A humble knowledge of oneself is a surer road to God than a deep searching of the sciences. Yet learning itself is not to be blamed, or is the simple knowledge of anything whatsoever to be despised, for true learning is good in itself and ordained by God; but a good conscience and a holy life are always to be preferred. But because many are more eager to acquire much learning than to live well, they often go astray, and bear little or no fruit. If only such people were as diligent in the uprooting of vices and the panting of virtues as they are in the debating of problems, there would not be so many evils and scandals among the people, nor such laxity in communities. At the Day of Judgement, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done; not how eloquently we have spoken, but how holily we have lived. Tell me, where are now all those Masters and Doctors whom you knew so well in their lifetime in the full flower of their learning? Other men now sit in their seats, and they are hardly ever called to mind. In their lifetime they seemed of great account, but now no one speaks of them. (Quote by Thomas a Kempis in the Christian devotional book Imitation of Christ)
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How deep the Father’s love for us (Worship Video)
Lyrics:
How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Lord I’m Grateful (Video)
This song describes our standing in the Righteousness of Christ and not our own righteousness perfectly!
Psalm 3 Song – Salvation Belongs to the LORD (Esther Mui) Video
Note: This song is from http://www.scripturesongsforworship.com. You can also download a free MP3 version of this song by clicking here.
Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.”
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.
Arise, O Lord; Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Your blessing is upon Your people. (Psalm 3)
A humble knowledge of oneself is a surer road to God
Seek the Lord and his strength in Christ Jesus (Bible verses)
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered..(Psalm 105:4-5)
I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob,‘Seek me in vain.’ I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right.(Isaiah 45:19)
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.(Isaiah 55:6-7)
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.(Psalm 145:18)
The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(Proverbs 15:29)
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”(John 3:1-2)
Jesus said; “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.”(John 14:11)
Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus,delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (Acts 2:22-24)
Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:29-32)
For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.(Hebrews 2:2-4)
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:23)
Jesus said; Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 3:19-22)
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Dimensions of salvation to be revealed in the future
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3–5)
Salvation comes from Christ Jesus alone. There is not other source of salvation. Right now in the world many Christians suffer persecution especially in Africa and the Middle East, so we must pray for them. Even the early Christians face tremendous persecution. They were killed without mercy. Their were subject to horrible tortures. Yet they held on their faith in the Lord Jesus. Because they knew that their salvation is secure is heaven. They knew that is better to die than give up on their faith. They knew that they could be killed but their salvation will never die. Therefore, they could face trials and sufferings knowing that all of it is temporary but their salvation is permanent.
This salvation as mentioned in 1 Peter 1:3–5 is not a salvation that is different from the salvation of the Gospel. It’s a revelation of the dimensions of same salvation that are yet to be manifest. For instance when you are on earth you may face various temptations to sin. It can be annoying! But once you die while in faith and go to heaven it’s a different thing. You won’t be tempted anymore. For heaven is a place where sin is not allowed and neither is temptation.
Another dimension to this salvation. A person who believed in Christ may have died due to old age. However he is totally healthy in heaven forever. For sickness is not welcome in heaven. None of God’s angels fall ill at all.
The following scriptures show an interesting facet of salvation that is yet to be manifest, as mentioned in Revelation 21:1-8 :
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; 3 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment. 7 He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”
The above verses show the glory of salvation in the future. Blessed are those who remain faithful to Christ for they will surely get it. This also is a warning for those who think of salvation as a joke. Those who reject the salvation which comes from Christ will have an eternally unhappy ending. But those who trust in Christ will forever have comfort and rest from God.
Remember my friend, that salvation is not ‘say a prayer and get your ticket to heaven and forget about it’. You’ve got to value it. Great was the price that Jesus paid to obtain your salvation for you. This cannot be bought by money. It’s a free gift from God which is given to those who believe in Christ. Your works cannot get you saved. You have to continue to believe in the Gospel even unto your last breath. Rejoice therefore and wait in all eagerness for the complete manifestation of your salvation which comes from Christ alone. Amen to the Lord Jesus.
Disciples of hope 