ODB: the only place to start
July 31, 2009
Faith is the hand that must take God’s gift of salvation.
READ: Galatians 1:6-12
If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. —Galatians 1:9
When a publishing company asked me to write an endorsement for a new book, I said I’d be glad to. It appeared to be a helpful effort directed to young people, challenging them to live for God in a changing world. But as I read the book, something troubled me. Although it had lots of Scripture and great spiritual advice, it didn’t explain that the starting point for any relationship with God is salvation through Jesus Christ.
The writer seemed to imply that the essence of living spiritually in modern society is based totally on action—good deeds—and not on saving faith in Christ. I didn’t write the endorsement.
The culture of the church is changing rapidly. Often left behind in the rush to find exciting new ideas is the essential nature of the gospel. The apostle Paul was astonished that people so readily embraced a “different gospel” (Gal. 1:6). What he preached was not from man, but a direct revelation from Jesus Himself (vv.11-12).
We must never let go of that true gospel: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again for our justification, declaring us righteous before God (Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:3-4). This alone offers the “power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). If we want to live for God, this is the only place to start. — Dave Branon
Source: Our Daily Bread
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
RSS FeedRelated
ODJ: stained
July 29, 2010 This is My blood, which confirms the covenant between God and His people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many (v.28). READ: Matthew 26:26-35 It had been one of those days. Busy, disjointed, and generally out of sorts. So I was less than thrilled when [...]
all shall be well
June 12, 2009 No longer will there be a curse upon anything (v.3). READ: Revelation 22:1-5 Between natural disasters leveling wide swaths of crops and inflation dramatically skyrocketing prices, even subsistence foods like rice or beans have been pushed almost out of reach for many in developing economies. In response to the estimated one million North [...]
ODJ: the only way?
August 18, 2011 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (v.12). READ: Acts 4:1-22 Meryl Streep played a nun in the movie Doubt, so, of course, she was asked her opinion on religion. She answered that the teachings of various religions “form [...]
ODB: the wrong stuff
April 12, 2010 READ: John 14:1-6 There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. —Acts 4:12 It was a simple task, but I was in over my head. One of the items on the grocery list was soy. Problem was, I didn’t know what kind of soy [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米
That’s really encouraging to hear that you didn’t hold back on your convictions and you didn’t sign the endorsement. Jesus HIMSELF is THE key ingredient and cannot be overlooked. Thanks for the post.