“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Written by Walley Fry for  https://truthinpalmyra.wordpress.com/

Grace Alone

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” 

Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Let’s say we were given an assignment: to jump to the moon. That is impossible. I cannot even jump up a step anymore. Now, let us say Michael Jordan showed up to show off his rather impressive ability to jump. He could undoubtedly jump higher than me! I bet he could jump several steps. Compared to me, Michael Jordan is quite remarkable. If jumping to the moon was a contest, Michael Jordan would have won it. However, the assignment was given to both of us, and we both failed. As impressive as he is, Michael Jordan cannot jump to the moon. Ultimately, his remarkable skill got him no closer to completing that assignment than I did.

Friend, this devotional today is Christianity 101. I hope you understand this because you are in trouble if you have it wrong. We won’t be long here today because I do not want to muddy the waters. Sometimes, God’s Word is crystal clear, and this is one of those times. If you can read this verse and come to any alternative conclusion regarding faith and works, you may intentionally misunderstand God’s Word.

You cannot do it; God can. Salvation, that is. Christianity 101. The Holy Spirit draws you. Repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will save you. Do you notice what is missing? What is missing is anything you did. You do not have to “clean up your act,” stop some particular sin, take a course, partake in a sacrament, get baptized, or do anything else.

Friends, if some person is busy telling you what you have to “do” to get to heaven or earn your salvation, they are teaching you a damnable heresy. Stop listening to them and listen to God. Read His word.

We teach the ABCs of salvation to children because they are simple. Because salvation is simple.

Admit: You are a sinner and need a savior.

Believe: Jesus died and rose again to pay for your sins.

Confess: Jesus is your Lord and Savior

Notice that there are no works or tasks in that. Friends, be saved today, then let the work begin. But you need to get that order of things right.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Photo credit: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=0734fda996d53699&rlz=1C1UEAD_enUS1112US1112&q=Image+grace+through+faith+Bible&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0Aa4sjWe7Rqy32pFwRj0UkWd8nbOJfsBGGB5IQQO6L3J_86uWOeqwdnV0yaSF-x2jpXXSZVlK6C0YPjHbsLu8HQWfm38FRPm5FVWQmVvNxikFT9l-RA8hG3bZ34kJ7utFz8ATOsgecSX4KsqvVlocULrmOYJU0EdV0Kzb7Gtj0otmWc5Uxp9ld7SXdhmPooDGJi5LQh3Lv7PPmpeP_WWlTwUzchFg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1vOikuOiJAxWGmYkEHQDHNVgQtKgLegQIIxAB&biw=1328&bih=887&dpr=1#vhid=OcO__yZDufIYjM&vssid=mosaic