Today’s
scripture: Galatians 1:6
We live in a world of spiritual “buffets.” Take a bit of this, a little of
that. Put it all together and create what works for you.
Even those who call themselves Christians say that the Bible isn’t God’s
inherent word or there is more than one road to salvation.
They don’t want truth because it doesn’t line up with what they want to hear.
Paul warned of this very thing: “The time is coming when people won’t listen to
good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by
telling them only what they are itching to hear” (CEV, 2 Tim. 4:3).
The Bible makes it very clear: There is one gospel, one faith, one way of
salvation. (See Eph. 4:4-6; John 14:6).
Follow the Bible or don’t. It’s your choice. But if you choose to follow the
Bible, then know that there is one gospel, one way of salvation.
One gift of grace.
Today’s
scripture: Ephesians 4:4-6
Faith. It can be quite a controversial topic.
Many say there are countless ways to faith or salvation or heaven or the god of
their choosing.
It doesn’t matter what you believe. Not really. In fact, some say you can
believe in a little of this, a little of that. A pinch of Christianity. A
spoonful of Islam. Throw in a touch of Buddhism for good measure.
Do more good than bad, and you’re in. Follow the Golden Rule, and you’re good
to go.
The Bible, God’s inspired word, doesn’t give us this “out.” It is very, very
clear:
One Lord. One Faith. One God and Father.
Just one.
Either you believe in the One True God, or you don’t. It’s your choice.
And you must choose.
The God of the Bible or not. But you can’t choose a bit of this or a little of
that.
Have you chosen the One True God? The One True Faith? Choose today.
Today’s
scripture: Ephesians 4:4-6
We live in one of the most “spiritual” times in history. Throughout the world,
studies and statistics show that people consider themselves spiritual and
people of faith.
But what does this really mean?
For many, it merely means that they admit to a higher power or a spiritual
force beyond themselves—or sometimes within themselves.
People are seeking something, and the thing is, that Something is really easy
to find. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the “Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
Some would say that this is narrow-minded thinking, and in many ways, it is.
But truth is truth.
I find great hope in knowing that we can know, with confidence, that we serve
one Lord, that He is above all. And when I remember that He loves me so much
that He gave His very life for me, I have even greater hope.
We are children of the one and only God. He is the God and Father of all.
Do you believe in the one God and Father of all? Have you found hope in Him?
Thank Him now.
Today’s scripture: James 2:8-13
Many belief systems or religions believe that if your good outweighs your bad,
you’ll get to heaven or some kind of an eternal realm of peace or nirvana. What
that percentage of good over bad no one quite knows.
The Bible tells us something very different. All have sinned and fall short of
God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). There is none righteous (Rom. 3:10). Or as James
puts it, if we “stumble in one point, we have become guilty of all.” And each
of us has stumbled … at least once.
We are all deserving of judgment, and if it were up to us, we wouldn’t get
anywhere near heaven. But God is merciful. He, through His love and grace,
offers freedom from our sin. He offers liberty. He offers forgiveness. To
everyone:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever
believes in Him will have eternal life” (John 3:16).
“If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse
us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
We are sinners. We do deserve judgment. We do deserve eternal separation from
our God. We don’t deserve mercy. We don’t deserve grace.
But when we accept God’s gift of salvation, we don’t receive judgment or
eternal separation from God. Instead, we receive His mercy and grace.
What an amazing God we serve!
Today’s scripture: 1 Timothy 1:15-16
Yesterday, we talked about how we can find forgiveness and mercy and grace in a
relationship with our heavenly Father.
Today, Paul tells us how: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
He came to this world for one reason only: to offer redemption to mankind and a
way back into fellowship with God.
He came to grant mercy and grace. He came so that we might joyfully anticipate
eternity with Him
Jesus can redeem the heart of the lowest of the low. There is nothing you have
done that cannot be wiped away by our Savior’s blood. You can be cleansed of
every sin you ever committed.
It just takes admitting you’re a sinner and that you need a Savior. It just
takes belief in Jesus as that Savior and acceptance of His sacrifice. And then
it takes surrender to God the Father’s will.
You cannot save yourself. You cannot hope that the good you do somehow
outweighs the bad. You can’t give more money or more time or more effort to
good causes.
Only one way to salvation and eternal life with God—Father, Son, and Spirit—is
available to you. Believe in Jesus. Accept the gift of His payment for your
sin. Give your life completely over to Him
And accept His amazing grace and abundant mercy.
Today's scripture: Ephesians 4:4-6
Today's devotional is short ... but not many words are needed to talk about this particular truth: There is one God. There is one faith.
One.
Many people would tell you that there are many ways to salvation. That it
doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere. That as long as your
good outweighs bad, you’re set.
Even many who call themselves Christian say the same. They even say Jesus never
claimed to be the only way of salvation.
Now you can certainly choose to believe what you will, but if you believe in
the God of the Bible, you’re not given any other option but one: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am
the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me
…’” (John 14:6).
No other way.
