OUTLINE:

Grace, Works, and Indifference - Blog 8/9/19
[A] convicted person is forced to exert themselves (the Gospel demands it). This work is in the struggle either to cast aside the sinful pride of life and pursue salvation or to reject the Gospel (or even remain indifferent to it). Striving [ala Lk 13:24] in one direction or the other doesn’t increase or diminish the value of the Cross in any way.

"News Flash"!
God’s grace has boundary conditions on it!!! (e.g. Jas 4:6)

"News Flash"!
Grace is God's to give, and He doesn't give it to everyone, especially those that don't really want it (those who choose to stay in arrogance).

Confronted By The Truth
Difficult messages bring people to a point where they have to decide if they wants God's truth or not.

Love Takes Risks
Jesus preferred to offend people with the Truth rather than coddle them with a lie. (i.e.- Jn 6)

The Evil Of Avoiding The Truth
If you say to a person, “Hey, I never lied to you... I just never told you the truth.”... that’s a passive lie... a satanic device used to skirt the real issue (whatever it is).

Love Takes Risks
A good friend takes the risk of offending someone they love for their friend's sake. "So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth" (Gal 4:16)? "I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less" (2Co 12:15)?

Pr 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise wins souls.

Love and Pain
If an expression of a pure love causes you pain, do not make the grave mistake of blaming the one loving you. The pain is fruit of your malignancy with the truth. Freedom is available to those who receive the truth in gratitude (Jn 8:32).

Love and Pain
"Continuing" in the Word requires persistence, even in the face of uncomfortable truths!! If we seek HIM, and not His benefits alone, we will be set free by His truth over time. Jn 6, 8:31-32

Love and Pain
If an expression of a pure love causes you pain, do not make the grave mistake of blaming the one loving you. The pain is fruit of your malignancy with the truth. Freedom is available to those who receive the truth in gratitude (Jn 8:32).

Deceived By The "New Normal"
Satan has used technology to create a bunch of lazy zombies, enslaved to the messages they sit back and listen to and receive with little or no examination.

The Disease
Passive culture demands, even EXPECTS others to meet its desires WITHOUT question.

Deu 30:19 [NLT]
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!

Active Learning
"Examining the Scriptures daily" has definite, predictable results. In the case of the Bereans, "many of them believed" (Ac 17:11-12). How do you think YOU will ever truly believe in God's Word???

2Pe 3:18
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.