Saturday, October 21, 2006
Hebrews 13:8-9 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace . . .
SALVATION'S SOURCE IS THE SAME YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND FOREVER -- GRACE THROUGH JESUS
The Devil has always tried to destroy the Good News of Jesus by adding additional requirements for salvation. But God, who does not change, rules over a Church whose teachings do not change.
In the time of the Apostles, the Devil suggested that the Gentile Christians must ALSO be circumcised and obey the laws of Moses to be saved. In the time of Martin Luther, the Devil suggested that Christ's sacrifice was NOT ENOUGH and people must pay for some of their sins with good living or with cold hard cash paid to the church in order to be saved. In our day, the Devil keeps trying to corrupt the Good News by saying, "Yes, it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that you are saved, BUT you have to do something too."
When the Devil whispers this lie in your ear, remind him that Jesus doesn't change, and neither does the way He saved you. Let us always stand firm in Christ. And let's declare boldly to the Devil and to the world that we believe "it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved" (Acts 15:11).
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare" (Isaiah 55:1-2).
