June 30th - Elementary Teaching About Christ

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also comes the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam, all die, so also, in Christ,  all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ was the first, after that those who are Christ’s in His presence, then comes the end when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, all things are put in subjection, it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be ALL in ALL.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

We should pray for all that...

"...the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may be giving you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the realization of Him, the eyes of your heart having been enlightened, for you to perceive what is the expectation of His calling, and what is the riches of the glory of the enjoyment of His allotment among the saints, and what is the transcendent greatness of His power for us who are believing, in accord with the operation of the might of His strength, which is operative in the Christ, rousing Him from among the dead and seating Him at His right hand among the celestials, up over every sovereignty and authority and power and lordship, and every name that is named, not only in this eon, but also in that which is impending: and subjects all under His feet, and gives Him, as Head over all, to the ecclesia which is His body, the complement of the One completing the ALL in ALL." (Ephesians 1:17-23)

June 29th - Did Christ Die in Vain?

"I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." (Galatians 2:21).

The Bible teaches me that salvation is a free gift to humanity from God.

“…for the free gift of God is eternal life…For by grace are you saved…for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all humanity….” (Romans 6:23b; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11-13)

My conclusion after reading the Bible from cover to cover is that God is going to save everyone as Paul says...

“...we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

"...there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all..." (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Christ did not die in vain!

June 28th - God Loves Sinners

God Loves Sinners - all of us!

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44)

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.” (Colossians 3:16)

How does your religious doctrine measure up to these words of Jesus, the Son of God,  and the apostle Paul? Sometimes we love and pray for our neighbors, but that is about it.

What about God the Father, what is His attitude toward His enemies?

“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! For if, while WE were GOD'S ENEMIES, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:8-11)

The governments and religions of humanity are not in love with us - but God proved that He is by sending His Son to ransom ALL mankind!

"I am entreating, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, pleadings, thanksgiving be made for all mankind, for kings and all those being in a superior station, that we may be leading a mild and quiet life in all devoutness and gravity, for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Savior, God, Who WILLS that ALL MANKIND be saved and come into a realization of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and mankind, a Man, Christ Jesus, Who is giving Himself a correspondent RANSOM FOR ALL..." (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

June 27th - What Does God See When He Looks at Humanity

“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for humanity appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy…” (Titus 3:4-5)

God did not try to save us or offer to save us….He SAVED us!

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them...He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:19-21)

What does God see when He looks at humanity?

I think He sees humanity as we are to become when He is finished with us. He sees us as the result of "Christ reconciling the world”. He sees "every knee" bowing and "every tongue" confessing "Jesus Christ is Lord".

"And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:8-11)

June 26th - Delivered from this Present Evil Age

"Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age" (Galatians 1:3-4).

God's plan is pretty simple and it is good news for everyone.There are two things that have to be done to deliver humanity from the evil of this present age - 

1. Christ Jesus gave Himself for the sins of humanity. This has been done!

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

2. Christ Jesus will raise humanity from the result of sin which is death. This is in the future.

"Behold, I tell you a mystery… we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable…the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory." (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

June 25th - What Does God Think Humanity Needs?

“…when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)

The simple prayers of those who pray “in secret” are rewarded in accordance with what God the Father knows we need. One thing that all of us need is to be reconciled with God, and He is in the process of doing so.

“…God is reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation…God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:19-21)

So, what does this reconciliation accomplish for humanity?

“...the free gift of God is eternal life…" (Romans 6:23b)

June 24th - We Will Vanish Away - Then What?

“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)

The older I get the more this hits home. Good thing I also have read the following...

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep (vanished away) so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope…For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead (those who have vanished away) in Christ will rise first…comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

June 23rd - Grace and Judgment

Before the great worldwide flood described in Genesis, God made this statement concerning humanity…

"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5)

He then made a decision...

"So the LORD said, I will destroy humanity whom I have created from the face of the earth." (Genesis 6:7)

God had told Adam and Eve what the judgment for their sin would be…

“…you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." (Genesis 2:17)

Prior to sending the flood, God introduced humanity to His grace by saving Noah and his family...

"But Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8)

Humanity has not changed and sin and evil are still increasing. The judgment of God is still death. Yet, His GRACE will save "all humanity" out of death.

“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life…for the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all humanity.” (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Titus 2:11)

Jesus came to save humanity and showed us how it will be done. Just as Jesus died and was raised to life, so will He return and save the rest of us out of death (the thief). That is the promise of the Bible.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly…it is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior…desires ALL humanity to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL…we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL humanity, especially of believers.” (John 10:10; 1 Timothy 1:15, 2:3-6; 4:9-10)

June 22nd - Better To Be Drowned In The Depths Of The Sea

The disciples of Jesus asked who would be greatest in the Kingdom of the heavens. He told them that "unless you change" you will never enter.

"The disciples came to Jesus and asked who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of the heavens. He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heavens. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heavens. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me..." (Matthew 18:1-5)

Have you ever noticed how a little child reacts to being told about God loving them and Jesus dying for them? It makes them happy and they believe without question - UNTIL - they get into some church that tells them God will eternally punish them in hell unless they repent of their sins and get saved. It is the church doctrine that needs to be changed.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:10)

The church who scares "little ones", or anyone, and causes them "to stumble" from their love for God and Jesus into a phobia of fear must become like little children in order to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it would be better for the leaders if such churches "to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea"...

"If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!" (Matthew 18:6-7)

Remember the Samaritan village who did not welcome Jesus. His "disciples" asked Jesus if he wanted them to call down fire from heaven to burn them up. Jesus "rebuked" them...

"But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?" (Luke 9:54-55)

I cannot think of anything worse than scaring a child with the heresy of eternal conscious torment in hell. I would rather be "drowned in the depths of the sea" than teach such blasphemy. Unfortunately such teaching continues to be the doctrine of most churches. Thankfully, Jesus will burn up such false teaching in "the day" humans give account to God.

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

All humans, including those in churches causing children to stumble, are destined to "become like little children" when God conforms them into the image of His Son Jesus.

"...behold I make all things new..." (Revelation 21:5)

...I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow" (Jeremiah 31:13)

"For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son..." (Romans 8:29)

June 21st - All in All.

"God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19).

The secret to worthwhile faith is figuring out what God has actually said. That is not always easy. Who among us today has actually had a two way conversation with God? What I assume is that God spoke to men of old and they wrote down what God told them into a book we call the Bible - the Scripture.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness…for everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.” (2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 15:4)

My hope for humanity is found in the Bible. Paul sums up this “hope” as follows...

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive… so that God may be All in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

God “All in all”.  That is the hope for humanity, a treasure worth guarding!

"I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day...with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:12-14)

June 20th - Better Promises

Concerning the history of the unfaithfulness of Israel Paul writes...

“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11)

The promises to ISRAEL that were dependent on their faithfulness needed to be exchanged for promises based on the faithfulness of their Messiah - Jesus, the Son of God.

"Now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6)

The basic promises of the old covenant Law of Moses can be summarized as "do this, and you will live." The promises under the law were not realized because humanity does not, and cannot, perfectly obey the Law of God.

"Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against me; they did not walk in my statutes, and were not careful to observe my judgments, which, if a human does, he shall live by them" (Ezekiel 20:21).

God promised a new covenant which is immeasurably better than the old one, because it DOES NOT depend upon human performance, but on the GRACE of God. 

"I will make a new covenant… I will put my law in their minds…I will be their God…I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

God has promised to forgive our sins and remember them no more! Paul was given this good news to tell people of all nations.

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have ALL humanity to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one MEDIATOR between God and humans, the man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not ; a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” (1 Timothy 2:3-7)

It will happen whether we believe it or not, but I, for one, believe God our Savior!

June 19th - Myths and Strange Doctrines

“To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord...instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths… It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.” (1 Timothy 1:1-20)

You can search all you want but you will not find a single verse in the Bible that says the penalty for sin is eternal conscious torment. It is a myth. the Bible clearly says that the penalty for sin is DEATH.

"...but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)

"The wages of sin is death..."  (Romans 6:23)

Salvation is what happens AFTER death. The Bible tells us that Jesus will save people OUT OF DEATH - not save FROM it. But for more than 1900 years there have been leaders in the church like “Hymenaeus and Alexander”, who have been shipwrecked in regard to the faith by the strange doctrine and myth of eternal conscious torment.

All of God’s dealings with humanity is with a view to the eventual reconciliation of ALL humans to God.

“…through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...” (Colossians 1:20; 2 Corinthians 5)

Eternal conscious torment was introduced centuries ago by corrupt theology and has been passed down as truth. How incredibly sad! Paul addressed the source of the myths and strange doctrines.

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness..." (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)

June 18th - Religious, Political and Journalistic Fabricators

“For us, who love God, who are the called according to His purpose, there is an awareness that He is working all together for good.” (Romans 8:28).

God is working everything for the good of humanity. This truth is refreshing to me in a world of religious, political and journalistic fabricators. Truth has become what these institutions perceive it to be, or would like it to be. 

All who have lived on this planet will be saved out of death by the grace of God, or not at all.

“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wills all humans to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and humans, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all…we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all humans, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 1:15, 18-19; 2:3-8; 4:9-11)

This truth continues to brighten even my most difficult days. It gives me peace and love for God. Not a fabricated love, but a genuine love flowing from the knowledge of God's grace, love, and goodness.

Religious, political, and journalistic fabricators are obsessed with the idea that those who agree with them are the only ones who will have things work out for good - however, I am confident that they are wrong!

June 17th - Don't Be Judged By Religious Ritual

“For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect…” (Hebrews 10:1)

The above was written to Jews who were considering returning to the Law and its rituals as the way to righteousness. The writer was reminding them that the Law nor the rituals surrounding them could make them perfect.

Gentiles believers were being told by some of these Jews that they too keep the Law and rituals of the Law of Moses. Paul tells them...

“Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17)

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that we will not be judged, nor rewarded, forg our attendance at Church nor its associated rituals. We will be judged by "the word" Christ Jesus. spoke. And what is “the word” which Jesus spoke which will “judge” those who rejects it?

“If anyone hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings, has one who judges him; THE WORD I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.…” (John 12:47-48)

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:17)

To "judge" simply to make a decision based on the facts. Those who do not believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world will be “judged” WRONG and feel the shame when Jesus saves everyone from death. After being resurrected from death, all will give account of their life to God including what they believed and taught was the word of God. Afterwards, ALL humanity will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord bringing "glory to God"…

“God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

"For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” (Romans 14:8-12)

June 16th - Try to Keep Calm in the Storms of this Life

There is a saying that a person can be so heavenly minded that he is of no earthly good. But that is not what the Bible says.

“If, then, you were roused together with Christ, be seeking that which is above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Be disposed to that which is above, not to that on the earth, for you died, and your life is hid together with Christ in God. Whenever Christ, our Life, should be manifested, then you also shall be manifested together with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4)

Christ is “that which is above”. While He was down here He did what was necessary to save sinners condemned to death. One day He will return to earth. The older I get the more I find myself “seeking that which is above”. It gives me peace to know what awaits me and my family in the next life. For now, I try to enjoy this life the best I can trying to keep clam during the storms.

“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 8:15)

June 15th - The Faith of Jesus Christ

"Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who is of the faith of Jesus.” (Romans 3:24-26)

Our righteousness is not based on OUR faith, but the faith OF Jesus. And the only way to be “justified” (declared righteous) is to be a recipient of the “faith OF Jesus”. All are recipients of the benefits of His faith.

“...the righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all. and on all who believe." (Romans 3:22)

If your version of the Bible says "faith IN Jesus", it is wrong. Any honest translator with a Greek Interlinear will clearly see the proper translation is "faith OF Jesus". Nothing wrong with having faith IN Jesus, but that is not the context in the above verses which are talking about the faith that Jesus had, not our faith.

For it is by Grace you have been saved, through FAITH - and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT OF GOD...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity...Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of FAITH, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Ephesians 2:8; 1 Timothy 4:10; Hebrews 12:2-3)

Jesus had faith that His suffering and death on the Cross was the RIGHT thing for God to do . The sacrifice of His body was necessary, and therefore Jesus "endured the cross" because He knew that...

"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll - I have come to do your will, my God....and by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once FOR ALL...when this priest had offered FOR ALL TIME one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool. For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy..." and God says that "their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." (Hebrews 10:5-17)

What is the will of God for humanity that Jesus was sent to do?

"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who WILLS all humanity to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and humans, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom FOR ALL..." (1 Timothy 2:3-7)

Again, 

"Therefore when Christ came into the world He said 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do YOUR WILL, O God.’ ” (Hebrews 10:5-7)

June 14th - The Savior of the World

The Apostle Paul wrote...

"Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit ... This mystery is that through the gospel the nations are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 3:2-6)

Jesus came into the world to save the nations of the world...

"Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ...And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent His Son as the world's Savior." (John 1:29; 1 John 4:14)

"It is finished!" Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." (John 19:30)

"God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes. Much rather, then, being now justified in His blood, we shall be saved from wrath, through Him." (Romans 5:8-9)

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—" (1 Timothy 1:15) 

"...we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10)

Did Jesus, the Son of God, get the job done? I am confident Jesus was successful!

June 13th - Stop Bragging

“For it is by His grace that we have been saved through faith, and this faith was not from you, but it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8 Aramaic Bible in Plain English)

I think the Aramaic Bible in Plain English captures the truth better than some of the other English translations. So, from where does this saving faith come?

“Because we know that a man is not justified by works of the written law, but by the faith of Yeshua the Messiah, we also believe in Yeshua the Messiah, that we should be made right by the faith of the Messiah, and not by the works of the written law, because no one is made right by the works of the lritten Law.” (Galatians 2:16 Aramaic Bible in Plain English)

Did you catch that – it is not YOUR faith, but the faith of Jesus - “Yeshua The Messiah”. 

That is GRACE! Claiming to be saved as a result of a decision we make, or our baptism, or our repentance of sin, or our profession of faith, or our good works, or our membership in a church, yada yada yada….is to brag about something we had nothing to do with.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God...the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 3:23;6:23)

We should rejoice and brag on God for our free gift of Salvation.

"Rejoice IN THE LORD always, and again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)

June 12th - The Ransom of All Humanity From Death

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

A ransom is not a debt that is paid, it is a payment demanded for release of a captive. So what was “demanded” of Christ Jesus? Not money or any material thing. The demand for the release of "all people" was His LIFE.  

But who did He pay the ransom to? Who or what was holding humanity captive?

The ransom was paid to the greatest enemy of humanity - DEATH. God had declared to Adam and Eve that the penalty for sin was DEATH. DEATH holds all humanity captive.  

God gave His Son to "ransom" humanity from its captor, death so that it can be abolished...

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that...on this rock (Jesus) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades (the grave) will not overcome...For as in Adam, all die, even so in Christ,  all shall be made alive...the last enemy abolished is death.” (Matthew 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:22-26)

Again, the LIFE of Jesus was the ransom paid to DEATH to free its “captives”.  God assures us that death’s “prisoners” have been ransomed and will be set free when they are "made alive". 

Jesus began His public ministry by reading from the prophet Isaiah to proclaim freedom for the captives with the following words…

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1)

When in prison and facing death in Rome, Paul wrote…

“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…there is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of ALL who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, when he ascended on high he led captivity captive and He gave gifts to humanity.” (Ephesians 4:1-8)

God the Father gave His Son Jesus to ransom ALL humanity from death  - the enemy which holds us as its prisoners - but its gates will not prevail against us!

June 11th - The Reconciliation, Justification and Salvation of All - Have Faith in God!

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them" (2 Corinthians 5:19)

"...and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:20)

“Abraham believed God (had Faith), and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6;Romans 4:3;Galatians 3:6)

"...having been justified by faith, we have peace with God" (Romans 5:1)

"...having perceived that a man is not being justified by works of law, but only through the faith of Christ Jesus, we also believe in Christ Jesus that we will be justified by the faith of Christ and not by works of law, seeing that by works of law shall no flesh at all be justified." (Galatians 2:16)

"This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and especially believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

"This is good and pleases God our Savior, whose will is that everyone be saved and understand the truth. For, there is one God and one Mediator who has reconciled God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world..." (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

Believe God. ALL humanity will be RECONCILED to God, SAVED out of death, and JUSTIFIED (deemed righteous) because of Jesus Christ's faith.

People will be rewarded, or not, based on whether they teach the truth from God.

"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ...and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12)