Is infinity imaginable?
How about immeasurable or inexhaustible?
It takes faith to look forward to everlasting eternal life.
Before the beginning, God promised perfection in an unending life! No lie. God’s plan is to save us according to His mercy.
Titus 1:2
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| in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began Titus 1:2 |
The devil messes with us in this world.
The goal of Satan and his minions is to attack the faith. The devil will impose whatever devious tricks he can, motived to distract us from Scripture and lead us astray so far as to forget or discard the faith. People who reject the Holy Spirit’s gifts by their own choice, separate themselves from God’s grace. Without mincing words, they’ll spend eternity in hell.
Here are a few samples of lies which tempt us to embrace what could end up dividing us from God’s grace.
- By nature, humankind struggles by making and elevating our own lower-case-gods (self, other people, things, activities) to a higher position than worshiping our Creator.
- Stumbling in dangerous, dark areas of sin, we’re capable to give in to inconsiderate malice, envy, judgement and hatred.
- Muddling through a broken world, even though God’s good commands are written on our hearts, no one does all perfectly. What’s worse is refusal to admit wrongs, and instead, openly continue to purposely repeat the same sins without regret.
- In false belief that God’s love must be earned, what outwardly appears to be good words and deeds, actually inwardly come from impure hearts and selfish motivation. God doesn’t need good works to supply salvation, nor does He notice anything done with a heart that lacks the faith in Christ.
- Some who say they know God, actually deny Him by adding rules which trouble families, implying that the finished work of Jesus is not enough.
- Some pick-and-choose Scripture they like and discard parts they don’t want.
Prayerfully let it go. God is in control.
If a self-righteous person refuses to cease and desist to
stir up division after two warnings, those who are united in the true faith are advised by God’s Word to avoid warped distracting
controversies about the law, so not to get bogged down by worthless quarreling regarding rigid attacks on the Gospel.
Titus 3:5
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| he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5 |
Jesus crushed the evil one.
Jesus suffered and bore sin, guilt and shame of all people, past/present/future. Our Father delights in all who are united as His children by the faith, through His Son’s sacrificial death and being risen to save us. Consoled in Christ’s care, On the Sufficiency of Scripture, the faith brings
- repentant living
- rescue from penalty
- healing from the effects of sin
- growing readiness for life
- present joy
- eternal blessings of certain hope in a new life
Credit belongs to our Creator for giving us freedom to focus on doing what’s good and acceptable.
The faith guards us from those who insinuate doubt about the promises of
God whose own Son empowers us with His mercy, grace and counsel. Our Savior brought goodness and loving kindness for us at the lowly birth of Jesus who was swaddled in a manger in Bethlehem. Before we were born, God planned work for us to do. The gift of faith equips us to hold onto the Truth as we devote ourselves to take up His opportunities for us
to do good and treat everyone with dignity. When, by the faith, we
gladly hear, read and learn God’s Word, He opens eyes to see Light
shining grace for us. Christ, who has authority to judge, not only forgives those who fear Him, He also
- supplies confidence to fight natural rebellion
- encourages honesty
- makes gratitude meaningful
- serves us Himself in the bread and wine of Divine Worship
- provides zeal for carrying out what is healthy and helpful to others
- motivates respectful, gentle and courteous behavior toward all people
- creates joy which lifts the spirit
- establishes patience through suffering
- sustains the weary with rest and strength for each day
- assures proper trust
Jesus loves you and wants to connect with you.
By the treasure of water included in God’s command to wash in/with the Word (the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit), Holy Baptism does what Jesus says it does. By the one true faith, Christ serves us forgiveness in the sight of our Father in heaven. We were conceived in sin and born sinful. The solution to our sin is God’s rich grace in Christ for us and for our children. This new birth of God is a gift to be received once for all its benefits of His salvation for us. As an adopted child of God in Baptism, we become an heir of eternal life. It’s not my promise to God; it’s His promise to me by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. God’s mercy is for each of us who practice freedom in our baptized holy life of faith in Christ Jesus who paid the same price for all people. Joy for each new day comes in remembering Baptism’s continuous on-going effects are for us who are covered in His grace!
We are blessed.
Nine months before Christmas, I’m posting this on a day observed in my church body as the time when the angel Gabriel visited the blessed Virgin Mary to announce that the eternal Son of God would take up human flesh in her womb!
- Learn more about The Annunciation of our Lord
- Listen to current worship services
- Find-a-church-near-you
Praying in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit—One God with us now, always, and in the end will make all things new:
“I praise You, O God, for giving me grace and peace in Christ Jesus my Savior! Make me a sincere and faithful child in the communion of saints. • Jesus, purify me with Your righteousness so that I may lead my family and serve faithfully among your people. • Jesus, adorn my life with works and confession worthy of the Gospel. • O God, Your Word and Sacraments sustain, guide, and nurture me in the one true faith. Guard me against all error. • Entrust me, dear Lord, with the opportunity to tell another person of Your redeeming love. Amen.” —from notes on Titus, The Lutheran Study Bible
