Matthew 7:13-14, where Jesus speaks of two paths: the wide, easy road to destruction and the narrow, difficult road to life, with few finding it. But if getting in to heaven is simple why is he saying it is difficult?

-by Pastor Joseph Cortes Grace stands alone, and that truth unsettles many people, not because it is unclear, but because it removes every platform built on human effort. Scripture does not hesitate or qualify when it says, “For by grace are ye saved.” It places salvation entirely in the realm of God’s unmerited favor, before faith is explained, before obedience is discussed, and before works are ever introduced. Grace does not ask permission to be sufficient, and it does not wait for human improvement to become effective. Much of the confusion surrounding salvation comes from a misunderstanding of faith itself. Faith is not a force that saves by its own strength, nor is it a moral achievement. People can have faith in almost anything and still be lost. Faith only has meaning when it has the correct object. Even faith “in God” is too vague unless it is specifically placed in Jesus Christ, because God is not doing the saving apart from His Son. Faith begins by hearing the Word, and when the Word is heard, a person either rejects it or is persuaded by it. That persuasion leads to full trust and confidence in who Christ said He is and what He accomplished. Salvation is described as “not of yourselves” because nothing originating from human effort can contribute to it. Any attempt to add performance, behavior, giving, repentance rituals, or moral reform to salvation subtly shifts the focus away from Christ and back onto man. If anything we do could assist in saving us, then grace would no longer be grace, and the cross would no longer be necessary. Christ would not have needed to suffer, die, and rise again if salvation could be purchased, earned, or maintained by human effort. This is why works-based teaching is so dangerous, even when it sounds spiritual. Telling people they must give to be saved or live a certain way to prove they are saved replaces grace with obligation. Obedience has value, but it does not purchase eternal life. Giving has purpose, but it does not secure heaven. If salvation could be obtained through works of any kind, then Christ’s sacrifice would be insufficient, and His suffering would be unnecessary.

Good day friends, got some good sleep last night as the winter weather is closing in on us down here in the southwest. We enjoyed an Indian summer in late December giving us a week and xmas day in the 70's. But, tomorrow it says snow for us. Things change quickly in the desert. Speaking of things changing quickly, have a look at the ABOUT page today, read the new descriptions and look for some new artwork to come. These changes came about by the help of one of our members who has been chewing my ear off about Jesus in here, and behind the scenes. They've been such a blessing also in inspiring new courses I've been adding to the classroom. Still trying to breakthrough the barriers keeping people from at least becoming free members and having a look around. Let's see what a new week brings.... BigA

What to do practically?

Summary: works matter and we are rewarded of them but works don't have anything to do with our salvation. Eternal rewards 2 I will read next. Somewhat 25 books still to read.