GOSPEL NUGGET #389

The Gospel In The Maguindanao SAF-MILF Encounter

How did some of the SAF commandos manage to escape with their lives? One of the commandos decided to put his life on the line to distract the terrorists. He stood up, walked over towards the enemy's direction and plainly exposed himself to them.

They saw him fell down, hit by a bullet, but he rose again and still proceeded and carried on what he intended to do. Then they saw him fell for the second and last time. He never stood up again. He died. What he did gave others a window of opportunity to escape with their lives.

2000 years ago, Somebody did just that. He resolutely set out towards Jerusalem to give His life as a sacrifice for our sins. He diverted the just wrath and judgment of God on Himself.

Lu 9:22 saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day."

Lu 9:51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,

Now, anyone who trusts in Him and what He did on the cross is promised eternal life and salvation.

GOSPEL NUGGET #388

The Gospel In The Maguindanao SAF-MILF Encounter

How did some of the SAF commandos manage to escape with their lives? One of the commandos decided to put his life on the line to distract the terrorists. He stood up, walked over towards the enemy's direction and plainly exposed himself to them.

They saw him fell down, hit by a bullet, but he rose again and still proceeded and carried on what he intended to do. Then they saw him fell for the second and last time. He never stood up again. He died. What he did gave others a window of opportunity to escape with their lives.

2000 years ago, Somebody did just that. He resolutely set out towards Jerusalem to give His life as a sacrifice for our sins. He diverted the just wrath and judgment of God on Himself.

Lu 9:22 saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day."

Lu 9:51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,

Now, anyone who trusts in Him and what He did on the cross is promised eternal life and salvation.

GOSPEL NUGGET #387

2 Ch 20:17 'You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD...

Can you imagine winning a battle without flexing a single muscle in your own body, triumphing over  your enemies without exerting any effort at all?

It could very well be said that in this instance king Jehoshapat and company were by grace made victorious through faith and not of themselves. It was the gift of God. Not of works lest they should boast.

If salvation were likened to winning over a battle, and if we apply this verse to it, then all one has to do with regards salvation is this---you will not need to exert effort to win it. All you have to do is position yourself, relying on the Savior, stand still and see salvation of the Lord which He accomplished for you on the cross of Calvary!

GOSPEL NUGGETS # 386

2Ch 20:12 "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."

This was the prayer of king Jehoshapat when a mighty army was about to invade them. Helpless and clueless, they were brought to the end of themselves. When everything around you is hedged in, the only way left is to look up. And that's exactly the position God wanted them to be.

It is the same with spiritual salvation. In reality, we are helpless and powerless to save ourselves. The moment this truth comes entering our minds and lodging in our consciences, we would look for deliverance outside ourselves.

And salvation comes the very moment we turn and look in faith upon the Savior and what He did on the cross.

Turn your eyes upon the Savior. Look at Him in faith, dying on the cross for your salvation.

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!