Religion vs. The gospel of grace

When you went to church and listened to a sermon, who got magnified? 

You and how special you are in God's eyes?

(Sorry…there are no verses to support that.  Rather, this is what he says about mankind:  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections:  [Romans 1:24-26 KJB])

Or..

God and how special the cross work of his Son is?  

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  [Romans 5:7-9 KJB]

Which gospel was preached?  

The gospel of the kingdom of heaven given to the 12 apostles for the 12 tribes of the nation Israel found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? 

Or…

Was it “The gospel” of grace given to 1 apostle, Paul, for the ‘one new man’—the church, the body of Christ? 

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I [Paul] delivered unto you FIRST of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:  … Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  [1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:15 KJB]

Scripture teaches us that God’s word is pure and that we should view God’s word as he does and magnify it above what man says contrary to it. 

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. …  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. [Romans 3:4; Psalm 138:2 KJB]

Therefore, let us…

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  And their word will eat as doth a canker:  … For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.  … Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) [1 Timothy 2:16, 17a; Romans 16:18; Philippians 3:19 KJB]

Religious denominations (divisions) emphasize man’s outward show of works (in the flesh) whereas Grace is all about God’s working in us by his Spirit through his word when we take him at (believe) his word.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: …  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. … That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  …  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. [Ephesians 6:17; Romans 8:1, 4; Galatians 5:16 KJB] 

It is vital that we receive the word of God from faithful men apt to teach, rightly dividing the word of truth and then search the scriptures for ourselves whether what they say lines up with what God says—every word of it!!

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. …because,  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect [mature], throughly furnished unto all good works. [Matthew 4:4 KJB]

Want a life changing experience?  Don’t just believe in God, BELIEVE GOD!!   …you’ll be glad you did!

Grace and peace!

;j an