First Baptist Idabel

          The Pharisees for the most part did not have genuine faith as demonstrated by their constant deriding of Jesus and His disciples. If they had understood the spiritual meaning of the word of God that they had so meticulously studied, then they would have recognized Jesus as the Messiah. They believed that God had given them the Law through Moses and if kept the Law well enough, then they would make the grade and earn God’s favor. They had even made up many more statutes they expected people to follow in the keeping of this Law. They had become legalists. Their faith was placed in their ability to perform the many ceremonial rituals, hand washings, and their ability to adhere to a long list of rules. Many people today still believe that if they keep the 10 commandments, then they are a pretty good person and God will allow them into His heaven. The truth is we cannot keep the 10 commandments because we are depraved. There is no one righteous not even one. NOBODY MAKES THE GRADE! 

            The gospel message is for everyone, but NO ONE will be saved except by the grace of God through faith. There is only one who ever lived a life that fully satisfied the Father in Heaven and that is Jesus Christ and it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that you can be saved. It doesn’t matter how YOU live YOUR life because you can’t do anything without Christ. John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Now, of course our lives should reflect the image of Christ. Church members should be reflecting the image of Christ, not just an outward appearance of cleanliness. It’s time to show the world compassion as Jesus showed compassion, but you can’t do it alone; he who is in you can. So, what really matters is not how you are living your life, but is Christ living in you. Let us not just say, “I’m going to live my life for Christ,” but let us say, “I’m going to give my life to Christ.” (Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.) Through faith, we are His possession and He is our treasure. There is nothing greater in this world than knowing the Lord Jesus Christ by faith.