The Importance of the Faith and the Gospel!

“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel…” – Colossians 1:22-23 NIV

Because we have been made under the same image as God (Genesis 1:27) and since we have sinned (Romans 3:23;5:12)—God came down from heaven into the world as Jesus Christ (John 1:14) to crucify Himself on the cross as an atonement of our sins (Colossians 2:13-15, Hebrews 2:14-15); to make us become the righteousness of God again. (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24) This means that Jesus has provided the way of the life and the truth. (John 14:6)

Thus, in order to be the righteousness of God and want to gain eternal life again, we ought to believe in Him (John 3:16,36) and do the works that He has told us to do. (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 3:9) Because of these, God has poured His Spirit into us to simply remind us what to do (John 14:15-17,26-27), as faith cannot go by itself. (James 2:14-26)

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-11)

                                                                                                                                            

Second of all, there is the Bible available to us. As we probably know that the Bible is the book that contains many diferent gospels, which are made out of God’s word. Moreover, this book was created to show us how to live righteously before God, which can still affect us today. Thus, we call this book, the ‘book of life’ or we simply call, ‘the word of God.’

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Hebrews 4:12, Romans 1:17)

                           

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Because of the word of God is alive, Apostle Paul wrote:

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. (Philippians 1:27-29)

The Lord, Our Refuge!

“The Lord is with me, so I will not be afraid. No one on earth can do anything to harm me.” – Psalm 118:6 ERV

Psalm 118:6 is the one of the encouragement verses that all of us should apply, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 91:2) This is because the word of God declares:

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Therefore, we always ought to have heavenly mindset and constantly reminding ourselves Romans 8:33-39, which declares,

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In other words, we must forget and overcome the world (1 John 5:1-5), even though we might be suffering. (John 15:18-21) More than this, we have to concentrate on the kingdom of heaven and how to live righteously before God, our heavenly Father! (Ephesians 4:6) This is because the word of God states, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:19)

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 14:17)

Jesus Christ, the Way of the Life and the Truth!

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10 NIV

What is missing in our lives, even though we believe that we have got everything under the control?

To be honest, all of us are lost since we have been born as sinners from the beginning. (Romans 3:23;5:12) For this reason, Jesus Christ has provided the way of the life and the truth (John 14:6) by crucifying Himself on the cross as an atonement of our sins; to break the power of the evil one who has been within us. (Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14-15) This means that without His intercession, there has been no life within us, since the word of God proclaims,

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Therefore he [Jesus Christ] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Acts 4:12, Hebrews 7:25)

In other words, without Jesus Christ, all of us are going the wrong way that is towards death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) 1 Peter 2:24-25 probably gives us the best explanation for this:

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Therefore, we need to consider Jesus Christ as our driving license throughout the life. Thus, if we want to experience the life in real way, then we have to repent before God (Matthew 3:2), overcome the world (1 John 5:1-5) and do the will of God until the end of the age. This is because the word of God declares: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) We can do this by abiding into the Holy Spirit/Spirit of God, whom God has poured into us. (John 14:15-17,26-27; Ezekiel 36:26-27)

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

His divine power [The Spirit of God] has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-11)

The Freedom in Christ Jesus!

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:1 NIV

Because of this world and that we are sinners (Romans 5:12), the Spirit of God gives us freedom. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) This means that we never would be free unless we abide in the Holy Spirit—since the word of God declares:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4)

In other words, Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross as an atonement of our sins; to set us free from the law of sin that leads us to death, and showing us how to be truly free in Him. For this reason, He says,

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Overall, since there is the grace of God available to us, we are called to be the slaves to righteousness. This is also why Christ Jesus was crucified; to make us the righteousness of God (1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21) Thus, the word of God states:

… count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:11-14)

Because of this, God has poured His Spirit into us to advocate us to do the will of God (John 14:15-17,26-27; Ezekiel 36:26-27) in every aspect of our lives until the end of the age. Thus, we can enter the kingdom of heaven at the end of the age. (Matthew 7:21)  

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10)

For me, I find freedom especially when I write devotionals for others, even though sometimes I get tired. This is not only because it is my passion, but this is also the will of God; we suppose to serve and encourage one another, for we are members of one body which is the Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:4-5) For these reasons, I need to work on my weariness.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13)

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Another reason for this might be that the most time when I write devotionals, I do not get hungry physically, even though I wake up and few hours has been passed by without having any food. This is because I get spiritual hunger to finish my devotionals and send them to others by e-mails and social networks. This is reminds me of John 4:31-34, where Jesus proclaims, ‘“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him [God] who sent me and to finish his work.”’

The Godly Mindset in Christ Jesus!

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind… you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 15:5-6 NIV

Even though we consider ourselves the righteousness of God—we need to pray that the Spirit of God would overflow within us to have godly wisdom in every aspect of our lives.

This is because all of us are sinners whether we like it or not (Romans 3:23), due to the fact that we are born from this world and the wordly prince is Satan, the enemy of God.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

However, the victory is already won through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:55-57), since He has destroyed the evil one by crucifying Himself on the cross as an atonement of our sins. (Hebrews 2:14-15; Colossians 2:13-15) Thus, God has poured His Spirit into us to enable us to have godly wisdom. This is why the word of God declares:

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:15-18)

Therefore, if we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and have godly wisdom within us—the Holy Sprit, which is the Spirit of God, would advocate us in the walking with God, showing the will of God is. (John 14:15-17,26-27; Ezekiel 36:26-27) Moreover, this Spirit gives us eternal life. We know this by Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. (Galatians 6:7-8)

Although we are sinners and it is hard for us to follow Jesus Christ until the end of age, we must endure it, especially if we want to have eternal life in Him (Matthew 16:24-27) For this reason, the word of God states:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Philippians 2:1-5, Romans 12:4-5)

                                                                                                      

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

The Godliness in Christ Jesus!

“Godliness with contentment is great gain. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 6:6,4:8 NIV

First of all, we have to know that all of us are sinners (Romans 3:23) because of this world. (Romans 5:12) For this reason, we ought to abide in the Holy Spirit to produce godly desires and passions, as “…godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) In other words, Jesus has provided us the way of the truth and the life (John 14:6) by crucifying Himself on the cross as an atonement of our sins (Colossians 2:13-15) and giving us His Spirit to follow and to do the will of God (John 14:15-17,26-27)  until the end of age. Thus, we can enter the kingdom of heaven at the end of age. (Matthew 7:21)

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:4-8)

His [Jesus Christ’s] divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-11)

The eternal kingdom of heaven is actually where all of us belong. This is because God, our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) had created us in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 1-2:22) Nevertheless, Satan, the devil came and he had separated us from our original home and put us in this world, which is His kingdom. This is because he wants to put us into death. This is why Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected so that He would be able to bring us back to the Garden of Eden. (1 Peter 3:18-22)

Hence, if we believe Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then we have received our citizenship to the kingdom of heaven.

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (Philippians 3:18-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1)

In this case, we ought to stand firm in Christ Jesus through faith, as we wait for the eternal kingdom of God that has been provided for us at the end of age. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen. (1 Peter 5:8-11)

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)

Living for God in Christ Jesus!

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.” – Romans 6:8-13 NIV

Of course, this make sense—Jesus had never sinned while He was in this world even though He was tempted in every way (Hebrews 4:15), since He was God in the flesh. (John 1:14; Colossians 1:15) However, we ought to die from sin as well, especially if we want to inherit the eternal life at the end of age. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) In other words, we must forget sinful desires and passions from this world. This is because “we know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19)  Therefore, the word of God declares,

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Thus, God has given us His Spirit to do the will of God. (John 14:15-17,26-27) This is why Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross (John 16:7-8); to make us the righteousness of God. (1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21) “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) For this reason, we must produce godly desires and passions by abiding into the Spirit, for it gives us eternal life! This is why the word of God states:

His [Jesus Christ’s] divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-11)

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10)

Jesus Christ, Our Salvation!

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Acts 4:12, 2:21 NIV

Even though I was physically saved by God and joined the church called “LifeChangers,” I was not firm believer in the name of the Lord. On the other hand, my family thought that I was Christian at that time, since I had spent hours of praying. Therefore, one of my aunts told me the church that I can go to and volunteer in it, since I moved to New York from New Zealand. Because of this, I was happy and excited. However, when I was in the Connect Group of Promise International Fellowship—I felt the Holy Spirit was pushing me to know Jesus better.

Therefore, when I was water-baptized in this church, I became a firm believer and a follower of Jesus. This is because the Bible declares,

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (Romans 6:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

For this reason, I realized that I was not firm believer in Christ Jesus, for I was religious and walking with God legalistically. Thus, I comprehended that I have to come into the Lord to be fully-saved—since the word of God proclaims, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

This means that Jesus Christ is our salvation—since He had come into the world (John 1:14) to crucify Himself as an atonement of our sins (Colossians 2:13-15); to save us from our sins by coming into Him through faith. (Hebrews 2:14-15) In other words, Christ has provided us the way of the life and the truth (John 14:6) that could save our souls. This is because He says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Thus, if we want to be saved for the rest of our lives, then we ought to repent (Matthew 3:2) and come into Jesus Christ by accepting His yoke (Matthew 11:28-30) and believing in Him as our Lord and Savior until the end of the age even though it is hard. (Matthew 7:13-14) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Then Jesus said…, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.” (Matthew 16:24-27)

Jesus Christ, the Eternal Life!

“Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, Romans 6:23 NIV

To be honest, every one of us are sinners (Romans 3:23) and our destination is death. (Romans 5:12) This is because first part of Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death…” For this reason, God, our heavenly Father sent His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as an image of Himself (Colossians 1:15) into the world (John 1:14) to crucify Himself for our sins (Colossians 2:13-15); to make us alive again. Hence, we need to be in Jesus Christ through our faith as the second part of Romans 6:23 declares, “…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This is also because Jesus proclaims that He is the way of the life and the truth. (John 14:6)

Jesus said…, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-17)

Therefore, in order to have eternal life, the faith is the primary equipment that we need. This is because Jesus Christ is the one who could grant us eternal life. (John 17:2-3) In addition, the word of God states:

… make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-11)

Overall, we already have been saved by God if we believe in Jesus Christ—since the word of God declares, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) These verses mean that if we are saved by God in this way, then we are in the process of the salvation in Christ Jesus to get eternal life (John 17:3) at the end of the age.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 4:12, Romans 10:13)

God of the Steadfast Love!

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” – Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

We have to know that the Lord God is full of compassion and love. Overall, He is love because the word of God proclaims, “… Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8) The main reason for this is that He desperately wants to restore all things back to how they were, which is before sin separated us from the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 1-2) For this reason, God who is in heaven, came down into the world as Jesus Christ in the human flesh (John 1:14) to crucify Himself on the cross as an atonement of our sins that we have done. (Colossians 2:13-15) Thus, He could provide us the way back to the Garden of Eden. Because of these, Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

       

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)

Moreover, God, our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) has given us His Spirit, which is also known as the “Holy Spirit,” to advocate us in the walk with Him. (Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 14:15-17,26-27) Hence, it is our job to do the will of God until the end of the age to go to the Garden of Eden, which is also known as the kingdom of heaven. This is because Jesus proclaims, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

Therefore, the word of God urges us not to love the world and be over-comers of the  world. (1 John 5:1-5) These mean that we should concentrate on the kingdom of God rather than the world. (Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 14:17)

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

… “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.” (Matthew 16:24-27)

The Baptism in Christ Jesus!

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:3-5 ESV

If we are followers of Jesus Christ and believe that there is the kingdom of God waiting for us to enter—we have to baptize with Him into death. This is because every one of us are sinners. (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12) Baptizing with Jesus Christ means that dying to one self and then continuing the rest of life with Him until the end of the age by putting faith in God (Galatians 5:24-25). “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Thus, baptism with Christ is the requirement of being the child of God (1 John 3:1); forming the relationship with God, our heavenly Father.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12-13)

Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. (1 Corinthians 8:6)

If we have been baptized with Christ and know that we are children of God, then we have been set free from sin. “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” (Romans 6:6-7) This means that we now have become the slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:16) Moreover, our citizenship from this world has been transferred into heaven.

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Therefore, we need to abide in the Spirit of God to do the will of God (John 14:15-17,26-27) until the end of the age, especially if we want to have eternal life desperately. This is because Jesus declares, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Romans 12:1-2)

For the Crown of Never-Ending Glory and Honor in Christ Jesus!

“When the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.” – 1 Peter 5:4 NLT

What are you living for? For the world, or for the kingdom of God?

Because of this world, we are sinners, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) This is because the word of God declares, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” (Romans 5:12) Just like this verse states, the end result of sin is death. “For the wages of sin is death...” (Romans 6:23) Nevertheless, people often believe that God has provided all wordly materials for them to enjoy. This is true, but we must not abide in them and ought to use them for the glory (Colossians 3:4) and the kingdom of God (Matthew 7:21)—espcially if we know that we are going to go to the kingdom of God at end of the age. (Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1) For this reason, the word of God declares:

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Furthermore, since Jesus proclaims, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)—we ought to live through Jesus Christ by putting faith in Him and surrender our lives before Him. (Galatians 2:19-20) This is because Jesus says:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. (Matthew 16:24-27)

Hence, we must overcome the world. (1 John 5:19; 1 John 5:1-5) Instead of abiding into the world—we ought to abide in the Holy Spirit to do the will of God (John 14:15-17,26-27) and to produce godly life. (2 Peter 1:3-11) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 14:17)

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10)

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:28, Philippians 1:6)

The Victory Through Jesus Christ!

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:56-57, Romans 6:23 NIV

Because of this world, we are sinners. (Romans 5:12; Romans 3:23) This means that we are all condemned to death. “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23) Hence, God, our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) provided the way of life in the truth (John 14:6) by sending His beloved Son into the world as an image of Himself (Colossians 1:15) into the world (John 1:14) to crucify Himself as an atonement of our sins. (Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14-15) This is because of the love of God!

For God so loved the world [Garden of Eden – Genesis 1-2] that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)

Therefore, if we want that eternal life that our heavenly Father has provided for us—we must become followers of Jesus Christ. This means we ought to commit our lives to Him, even though it is hard. (Matthew 16:24-27) We also have to overcome the world (1 John 5:1-5) to abide in the Spirit of God fully to do the will of God. (John 14:15-17,26-27) This is because Jesus declares: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

                                                                                                                                               

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Romans 12:1-2)

In other words, if we decide the eternal kingdom of heaven will be our destination (Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1)—we must forget the world and concentrate on the heaven only as well as doing the righteous-living. (Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:19)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 14:17)

Eternal Life, the Covenant of God!

“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” – Hebrews 9:14-15 NIV

The first covenent that God had made was based on the law that sinners have to go to their priests to take away their sins by offerings and sacrifices of the specific animals such as bulls and goats; to make right with God. However, in reality, the offerings and sacrifices that they had made could not take our sins. This is because the word of God proclaims: “But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:3-4)

For this reason, God, our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) has made the new covenant, which has been eternal life. (Romans 6:23) To do this, He had to send His beloved Son into the world (John 3:16-18;John 1:14;) as an image of Himself (Colossians 1:15) to crucify Himself on the cross as atonement of our sins. (Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14-15) This is because of the steadfast love of God that has been towards us. (1 John 4:9-10)

            Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

“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.’”

First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest [Jesus Christ] 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. (Hebrews 10:5-14)

Overall, now we could just pray to our Lord, Jesus Christ with the repentant heart (Matthew 3:2), to take our sins and to cleanse us from the unrightousness. (1 John 1:9) Moreover, there is the Bible avaiable for us, which is the word of God, instructing us how to live righteously before Him (1 John 2:1-2) This is because 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT and 1 Peter 2:24-25 NIV states that we ought to live righteously before God, and this is the reason that Jesus Christ had been crucified for us: “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ”; ‘“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.’

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Romans 1:17, Hebrews 4:12)

Therefore, we need to read the Bible daily, since the word of God declares:

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. (Philippians 1:27-29)

           

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)