Nothing Among You Except
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Nothing Among You Except
Different preachers definitely determine to have different agendas. Some are prosperity preachers, claiming that supporting their ministry will bring all sorts of blessings. Some are legalistic preachers, claiming that those who do not follow their practices and rituals are sure to go to hell. Others are good works preachers, saying that we can do all sorts of things to make ourselves worthy in God’s eyes. And yet others say we must be mystically connected to God through their exercises and meditation practices. There certainly are many more agendas that we need to be aware of.
Thankfully, God Almighty tells us the right way in His eternal word. That is a very good reason to pick up our Bibles every day, read, and think about what God says in that passage. It’s our Creator, Redeemer, and Judge talking to us.
God speaks to us through Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, showing what a true preacher of God should be like.
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
That is what God wants us to know — “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified”. Our salvation is not about earning God’s approval, getting rich with blessings, having mystic experiences, or following all sorts of laws and rituals. Our salvation is about accepting the fact that only faith in Jesus Christ can wash away all our sins and make us fit and worthy of eternal life in heaven.
The fact that God really did keep His Old Testament promises of a Savior from sin, by sending Jesus Christ to suffer, die, and rise again is the one and only foundation of the Christian faith. We have a real Savior from all of our sins — just like the Bible says. We surely can depend on Him and the merits of what He did for us on the cross. Paul talks about this sureness in 2 Timothy 2:19, where he says,
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness.”
“The firm foundation of God” is Jesus Christ. He is the only reason anyone will be able to enter heaven. If we don’t have faith in Him, we are lost eternally. God knows when we put our faith in Jesus because He knows our every thought, feeling, and move. So, we don’t have to worry about God recognizing what is in our heart.
And, of course, when we put our faith in Jesus, trusting in His sure love for us, we will want to “abstain from wickedness”. We will remain sinners all during this lifetime, but for Christ’s sake, we will always be on guard to not sin wickedly. Our striving to live for God will be a return of love — not a brownie point earned or a hard heart of self-righteousness.
With the joy and confidence of knowing God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, Your word proves to us that You keep all of Your promises. Salvation in Jesus is a sure thing. Help us to depend on nothing but Jesus and all that He has done for us.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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