“19Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. 21But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” Romans 3:19-25 (NLT)
So we build these churches and join in these congregations that say good things and do good works. As we hear these good things and do these good works and our churches become more successful and full of people, two very curious things happen – we forget why we are doing them; and we believe that we are saved because the church and the people are so awesome. Do not be fooled… NONE of our works are counted as righteousness and NOTHING nice that we can do for another person counts toward our salvation. As the scripture teaches, “People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” The things that we do as individuals and as churches do not lead us TO salvation – they should be a result OF our salvation… the fruit of the Holy Spirit within us.
So we build these churches and join in these congregations that say good things and do good works. As we hear these good things and do these good works and our churches become more successful and full of people, two very curious things happen – we forget why we are doing them; and we believe that we are saved because the church and the people are so awesome. Do not be fooled… NONE of our works are counted as righteousness and NOTHING nice that we can do for another person counts toward our salvation. As the scripture teaches, “People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” The things that we do as individuals and as churches do not lead us TO salvation – they should be a result OF our salvation… the fruit of the Holy Spirit within us.
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