GLORIOUS CREDIT

GLORIOUS CREDIT

Tuesday, December 01, 2015

  “… this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. . . . And when I [Jesus] am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” (NLT Jn.3:16; 12:32)

  “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God.” (NLT Rom.3:10-11)

  “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.  All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

  But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

  God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (NLT Eph.2:1-10)

  Exactly how much credit can I take for personally trusting Lord Jesus Christ as Redeemer and therein receiving everlasting life?

  Absolutely none! Zilch. Zero. Nought. Nil. Zip. Nothing!!

·         Because by nature I am a good fellow? No, for I am not.

·         Because I am inherently altruistically righteous? No, for I am not.

·         Because I am of superior intelligence? No, for I am not.

·         Because I am of inferior intelligence? No, for I am not.

·         Because I exercise exceptional reasoning skills? No, for I do not.

·         Because I have terrific instincts for survival? No, for I do not.

·         Because being His creation in His image I deserve redemption? No, for of myself I do not.

·         Because I was seeking and found God? No, I did not . . . we do not . . . no one does.

  God’s Word plainly states that redemption is His gift purchased wholly by life, suffering, death, burial, and resurrection of His only begotten Son, Jesus.

  In no way can or is a gift earned or a reward. This is absolutely true though our familial experiences of “Mow the lawn this summer and I’ll gift you with a bicycle.” left us thinking otherwise.

  Imagine someone purchasing the car of your dreams. They invited you to their place. They hold out the key as a gift for you. In accepting the gift what have you done that you can boast of?

  Then to whom goes the glorious credit? He that gives, Christ! (Lk.2:4)

EBB4