“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” Jn. 1:17
A brother responded to yesterday’s Eyesalve with a quote that he had heard. Here it is. “With the Law, the sheep died for the shepherd; with Grace, the Shepherd died for the sheep.”
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” Jn 1:17
Man, given the choice, will preach the law, try to keep the law and even add some more laws. This is an outright reproach and insult to Jesus Christ who gives grace.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Rev. 12:11
There truly is “power in the blood,” and the testimony of how God saved us and what He did for us cannot be denied. Who can tell you that what God did for you isn’t true when you know it is. You just know that you know that you know. And then our ability to overcome concludes with not loving our life unto death. When you reckon yourself dead, you don’t fear death. When you reckon yourself crucified, sin and temptation have no power over you. “…but, whosoever will loses his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Rev. 12:9-11
Satan was overcome in heaven and he can be overcome on earth. Not by all, but by those that have the kingdom of heaven in their heart. Satan cannot overcome where God’s kingdom is.
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev. 12-9
The unredeemed inhabitants of this world all have one thing in common; there is one thing that unites them all; they are deceived by the devil. They all believe what is false. This should teach us believers that we should have one thing in common that unites us, we are enlightened to the truth. We must all believe what is true.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jn. 3:16
My wife and I were talking the other night how when we say “I love you” to each other, we can’t help but say, “I love you” back. Then a thought came to me and I said to Joy, I never heard God say to me that He loves me. Then I began to think that I never read in the gospels where Jesus said directly to anyone that He loves them. But, I answered my own thought and I said to Joy, God never said to me that He loves me, He just showed it to me. The point behind this is, “Demonstrated Love far Surpasses Verbal Love.”
“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Acts 11:26
The word “Christian” means a follower of Christ. Those in Antioch noticed that these believers followed Christ, therefore they called them Christians. Christianity would be much different if those of this world noticed that Christians were followers of Christ, because it was obvious they did follow Christ, instead of Christians having to try to convince others that they are a follower of Christ.
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31
Those that speak the word of God with boldness are not appreciated by this world, except for those that are looking for salvation. Unfortunately, many in the church do not like bold preaching either. They want to hear something smooth. The problem is that if our preachers are Spirit filled men of God, then they cannot help it, but to speak bold. Boldness is the results of being endued with power from on high.
“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.” II Cor. 3:18
Religion expects a quick outward change of an individual. Liberalism expects no change. But the changing of the inner man which is conformity to the image of Christ, is the real change. This change happens from glory to glory.
“Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.” Mt. 12:33
There is a very strong delusion overcoming people today, it is that bible knowledge is evidence of salvation. However, the biblical standard prescribed by Jesus is that you know true believers by their fruit. Knowledge is not the evidence, fruit is.
