Life is amazing

[truck1500]

Okay, so I became a Christian last night, and I have to say that today has been absolutely amazing!! I feel like I don't have this dead weight inside me trying to pull me down. I talked to the pastor of the church I will be attending today for over an hour, and he both asked and answered a lot of questions.

I do have one question that I hope someone here may be able to answer. I was reading Romans chapter 6. I saw that in verse 14 that I am not under law but under grace. Would someone more learned than I help explain what this means and how I should put this part of God's truth into my life? I don't want to subject myself to sin any longer and want to do the things that make God happy. Since He let Jesus die because of my sin and has forgiven me for my stupid mistakes, I think it only right that I learn as much about him and apply the words in the Bible to my life.

It feels like God is my dad now and I think that God knows what is best for me. Am I being too informal with him? I don't want to insult God.

Anyway, any help understanding this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[George]

Shalom Truck,

I believe the most simplistic way to explain it is this -- you cannot earn your way to heaven by any works that you do -- because your salvation is secured in Jesus completely and fully. However, when someone does come to faith -- your life should be producing good works!

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

God bless,

George

[mizzdy]

So many way back then felt that the law was some sort of something that brought one to salvation yet we know from Abraham that is not true. Abraham even though he kept Gods commandments, statues and judgments he walked with God in faith, it was faith, that strong trust he had in Gods and His word, that made him righteous in Gods eyes. We can try and follow every single command given to us but not one bit of it can do a thing for you to gain salvation. Being under the law means that we are trying to work out our salvation apart from Him, when it is a free gift given to us. Its not that we do not have to obey Him, we do He tells us often enough to keep His commandments yet that is not what brings His free gift of salvation.

Gods laws are there to show us what sin is, and through His Spirit He writes them on our hearts so we can walk upright before Him. Its a process, a life long one at that! none of us will ever be perfected this side of His return, He was the only person to ever walk correctly and fully in His Torah which gives us the perfect example to follow. (torah means instructions just so ya know) The very best thing is that He called out for you and you heard Him! Theres a diverse group of really good people here that are more than willing to answer any and all question you need to ask!

shalom,

Mizz

[truck1500]

Shalom Truck,

I believe the most simplistic way to explain it is this -- you cannot earn your way to heaven by any works that you do -- because your salvation is secured in Jesus completely and fully. However, when someone does come to faith -- your life should be producing good works!

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

God bless,

George

This makes sense. I understand that now. Oh, I can't wait to get home to read more!

[truck1500]

So many way back then felt that the law was some sort of something that brought one to salvation yet we know from Abraham that is not true. Abraham even though he kept Gods commandments, statues and judgments he walked with God in faith, it was faith, that strong trust he had in Gods and His word, that made him righteous in Gods eyes. We can try and follow every single command given to us but not one bit of it can do a thing for you to gain salvation. Being under the law means that we are trying to work out our salvation apart from Him, when it is a free gift given to us. Its not that we do not have to obey Him, we do He tells us often enough to keep His commandments yet that is not what brings His free gift of salvation.

Gods laws are there to show us what sin is, and through His Spirit He writes them on our hearts so we can walk upright before Him. Its a process, a life long one at that! none of us will ever be perfected this side of His return, He was the only person to ever walk correctly and fully in His Torah which gives us the perfect example to follow. (torah means instructions just so ya know) The very best thing is that He called out for you and you heard Him! Theres a diverse group of really good people here that are more than willing to answer any and all question you need to ask!

shalom,

Mizz

Thank you for helping me understand this.

So, as I understand it, the law shows me all the things that are sin. Since God knows that sin isn't good for me, he lets me know by his law what sin is. So, Jesus, being absolutely perfect, died a horrific death, took my sin upon himself. This sacrifice is what makes it possible for people like me who don't deserve God to belong to him and go to Heaven to be with him. This also means that I can live here on earth with God as my dad... which would be impossible to do under the law since I am incapable of keeping it (obviously). If I'm over-thinking this, please let me know- I don't want to take God lightly.

Since I have been re-born (this is what the pastor called it), I no longer live under the accusation of the law? Law to me means that, if I break it, I am subject to the penalties attached to that law. God's grace says that the penalty was paid by Jesus and I am therefore subject to God's grace. Do I understand this correctly? If I am mistaken, please help me understand.

[George]

So many way back then felt that the law was some sort of something that brought one to salvation yet we know from Abraham that is not true. Abraham even though he kept Gods commandments, statues and judgments he walked with God in faith, it was faith, that strong trust he had in Gods and His word, that made him righteous in Gods eyes. We can try and follow every single command given to us but not one bit of it can do a thing for you to gain salvation. Being under the law means that we are trying to work out our salvation apart from Him, when it is a free gift given to us. Its not that we do not have to obey Him, we do He tells us often enough to keep His commandments yet that is not what brings His free gift of salvation.

Gods laws are there to show us what sin is, and through His Spirit He writes them on our hearts so we can walk upright before Him. Its a process, a life long one at that! none of us will ever be perfected this side of His return, He was the only person to ever walk correctly and fully in His Torah which gives us the perfect example to follow. (torah means instructions just so ya know) The very best thing is that He called out for you and you heard Him! Theres a diverse group of really good people here that are more than willing to answer any and all question you need to ask!

shalom,

Mizz

Thank you for helping me understand this.

So, as I understand it, the law shows me all the things that are sin. Since God knows that sin isn't good for me, he lets me know by his law what sin is. So, Jesus, being absolutely perfect, died a horrific death, took my sin upon himself. This sacrifice is what makes it possible for people like me who don't deserve God to belong to him and go to Heaven to be with him. This also means that I can live here on earth with God as my dad... which would be impossible to do under the law since I am incapable of keeping it (obviously). If I'm over-thinking this, please let me know- I don't want to take God lightly.

Since I have been re-born (this is what the pastor called it), I no longer live under the accusation of the law? Law to me means that, if I break it, I am subject to the penalties attached to that law. God's grace says that the penalty was paid by Jesus and I am therefore subject to God's grace. Do I understand this correctly? If I am mistaken, please help me understand.

Sounds pretty good to me! But remember we never want to abuse "God's Grace"!

[joi]

Right on so far! You have begun a journey that will last you a lifetime.

I well remember how I wanted to know everything when I was saved, so I understand your eagerness.

I hope you always want to know more and be more what He would have you be.

Salvation comes to us by grace through the faith we gain from hearing (or reading) the Word of God.

Romans 10:17

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Once we are saved we are to perform the fruits of the Spirit which are;

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Ephesians 5:9

(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

Before Jesus died He said this;

John 13

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

And this;

Matthew 22:36-40

New International Version (NIV)

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22:36-40&version=NIV

Salvation requires faith, after salvation we perform the works Jesus left us to do on His behalf.

[truck1500]

So many way back then felt that the law was some sort of something that brought one to salvation yet we know from Abraham that is not true. Abraham even though he kept Gods commandments, statues and judgments he walked with God in faith, it was faith, that strong trust he had in Gods and His word, that made him righteous in Gods eyes. We can try and follow every single command given to us but not one bit of it can do a thing for you to gain salvation. Being under the law means that we are trying to work out our salvation apart from Him, when it is a free gift given to us. Its not that we do not have to obey Him, we do He tells us often enough to keep His commandments yet that is not what brings His free gift of salvation.

Gods laws are there to show us what sin is, and through His Spirit He writes them on our hearts so we can walk upright before Him. Its a process, a life long one at that! none of us will ever be perfected this side of His return, He was the only person to ever walk correctly and fully in His Torah which gives us the perfect example to follow. (torah means instructions just so ya know) The very best thing is that He called out for you and you heard Him! Theres a diverse group of really good people here that are more than willing to answer any and all question you need to ask!

shalom,

Mizz

Thank you for helping me understand this.

So, as I understand it, the law shows me all the things that are sin. Since God knows that sin isn't good for me, he lets me know by his law what sin is. So, Jesus, being absolutely perfect, died a horrific death, took my sin upon himself. This sacrifice is what makes it possible for people like me who don't deserve God to belong to him and go to Heaven to be with him. This also means that I can live here on earth with God as my dad... which would be impossible to do under the law since I am incapable of keeping it (obviously). If I'm over-thinking this, please let me know- I don't want to take God lightly.

Since I have been re-born (this is what the pastor called it), I no longer live under the accusation of the law? Law to me means that, if I break it, I am subject to the penalties attached to that law. God's grace says that the penalty was paid by Jesus and I am therefore subject to God's grace. Do I understand this correctly? If I am mistaken, please help me understand.

Sounds pretty good to me! But remember we never want to abuse "God's Grace"!

Who would want to? That doesn't make sense to me. If his grace through the sacrifice of Jesus is what saves you from evil, why would someone abuse it? I only want to do what makes God proud. I tried living life like I wanted to, and it stunk.

[truck1500]

Right on so far! You have begun a journey that will last you a lifetime.

I well remember how I wanted to know everything when I was saved, so I understand your eagerness.

I hope you always want to know more and be more what He would have you be.

Salvation comes to us by grace through the faith we gain from hearing (or reading) the Word of God.

Romans 10:17

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Once we are saved we are to perform the fruits of the Spirit which are;

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Ephesians 5:9

(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

Before Jesus died He said this;

John 13

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

And this;

Matthew 22:36-40

New International Version (NIV)

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22:36-40&version=NIV

Salvation requires faith, after salvation we perform the works Jesus left us to do on His behalf.

This is extremely helpful. Thank you! I copied this and put it in a folder to re-read at will. If that isn't okay, let me know, and I'll delete it.

I am excited to do what Jesus wants me to do. I know that it will be hard at times, but isn't that why he said that he would send a helper (the pastor said that this was the Holy Spirit)? I think that, as long as I love God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and seek to do those things that he wants for me, God will help me even to do the right things.

Hmmmm..... God provided the way for me to belong to him instead of sin, and also provides the help I need to do what makes him proud??? Why would anyone not confess Jesus as the lord, and repent and let God save them? What took me so long? This is the best decision I've ever made! Everybody needs to know about this!!!!

[LeonaS]

This is extremely helpful. Thank you! I copied this and put it in a folder to re-read at will. If that isn't okay, let me know, and I'll delete it.

I am excited to do what Jesus wants me to do. I know that it will be hard at times, but isn't that why he said that he would send a helper (the pastor said that this was the Holy Spirit)? I think that, as long as I love God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and seek to do those things that he wants for me, God will help me even to do the right things.

Hmmmm..... God provided the way for me to belong to him instead of sin, and also provides the help I need to do what makes him proud??? Why would anyone not confess Jesus as the lord, and repent and let God save them? What took me so long? This is the best decision I've ever made! Everybody needs to know about this!!!!

It took me lots of fits and starts before I gave myself to Jesus in full. I guess it's not how long it took, just as long as it happened!