Works

Proverbs 8:30-31 I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.  And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family!

This is one of the saddest realities of the world’s wrong view of God. The god’s that struck out against man...

Philippians 3:3-14 

I grew up with 3 brothers, the youngest was 10 years behind me. So my real life experience was with two older brothers. One of them was one of the most gifted guitarist in the land and was known by everyone in high school. The other was part of a high school gang that was known for drinking and fighting. For quite a few years I lived off the reputation of my brothers. All my friends would come asking me questions about music equipment and I would give them advice, even though I didn't know what I was talking about. They just assumed because my brother knew everything and played so well that I also would know. Because of my other brother, a lot of the older boys that normally would've smacked me because of my smart mouth did not, partly because they did not know if I was as tough as my brother…I was not, or they did not want my brother’s wrath down on them.

I was living off of something that was not mine. When it comes to this kind of nonsense, at best, it will turn out to be embarrassing when people find out that “you're not all that”. However, in other matters, like the one we will now discuss, the end will be...

Hebrews 1:1–2 “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”

Close your eyes and imagine with me: GOD! All Powerful, Almighty - there is nothing - suddenly...

Whenever I read these next verses, I always think of a Rich Mullens song called A Screen Door on a Submarine.  It is a catchy song that describes having faith without works is like having a screen door on a submarine and that you have to leap out of the boat before you claim that you can walk on water.

James 2:14-17

Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 1:8-11 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ⁹realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person,but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers ¹⁰and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, ¹¹according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

Application: Here is a clear light into the reason for the Law. The Law is good, but how could someone have used it unlawfully? This was the problem Jesus encountered and the church continues to encounter. The Law tells us to be separated from sin and those that would try and lead us into sin. It did not mean to completely separate from sinners – their the ones we need to encourage toward God. When Jesus walked the earth, the religious leaders had perverted the Law into a set of beliefs that were meant to be steps toward sinless perfection and heaven. Jesus ate with sinners and was confronted by these same leaders. Lk 15:1-2 & Matt 9:10-11. It still goes on today through...