The Bible says in Isaiah 55:1-3 "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. " The salvation of God won't cost you or me anything, not even one thin dime. The Lord Jesus did everything needful to save you when He died, was buried and rose from the dead the third day. The Bible says in 2nd Peter 1:3-4, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 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." Yes, He has done everything needful that we might be saved. It is the free gift of God to you and I!
Oh what wonder! To think that we, that is you and I could, "be partakers of the divine nature..." and our salvation is all paid for. Apostle Paul said in Romans 4:3-5, "For what saith the scripture? 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." But wait, doesn't the Bible say in James 2:14-17 that there is a catch? James asked, "...can faith save him?" He went on and said, "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." No, they were both talking about the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
It seems pretty evident to me that if I see someone having a need and I have the wherewithal to meet that need I will meet it. Wouldn't You? I with both Paul and James don't think that we can be saved by our works which we have done! We are all in the same boat. Paul said in Philippians 3:4-6, "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." He said he was blameless as far as the law was concerned yet he called himself the chiefest of sinners (see 1st Timothy 1:15) because he knew that keeping the law of Moses couldn't save him. Only the grace of God could!
And James, who also was a good Jew said in James 3:2a, "...in many things we offend all." He also said in James 4:5b-6, "Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." He knew that keeping the law of Moses was not enough for by his own testimony he didn't keep the law. No it's not in keeping the letter of the law but the spirit. In Romans 7:6 the Bible says, "But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." We are all sinners, no matter how good we may live or even think we live. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 5:20, "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." We need to be more righteous than the Pharisees if we want to make heaven our home one day.
My friend if you truly want to make heaven your home you need take advantage of what the Lord Jesus did at Calvary. Jesus said in Luke 9:23b-24, "...If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." Do you think that by keeping rules you will please God? I want you to be right with God when the Lord Jesus comes back. There is no catch to salvation. Only believe His word, take up your cross and follow Him! His word tells you and I how we can take advantage of His free gift. Repent of your sins, find someone who will baptize you in Jesus name and God has promised you the gift of His Spirit. He wants you to be saved. (see Acts 2:38 and 2nd Peter 3:9)
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