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Justin Burt's avatar

Great teaching today Pastor Jimmy and thank you always for the Godly leadership you and the other teachers provide here. A lot of great points brought up today. I’ve been thinking a lot the past several months about point 5, Grace, as well as the works mentality of getting to heaven. It seems that there are some misconceptions by the people that think doing good works gets you into heaven. 1) it’s not the good works that get you in, it’s the bad that keeps you out (without Christ). Heaven is a perfect place. I think most unbelievers would say they don’t think Hitlers or ax murderers etc “earned” a right to be there. Because they did too much bad. The standard is perfection to be there, one bad thing keeps you out, on our own. Which is why Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life for us (since we can’t) and traded places for us on the cross, so we can present that to God. He took our bad up on the cross and perfects us in His blood, in Gods eyes. We do good works, not to become saved, but because we are saved. Apple trees make apples and bear fruit. Saved people bear saved fruit (good works). Not to get saved, but because we are saved. If He lives in is, His goodness will pour out of us. This is what James is all about. Can people really just profess that they are saved but live in an ungodly way, then expect to be saved? Clearly, we grapple with sin until He completes our perfection and restores us, body and spirit, on the other side. But we strive for His righteousness and goodness. This is why it is said “you will know them by their fruits”. And also, when He speaks at judgment to those that say Lord, Lord, we did all these things in Your Name. But He responds and says He never knew them, depart, those ***who practice iniquity***. This verse says it will be Many on that day this happens to. This has scared me more than anything else in the Bible since I’ve read it. A large number of people who think they are getting in because of good that they are doing but living and practicing iniquity. Not resisting sin and striving for righteousness. It’s made me take my walk a lot more seriously and look critically at what I think I can allow myself to do. Can I really have modern day idols in my life? Can I really be harsh and judgmental to people and say I am loving God while doing so? What does loving people really mean for me to do? What fruit am I actually eating, in Gods eyes? Is it a sweet and pleasant fruit in His eyes? How much bad fruit am I bearing? I used to allow myself to do a lot more and just pass the rest off on His grace. Not to be legalistic either but it comes down to having a heart fully for God. Anyways, just sharing a little about my walk and also some of these things I’ve been digging deeper into the last several months. God bless everyone’s Sunday.

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Abigail Blankenship's avatar

Father, I pray that You come for us soon in the rapture. I pray that I may be found worthy. Thank You Jesus, for loving me, for saving me, help me to follow You, all the way to Heaven, until I see You face to face. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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