Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Peace By Grace

 "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."  I Corinthians 1:3.  Grace is God's gift to the human family.  This is because of God's desire that all know him "from the least to the greatest."  Without the grace of God and Jesus Christ, we are hopeless.  God's grace came in the person of Jesus Christ.  However, God's  grace must be received.  Grace is a gift that is offered, and it brings peace to all who will receive it.  The peace of God is an individual consolation of the soul to anyone who is so inclined to accept it.  Sin has brought the need for peace.  Sin causes division and confusion.  God who loves send his grace to create a heart of peace.  By grace, we can know forgiveness, and thus, possess peace.  Peace by grace brings us into union with God.  The barrier of sin is destroyed in Christ.  God has reached across the great gulf to make peace.  Peace assures us of God as our Father and Jesus as our Lord.  Peace comforts us in the storm, and lifts our burdens.  Peace lights our way as we walk with our God.  Our peace is our confidence of bestowed grace.  Peace is our constant reminder of grace bestowed.

Thursday, August 20, 2020

An Altar Unto Sin

 "Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin."  Hosea 8:11.  Our intent can even become sin unto us.  Throughout Old Testament history, altars had been raised so that sacrifices could be offered to other gods.  These people clearly understood the purpose of the altar, and they also understood God's rejection of the altar.  The altar was erected so that a god other than Jehovah could be worshipped.  Why would any people choose to serve a god other than the true and living God?  The altar was erected so that they might sin.  As a result, the altar had become sin unto them.  The knowledge of that which is evil should always be avoided.  If not, that which we know to be sin will become sin for us.  Our lives are to be ordered accordilng to the divine revelation of the Almighty.  Never should the devil be invited into our lives.  The devil brings sin.  Sin cannot be present in one's relationship with God.  Sin is to avoided because of the tremendous power that it possesses.  We are always to do what is good and pleasing in the eyes of our God.  If we seek to sin, then we will sin.  Our intention will always determine our action.  When the intent arises, flee as one fleeing from a horrific storm.  Destruction sits upon the horizon of our making altars to sin.