FREEDOM IN CHRIST

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

By nature we see we are enslaved to sin when we can’t stop sinning. We see we are enslaved to the law when we keep trying and failing to keep the law to earn the righteousness we need to stand before God. We see we are under the power of death when we can’t stop our bodies from weakening, decaying and dying. We don’t have the power to set ourselves free from anything that holds us.

But if Christ makes you free, you are truly, completely free! In Christ we are free from unbelief because He gives us faith in Him. In Christ we are free from the controlling power of sin because, once faith has come, our sin nature can’t make us not believe on Christ. In Christ we are free from bondage to the law because Christ kept the law for us. In Christ we are free from fearing the condemnation of the law because Christ already died for us. In Christ we are free from the error of false religion because we know Christ the Truth.

Christ came “to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). Those people are not looking over their shoulder with guilt and fear because Christ has made them free indeed by satisfying justice for them.

Pastor

There Is No Rejection In Election

“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

All men and women are born into this world spiritually “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). All are under the curse of the law, and all are deserving of eternal damnation. “But God”! God chose to show mercy to some sinners through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Had God not chosen to do that, not one soul would have been saved.

Contrary to what many may believe, there is no rejection in election. God did not chose for some to be saved and some to be damned. Mankind was already damned. God elected to save His people from damnation, and He reveals who He chose to do this for through The Holy Spirit giving a sinner “belief of the truth”. Therefore, all who have been given this faith to believe on the saving work and blood of Christ alone are bound to give thanks to God for choosing to save them before the foundation of the world.

Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” – Proverbs 9:10

A God given fear of God is the first part of saving wisdom. Understanding that God is our Creator and Judge and we have sinned against Him, produces a godly fear. And then to know the Lord Jesus Christ as the Holy One of God, Who is made unto us righteousness. This is wisdom “from above” and this is understanding.

Pastor Paul Mahan

Graceis something more than “unmerited favor.” To feed a tramp who calls on me is “unmerited favor,” but it is scarcely grace. But suppose that after robbing me I should feed this starving tramp. That would be “GRACE!” Grace then, is favor shown where there is a positive de-merit in the one receiving it.