The Truth About Faith The Gospel Of Salvation

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But Jesus demurred, and said: “My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself” (John 7:16-17). Jesus’ point to the devout temple Jews was no different than the one He had made earlier to the legalistic Pharisees. God has imbued mankind with the ability to choose. If a person wills, he can accept God and His teaching, but God never will force Himself on that person. As the apostle John brought the book of Revelation to a close, he wrote: “He that will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17 ASV). The operative phrase here, of course, is “he that will.”

But what of he that will not? Freedom is accompanied by responsibility. With freedom of choice comes the responsibility to think carefully, choose wisely, and act forcefully. Freedom of choice always works best when tempered with wisdom and good judgment. Thus, in every human activity the process of recognizing, believing, and properly utilizing truth is vitally important. Especially is this true in the spiritual realm. Jesus tried to impress this upon His generation when He said: “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32 ASV). What we as humans so often fail to realize is that we are not involved in a search for truth because it is lost; we are involved in a search for truth because without it, we are!

Some, however, have elected to employ their freedom of choice to ignore the truth regarding God’s existence and to disobey His Word. They are the spiritual descendants of the first-century Pharisees; they could come to a knowledge of the truth, but they will not. The simple fact of the matter is that we are responsible for what we choose to believe. Using the personal volition with which God has endowed us, we may choose freely to believe in Him, or we may choose just as freely to disbelieve. The choice is up to each individual. And once that individual has made up his mind to disbelieve, God will not deter him, as Paul made clear when he wrote his second epistle to the Thessalonians. In that letter, he spoke first of those who “received not the love of the truth” (2:10), and then went on to say that “for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:11 ASV)

What, exactly, was Paul suggesting? Was the apostle teaching that God purposely causes men to believe error? No, he was not. Paul’s point in this passage was that we may choose to accept something as the truth when, in fact, it is false. Because God has granted man personal volition, and because He has provided within the Bible the rules, regulations, and guidelines to govern that personal volition, He therefore will refrain from overriding man’s freedom of choice—even when that choice violates His law. God will not contravene man’s decisions, or interfere with the actions based on those decisions. The prophet Isaiah recorded God’s words on this subject many years before when he wrote:

Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations: I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not (Isaiah 66:3-4 ASV). 

Concerning the people who refused to have God in their knowledge, and who exchanged truth for error, Paul repeatedly stated that “God gave them up” 

(Romans 1:24,26,28 NASB). In his commentary on the Thessalonian epistles, Raymond C. Kelcy addressed the fact that men often prefer the consequences of a certain belief system, and that as a result God gives the man over to the belief of the lie which he prefers. In a sense it might be said that the means by which a person is deceived is God’s permissive agency—not God’s direct agency (Cited from Apologetics Press.org “The Many Faces and Causes of Unbelief”, Bert Thomson Ph.D.)

Helpful Prayers

Pray to God daily for the wisdom, understanding, knowledge and insight that comes from God’s Holy Word (Proverbs 2:1-9 NASB, Proverbs 4:5-9 NASB, Romans 15:14, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, 2 Corinthians 2:14, James 1:5,17,3:17, and pray for help in doing His will (Matthew 7:21, Matthew 17:5 Matthew 21:28-31, John 9:31, Acts 3:22-23, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8), and help with discerning between good and evil (Genesis 3:22, Philippians 1:9, James 3:13-18, Hebrews 5:12-14 NASB), and discerning what pleases the Father, His Son Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 16:7, Matthew 5:43-48, Romans 8:1-14 NASB, Romans 12:17-21, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 NASB, Colossians 3:20, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 1 Timothy 2:1-6 KJV, 2 Timothy 2:4, Hebrews 11:6, James 2:5, 1 John 3:18-24, Jude 1:17-25).

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Pray for help to be a light of His Son Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:14-16, Luke 11:33-36, Philippians 2:12-13,15-16), and to be salt of the earth and that your speech will always be with grace (Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50, Luke 4:21-22, Luke 14:34-35, Ephesians 4:29 NASB, Colossians 4:6 NASB), pray for protection for you and your loved ones from evil people and from the evil one (Psalms 121:7, Matthew 6:13, John 17:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3, 1 John 5:18) as you seek His kingdom and His righteousness (Psalms 34:9-10, Psalms 37:3, Matthew 5:6, Matthew 6:33, John 6:27, Romans 14:17, 1 John 3:4-10), pray for the strength, courage and boldness to spread the faith (Matthew 9:31 NASB, John 16:33 NASB, Acts 13:49, 2 Corinthians 2:14, 2 Corinthians 3:12 NASB, 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 NASB, Philippians 4:13, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 2 Thessalonians 3:1 NASB, 2 Timothy 4:17, 1 Peter 4:11 NASB), and pray for your daily bread (Proverbs 10:3, Matthew 6:11), and that you may not enter into temptation (Matthew 26:41, Luke 22:40, 1 Corinthians 10:13), and pray for the forgiveness of your sins (Psalms 32:5, Proverbs 10:3, Matthew 6:12, Matthew 26:28 1 John 1:9) and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36 KJV) and be thankful (Matthew 5:3-16, John 1:1-14, John 3:16, John 14:6 Romans 6:17, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 3:12-17, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 4:7-11 NASB).

Matthew 6:16 - 7:1-5 (NASB) 

6 “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. 25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then , saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 7:1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

James 1:16-27 (NASB) 

6 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. 19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Can you please help if you can, to donate to any of these committed Christians that are proclaiming the gospel and helping men, and women, and children so they can survive today and Lord willing tomorrow and some other services that are in the business to help others as well. 

Galatians 6:7-10 (NASB) 

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

• Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team
• Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort
• Healing Hands International
•  Hope for Haiti’s Children
• Caring For Kenya
• Orphans Lifeline
• ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross 
• UNICEF United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund
• UNWFP United Nations World FoodProgramme

Can you help with funds for the spread of the Gospel through faithful teachers and preachers around the world?

• White Rock Fund
• In Search of The Lord's Way
• Herald of Truth
• Apologetics Press

Hebrews 6:10

10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

Matthew 6:19-21

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

A link to daily devotional from In Search Of The Lord's Way the bible in a year 

A link to a weekly devotional Good News Today

Encouragement and Guidance Articles

• “Christ & His Church” Northwest Church of Christ
• “There Is No Condemnation In Christ” Northwest Church of Christ
• “God Demonstrated His Love” Northwest Church of Christ

Here is one of the Lord's Churches of Christ in America that you  can virtually connect with on the Lord’s Day service and Wednesday night  bible study service. 

Lord’s Day Worship Service and Bible Studies

Northwest Church of Christ

Sunday

• 9:00 AM Central Standard Time Bible class
• 10:00 AM Central Standard Time - Worship services

Wednesday Morning Blessing

• 10:00 AM Central Standard Time 

Wednesday

• 7:00 PM Central Standard Time - Bible class 

Verse 24

Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.

The key to everlasting life is in Jesus' saying, "these words of mine!" Throughout the New Testament, the final, ultimate and exclusive authority in true religion is the word spoken by Christ. Jesus commanded the church to teach "whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:20). He declared that the words he spoke would judge men at the last day (John 12:48). The true religion was "first spoken" by Christ (Hebrews 2:3). "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God (2 John 1:1:9). Apostles warned that men ought to learn how "not to go beyond the things which are written" (1 Corinthians 4:6). "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Colossians 3:16), Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). The most important fact to know with reference to Christianity is that it is "of Christ"! Not even the apostles were commissioned to go beyond the word of Christ. Even the reception of the Holy Spirit in their hearts was not for the purpose of imparting additional truth but for bringing to their remembrance the things Christ taught (John 14:26). The current notion that any man in whom the Holy Spirit is supposed to dwell may properly determine the true nature and content of Christian doctrine is emphatically denied in the affirmation of Christ that, even in the apostles, the Holy Spirit did not speak "of himself." "For he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak ... for he shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you" (John 16:13-15).

Wise man who built his house upon the rock. The "rock" is nothing more nor less than "these words of mine," namely, the words of Christ.

Verse 25

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.

Rains, floods, and winds, in this place, suggest oppositions from above, beneath, and all around. The stability of the wise man's house was due to the fact that it was built, not upon "a rock," but upon "THE rock"! Only the life founded upon and guided by the principles of Christ shall stand. His teaching is the rock; all else is shifting sand.

Verse 26

And everyone that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shalt be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. All this is a recapitulation, in the negative, of what was said immediately before. The focus of attention here should be upon the revelation of what the true rock actually is, namely, the words

or teachings of Christ. This is the point so many seem to miss. (Cited from: “Coffman’s "Commentaries on the Bible Matthew” verse 7 Studylight.org

A link to the directory of the “Churches of Christ”, if you would like my help with guidance and or prayers, please send me a message through my “contact” page.

In this world there is darkness, Satan and his allies (Matthew 13:36-43, Luke 4:3-8, Acts 26:18, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Peter 5:6-11) that are trying to do their best to keep you and your loved ones from the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:1-6).

John 8:12

12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 14:6

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

If you are seeking God and his salvation through his Son and have not obeyed the gospel of salvation, and you have read or heard the gospel, believe in the gospel, repentant of your sins, and ready to confess that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and to be baptized please pray from your heart for the guidance as you seek a Church of Christ near you. If you have any questions or need assistance please write me on my contact page.

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I would like to say thank you first for visiting the site, this site is dedicated to help the lost and the misled on the right path to the one true God and Father through His Son our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and to help encourage any of the brothers and sisters that are in the body in Christ.

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