Good News

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12)

There's a lie circulating in Christian circles that may seem right and above board. But, as we learn, the worst deception is the one that appears real enough to buy into it.

One of the saddest comments I hear these days is, "I believe in Jesus, but how can I be sure I'll be in heaven when I die?"

It's understandable coming from someone new to the faith. But to hear it from someone who has been "saved" and part of a Christian body of believers for years is troubling.

There are many religions circulating that will keep people questioning, worried they'll fall short of paradise. They are instructed that their goodness and charitable works would earn them points towards eternal paradise. 

Christianity should not be listed among them. It may sound like bad news, but there is nothing we can do to earn our way into eternal life. 

Scripture tells us, "There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one ... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by HIs blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in his forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:10-12, 23-26 NKJV).

But there is good news.

This is where the gospel--meaning good news--should breed hope mixed with joy in anticipation of our future with Christ.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). 

I'm sure we all know people who follow a belief system that dictates they perform specific rituals and practices to "earn points" with God, and maybe they will earn enough by the time of death to gain entrance into heaven. Sadly, many groups of protestant believers have been convinced of similar teachings.

We hear the arguments begin with:

If only I prayed more ...

If only I believed better ...

Maybe if I served--given--more ...

She's been a good person ...

I'm sure there are more you have heard.

To be honest, I have fallen into the trap of measuring up, being enough, volunteering more, trying to be more, and doing more, so that God would be pleased with me.

And it has been exhausting.

In this statement alone, we can know something is wrong.

Jesus said, "Come unto Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

If we are exhausted, trying to please our Lord, the problem is not with Him. Or His promise.

Paul's letter to the Philippians reassures us: 

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you with all joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think of this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace" (Philippians 1:3-7 NKJV).

We are also told in Ephesians 1: 13-14, "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." 

I could list a host of thoughts that plagued my mind, telling me that I'd messed up too much, or that I would never measure up. And they are true. BUT they are only part of the truth. 

The finished work of the cross, the blood of Jesus Christ, has become our righteousness. We can never be good enough. But thanks be to God, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him" 2 Corinthians 5:21.

I'll leave you with some more Scripture to meditate upon:

1. John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
2. Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
3. Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
4. Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"
5. 1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure."
6. 1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life.
7. John 3:15 ... that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
8. Romans 3:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
9. 1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 
10. Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should be come heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

Until next time, rest in His grace and mercy. Allow the truth of the gospel be stir us to the praise and glory of our Father and Lord, Jesus Christ.

💜 Karlene J 💜

Don't Miss the Gift(er)

"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:14 NKJV).

Scripture tells us to ask for whatever we want (in Jesus' name), and we will receive it.

Anything we want?

I have questions.

If this is 100% true, with no exceptions, then why do people get discouraged and give up when they don't see their prayers answered? Some even decide God must not care--or exist, for that matter.

A few thoughts come to mind. But let's consider two options.

First, God always answers us. How He answers is not always how we want Him to. 

I was reminded of a story I'd been told long ago. There was a girl who saw a pair of ice skates in a store window and asked for them. Her mother, widowed and raising three children alone, couldn't afford them. There was a suitcase, though, that would be more practical.

Christmas came, and everyone received their gifts. The girl was less than thrilled to see she'd been gifted the suitcase with all its practicality. Half-heartedly, she said, "Thank you." 

Her mother pressed her. "Aren't you going to look inside?"

The girl was not enthused. Disappointment thickened the blood in her veins, as stubbornness increased in her heart. But she moved to unclick the latches of the suitcase lid and opened it.

Inside were the stark white ice skates she'd asked for, the blades gleaming up at her as if mocking her surprise.

The answer to her request came packaged differently than she'd expected, and she assumed the answer remained a "No."

The Lord may answer us in ways that don't appear to be what we're asking for. Give thanks with a grateful heart. We will never know how that gift will bless us in the end.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (James 1:17 ESV).

He may say "No."

Why would He say "No" when He promised to give us whatever we ask for in Jesus' name?

Perhaps it's for our protection. Maybe there's something better on the horizon that He wants to give us, but in our lack of foresight, we cannot see it. Could it be that He's working out something deep within our soul to line our desires up with His own?

And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14-15 ESV).

My thought is that as we abide in Christ, our desires become one with His. Like any relationship we value, we wouldn't ask for anything that would grieve Him. The Psalmist says, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act" (Psalm 37:4-5 ESV).

I believe He loves to bestow good things on His children. But who wants to be the parent, spouse, or favorite relative/friend because of our ability to give? I doubt any of us would feel truly loved if we knew others were coming around with their hands out, rather than a genuine desire to know us. And as image-bearers, I am certain He is more than willing to pour out blessings on any who are following Him for who He is rather than what He can do.

He has shown this in His response to the young King Solomon: 

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." 

And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward You ... And now, O LORD my God, You have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give Your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern Your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this Your great people?"

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days" (I Kings 3:5-13 ESV).

He could have asked for anything. And yet, he asked for wisdom, which James tells us God gives generously to any who ask. Because God was pleased with Solomon's heart in the matter, He also gave him riches and honor. He continues to tell Solomon, "And if you will walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."

So there was a caveat to the rest of the promise--IF ... THEN--which indicates to me that some promises are conditional upon our obedience to His ways. With this in mind, it's not a good idea to presume upon His yes all the time.

Maybe I'm wrong. God doesn't owe me anything.

BUT, I owe Him everything.

I have heard the Scripture referenced often: "You don't have because you don't ask."

Does Scripture really say that? Well, yes. And more.

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you spend it on your pleasures.  Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? (James 4:1-5 NKJV)

So, when asking the Lord for answers to prayer, also ask Him to reveal to us our hearts. Our motives. 

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139: 23-24 ESV).

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14 ESV).

He is gracious and merciful in all His ways. We can trust Him to provide good, and not evil, all our days.

Until next time, follow Him with all your being.

💜 Karlene J 💜