The Gift of God- Read-Eph 2:8-9.
We observe how the apostle continues a most crucial understanding for believers who will walk in their purpose: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. Paul tirelessly reminded the disciples that they were not saved by works but by faith in the finished work of Christ. He comprehended accurately that the greatest challenge to the truth of the gospel was for Satan to seduce believers into substituting works for the power of the cross in their lives.
Now, almost 2,015 years later, this is still a primary test that tempts every believer, every church, and every movement, causing many to stumble. This is actually the same test that Adam and Eve faced in the garden—would they live by the knowledge of good and evil, or by the fruit of the Tree of Life? We must understand that in this life we will be continually confronted with the same choice. If the “good” we see in ourselves outweighs the evil, we will feel better about ourselves and think that God should too. Isn\’t the whole point that He wants us to be good? However, that is a basic departure from the faith that leads to true goodness and deliverance from the evil that has gripped us. As Paul explained repeatedly in his letters, if believers tried to stand on the works of the Law for righteousness, they would be severed from Christ. It is that crucial a choice.
When Christ, the pure, spotless Lamb of God came and gave His own life to pay for our sin, He became our salvation. To reject Him and try to come on the basis of our own works is the ultimate pride, delusion, and insult to the grace of God that He provided for us. That will never change. We will never be able to stand before God because we have been good, but we can come boldly before His throne at any time by the blood of the Son of God. Jesus alone is our righteousness.
- Thank the Lord that in this season the heavens declare His evangelizing spirit. People who seek for all kinds of permissive sexual encounters want to fill that void that only the Lord can fill. As the heavens declare, command that those ordinances that have to do with healing of inner wounds, salvation and judgment on sin will be reinforced in many parts of the earth.
- The rear twin is Ephraim bearing the palm branch of praise for Messiah Yeshua, reminiscent of his welcome into Jerusalem for the Passover when He died. (John 12:13). The heavens declare a welcoming of the triumphant King into the lives of His people. Pray that in this season as people hear the gospel in various areas of the world, they shall declare “blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” and many lives will be redeemed by the Lamb of YHVH.