Saved by Faith but Rewarded by Works

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:14-15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I believe salvation is attained by grace through faith. That’s not Baptist rhetoric. That’s Biblical doctrine. But do you know what some people do with that?

They say, “Hot dog! I don’t have to do a thing to be saved. I can just get in the top berth of a Pullman car and glide along until we pull into the New Jerusalem.” You know, just catch the next sleeper car to glory.

These people don’t like the idea that as Christians we are all going to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. And we are all going to give an account for how we used our time, our resources, and our faith.

We are not saved by works, but we are rewarded by works. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

ACTION POINT:

Read Romans 14:10-12. How do you plan to spend your day knowing this truth?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Who Are You When No One Else is Around?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

 “While I’m gone, I want you to be on your best behavior.” Has someone ever said that to you? This is what Paul means when he gives us the directive to work out our salvation even when he is not around.

A pastor is successful when he trains his flock to love the Lord, share their faith, and minister to others when no one else is looking. It is the true test of a person’s walk with God.

What happens when you are alone on a business trip and there are free movies in your motel room? How fast do you drive when the speed limit says 35 and you are late for a meeting? How much money do you leave for a tip when there is no one to impress?

ACTION POINT:

When was the last time you did something nice for someone who could never pay you back, from whom you had nothing to gain, and no one would ever know about it? Do you talk the talk or do you walk the walk?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Knowing His Ways

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Wisdom is not gained by seeing the works of God. It is gained in knowing the ways of God. When the Israelites were wandering in the desert, they could only see the works of God. But God allowed Moses to see His ways.

The Israelites were infatuated with God at first. But when troubles came, their love affair with God quickly died out. They began to murmur and complain. Moses saw the wilderness from God’s perspective, however, and approached God in humility and honor. As a result, God taught him to lead His people out of darkness into light.

ACTION POINT:

Do you know the ways of God? Have you learned to see life from His point of view? Or are you still trusting in your view of life to get you through the hard times? Bow before God and ask Him to ignite a vision for His glory, a bold desire to lead the lost to Him, and an unconditional passion to love Him.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Running Your Race Without Distraction

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Runners train themselves to be focused on one thing – the finish line. They have one desire, and they are not going to let what is going on in the stands or who is lagging behind distract them.

Paul had the same sense. He, too, believed that you could not win a race by looking over your shoulder or glancing to the right or the left. You can’t see what is ahead when you’ve got your headlights on the rear bumper.

ACTION POINT:

Paul forgot his past glory, past mistakes, past grief, past everything. Paul refused to let his past keep him from reaching his goal. What are you doing in your race to claim the prize of a closer walk with God? Take a few minutes over the next couple of days to reflect upon what Jesus Christ did for you on the Cross. In light of that, analyze how you are running your race. What changes do you want to make to better run the race?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

By The Blood Of Christ

This is your reason to shout hallelujah!!!

This is your reason to praise a merciful risen Lord!!!

What man could never do, the blood of Christ has done!!!

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. - Ephesians 2:13-16

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-

6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:4-9

Judgement and Salvation

1 I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, "Here I am, here I am," to a nation that was not called by my name. 

2 I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;  - Isaiah 65:1-2

What we wait for:

New Heavens and New Earth

17 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. 

18 But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. 

19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. 

20 No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.  - Isaiah 65:17-20

22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the LORD, so shall your offspring and your name remain. 

23 From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the LORD. 

24 "And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh." - Isaiah 66:22-24

Our Sins, “Paid in Full”

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:25

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There was a skeptic who was talking with a little girl one day. She loved the Lord Jesus with all of her heart. He was trying to shake her faith and he said, “Young lady, Christianity is not the only religion, you know. There are plenty of religions in the world. There are plenty of Christs. Which Christ do you believe in?” She thought for a minute and said, “I believe in the One who was raised from the dead.” Amen! That’s the One I believe in, too!

The death of Christ on the cross without His resurrection cannot save you. If Christ died on the cross and that is all that happened, then Jesus was just one more religious leader.

Do you know the proof positive that God accepted His payment for sin? He raised Him from the dead. If Jesus is still in the grave, your hope of heaven is not worth half a hallelujah.

ACTION POINT:

Why not celebrate the Lord’s Supper this week, remembering the powerful promise of His resurrection, replenishment, and restoration?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

For My Own Sake

Only one true God, maker, forgiver, sovereign over all things!!

"I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.  - Isaiah 43:25

I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.  - Isaiah 44:22

25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. - Ezekiel 36:25-28

Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.  - Isaiah 44:6

7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. 

8 Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any."  - Isaiah 44:7-8

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,  - Isaiah 44:24