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Touching lives with the truth of God's Word.

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Thursday, November 11, 2010

APPLYING THE WORD

When I saw that they were not following the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter in front of all the others, "Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you trying to make these Gentiles obey the Jewish laws you abandoned?" [Galatians 2:14]

Compromise can weaken our respect for truth. The Judaizers accused Paul of watering down the gospel to make it easier for Gentiles to accept, while Paul accused the Judaizers of nullifying the truth of the gospel by adding conditions to it. The basis of salvation was the issue. Is salvation through Christ alone, or does it come through Christ and obedience to the law? The argument came to a climax when Peter, Paul, the Judaizers and some Gentile Christians all gathered together in Antioch to share a meal. Peter thought that by staying away from the Gentiles, he was promoting harmony. He did not want to offend James and the Jewish Christians. James had a very prominent position and presided over the council [Acts 15]. But Paul charged that Peter's action violated the gospel. By joining the Judaizers, Peter was supporting their clam that Christ was not sufficient for salvation. Compromise is an important element in getting along with others, but we should never compromise the truth of God's Word. If we feel we have to change our Christian beliefs to mach those of our companions, we are on dangerous ground.

POINTS OF GRACE NETWORK

Sunday, November 07, 2010

QUOTABLE QUOTES

Barriers to unshakable faith include pride [I won't admit I need God's help], arrogance [I know a better way--I don't have to ask God], and self-sufficiency [I can do it myself without His help]. Which of these is keeping you from becoming a person of strong faith? Confess it and turn toward the Lord.

A believer's identity is in his relationship with Christ, not in what he achieves for the Kingdom.

I have realized that Jesus called me not to do ministry, but to allow Him to work in me and accomplish His ministry through me. It is not my external actions that bring God glory, it is my willingness to submit to Him.

The Devil often transforms himself into an angel to tempt men, some for their instruction, some for their ruin. [Augustine of Hippo]

The deceit, the lie of the Devil consist of this, that he wishes to make man believe that he can live without God's Word. [Dietrich Bonhoeffer]

The existence of the Devil is so clearly taught in the Bible that to doubt it is to doubt the Bible itself. [Archibald G. Brown]

The Devil can counterfeit all the saving operations and graces of the Spirit of God. [Jonathan Edwards]

The Enemy will not see you vanish into God's company without an effort to reclaim you. [C.S. Lewis]

For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel. [Martin Luther]

That there is a Devil is a thing doubted by none but such as are under the influences of the Devil. [Cotton Mather]

The more God uses us, the more Satan will attempt to harass us. [Charles F. Stanley]

The Devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil still. [A. W. Tozer]

The Devil does not tempt unbelievers and sinners who are already his own. [Thomas Kempis]

Abilities and achievements do not impress the Lord. Instead, He is looking for humble, willing followers through whom to reveal His glory.

POINTS OF GRACE NETWORK