sort are numerous in detective stories featured on TV.
How do you elude the wrong kind of people? Actually, no one can get away from the wrong kind of people 100% all the time. You will have to get out of this world for that to be possible.
However, there is a way to avoid the wrong kind of people TO A DEGREE. That is by not going into the wrong kind of places. But how do you get yourself not to go into these places?
Well, it's by having the right kind of heart. But how do you get such a heart?
Well, it's by having the right kind of heart. But how do you get such a heart?
Well, it's by being right with God. If you are right with God then you can be right with your self because God will give to people, who are right with Him, a new heart with a new nature with new desires.
Eze 18:31 "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?
Eze 36:26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ac 15:9 "and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith (in Christ Jesus).
How do you get right with God? By trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for salvation.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #586
Php 3:3 "...have no confidence in the flesh"
A Christian here is described by the apostle Paul as someone who puts no confidence in the flesh.
What is "flesh" here? If you drop the letter h and read it backwards flesh refers to our own selves. Flesh refers to self; its attainments and achievements. There are many people who are placing their confidence in the flesh. They believe that by their religious works and activities they would be justified and saved. They believe that they could save themselves by self-effort; by their works.
But a Christian is not someone like that. A Christian is someone who has no confidence in self but puts His trust and reliance on the Savior and what He did on the cross for the sinner's salvation.
Where is your faith and confidence for salvation? Is it in Self or in the Savior?
A Christian here is described by the apostle Paul as someone who puts no confidence in the flesh.
What is "flesh" here? If you drop the letter h and read it backwards flesh refers to our own selves. Flesh refers to self; its attainments and achievements. There are many people who are placing their confidence in the flesh. They believe that by their religious works and activities they would be justified and saved. They believe that they could save themselves by self-effort; by their works.
But a Christian is not someone like that. A Christian is someone who has no confidence in self but puts His trust and reliance on the Savior and what He did on the cross for the sinner's salvation.
Where is your faith and confidence for salvation? Is it in Self or in the Savior?
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #585
A popular singer in the US on her trip to Israel said the following:
I’ve never felt such a sense of spirituality or connection to God... something I’ve been missing for a few years now. Spirituality is so important to me... to be baptized in the Jordan river – the same place Jesus was baptized – I’ve never felt more renewed in my life."
She further said: "This trip has been so important for my well-being, my heart, and my soul. I'm grateful for the memories and the opportunity to be able to fill the God-sized hole in my heart. Thank you for having me, Israel."
Two things:
* First, she puts emphasis on the feelings she experienced about the whole thing. "I’ve never FELT such a sense of spirituality or connection to God... something I’ve been missing for a few years now" and "I’ve never FELT more renewed in my life."
Martin Luther said: "...feelings come and feelings go, and feelings are deceiving; My warrant is the Word of God, nought else is worth believing."
* Second, spirituality, connecting with God and life renewal are to be had in Christ Jesus, not in some ceremony or ritual in some location, even if the place was once trodden upon by the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of God, the sure and reliable standard better than any experience or feeling, says that you can only be spiritual if you have the Holy Spirit. And you can only have the Holy Spirit through faith in the Savior.
What's more, is that it also says that connection to God, being reconciled to God and being born again (resulting in a renewed life) are also obtained by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross. You don't have to go anywhere to a special place in order to have these when the Savior and all His benefits are just a faith away.
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God...
2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
I’ve never felt such a sense of spirituality or connection to God... something I’ve been missing for a few years now. Spirituality is so important to me... to be baptized in the Jordan river – the same place Jesus was baptized – I’ve never felt more renewed in my life."
She further said: "This trip has been so important for my well-being, my heart, and my soul. I'm grateful for the memories and the opportunity to be able to fill the God-sized hole in my heart. Thank you for having me, Israel."
Two things:
* First, she puts emphasis on the feelings she experienced about the whole thing. "I’ve never FELT such a sense of spirituality or connection to God... something I’ve been missing for a few years now" and "I’ve never FELT more renewed in my life."
Martin Luther said: "...feelings come and feelings go, and feelings are deceiving; My warrant is the Word of God, nought else is worth believing."
* Second, spirituality, connecting with God and life renewal are to be had in Christ Jesus, not in some ceremony or ritual in some location, even if the place was once trodden upon by the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of God, the sure and reliable standard better than any experience or feeling, says that you can only be spiritual if you have the Holy Spirit. And you can only have the Holy Spirit through faith in the Savior.
What's more, is that it also says that connection to God, being reconciled to God and being born again (resulting in a renewed life) are also obtained by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross. You don't have to go anywhere to a special place in order to have these when the Savior and all His benefits are just a faith away.
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God...
2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #584
"... dies without mercy..." Heb 10:28
"... died in faith..." Heb 11:13
Let's apply these to salvation:
My friend, take your pick. Either you die without the mercy of God, expressed on the cross of Calvary when Christ died for you, applied to you or you die trusting in it.
The former is dying without mercy. The latter is dying in faith. The former is to "die in your sins" (John 8:24). The latter is to die forgiven and saved.
Why don't you receive His mercy, His salvation and His forgiveness by putting your trust in Christ and what He did on the cross for you? So that when the curtain falls on your life you will die not without mercy but die the death of the forgiven.
"... died in faith..." Heb 11:13
Let's apply these to salvation:
My friend, take your pick. Either you die without the mercy of God, expressed on the cross of Calvary when Christ died for you, applied to you or you die trusting in it.
The former is dying without mercy. The latter is dying in faith. The former is to "die in your sins" (John 8:24). The latter is to die forgiven and saved.
Why don't you receive His mercy, His salvation and His forgiveness by putting your trust in Christ and what He did on the cross for you? So that when the curtain falls on your life you will die not without mercy but die the death of the forgiven.
Friday, September 27, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #583
Joh 12:32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."
A young man approached an evangelist and said: "If it is true that Christ would really draw men all to Himself then why is it that there are men and women today who are not effectively drawn to Him? Why are there people, thousands of them, who are not drawn to Christ?"
"Do you believe in gravity?" the preacher asked.
"Well, of course, I do!" replied the young man.
"What is gravity?" the preacher probed.
"Well, according to some people, gravity is an invisible force which draws all matter to the center of the earth," said the young man.
The evangelist then looked up and pointed to the chandelier lights of the church building they were in and said: "If what you say is true then why is it that those lights up there do not fall to the ground?"
"It's simple sir, they are fastened to the ceiling by a rod," the young man answered.
And so, you see, the Lord Jesus Christ draws all men to Himself but God, in His sovereignty, allowed man to resist Him, and thus, they can resist Him if they will.
My friend, the Lord Jesus Christ is drawing you to Himself right now, without His drawing, you can never come to Him. His drawing in the spiritual realm is as real as gravity in the physical realm. Would you be drawn to Him now and come to Him in repentance and faith; trusting in what He did for you on the cross for your salvation? Or would you hold on to your sin?
A young man approached an evangelist and said: "If it is true that Christ would really draw men all to Himself then why is it that there are men and women today who are not effectively drawn to Him? Why are there people, thousands of them, who are not drawn to Christ?"
"Do you believe in gravity?" the preacher asked.
"Well, of course, I do!" replied the young man.
"What is gravity?" the preacher probed.
"Well, according to some people, gravity is an invisible force which draws all matter to the center of the earth," said the young man.
The evangelist then looked up and pointed to the chandelier lights of the church building they were in and said: "If what you say is true then why is it that those lights up there do not fall to the ground?"
"It's simple sir, they are fastened to the ceiling by a rod," the young man answered.
And so, you see, the Lord Jesus Christ draws all men to Himself but God, in His sovereignty, allowed man to resist Him, and thus, they can resist Him if they will.
My friend, the Lord Jesus Christ is drawing you to Himself right now, without His drawing, you can never come to Him. His drawing in the spiritual realm is as real as gravity in the physical realm. Would you be drawn to Him now and come to Him in repentance and faith; trusting in what He did for you on the cross for your salvation? Or would you hold on to your sin?
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #582
Pr 22:3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.
Let's apply this proverb to salvation:
You know that you are guilty of sins far too many to number. You know that judgment awaits you. Your own conscience testifies to this. Will you be prudent enough to prepare for it and seek to secure yourself from it? Or will you be a simpleton, be careless and thoughtless about it all, just pass on in life like there is no judgment for you?
My friend, don't be a fool. Be repentant and be prudent enough to hide from the coming wrath and judgment. Come to Christ. Take refuge in what He did for you at the cross. Trust in Him alone for salvation. Hide in Him.
Let's apply this proverb to salvation:
You know that you are guilty of sins far too many to number. You know that judgment awaits you. Your own conscience testifies to this. Will you be prudent enough to prepare for it and seek to secure yourself from it? Or will you be a simpleton, be careless and thoughtless about it all, just pass on in life like there is no judgment for you?
My friend, don't be a fool. Be repentant and be prudent enough to hide from the coming wrath and judgment. Come to Christ. Take refuge in what He did for you at the cross. Trust in Him alone for salvation. Hide in Him.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #581
"Fools mock at sin... " Proverbs 14:9
Fools are people who do not take sin seriously. They are not grieved by it nor are they concerned about the sin in their lives. Sin is a light matter to them.
The word "sin" could also mean sin-offering that it could be rendered "fools mock at sin-offering." Those who make light of sin are people, who, as a necessary result, also make light of the sacrifice for sin. Those who make a lightweight of sin makes a lightweight of the Savior.
But fools can only make a mockery of sin for so long. At the lake of fire, they will all realize that sin is fatally serious and what the Savior did on the cross, infinitely precious.
Repent my friend. Take sin seriously and the Savior earnestly. Come to Him in faith and be saved!
Fools are people who do not take sin seriously. They are not grieved by it nor are they concerned about the sin in their lives. Sin is a light matter to them.
The word "sin" could also mean sin-offering that it could be rendered "fools mock at sin-offering." Those who make light of sin are people, who, as a necessary result, also make light of the sacrifice for sin. Those who make a lightweight of sin makes a lightweight of the Savior.
But fools can only make a mockery of sin for so long. At the lake of fire, they will all realize that sin is fatally serious and what the Savior did on the cross, infinitely precious.
Repent my friend. Take sin seriously and the Savior earnestly. Come to Him in faith and be saved!
Monday, September 9, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #580
Mt 21:31 ... Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.
The Lord Jesus was addressing the religious people in Israel here in this verse, namely the chief priests and the elders of Israel. This is a shocking statement that He made. Scandalous! The blood pressure of the religious men who heard this must have shot up.
The tax collectors were considered traitors to the nation of Israel and they were generally corrupt. The harlots were considered the low lives in Israel.
But the one thing that was going for them was that they did not have a false conscience to make them believe that they were okay with God. Moreover, they did not have any false piety to make them trust in themselves that they were righteous. They were obvious sinners to others and most importantly to themselves that they felt a desperate need to repent and come to the Savior. And so, coming to the Savior, in repentance and faith, they enter the kingdom of God.
The highly religious men in this instance, however, were the opposite. They did not find anything wrong with themselves, they became satisfied with themselves and they saw no need for the Savior.
And so, they did not repent when they should have repented and they did not come to the Savior in faith when they should have for their salvation. Hence, they failed to enter the kingdom of God.
Don't let this happen to you, my friend. Realize that you are a sinner. Realize that you cannot save yourself. Realize that you need to come to the Lord Jesus in repentance and faith for salvation.
The Lord Jesus was addressing the religious people in Israel here in this verse, namely the chief priests and the elders of Israel. This is a shocking statement that He made. Scandalous! The blood pressure of the religious men who heard this must have shot up.
The tax collectors were considered traitors to the nation of Israel and they were generally corrupt. The harlots were considered the low lives in Israel.
But the one thing that was going for them was that they did not have a false conscience to make them believe that they were okay with God. Moreover, they did not have any false piety to make them trust in themselves that they were righteous. They were obvious sinners to others and most importantly to themselves that they felt a desperate need to repent and come to the Savior. And so, coming to the Savior, in repentance and faith, they enter the kingdom of God.
The highly religious men in this instance, however, were the opposite. They did not find anything wrong with themselves, they became satisfied with themselves and they saw no need for the Savior.
And so, they did not repent when they should have repented and they did not come to the Savior in faith when they should have for their salvation. Hence, they failed to enter the kingdom of God.
Don't let this happen to you, my friend. Realize that you are a sinner. Realize that you cannot save yourself. Realize that you need to come to the Lord Jesus in repentance and faith for salvation.
Monday, August 26, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET # 579
Ro 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
Paul being an experienced preacher that he was knew the objections to his doctrine of salvation by grace. In his journeys, he heard all kinds of opposition to the gospel that he preached. Here he is voicing out a common objection to his message of salvation by grace.
.
Now, every conclusion has a premise. Paul in chapter 5 verse 20 taught that where sin abounded grace super abounded. Based on that teaching of Paul, his hearers might conclude and say: “If that is the case Paul, if grace super abounds where sin abounds, does that mean then that we are to continue in sin that grace may abound?”
In our times, we have a similar objection whenever we faithfully preach the Gospel of grace. We tell them that salvation is not by works but by grace through faith. And people react, sometimes vehemently at us and say: “If that is true, then it is no longer necessary to live in holiness and righteousness. After all, salvation is not by good works but by grace through faith?”
Every time I hear that objection in my evangelism, I smile inwardly. Because I know that I preached the same message of salvation that Paul preached. Brethren, every single time we preach the message of grace, that salvation is not by works, but by grace through faith, we would invariably elicit a conclusion similar to this here in verse 1 from the unregenerate minds of unbelievers. Do not be surprised. The world does not understand the grace of God.
Teaching or a message that says: "A sinner can be saved by good works and good character" would never draw out such a reaction and objection. No, Paul received such an objection and protest because his message was: "A sinner is not saved by good works and good character; a sinner is saved by faith alone in Christ alone." . P.S. We are not talking about the results of salvation here. That is another topic. We are simply emphasizing the principle of salvation that it is not by works.
Monday, July 1, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET 578
Mr 10:52 Then Jesus said to him (blind Bartimaeus), "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
* Notice, the Lord did not say: “Your crying out to Me for mercy has made you well.” (verses 47 and 48)
* The Lord did not say: “The prayer you uttered to Me has saved you or has made you well.” (verse 51)
* He did not say: “Your verbal acknowledgment of Me as the Son of David has made you whole.” (verses 47 and 48)
* He did not even say: “Your following after Me has saved you or has made you well.” (verse 52)
No. No. No. He never said these things. Why? Because you can cry your eyes out to Him for mercy, you can pray to Him till kingdom come, you can verbally acknowledge His being the Messiah till your tongue drops out of your mouth, you can do all these things, but if you have not trusted in Him for salvation, for deliverance, for your spiritual well-being, you will remain in the dark forever and ever. The Lord said: “Your faith IN ME has made you well.”
Also, there are many people who believe that they can be saved if they just follow the Lord. That’s impossible. It’s impossible to follow someone if you are in the dark. It’s impossible to follow someone if you are blind. Bart was blind and he did not do that. You need to be made well first before you can begin to see Him and then follow Him. You need to receive the blessing of salvation first before you can begin to follow Him as His disciple.
If you are someone here who is still unsaved, I urge you, I plead with you to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation. He died for your sins and rose again for you.
* Notice, the Lord did not say: “Your crying out to Me for mercy has made you well.” (verses 47 and 48)
* The Lord did not say: “The prayer you uttered to Me has saved you or has made you well.” (verse 51)
* He did not say: “Your verbal acknowledgment of Me as the Son of David has made you whole.” (verses 47 and 48)
* He did not even say: “Your following after Me has saved you or has made you well.” (verse 52)
No. No. No. He never said these things. Why? Because you can cry your eyes out to Him for mercy, you can pray to Him till kingdom come, you can verbally acknowledge His being the Messiah till your tongue drops out of your mouth, you can do all these things, but if you have not trusted in Him for salvation, for deliverance, for your spiritual well-being, you will remain in the dark forever and ever. The Lord said: “Your faith IN ME has made you well.”
Also, there are many people who believe that they can be saved if they just follow the Lord. That’s impossible. It’s impossible to follow someone if you are in the dark. It’s impossible to follow someone if you are blind. Bart was blind and he did not do that. You need to be made well first before you can begin to see Him and then follow Him. You need to receive the blessing of salvation first before you can begin to follow Him as His disciple.
If you are someone here who is still unsaved, I urge you, I plead with you to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation. He died for your sins and rose again for you.
Saturday, June 29, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #577
A man knocked on the door of a stately house and said to the owner who answered: "Hello, I am John and I am a pretty nice guy and I would love to live in your house."
"Excuse me? Do I know you?" the owner replied.
"Nope, but I am a pretty nice guy. You just ask around. Just yesterday I mowed my neighbor's lawn, I assisted an elderly cross a street and I helped someone with a car that was bogged down the side the road," said the man with pride in his eyes.
"You just can't live here just because you're nice!" the owner retorted.
"Why?! You let that boy live here! Has he mowed your neighbor's lawn? Has he assisted an elderly? Has he helped someone with his car?" the man protested loudly.
"Of course he lives here! He's my child!" the owner exclaimed.
"Oh, I see! And does that make him more special than me?!" the man roared.
"Okay, that's it! I am calling the police!" the owner angrily threatened.
This situation is very weird. A man insisting to be welcomed in someone else' stately house just because he is nice. But you know what? A lot of people think exactly like this when it comes to salvation. They think and believe that just because they have been doing good that God would let them in into His house. No, it doesn't work that way. You can only live in His house if you are His child. The question is: "Have you been born again by faith in Christ Jesus? Are you God's child through Christ?"
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,
Joh 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name
Ga 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Note: The story above is taken from Lifeline Productions. LifeLine Productions produces Biblical messages for radio using humor to hold the listener
Sunday, May 26, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #576
The Cross Leads Home
A policeman found a young boy crying his heart out on a street corner where he was stationed.
"What's wrong boy?" he queried. "I am lost! I can't find my way back home!" the boy replied whining.
Further questions proved useless because the young fella couldn't give any specific familiar landmark as to the location of his home. The policeman was in a quandary as to what he was going to do.
"Okay, what if I would convey you to that spot over there where a building stands tall, would you be able to find your way home?" The boy cried even more.
"Okay, what about that area over there covered with a lot of grass, would you find your way home from there?" This time the boy wailed loudly.
"Okay, what about that spot further away from the grassy area, where a big cross is, would you find your way home from there?" The boy stopped rubbing his eyes, looked up and enthusiastically nodded his head. And so, off they went to the spot and the boy ran back home.
Spiritually speaking, we are all lost and can't find our way back to God. But if we go by the way of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, there, we will be reconciled back to God. The cross leads home.
A policeman found a young boy crying his heart out on a street corner where he was stationed.
"What's wrong boy?" he queried. "I am lost! I can't find my way back home!" the boy replied whining.
Further questions proved useless because the young fella couldn't give any specific familiar landmark as to the location of his home. The policeman was in a quandary as to what he was going to do.
"Okay, what if I would convey you to that spot over there where a building stands tall, would you be able to find your way home?" The boy cried even more.
"Okay, what about that area over there covered with a lot of grass, would you find your way home from there?" This time the boy wailed loudly.
"Okay, what about that spot further away from the grassy area, where a big cross is, would you find your way home from there?" The boy stopped rubbing his eyes, looked up and enthusiastically nodded his head. And so, off they went to the spot and the boy ran back home.
Spiritually speaking, we are all lost and can't find our way back to God. But if we go by the way of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, there, we will be reconciled back to God. The cross leads home.
Monday, May 20, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #575
I made the waters of a 12 feet deep swimming pool literally my bed with no effort on my part at all. There I was lying on my back with the waters underneath me and the stars above me. I did it by getting myself into a lifejacket and allowed it to buoy me up.
Saving faith is like that. Spiritually speaking, as sinners, none of us can swim at all; we don't have spiritual buoyancy in us. Left to ourselves, we will all eventually sink and drown.
But God be thanked that He has made available for us a spiritual lifejacket in Christ Jesus and what He did on the cross. If we entrust ourselves to Him and what He did on the cross we will float, rest on water so to speak and enjoy the grandeur of heaven like what I did on that 12-feet deep pool.
Saturday, May 4, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGETS #574
Does James 2:24 which says "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" teach salvation by faith plus works?
Reply:
Understanding the Aspects Of Justification would flood a lot of light on this matter. There are 7 aspects of justification.
* A sinner is justified by grace. Romans 3:24 says: "being JUSTIFIED freely BY HIS GRACE through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"
* A sinner is justified by faith. Romans 5:1 says: "Therefore, having been JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"
* A sinner is justified by blood. Romans 5:9 says: "Much more then, having now been JUSTIFIED BY BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through Him"
* A sinner is justified by the power of the resurrection. Romans 4:25 says: "who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was RAISED BECAUSE OF OUR JUSTIFICATION.
* A sinner is justified by God. Romans 8:33 says: "...It is GOD WHO JUSTIFIES."
* A sinner is justified by words. Matthew 12:37 says: "For BY YOUR WORDS YOU WILL BE JUSTIFIED, and by your words you will be condemned."
* A sinner is justified by works. James 2:24 says: "You see then that a man is JUSTIFIED BY WORKS, and not by faith only.
* The cause of justification --- Grace
* The means of justification --- Faith
* The price of justification --- Blood
* The dynamic of justification --- Power
* The agent of justification --- God
* The manifestation of justification --- Works and Words
When we say that a sinner is justified by faith alone we are talking about the means of justification. How is a sinner justified? Well, he is justified by faith alone. Before God, he is justified by faith alone.
James 2:24, on the other hand, is talking about the manifestation of justification to men. Men cannot see faith in one's heart. Faith is invisible. Only God can see faith. And man has to deal with his fellow man. A justified man is not called by God to live alone by himself. How can a justified sinner manifest his justification to his fellowmen? By his works and words.
Two Justifications a) Godward and b) Manward
Godward, the means of justification is faith alone. Manward, justification is manifested by works and words.
It is possible for one to seem to be justified before man but not before God since it is possible to have a semblance of works and words without genuine faith in the heart. It is also possible for one to have faith in the heart without the apparent works and words of justification. In the eyes of those who are looking from afar, the repentant thief on the cross seemed to be heading for damnation. To them, he was a criminal heading for judgment. What they did not know was that he became a believer or a truster in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation on the cross. If given a chance to live, he would have manifested the works and words of justification.
Although faith is something that is enabled by God, we are still the one who is going to exercise it, not God. And so, if you want to be justified, come now to Christ by faith alone in Christ alone.
Reply:
Understanding the Aspects Of Justification would flood a lot of light on this matter. There are 7 aspects of justification.
* A sinner is justified by grace. Romans 3:24 says: "being JUSTIFIED freely BY HIS GRACE through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"
* A sinner is justified by faith. Romans 5:1 says: "Therefore, having been JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"
* A sinner is justified by blood. Romans 5:9 says: "Much more then, having now been JUSTIFIED BY BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through Him"
* A sinner is justified by the power of the resurrection. Romans 4:25 says: "who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was RAISED BECAUSE OF OUR JUSTIFICATION.
* A sinner is justified by God. Romans 8:33 says: "...It is GOD WHO JUSTIFIES."
* A sinner is justified by words. Matthew 12:37 says: "For BY YOUR WORDS YOU WILL BE JUSTIFIED, and by your words you will be condemned."
* A sinner is justified by works. James 2:24 says: "You see then that a man is JUSTIFIED BY WORKS, and not by faith only.
* The cause of justification --- Grace
* The means of justification --- Faith
* The price of justification --- Blood
* The dynamic of justification --- Power
* The agent of justification --- God
* The manifestation of justification --- Works and Words
When we say that a sinner is justified by faith alone we are talking about the means of justification. How is a sinner justified? Well, he is justified by faith alone. Before God, he is justified by faith alone.
James 2:24, on the other hand, is talking about the manifestation of justification to men. Men cannot see faith in one's heart. Faith is invisible. Only God can see faith. And man has to deal with his fellow man. A justified man is not called by God to live alone by himself. How can a justified sinner manifest his justification to his fellowmen? By his works and words.
Two Justifications a) Godward and b) Manward
Godward, the means of justification is faith alone. Manward, justification is manifested by works and words.
It is possible for one to seem to be justified before man but not before God since it is possible to have a semblance of works and words without genuine faith in the heart. It is also possible for one to have faith in the heart without the apparent works and words of justification. In the eyes of those who are looking from afar, the repentant thief on the cross seemed to be heading for damnation. To them, he was a criminal heading for judgment. What they did not know was that he became a believer or a truster in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation on the cross. If given a chance to live, he would have manifested the works and words of justification.
Although faith is something that is enabled by God, we are still the one who is going to exercise it, not God. And so, if you want to be justified, come now to Christ by faith alone in Christ alone.
Thursday, May 2, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #573
Was Christ's Death On The Cross A Suicide?
There are those who say that if Christ actively and voluntarily died on the cross then the whole thing was a suicide, and suicides are wrong.
Reply:
The death of Christ on the cross was a sacrifice, not a suicide. Know the difference:
Suicides are selfish. It has self as its motivation. Here's a man who has been having a very hard, difficult and painful life. He can't take it anymore. He wants to end it all to end his misery. And so, he takes his own life --- that's suicide.
Christ's death on the cross was never like that. It had others as its motivation. He sacrificed Himself for others. A soldier who gives his life fighting for his country is not suicide. A policeman who gives his life to protect the people he is serving is not suicide. A mother who risks her life and losses it in the process to save her baby is not a suicide. In all these examples, no suicide has been committed. Rather, each example is a picture of someone sacrificing his or her own life for the good of others.
The Bible never described Christ's death as a suicide. Rather, it is portrayed as a sacrifice.
Ga 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME
1Co 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ DIED FOR OUR SINS according to the Scriptures,
The verb "died" here is in the active voice. In other words, the verse is saying that Christ actively and voluntarily died for others. The Bible is God's Word and God could never be wrong. He is never wrong in His usage of words and expressions in the Bible. What does God's Word say here? Christ DIED for our sins.
Yes, in one sense Christ was killed (Acts 2:22-23) but in another sense, He (the Lord Jesus Christ) voluntarily died for us too. You see, the reason why those nails penetrated his body, the reason why blood came out of Him was that He allowed it to take place. All the nails in the world would have been used up, the world would run out of nails if He did not allow those nails to penetrate Him. The Lord Jesus could have, in one word, decreed "No!" and those nails, by His miraculous power, would never enter His body. But He allowed it to take place because He sacrificed and gave His life for our sins.
My friend, Christ sacrificed His life for you. Have you entrusted the salvation of your soul to Him?
Monday, April 8, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #572
A little boy was standing beside a tall and big star apple tree. He was looking up and staring at the star apple fruits which seemed to invite him to take them for himself. How in the world could he have them? The tree was an impossible climb for someone like him.
Then a man, the owner, stood beside him and asked: "Do you want to have some of them?"
The little boy enthusiastically bobbed his head up and down and zestfully said: "Yes!"
The man then climbed the tree and picked out the choicest star apple fruits and brought it to the little boy, whose eyes, by now, were glowing with glee. "Thank you so much!" he exclaimed, giving the man a big hug.
Salvation is like that. We are the little boy --- impotent to procure salvation for ourselves. But Someone, the Lord Jesus, "climbed the tree" of Calvary and obtained salvation for us. All we have to do is to receive it freely from His hands, by faith in Him and what He did on the cross. Then, we give Him a big hug, we love on Him for the rest of our lives for what He did.
Monday, April 1, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #571
Mr 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
When the Lord Jesus gave up His life, it was an act of service for us all. He truly came to serve. As Servant of salvation, He will do everything for you. Salvation is His service to us. We don't serve Him in order to be saved. No, He serves us with salvation.
Salvation is not the result of a self-service effort on our part. No, it is served up by the Servant Himself --- the Lord Jesus Christ. All you have to do is to be willing to be served by Him in this regard. All you have to do is to receive what He suffered for you in Calvary by faith in Him.
He died for your sins and rose again from the dead. Will you accept His saving service?
When the Lord Jesus gave up His life, it was an act of service for us all. He truly came to serve. As Servant of salvation, He will do everything for you. Salvation is His service to us. We don't serve Him in order to be saved. No, He serves us with salvation.
Salvation is not the result of a self-service effort on our part. No, it is served up by the Servant Himself --- the Lord Jesus Christ. All you have to do is to be willing to be served by Him in this regard. All you have to do is to receive what He suffered for you in Calvary by faith in Him.
He died for your sins and rose again from the dead. Will you accept His saving service?
Sunday, March 31, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #570
The Mole
The mole is a strange creature. It is strange in this way --- You will never see a mole alive with its eyes open. They are always closed if alive. Yes, they do open, but only when they are dead.
The eyes of a mole? Close if alive. Open once dead.
You know, there are many people who are like that spiritually speaking. Their eyes are closed to the attractions of the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross. They never see the preciousness and the value of what He did for them during the time when they were alive.
But once they passed the Rubicon, once they cross the borders of life to the territory of death, their eyes will finally be forever open to the treasure that they trashed. And it's just too late.
My friend, don't be like the mole. Be blind no more. Open your eyes to the fact that you are sinner who cannot save yourself. And come to Christ, trusting in Him and what He did on the cross for your salvation.
The mole is a strange creature. It is strange in this way --- You will never see a mole alive with its eyes open. They are always closed if alive. Yes, they do open, but only when they are dead.
The eyes of a mole? Close if alive. Open once dead.
You know, there are many people who are like that spiritually speaking. Their eyes are closed to the attractions of the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross. They never see the preciousness and the value of what He did for them during the time when they were alive.
But once they passed the Rubicon, once they cross the borders of life to the territory of death, their eyes will finally be forever open to the treasure that they trashed. And it's just too late.
My friend, don't be like the mole. Be blind no more. Open your eyes to the fact that you are sinner who cannot save yourself. And come to Christ, trusting in Him and what He did on the cross for your salvation.
Saturday, March 30, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET # 569
Vote Jesus!
Nowadays, election fever is in the air. Politicians are going here and there to campaign for whatever posts they are aspiring. In the realm of salvation, there are many who are vying to be the sinner's savior.
"Vote for me as your savior!" says Mr. Good Works.
"Put your faith in me as your savior!" says Mr. Religious Activities
"I can get you there! Choose me!" says Mr. Good Character.
But there is only one name under heaven by which a sinner can be saved --- the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ac 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
It is the Lord Jesus who can save you! Personally vote for Him as your Savior by putting your faith in Him. Vote Wisely! Vote Jesus!
Nowadays, election fever is in the air. Politicians are going here and there to campaign for whatever posts they are aspiring. In the realm of salvation, there are many who are vying to be the sinner's savior.
"Vote for me as your savior!" says Mr. Good Works.
"Put your faith in me as your savior!" says Mr. Religious Activities
"I can get you there! Choose me!" says Mr. Good Character.
But there is only one name under heaven by which a sinner can be saved --- the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ac 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
It is the Lord Jesus who can save you! Personally vote for Him as your Savior by putting your faith in Him. Vote Wisely! Vote Jesus!
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #568
"... No one is good but One, that is, God." Mr 10:18
The Lord Jesus uttered these words to a self-righteous man, a man satisfied with himself morally speaking. And because he needs to be disappointed and dissatisfied with himself, the Lord Jesus uttered these ego-shattering words to him "No one is good but One, that is, God."
Ps 16:2 "... My goodness is nothing apart from You."
Ps 143:2 "... in Your sight no one living is righteous."
Ps 14:3 "... There is none who does good, No, not one.
Isa 64:6 "... all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags..."
Ro 7:18 "... in me ... nothing good dwells..."
Man can only be good if he is united to God. But in himself, there is none who is good. No one is good but One, that is, God.
A lot of people today feel confident that they can make it to heaven because they view themselves as good people. They need a good look at the picture that God alone is good. Every single one of us is nothing but a sinner.
When, in humility, we finally accept and realize that God alone is good, we will begin to look outside ourselves for it. And turning to the Lord Jesus in faith, who is goodness Himself personified and God Himself in the flesh, we shall become acceptable to God with all the goodness of Himself bestowed to us.
Come now and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #567
Job 40:9 Have you an arm like God? ...
Job 40:14 Then I will also confess to you That your own right hand can save you.
God is speaking here. Let's apply this to spiritual salvation. God is saying here that if you are as powerful as Him, if you have the strength of His arm then you can save yourself.
Question is: "Who is as powerful as God?" There is no one who is as powerful as Him. Therefore, salvation is humanly impossible to accomplish. If ever sinful man can be saved, he must be saved by the power or the arm of God.
Enter the Lord Jesus Christ. Who is He? "...Christ the power of God..." 1Co 1:24
Since He is the power of God then it is He who can save you. Come to Him. Rely on Him and what He did on the cross for your salvation. He can be relied upon for your salvation. After all, He is the arm or the power of God.
Job 40:14 Then I will also confess to you That your own right hand can save you.
God is speaking here. Let's apply this to spiritual salvation. God is saying here that if you are as powerful as Him, if you have the strength of His arm then you can save yourself.
Question is: "Who is as powerful as God?" There is no one who is as powerful as Him. Therefore, salvation is humanly impossible to accomplish. If ever sinful man can be saved, he must be saved by the power or the arm of God.
Enter the Lord Jesus Christ. Who is He? "...Christ the power of God..." 1Co 1:24
Since He is the power of God then it is He who can save you. Come to Him. Rely on Him and what He did on the cross for your salvation. He can be relied upon for your salvation. After all, He is the arm or the power of God.
Friday, January 25, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #566
Misconceptions About Salvation #18: "The Gospel is a set of rules or code of behavior."
The cause of this misconception is ignorance of the Gospel message; lack of knowledge as to its content.
The word "Gospel" simply means good news. Mark it down --- It's NEWS, not a set of rules, regulations and commands. It refers to an information or report about something that happened. It's GOOD news because it's a report of something that happened that's beneficial for us sinners.
What then is the Gospel message? It is simply the report that Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead. Man's greatest problem is sin. And anything that could remedy that is the Good News. And Christ dying for our sins means that a payment has been provided for our sins. That God already accepted it by raising Him from the dead.
The good news however is something to be received by us sinners in order to enter into the good of it. God commands us all to receive it by faith.
The question is --- will you receive and accept this good news of a message by putting your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus and what He did for you?
The cause of this misconception is ignorance of the Gospel message; lack of knowledge as to its content.
The word "Gospel" simply means good news. Mark it down --- It's NEWS, not a set of rules, regulations and commands. It refers to an information or report about something that happened. It's GOOD news because it's a report of something that happened that's beneficial for us sinners.
What then is the Gospel message? It is simply the report that Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead. Man's greatest problem is sin. And anything that could remedy that is the Good News. And Christ dying for our sins means that a payment has been provided for our sins. That God already accepted it by raising Him from the dead.
The good news however is something to be received by us sinners in order to enter into the good of it. God commands us all to receive it by faith.
The question is --- will you receive and accept this good news of a message by putting your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus and what He did for you?
Friday, January 4, 2019
GOSPEL NUGGET #565
The Three Tenses Of Salvation
A Christian is someone who is saved, is being saved, and will be saved. Get one and you get all the rest. And you can have it all through faith in Christ Jesus. The moment you trust in Him for salvation and what He did on the cross is the moment that the three will become surely yours.
--- A Christian is someone who is SAVED from the penalty of sin (past tense)
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been SAVED through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
--- A Christian is someone who is BEING SAVED from the power and pleasure of sin (present tense)
1Co 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are BEING SAVED it is the power of God.
--- A Christian is someone who WILL BE SAVED from the presence of sin (prospective tense)
Ro 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation IS NEARER than when we first believed.
A Christian is someone who is saved, is being saved, and will be saved. Get one and you get all the rest. And you can have it all through faith in Christ Jesus. The moment you trust in Him for salvation and what He did on the cross is the moment that the three will become surely yours.
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