" Sola Fide - Faith Alone ! " (Third of Five)

Romans 3:21-31  " But now the righteousness of GOD without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; Even the righteousness of GOD which is by faith of JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD; Being justified freely by HIS grace through the redemption that is in CHRIST JESUS: WHOM GOD hath set forth to be a propitiation (sacrificial payment) through faith in HIS blood, to declare HIS righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of GOD;

To declare, I say, at this time HIS righteousness: that HE might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in JESUS. Where is boasting then ? It is excluded. By what Law ? of works ? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law. Is HE the GOD of the Jews only ? is HE not also of the Gentiles ? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one GOD, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the Law through faith ? GOD forbid: yea, we establish the Law.

     The watchcry of the Reformation was " justification by faith. " Luther and the Reformers agreed with Paul's conclusion: " Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law " (v.28). How can Salvation be both by grace alone and also by faith alone ? Grace is GOD's side; faith is man's side. How does GOD save a wretched sinner ? Only by grace (Acts 15:11). What must man do ? Only believe (Acts 16:31). While grace and works are two principles that are utterly opposed (Romans 11:6), yet grace and faith are united in perfect harmony in GOD's Salvation plan (Ephesians 2:8). Faith is not working, but it is resting on the perfect work of ANOTHER (Romans 4:5). The SAVIOR cried, " It is finished ! "; the man of faith responds, " It is enough ! " Faith is the hand of the heart that reaches out and receives the free gift which GOD offers in HIS grace (Romans 5:16-18; 6:23;John 1:12). The believer does not boast in his faith; rather, he boasts in a great SAVIOR WHO is the object of his faith (1st.Corinthians 1:29-31).

     Faith is when someone rests all of his weight on the PERSON of GOD (WHO HE is), on the work of GOD (what HE has done), and on the WORD of GOD (what HE has said). Justification is that work of GOD whereby the believing sinner is declared to be perfectly righteous in GOD's righteous SON (2nd.Corinthians 5:21). We could never achieve such a perfect righteousness, and we could never gain Heaven without it. It is fully provided in the PERSON and work of JESUS CHRIST. Justification by faith is so vitally important that GOD emphasizes it three times in just one verse (Galatians 2:16) ! How tragic it is that sin-blinded, self-righteous men are determined to present to GOD their own fig leaf coverings ! GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Sola Gratia - Grace Alone ! " (Second of Five)

Titus 3:3-8  " For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers (various) lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and 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, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the HOLY GHOST; 

Which HE shed on us abundantly through JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOR; that being justified by HIS grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly , that they which have believed in GOD might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. "

     One of the great truths that was rediscovered during the Reformation was the fact that men are saved by grace alone. " Salvation is of the LORD " (Jonah 2:9b) - all of GOD and none of man. Because GOD's perfect justice was satisfied by CHRIST's finished work on the cross, GOD is now free to be gracious to Hell - deserving sinners. Grace is GOD's favor and kindness freely bestowed on those who are totally undeserving of HIS merciful benefits. Titus 3:4 describes GOD's grace as " the kindness and love of GOD our SAVIOR toward man " (emphasis added, even the man who verse three describes as " foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. " Ephesians 2:7 further defines grace as " HIS kindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS " (emphasis added), the " us " being in context those who were " dead in trespasses and sins " (Ephesians 2:1,5). We are not worthy of the least of HIS favors, yet HE willingly died for the ungodly (Romans 5:8).

     While all religions are based upon man attempting to achieve salvation through  his own works, grace excludes any kind of human works or meritorious efforts: " If by grace, then is it no more of works . . . If it be of works, then is it no more grace " (Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9). Religion is man seeking to bring himself to GOD, which is an impossibility. Salvation is GOD sending HIS SON to the cross so that " HE might bring us to GOD " (1st.Peter 3:18, emphasis added). Not only is our salvation totally dependent upon the grace of GOD, but so also is living the Christian life: " By the grace of GOD I am what I am " (1st.Corinthians 15:10; see 2nd.Corinthians 9:8). We are debtors to GOD's grace ! GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone ! " (First of Five)

Romans 4:1-8  " What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found ? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before GOD. For what saith the Scriptures ? Abraham believed GOD, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on HIM that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom GOD imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD will not impute sin. "

     Over five hundred years ago, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the Caste Church door in Wittenberg, Germany, marking the beginning of the Reformation, which was basically a back-to-the-Bible movement as precious truths were uncovered. A problem today is that some seek to go back to the Reformation rather than to the Scriptures; thus, the Reformers' weakness in understanding the church, prophecy, dispensational truth, etc. is carried over to Reformed Theology. It is always best to go to the pure spring of truth rather than to the polluted stream farther away from the source. But, we can learn from the Reformers.

     Five great truths came out of the Reformation, the first of which is SOLA SCRIPTURA - Scripture Alone ! Only one question matters: What saith the Scripture ? (v.3). Man's tradition must never usurp GOD's absolute truth (John 17:17). Popes, priests, and pastors are fallible, but " the Scripture cannot be broken " (John 10:35). Scientific theories change with the times, but GOD's WORD will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8). Any light that came from the Reformation came from the beacon of Scripture; apart from it, men's minds are darkened (Ephesians 4:18). Only in the Bible do we find our infallible rule of faith, our sure guide for what we must believe and how we should live. It is a lamp to our feet, and its truth illuminates our path (Psalm 119:105). We must not follow opinions or ideas nor trust the wisdom of even the most brilliant men. One thing alone matters: " What saith the Scripture ? " " Feelings come and feelings go and feelings are deceiving. My warrant is the WORD of GOD, naught else is worth believing ! " (Luther). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used with permission.   www.feasite.org

" GOD's Provision or Your Own ? "

John 4:13-14  " JESUS answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in HIM a well of water springing up into everlasting life. "

     The man was barely able to stand as he precariously swayed from the dizziness of hunger. He stared at the table before him laden with a smorgasbord of food. He could smell the distinct aroma of spices, and his mouth watered at the cornucopia of smells. The host beckoned him to sit at the table, but he remained teetering near the door. When the host tried to help him, the hungry man continued out the back door and began scrounging through the rubbish bins for any morsel of food he could find.

     " Foolish ! " you say. But, spiritually speaking, this is being done worldwide on a grand scale. Jeremiah reveals what GOD said concerning HIS people: " For MY people have committed two evils; they have forsaken ME the fountain of living waters, and hewn them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water " (Jeremiah 2:13). Many people are foolishly choosing emptiness over fullness. rather than receiving and partaking of GOD's provision, they turn away and seek their own. They want it their way.

     GOD has established the exclusive way of Salvation (John 14:6). But many reject CHRIST by setting up their own religious systems, which bloat their stomachs and slay their souls. Rather than enjoying the fullness of CHRIST, the FOUNTAIN of LIVING WATERS, they carve out for themselves, by their own efforts, broken, useless cisterns (wells); yet they brag at how big and beautiful their cisterns are. Spiritual idolatry pushes GOD out of their lives, and they celebrate their man-made religions. Consider JESUS' WORDS to the woman at the well in today's text. Do not reject the GOD WHO alone can satisfy ! PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide

Used with permission.   www.feasite.org

" A New Year "

2nd.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; "

     We will be saying goodbye to the old year and preparing to welcome in a new year. For the Christian, the new year brings with it the understanding that we are one year closer to the return of CHRIST. With the hopes of the new year also come many troubles that will only be solved by JESUS' coming. I believe in the biblical truth of " de-evolution." Since the time that sin entered the world (Genesis 3), this world and the life forms upon it have been experiencing the opposite of evolution. The natural processes of entropy march forward no matter how environmentally-minded earth's inhabitants might attempt to be. These thoughts could start the new year on a depressing note were it not for the fact that, as believers in JESUS, we live in the realm of " new " things.

     Our original parents blew the first covenant GOD had made with man, and subsequently each of us, through inherent, willful disobedience to GOD, self-identifies as a sinner (Romans 3:23). Yet if we by faith receive the blessing of Salvation, we receive new life as new creatures in CHRIST. But the wonders of the new extend far beyond this present life and world. We will receive a " new name " (Revelation 2:17) and sing a " new song " (Revelation 5:9). The problems of this aging planet due to the consequences of sin will be permanently solved: " The heavens shall pass away [and] . . . the elements shall melt . . . nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for . . . a new earth " (2nd.Peter 3:10-13). In addition, GOD will make a new heaven and a new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-2). As a final stamp amid these miraculous creations, JESUS will declare, " Behold, I make all things new " (Revelation 21:5a). Each new year brings us closer to all things being made NEW ! JMC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used with permission.   www.feasite.org

" Heaven's Immigration Policy "

Revelation 21:1-14  " And I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth: for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the Holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from GOD out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of GOD is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and GOD HIMSELF shall be with them, and be their GOD. And GOD shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And HE said unto me (John), Write: for these WORDs are true and faithful. And HE said unto me, It is done. I AM ALPHA and OMEGA, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his GOD, and he shall be my son.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. And there came unto me (John) one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the LAMB's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain and showed me that great city, the Holy Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from GOD, having the glory of GOD: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal: And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: on the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve Apostles of the LAMB. "

     The United State of America is divided over the matter of immigration. Some believe that almost anyone should be allowed to enter the country, with very few restrictions. Others believe that it is a national security risk to have open borders, and they do not want foreigners entering our county unless they have been carefully vetted first. They believe that welcoming new citizens into our nation should only come about through the legal process and that people should not enter illegally.

     When it comes to the heavenly country (Hebrews 11:14), the living GOD exercises extreme vetting. While the SAVIOR indeed has compassion on all,, only those who accept HIS gracious invitation are made fit and allowed to enter (Colossians 1:12; 1st.Corinthians 6:11). A perfect righteousness is required (Matthew 5:20; 1st.Corinthians 1:30). No one will see that land unless he or she is born again (John 3:3,5). No person will ever inhabit the eternal city unless he is a proper citizen of Heaven (Philippians 3:20). Also, GOD is not opposed to having a great wall and gates in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:12). GOD's people will enjoy perfect security, with the LORD HIMSELF providing the protection: " Violence shall no more be heard in thy land . . . but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise " (Isaiah 60:18). Many bad characters are absolutely denied entrance: " And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie " (Revelation 21:27 cf. 21:8). The redeemed ones who enter are properly registered, having their names in the LAMB's Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). May we ever rejoice in the fact that our " names are written in Heaven " (Luke 10:20). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright,  FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org 

" Smartphone Idolatry "

1st.Corinthians 7:29-31  " But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they have none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion (form) of this world passeth away. "

Crowds of people in every major city, waited for days in line for the Iphone X

     An idol is anything that takes the place of GOD in our lives and robs HIM of our wholehearted devotion of which HE is so worthy. Is it possible that the smartphone and other electrical devices can become overly important to us ? Consider the following:

" Without a smartphone I can do nothing. "

" I can do all things through my smartphone that accompanies me. "

" Blessed be my smartphone that comforts me in all my tribulations that I may be able to text them which are in any trouble. "

" My smartphone is sufficient for me. "

" My smartphone which has done a good work in me will perform it until the next one comes out. "

" I count all things but loss for the excellency of the possession of my smartphone. "

" My smartphone shall supply all my need according to the power in the grid. "

" The cell phone is my guide, I shall not want. "

" My smartphone will never leave me nor forsake me. "

" On thy screen will I meditate day and night. "

" Text without ceasing ! "

" Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the latest device."

" When I am weak, my signal is strong. "

" Fear not, for the apps will help thee ! "

" Let us hold fast our smartphone. "

     Electronics certainly have a place in our lives, and they can be wonderfully used for the glory of GOD. BUT good things can be easily abused, robbing us of the full enjoyment of a vibrant relationship with JESUS CHRIST. BEWARE lest a good thing rob you of the best thing. " But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that . . . they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away " (vv.29,31).  " Little children, keep yourselves from idols. AMEN " (1st.John 5:21). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org