No Tokens Needed

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.“

Romans 8:1-4

No fear, God won’t say, “You’re fired” if you’re a believer. True Christians can have peace in life knowing they do not need to work for tokens for salvation, for they know Christ’s sacrifice on the cross fulfilled the Law. Hebrews 4:1-3 says, “Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered (today)…For indeed we have had glad tidings (Gospel of God) proclaimed to us just as truly as they (the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them)… for we who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God) do enter that rest, in accordance with his declaration those (who did not believe) should not enter when He said, as I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter my rest; and this He said although (his) works had been completed and prepared (and waiting for all who would believe) from the foundation of the world.” For those who are saved, we find rest because we find peace and freedom with God.

In every season of life, we find a reason for rest. Psalms 91:11 says, “For he will command his angels in regard to you, to protect and defend and guard you in all your ways (of obedience and service).” Lots of people won’t ever experience this because they don’t believe, or only believe that their works will save them, so they never truly enter this rest and are stuck in work work work. 

There is also joy in the future rest found in heaven. All God is looking for from you and I is to believe in Jesus. With salvation you can live with him, resting in the beautiful kingdom for all eternity, praise the Lord!

Undeniably Unstoppable

 

There are two paths to choose to live on, the first road being the things of this world with sin, the second with righteousness.

The first is incorrect, it’s a deadly path. Don’t get allured by flashy things, stay on the trail of righteousness with the Holy Spirit as your guide. Lean into Christ to learn how to live like Him, we simply need to follow His steps. Hebrews 2:1 says, “Therefore we must pay greater attention to His Word.” Be diligent  in keeping and studying the Bible, make sure the devil’s temptations do not lead you astray. 

God’s Word instructs us that because we are in Christ, He is now is in our blood. Hebrews 2:14 says, “Since therefore children flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil.” Death is undeniably  unavoidable, but not even death can remove Christ’s blood. But we’ve got to choose the right road, the one that leads to Heaven. 

This heavenly connection is only found in one place, through Christ, who denied the temptation of darkness, and conquered death with His blood. 

Properly Geared

 Muscle man goes, “Just look at these guns, I can rule  the world”. He ruminates upon these already prideful thoughts until the devil creeps in at an opportune moment and attacks with either self doubt, or with even more pride. 

The devil can invade anyone’s mind at anytime, the innocent and the deceitful. He encourages darkness, he trespasses in man’s mind saying, “Why are you even trying to get  in better shape? Everyone else lifts heavier weights than you. Just call it quits while you can.” He maneuvers our thoughts, and we need to learn to ignore the discouraging words and put on the mighty armor of Christ. 

Call on God and He will listen. Fight against the devil’s whispers with Christ’s armor as it says in Ephesians 6:10-11 “Finally, be strong in the Lord in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Instead of feeling like a complete failure, we need to simply be properly geared up. Even if satan’s nonsense never stops and looks truthful, just remember only Christ’s glory lasts. Colossians 2:17 “These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality however, is found in Christ.” 

The Master’s Masterpiece

Cat Sleeping on a Bed by Claude Monet

Monet, van Gogh, Rembrandt; all are artists who have painted masterpieces. Yet these men do not compare to the ultimate Artist, who paints the skies and with His brush strokes created the world that inspires art.

Currently we are mere tracings of masterpieces. Christ, being the artist, will complete His perfect work in heaven, with no more touch ups needed as on earth. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good work, which God prepared in advance to do.” We are a work in progress, with the goal of heavenly beauty. Because of this, we should be encouraged to spread the joy found being sculpted by Christ. Romans 5:21 says, “So that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

Through Christ we have the ability to become magnificent masterpieces if we accept Him as our Savior.  Though we are currently a work in progress, still needing one or two touch ups, we will continue to grow in spiritual maturity, closer to perfection, and once in heaven, becoming a work of art.