What is truth?

 

THE LOVE, GRACE, AND MERCY OF GOD

 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:4-5).

 

No one who believes the Bible to be the divinely inspired word of God doubts for a single moment the truthfulness of the above texts.  No one believes (or should believe) that he or she can earn or merit salvation from sin and eternal salvation in heaven.  These are possible only because of the love, grace, and mercy of God.  But the love, grace, and mercy of God must be accepted in humble submission and obedience by the person who would be the beneficiary of God's love, grace, and mercy (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:8-9).

 

Through the love, grace, and mercy of God . . . 

 

1. Christ died for our sins (Romans 5:8; I Corinthians 15:3-4).

 

2. The church was purchased with the blood of Christ and established by Him (Acts 20:28; Matthew 16:18).

 

3. The Holy Spirit guided the apostles and prophets of the New Testament into all truth (John 16:13; Ephesians 3:3-5). 

 

4. People were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). 

 

5. The first members of the church continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers (Acts 2:42). 

 

6. Paul wrote the commandments of the Lord (I Corinthians 14:37). 

 

7. Strict warning was given about perverting the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-9). 

 

8. It was revealed that there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:16). 

 

9. God's people are exhorted to walk worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). 

 

10. We are told to avoid false teachers who use "smooth words and flattering speech" and to be wary of "captivating" speakers (Romans 16:17-18; Colossians 2:8). 

 

11. Timothy was urged to hold the pattern of sound words (I Timothy 1:13). 

 

12. Christians are instructed to deny themselves of ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-14).

 

How are you responding to the love, grace, and mercy of God?

 

Hugh Fulford