Not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. - Ephesians 2:8
When a lifeguard is trying to save you, it's a mistake to try and assist him. At first this might not seem like a problem; after all, we usually encourage people to help themselves. But when you're flailing around in deep water you tire easily and sink faster; you also drag others down with you. That's why a lifeguard will tell you to stop struggling and trust him. Understand this: God doesn't need your help to save you!
The Bible says, 'He took our sin... and made us alive in Christ.
He did... this on his own, with no help from us... All we do is trust him... It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role.
If we did, we'd go... around bragging that we'd done the whole thing!' (Ephesians 2:4-9). When Nicodemus came to talk to Jesus about salvation, he thought Jesus would tell him to abide by certain religious doctrines and exercises. What this prominent religious leader failed to grasp, is the all-encompassing nature of salvation; that we can't earn God's acceptance. He's not impressed with our good works;
in His eyes 'our best efforts are grease-stained rags... ' (Isaiah 64:6). There's a humbling thought!
Robert Lowry wrote: 'Nothing can for sin atone;
nothing but the blood of Jesus. Naught of good that I have done;
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow.
No other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus.'
Paul writes: 'God['s]... grace... is a free gift... ' (Romans 3:24), and He's offering it to you today. Will you accept it?
The Bible says, 'He took our sin... and made us alive in Christ.
He did... this on his own, with no help from us... All we do is trust him... It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role.
If we did, we'd go... around bragging that we'd done the whole thing!' (Ephesians 2:4-9). When Nicodemus came to talk to Jesus about salvation, he thought Jesus would tell him to abide by certain religious doctrines and exercises. What this prominent religious leader failed to grasp, is the all-encompassing nature of salvation; that we can't earn God's acceptance. He's not impressed with our good works;
in His eyes 'our best efforts are grease-stained rags... ' (Isaiah 64:6). There's a humbling thought!
Robert Lowry wrote: 'Nothing can for sin atone;
nothing but the blood of Jesus. Naught of good that I have done;
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow.
No other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus.'
Paul writes: 'God['s]... grace... is a free gift... ' (Romans 3:24), and He's offering it to you today. Will you accept it?
To read: 2 Chron. 1-4, John 12:1-11, Ps. 76, Pr. 27:4-6
Source: "The Word for Today" by Bob Gass
