GRACE-FAITH – Bible Truth 4u

Escape

John the Baptist questioned them:
Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
The Lord Jesus had harsh words for the RELIGIOUS Leaders of His Day:
Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Again He warned others:
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Then Paul warns of coming judgement:
Romans 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
To believing Jews he wrote:
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
To believing Jews Peter wrote:
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
Paul mentioned the Great salvation:
Romans 1:16-19 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Philippians 5:6-10 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

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Faith Failures

**Faith is believing God and trusting His word.**

Hebrews 11 is the hall of FAITH. It also lists some who Failed in Faith.

Cain (Hebrews 11:4) did not believe God. Tried his way and finally killed his own brother in a jealous act. Genesis 4:3-8.

And then there’s Easu, Jacobs older twin Brother, who did not value his relationship with God or family. Genesis 25:25-34, Hebrews 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

All of Israel who failed to believe God and cross over into the promise land.
That lead to 40 years in the wilderness. Hebrews 3:8-11, Numbers 14

As Paul writes about the Faithful (Hebrews 11:32) And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

So too could this page be filled with Failures, those who did not believe or trust God and His word.

What about you. Do you believe the Gospel? (I Corinthians 15:1-4) The Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you acted on His word as stated in Romans 10:9-13? Do truly believe you are saved? Going to Heaven when you die, or at the rapture?

God has something better for us, those who Believe and Trust Him.

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Salvation

What Is Salvation All About? - YouTube
It’s the plan of God to redeem man from in and provide for him a home in Heaven. It’s all the work of Christ in His death, burial and resurrection according to the Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The saved don’t become sinless… they just sin less…

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Followers and Patterns

Many a new believer asks “How do I do the work of God?”

Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Paul wrote to the Corinthians
1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
To the Galatians who wanted to back to following the LAW.
Galatians 4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
Also to the Philippians he wrote:
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Paul sets the example:
2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
Paul is the example believers are to follow:
2 Thessalonians 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Thessalonians 1:7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

The apostle Peter wrote to his fellow believing Jews:
1 Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.

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Christians should be:

The marvelous fact that Christ lives in us has everything to do with how we should live our Christian life.

Like the Psalmist Know where help comes from
Psalm 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
Like Enoch Walk in daily fellowship with the Lord
Genesis 5:22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah …
Like Abraham Trust in the Lord implicitly
Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him …
Hebrews 11:8-11 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing …
Genesis 12:1-9 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:…….
Like Moses Chose to suffer affliction rather than enjoy sin for a season
Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Like Daniel Commune in prayer with God daily, no matter what
Daniel 6:1-28 (10) Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, …
Like Job Be patient under all circumstances
Job 1:21-22 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
James 5:7-8 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Like Caleb and Joshua refuse to be discouraged
Numbers 13 (they only believed the Lord)
Like Andrew Strive to bring my brother to Christ
John 1:40-42 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
Like John To lean on the bosom of the Lord and partake of His Spirit
John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, ….
Like Stephen Have a forgiving attitude toward all who seek my hurt
Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Like Timothy To Study the Word of God
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Like Peter To step out on Faith
Matthew 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Like Paul Who could say BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME
1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.,
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Like the Lord Who overcame all temptations
Matthew 4 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil……

Please read all references in context!

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Confess(ing)

The word “confess” is the Greek word ekzomologeo, a word that means {to declare, to say out loud, to exclaim, to divulge, or to blurt}.
Just what is CONFESSION; when and how are we to do it? The Roman Catholic teach that it is a sacrament and that sacramental reconciliation is required only for grave or mortal sins—but it is required.
It is taught in Christian Churches that to be saved you must REPENT and BE BAPTISED and then you must confess your sins (daily?) or as often as you commit them(?) It is also taught the sinners prayer is required for salvation, where one must confess he is a sinner and beg God to forgive and save him!
Now what exactly does the Scripture teach about confession and salvation?
The Lord Jesus speaking to Jews said:
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
But many Jews, even though they believed that Jesus was Lord and the Son of God, were afraid to publicly confess Him.
John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
Now Paul, appearing before Felix, the Governor, confessed (not his sin but his belief):
Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
And Paul’s mission (after he was saved) was to go to the Gentiles:
Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
Paul told gentiles (and Jews) just what we are to confess to be saved:
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
That Jesus is God, and we can do it now and be saved or later (after death, when it will be too late to be saved).
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
James, writing to Jewish believers (1:1-2), is still living UNDER THE LAW.
And following the Law he exhorts them to confess their faults (sins) to each other (James 5:12-16)
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
John, likewise writing to Jewish believers, was still living UNDER THE LAW.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Note that John exhorted that they (Jewish believers) are to confess Jesus is their Messiah:
1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

And last of all The Lord Jesus will confess the name of all believers in heaven:

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Image result for clothed in white raiment;

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Follow Me

1 Corinthians 11:1 –
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Ephesians 5:1 –
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Many times, the Apostle Paul admonishes us to follow him as he followed Christ. He wrote of us being Changed to the Image of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

So how do we follow Christ/Paul? We must know who and what the man Jesus Christ was as He walked on the earth in a human body and how Paul followed him.

Christ was HUMBLE —– Matthew 18:4; Phil 2:3-11
Paul was — 2 Corinthians 12:21
I must be — Colossians 3:12
Christ was FORGIVING —– Luke 23:34
Paul was — 2 Corinthians 2:10
I must be — 2 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13
Christ was ZEALOUS —– John 2:17; 9:4
Paul was — Galatians 1:14
I must be — Titus 2:14; 1 Corinthians 14:12
Christ was PRAYERFUL —– Matthew 14:23; 26:36
Paul was — Ephesians 1:16
I must be — 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 12:12
Christ was COMPASSIONATE —– Matthew 9:36; 14:14
Paul was — 2 Corinthians 7:16; Philippians 2:17
I must be — Romans 12:15
Christ was UNRATALIATORY —– Matthew 26:59-68
Paul was — Romans 5:1; 8:6
I must be — Romans 12:8; 17-21
Christ was SUBMISSIVE —– Matthew 6:10; Luke 22:42
Paul was — 1 Corinthians 4:21; Galatians 6:1
I must be — Ephesians 5:21
Christ was SERVING —– Matthew 20:28
Paul was — Romans 1:9; 7:5
I must be — Romans 7:6; Galatians 5:13; Colossians 3:24
Christ was GIVING —– Matthew 20:28
Paul was — Romans 12:13; 16:4
I must be — Galatians 6:7-9
Christ was BURDENED —– Luke 19:41
Paul was — 2 Timothy 2:9; 4:16
I must be — Galatians 6:2

Then with the Apostle Paul we may say “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:20-21)

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What Must I Do to be Saved?

Usually, for an individual to ask this question, they are in trouble, in need or lost. And the Philippian jailer who asked Paul and Silas this question, realized he was lost. And of course they gave him a direct answer.

Acts 16:31-32 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

What exactly did they mean to Believe and be Saved? Let’s look into some writings of Paul. In his letter to the Church at Corinth he explained the Gospel:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The Gospel which can save us is to believe Christ Jesus Died (on the cross) for our sins, according to the scripture

was buried, according to the scripture

and on the third day rose alive, according to the scripture

Victory over death!

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Shall Be Saved

There is (and always has been) a lot of confusion about what one must do to be saved in this age of grace. Then again there are those who don’t believe they have a need to be saved. But for the ones who want to be saved from an eternal damnation, which everyone faces after death (Hebrews 9:27), a study of God’s word, just looking at references of where SHALL BE SAVED are used will reveal just how one can (must) be saved.

All references found in the Old Testament speak to the Jew (Israel):

Numbers 10:9 has to do with Israel under God’s protection in the time of WAR. And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

In Psalm 80 it again appears this has to do with the physical protection of Israel as they serve God:
80:3 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
80:7 Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
80:19 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Proverbs 28:18 (read surrounding verses) also appears to be speaking of physical life on earth: Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

Now in Isaiah the text appears to be speaking of eternal salvation:
45:17   But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
64:5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.

Then in Jeremiah SHALL BE SAVED speaks prophetically about the time of TRIBULATION (which is yet to come).
17:14   Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
23:6   In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness.
30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

Then in the New Testament (the Gospels) we find the words of Jesus speaking to JEWS:

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

After the resurrection Peter tells the Jews (Israel) how to be saved (Spiritually):
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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Confess

Confess is actually a very easy word to understand.
The Greek word is homologue which literally means
“to speak alike or the same, and referred to the idea of agreement or consent (especially in law courts).”
It means to confess, profess, proclaim, acknowledge, state openly, declare with a “sense of promise,” affirmation, commitment, public intention.

Matthew 3:6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
Mark 1:5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
John 1:20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
Acts 19:18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done.
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

The above verses apply to the Nation (and individual Jew) of Israel. The below verses apply the age of Grace.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
2 Corinthians 9:13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

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