The Good News

Before Covid-19, I had just gotten my first full time job, after experiencing military life and college. I asked, "What is left, but to get married, have kids, and die!" I said to myself, “Surely life isn’t here, but where?” I started seeking. I figured human-kind doesn’t know; if they did, wouldn’t they tell me? But all my life no-one told me. I don't remember seeing a street preacher, nor do I remember anything spectacular in church. We were the family that went during the holidays and once in a while outside of that, but it wasn't anything to me, and nothing stood out.

I seen the churches that were claiming God, weren't trying to convince me of God, so they must not really know God themselves - for the one who is convinced, convinces others. I also seen that they were very popular; there is a church on every street corner. I said to myself, “Surely if truth exists, only a few would know it. The truth wouldn't be popular, would it?" For one, is not the truth a mystery? Or can't truth be stranger than fiction? And two, doesn't the truth pierce like a sword? Or can't it be painful? I never thought Jesus was the truth. I said to myself, "If there were a truth, it wouldn't be Jesus." But yet, I believed the truth existed; and I searched for it. I figured God would leave evidence of Himself and wouldn't leave us in the dark.

I started to open my Bible; my mom had given it to me. She was on a journey herself with God and gave all her possessions to the poor. I said, “What? This is from God?” Then she moved out of the state. That made me want to seek all the more. So I opened up my Bible and remembered the change it had on my life; I had peace because I knew I was on the right path in searching, but I was still in sin; still, I kept searching and reading. I knew the Bible was God's Word, even from the moment I read it; and the more I read, the more my thinking changed. I began to see more and more about the Messiah in the Old Testament, how great He is.

I remember doing much work at my new job; while working, I kept reading Scripture. I remember praying to God, “Ah! If only I could seek You more.” I don’t know if this was an answer to my prayers or not, but Covid-19 happened and I was put in solitude, working from home. I read and read, and in my reading, I prayed. The Scripture that opened my eyes up the most was the book of Ecclesiastes: I seen the wisdom of God and the futility of life. Also the Book of the Psalms: I had very much conviction because of my sin and knowledge of the righteous judgment of God - which made me hunger and thirst for righteousness all the more. And the book of Isaiah, the prophet: the revealing of my own wicked heart and the hope of redemption from it. The Scriptures were very bitter to me and like death because I didn't obey them - I tried, but I couldn't. Sin was always there, but I hoped in God for redemption. I started at the beginning of the Bible and went on. I seen in my study notes, the Christ, but I did not know Him personally; the Scriptures spoke about Him, but I only knew Him by name.

All the reading through the Old Covenant showed me how great Christ is; also, it torn me down to show me how fallen I am. I see now this was so I would not hope in myself for salvation, but God alone. When I got to the Gospel, surely I seen the greatness of Jesus Christ. Firstly, the words of Him in my text were red. And He did many signs and miracles: the devils cried out, the dead were raised, His teachings were with authority, and the miracles with power. But He died. Even stranger to me, He rose from the dead. I didn’t understand anything. He sent out His disciples to preach the very things they witnessed.

I skipped reading the other three Gospels and went on into the book of Acts. The disciples did the same things that He did: they preached, did miracles, and raised the dead. I still did not understand. All the while I was constantly getting on my knees to God in prayer because of my sin, knowing that my wicked deeds deserved wickedness. But I was persistent, knowing that only God could save me. My sins did not stop me from coming to Him because I knew He was loving and kind and gracious. But the things which I did not want to do, I constantly did. I did not want to do it, but I was compelled to do it anyway. I had no power in myself to say, "No" - for sin was always there. I see now it was the power of sin working in me, although in my mind I wanted to do good. Many times I thought God would strike me because of my wickedness, especially when I would confess my sins to Him; but actually, the opposite happened: I was relieved and felt better. I see now God seen my sins, and by acknowledging my sins to Him, He was pleased, for I confessed my sins in faith. But still, I couldn't stop sinning. I would go a few days without it, but I would always end up back in it. I was getting sick of crying out to God for forgiveness, so I started crying out for deliverance.

I heard the apostle’s sermons about Christ, and seen the effect their words had on people: they burned their sorcery books, turned from idols, repented to Jesus. Paul, a preacher, once a persecutor of the church, turned to Jesus through revelation of the living Christ who appeared to Him. Besides him, all the other apostles seen the risen Savior. However, the entire Gospel message wasn’t contained in the book of Acts, only a small excerpt of it - a little here and a little there. I still didn’t understand. I see now that God was leading me through the Scriptures, and at just the right time He gave me understanding. However, I sought Christ until I found Him; I said to myself, “There’s something about Jesus and I will not let go until I find it.”

Then I read the book of Romans. The apostle Paul explains Christ. I could trust his testimony because the Lord revealed Himself on the road to Damascus, electing him to the work of ministering the Gospel. When reading Romans, that’s when Christ came alive to me. I seen Christ came for the very problem I had: which is sin. I did not know He came to earth for me, for my sin, nor did I understand He knew my problem. He came to deliver me from the very problem I had. He didn't expect me to figure it out on my own, but He did what I could not do: which is deliver. And because of the revelation of His love toward me, despite my present wickedness, I wept and wept - I had not wept in years. I didn't know I had a problem, but He revealed the problem through truth and took it away by His power through the cross.

The verses in Romans 7:14 to 25 spoke to me directly for that was exactly what I was going through. It was like those very verses were put in there for me. I didn’t know what I was going through, but God did; and He showed me. For He knows me better than I know me. Only I know me. But if there is a God, He would know me too. He shows me that He knows me. And that, better than I know me. For the things in me I cannot explain. But He explains. And better than I could ever explain. He delivered me from that which I could not understand. I could not even understand my issue, how much less could I deliver myself? I believed nothing until I believed one thing, then I believed everything. For I said to myself, “If this is true, then so is everything else in this Book.” The one thing I believed is that Jesus Christ loved me and gave Himself up for me; and He proved Himself to be alive from the dead.

From then on, I didn’t cry out because of my sin anymore; instead I cried out in joy that He had forgiven me and delivered me from my sins - I had experienced deliverance. The sin I didn’t want to do, I did not do. The chains which shackled me fell off. I had a clear mind and I could see what was in there. As I went on, all the commands of the apostles were sweet to me, because I did them! I didn't need to be told to be full of joy, or to be thankful, or to sing to the Lord, or to be holy, or to tell others, or to study, or to separate from evil - all these things I did because of my love for Him! But in me I also had anger, I said to myself, "Why didn’t anyone tell me? This death I was living in and no-one warned me?" I see now that God drew me in, and those who are taught by God are drawn to the Son. I went outside and everything I seen was new to my eyes - I seen God in everything. Everything was beautiful. The glory of the Lord filled the earth to my eyes; beforetime I could see nothing.

Now, I have been studying to know more about Him, to know the Gospel. I know what He has done for me, He has also done for all people. I know that only the Father can reveal the Son to anyone. I wish for others to be saved; and everyone ought to know what Jesus has done for them. The true knowledge of Him is what we need for our souls. He teaches me through His Word how to speak and act for Him. I have experienced much discipline from the Lord, but I know it is for my good, that I may be conformed to His image. He disciplines me as a father disciplines his son - to purge from me my inner-most folly. The more I learn of the goodness of Him, the more evil I see in me. In repentance and peace I conform my life to His way; I follow Him and I do not make for myself a pathway of my own, but maintain to His highway - I know His Way is straight and narrow and leads to eternal life; I know Jesus is the Way.

I was changed by God - who can change me back? He is for me - who can be against me? If these things are true for me, a chief of sinners, how much more are they for you? For the things in which I was living in I cannot even write. Where sin abounds, His grace abounds more; those who are forgiven much, love more. Glory be to the only wise God in heaven who redeemed us through His own blood, loving us in truth, who seen our sins and came to deliver us from our sins. Amen.

We don't know where we came from - we can't say what we did a day ago, neither do we care; we don't know where we are going - we can't say what will happen tomorrow. All we know is today; all we know is right now - and even today and right now we don't know the fullness of! Today is the day of salvation; right now is the time of God's favor. In times past, the Israelites saw God's great works which were constantly on display before their eyes; and even today, we do see His works, for we live in His work; and today, we have His Word. But we do not see Him who does these works, neither Him who speaks these words. For in the wilderness, they seen the cloud covering Mount Sinai, but not the form of Him; as it says,

" You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live! " (Exodus 33:20)

They seen Moses enter the Tent of Meeting, and the cloud descended, but they did not see God; they seen the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of cloud by day, but they did not see the form of the Holy one who was in the fire and in the cloud; they seen the bread from heaven and the water from the rock, but they did not see Him who performed these signs. They seen Moses, who performed the signs of God, but seen not God. For they all had good news preached to them, through the words of Moses and the miracles of God, but it did not profit them because the word was not united in them by faith. And this is faith, and this is belief: the conviction of things unseen, the assurance of things hoped for. For faith is made possible only with the unseen. And the things which are considered impossible are possible to those who believe; as Jesus says,

"All things are possible to him who believes.” " (Mark 9:22-23)

And then He says,

" Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." (Matthew 17:19-20)

And that latter generation when Christ came, they tested Him and tried Him, but He was graciously putting up with them for years; and that generation, although seeing His works which were numerous among them - yes, they were constantly seeing His works, yet they were trying Him, questioning His authority, and not believing in Him; even John who was sent before Him, they did not believe him - they were seeking a sign from heaven, although they were seeing greater signs than their ancestors ever saw in the wilderness, which they knew about, for they read about them in the law every Sabbath; but yet they did not repent to Him so they may be healed, for they did not believe in Him; and they were hardened and became blind to the truth; they became just like their ancestors. In the same way their ancestors treated the prophets, they fulfilled Scripture by treating Christ shamefully; the very Scriptures they read every Sabbath, they were unknowingly fulfilling them. Yes, do not resemble that generation who doubted even though they seen things that were never before seen: God in the flesh, in Jesus Christ, appearing to the nation of Israel, making Himself known by signs and miracles for the sake of their forefathers. The majority did not believe Him, but a select few did receive Him; they received the promise of eternal life through faith in His name. For although the majority seen Jesus in the flesh, it did not profit them because they did not believe in Him; for although seeing Him, they still needed to believe, for He was hidden in the vessel of human flesh; and it says of Him,

" He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. " (Isaiah 53:2)

And it says about Him,

" Were He to pass by me, I would not see Him; Were He to move past me, I would not perceive Him. " (Job 9:11)

So although they seen Him, they were not able to recognize Him as Messiah, even though the Scriptures prophesy about Him, and they heard these Scriptures every Sabbath; and He, fulfilling them, was amongst them, but their eyes were darkened for they did not believe the Word which was written. For the true way to see Christ is with the eyes of faith, not with the eyes of the flesh; to see Him in the Spirit, not in the body; to look upon Him from a heavenly view, not an earthly view; this is true sight which is by hearing, and hearing the Word of Christ.

So what do we say then? "Although they seen His signs and heard His words and walked with Him, and yet disbelieved, how can we do any better?" Not so. It is because they did not believe the Word of God, nor the word of Moses; if they had, they would have believed Christ; as He says,

" For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words? " (John 5:46-47)

Furthermore He says,

" If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead. " (Luke 16:31)

For it is no different for us today than it was for them who seen Him: they needed to receive Jesus by faith. And so do we, so that faith would be possible and the righteousness thereof; as Jesus Christ, Himself, said,

" And concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me. " (John 16:7-11)

For faith comes when we do not see; if we did see Him as He is, then faith would no longer be possible and the righteousness thereof would not be possible. But they who did see Him in the flesh were hardened by God and became blind, because although they seen Him in the flesh, they did not believe in Him; as it says,

" WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN. " (Mark 4:12)

And Christ, even while weeping said,

" If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. " (Luke 19:42)

And that because they did not believe the Scriptures which foretold of Him. And they were hardened that the Good News might come to the Gentiles; as it says,

" I say then, the Jews did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. " (Romans 11:11)

For all things which are spiritual are unseen; and God is Spirit; all those who receive Him must receive Him through spiritual means: that is faith. And this is the Gospel, the New Testament, the New Covenant: believe in Jesus Christ whom the Father has sent. This is our duty; as Christ testifies,

" This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent. " (John 6:29)

For by the works of the flesh no man is declared just before God.

Therefore, let us see the Lord's words. As the prophets seen the oracles of God and put them forth in truth; as it is written, "The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw." (Habakkuk 1:1) And it is written, "The word of the LORD which he saw. " (Micah 1:1) So let us see through the Word of the Lord. Let us see those who doubted in times past, in that wicked generation, and let us not resemble them even in a shadow, nor shrink back in disbelief or fear; instead, let us be strengthen in God's grace moving forward towards the heavenly prize which is ours in Christ Jesus. He reprimanded many because of their lack of faith; as it is written,

" Why are you afraid, you men of little faith? " (Matthew 8:24)

And again, it is written,

"You of little faith, why did you doubt? " (Matthew 14:30-31)

And again,

"You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? " (Matthew 17:15-17)

Therefore, He did not reprove them because of their sin, but He rebuked them because of their faithlessness. So let us beware lest we become a waverer ourselves, for the things which happened before-hand provide examples for us to whom the end of the age has come. For the root of all disobedience and sin is unbelief.

On the other hand, those who believed in Christ Jesus followed Him and became His disciples; to them He gave them the right to become children of the living God. Some of them who believed in Him and were His disciples received the grace to see Him after His death. These are the apostles. At first, they stooped and saw the empty tomb; they wondered where His body had gone; they heard the testimonies of the women who saw angels, the angels who testified Christ had risen, but it seemed as fables to them. But when they seen Jesus standing before them, for He appeared to them behind closed doors, then they believed; and Jesus reproved them because of their hardness of heart and lack of faith; and He ate with them and spoke to them, giving them commandments. They seen Him in His resurrection body, yet He gives to us the blessing which stands to us this day:

" Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed. " (John 20:29)

And one of the apostles who seen Him, Peter, says, "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9) And to many others, He was seen in His glorified body; as it says, “He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;” (1 Corinthians 15:6) But to us who come after, He is to be seen through faith, which is apart from sight. So let us receive the greater blessing by receiving Him without sight; and let us seek not signs from heaven which can be seen, but the sign of a changed life by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

So let us not be unbelieving and disobedient as these previous generations were, but instead, let us follow the men who were given to us as examples, who are men of faith. And all of them who disbelieved in the wilderness, their bodies laid scattered as a testimony to us today; and not one, besides two, Caleb and Joshua, entered into the Promised Land of that generation. And after Christ's ministry, having multitudes of followers while He was alive, only 120 were obedient and waited in Jerusalem for the power from on High. Let us not think to ourselves, "Oh, if only I lived in that day, I wouldn't be like them!" Again it says,

" If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead. " (Luke 16:31)

But let us on the other hand, fear, lest we ourselves may be found with an unbelieving and wicked heart as they had and perished. For although having eyes, they did not see, and ears, they did not hear. Generations come and generations go, but all of them repeat themselves, for there is nothing new under the sun. The same as it was back then, it is today. Albeit we will all leave this place, we all will come back by the resurrection of the dead for everlasting judgment, to receive the recompense of our deeds which are done in the body; and God has elected Christ to sit on His judgment seat to judge the world in righteousness. As it says, “BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7) So therefore, although we do not see Him now, in the time to come we will be made to see Him. So knowing the terror of the Lord, we try to convince others, for the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; although we do not see Him now, all eyes of all flesh will behold Him. The eyes of the ungodly will seek death by rocks rather than to look upon the Son of God in the clouds; as they will say, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:16-17) So now while His face shines down upon us, let us throw off every hindrance and weight of sin which slows our race of faith.

Let us see with the conviction and assurance which comes from faith in Christ Jesus: He died, He was buried, and He was raised, and now lives, seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Yet someone may say, "Good for Him. What does that have to do with me?" It was for your sins that He died, granting the forgiveness of sins and the deliverence from death; and the deliverence from slavery of sin through His broken body, to be grafted into Himself by faith; that you may be declared righteous, not by a law of works, but by a law of faith, through the knowledge of the goodness of God towards you in Christ Jesus, through His loving-compassion and mercy, through His beloved Son; He has reconciled you to God by taking upon Himself the wrath due us, so we would serve God in the newness of the Spirit and life, not in the oldness of the letter of the law of death - for the law condemns, but the Spirit gives life. No longer should it be said, "How does the Lord love me?" For He has proven His love toward us in that,

" While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. " (Romans 5:6)

And to all of us - Jew and Gentile, male and female, slave and free - from the beginning of time to the end of time, we are brought near to God through faith in Jesus Christ.

" For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace. " (Romans 4:16)

And,

" If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. " (Romans 11:6)

For we are saved by grace; and it is the gift of God, not by our works so that no-one may boast; if it were by works then grace would no longer be grace; for grace is a gift, and gifts merit no work - otherwise it would no longer be a gift, but it would be our due wages. What have you done for a birthday gift? Or what great work did you do to be born? Likewise, Christ gave Himself, even while we were deserving wrath, He gave up His life as the gift of God, so that by the grace of God, Jesus Christ might taste death for everyone. If it is by grace and not by our works, then who can boast? For God sees to it that no-one come to Him with any boast in their mouth, except the boast of His name.

And this is grace and truth: seeing the depravity of mankind, God did not send forth a torrent of fire to devour us, but instead He sent forth His beloved Son, the Son whom He loves and favors, He sent Him forth not to judge the world, but to save it. Although seeing the unseen nature of us all, He sent forth His Son on whom abides the great love of God to die for our sins - who is worthy for such a thing? He who knew no sin, took upon Himself our sins, so that we might walk in the newness of the righteousness of God. All are turned out of the way by the deed of one man, Adam, and brought near to God through the deed of One other, Jesus Christ; for it says,

" There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. " (Acts 4:12)

He did this not while we deserved it, but while we least deserved it, while we were deserving wrath, He gave us the gift of grace. He loved us in the greatest way possible while we were most unfit for it; we are fit for great wrath as sinners, but God gave us the gift of new life; for He knows our transgressions, even while they are hidden, yet Jesus died for us openly, and that, to free us from our hidden sins; the sins that we are ashamed of, Christ bore, and He is not ashamed to call us His brethren. Nothing is hidden from God's sight; and He, although seeing our hidden faults, sent His Son into the world to reveal the message of His grace, which is to be received through faith, and faith in the Message of the Son of God who loved us. No-one knows the totality of our sins or even our thoughts, but God knows; yet He did not smite us for the greatness of our sins that we deserve. No, but He smote His beloved Son, as the Rock in the wilderness (Exodus 17:6) to bring forth living water to everyone who believes; for the punishing of Him brings forth peace with God, our Father. He being pure became dirty to make us clean; He takes away the sin of the world by bearing it upon Himself; as John, the Baptist, testified,

" Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! " (John 1:29)

And the apostle Paul says,

" For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men " (Titus 2:11)

" For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. " (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

For He made us to pass through the water of purification that we would be cleansed. And after three days were spent, God raised Him from the dead, for it was impossible for death to hold Him - He was raised for our justification; “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Romans 5:10).

So let us rejoice and see the exhortations and exclamations spoken by the Lord Himself to those who would hear and believe in Him, producing in themselves a very great faith, having themselves marveled the Lord by their faith, and called to Him for deliverance because they believed He is powerful and able to do. For these, not being of Hebrew descent, were Gentiles; and they marveled the Lord by their faith; as the examples in the Scriptures say,

"Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel." (Matthew 8:6-10)

And,

" O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish. " (Matthew 15:25-28)

For God, justifying the Jews and even the wicked Gentiles by the same very faith, showed before-time with Rehab, who was a prostitute, yet she was saved, she and her household, by believing God; as she believed in God and hid the messengers of God, and said,

" When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath." " (Joshua 2:9-11)

Likewise, was not the thief on the cross promised salvation because of his faith? As he rebuked a man and said,

" Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom! " (Luke 23:40-42)

Or what about the prayer of the man who loved money, as he was a tax collector, but prayed to God and humbled himself in His sight? Wasn't he justified by his faith in what he said?

" 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. " (Luke 18:10-14)

As it is written,

" To the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. " (Romans 4:3-7)

Thus, it is through faith we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus; and we do not start with faith, then try to be perfected by the power of human flesh. No! It is from faith to faith, from start to finish, that of faith, which is believing in Jesus Christ; as the apostle Paul says,

" This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? " (Galatians 3:2-3)

And,

" Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

For Jesus Christ was the first to preach the gospel of God. As it says, "After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard." (Hebrews 2:3) And He healed many because of their faith, saying to them,

"Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7:50)

And many other such things as these (Luke 5:12; Luke 8:48; Luke 17:19; Luke 18:42), then how can anyone say anything otherwise? For in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed:

" For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." " (Romans 1:17)

And what is sufficient is not a faith that is grand, but the faith the size of a mustard seed. If Christ reprimanded them because of their little faith, then how little that faith must have been! Let us consider the prophet Elijah who is a human like us: he prayed that it would not rain and it did not rain for three and a half years. Then he prayed again for rain, and it rained just as he asked. And the goal of faith? As it is written,

" But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. " (1 Timothy 1:4-5)

And love fulfills the entirety of the law, for love does no wrong to a neighbor.

And since we believe the Word of God, we correct ourselves to it, setting our seal to this: God is true. Therefore, let every man be a liar. And this is the way of life: heeding to the Word of God and correcting ourselves to it. The one who disbelieves the warning, goes astray; the one who hears and fails to practice what he hears, does likewise; as Wisdom says,

" The commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life." (Proverbs 6:23)

And,

"He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. " (Proverbs 10:17)

So holding fast to God's Word which saves by the resurrection of Christ, we hold fast unto the path of life; for hearing does not make us right with God, but hearing with faith. If we believe the Word, it will change us - for in faith does repentance live; as it says,

" Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life." (Acts 11:18)

Or even,

" Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? " (Romans 2:4)

Through faith we gain knowledge of God, and in Him there is righteousness. No-one is righteous except God; as Christ says,

" Why do you call Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. " (Mark 10:18)

So if anyone be moral, it's because of the morality that is in God through abiding in Jesus Christ, just as He abides in God. No-one has seen God at anytime, but Jesus Christ has made Him known to us - He is the visible image of the invisble God, and He alone has seen His form. Through Christ, we can see the Father; and by faith in Christ by imitating Him, we obtain to the righteousness of God, the Father; for salvation is of God, and the way of life is not within ourselves; as it says,

"I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps." (Jeremiah 10:23)

And God Himself testifies,

" Hide them in the dust together; Bind them in the hidden place. Then I will also confess to you, That your own right hand can save you. " (Job 40:11-14)

Therefore righteousness and holiness and salvation is in God alone. Therefore abide in Him!

We who believe, correct ourselves to the Word of God; we do so through rebuke, reproof and discipline. As it says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) If the Father considers us His own, He will chasten us; and also we are not lacking in the correction from God's family which we have been adopted into. For this is walking in love: reproof (Leviticus 19:17). And the wise listen to correction, but a fool departs from it; a fool does not heed to the Word of God; he closes his eyes, he delights in wickedness. For in the teaching, there is salvation; for the Word of God revives us through faith; as it says,

" I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. " (Psalm 119:107)

And it says,

" Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." (1 Timothy 4:16)

The Scriptures make one wise unto salvation, and through wisdom we grow in the grace of the Lord, but a fool does not fear the Lord; he says in His heart, "No God", so thus he walks in the way of death. In faith and through faith, we choose the fear of the Lord unto wisdom unto greater grace, and unto salvation; as it says,

" You have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:15)

And,

" Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. " (Luke 2:52)

And in vain it does not say,

" Because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. " (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

Therefore, by calling upon His name, crying out to Him with a faith that confesses, that believes, that searches and seeks for the living God, despite not being able to see Him, we are saved in hope, and a hope that is seen is not hope at all, for who hopes in that which he sees? We hope in the salvation of God and patiently wait for it; although we may sleep, we will not perish; although we may stumble, we will not fall away. Call upon His name! Just as Jonah called upon God in the belly of the great fish, then God delivered him; and just as the nation of Israel cried out to God on account of their enemies, then He delivered them by raising up judges in the land; and just as the Psalmists cried out to God - their joyful songs stand as a witness today and a testimony of God's deliverance to those who call upon Him. As it says,

" WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED. " (Romans 10:13)

Even the LORD God Himself promises, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me." (Psalms 50:15) And, "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way I shall show the salvation of God." (Psalms 50:23) And, “I will tell of Your name to my brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.” (Psalms 22:22)

" For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (Romans 10:10)

So,

" Having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE"" (2 Corinthians 4:13-14)

The eternal deliverance and life is in Christ Jesus; and to everyone who comes to Him and abides in Him enters into the life; as it says, “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:12-13) For, “The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.” (Nahum 1:7) And, “The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.” (Psalms 34:22) Furthermore Christ says,

" He who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. " (John 15:5)

Come, Lord Jesus!