16
Nov '24
Free from Accusation
16
Nov '24
by Ronnie Hewitt
The New Testament is filled with assurances of God’s forgiveness to those who have trusted in Jesus Christ. Paul shares a passage of Scripture that shows the contrast between our dreadful condition and God’s love, mercy, and grace in reaching out to us. “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Col 1:21-22, NIV)
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09
Nov '24
East from the West
09
Nov '24
by Ronnie Hewitt
The Apostle Paul draws a gracious contrast between our ruin and God’s remedy. The contrast could not be more bold and complete. Our foolishness, disobedience, and enslavement to all kinds of sinful passions are met by God’s kindness, mercy, and love. Paul declares that the utterly unrighteous are declared righteous (justified) by God’s grace (Titus 3:7). As we said in last week’s article: God’s grace really is amazing.
We need to understand that God’s grace does not supplement our good works. Rather, His grace overcomes our bad works, which are our sins. God did this by placing our sins upon Christ and by letting the wrath we so fully deserve fall on Him. Because Jesus completely paid the awfully penalty of our sins, God could extend His grace to us through complete and total forgiveness of our sins. The extent of His forgiveness is vividly portrayed for us in the Old Testament.
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14
Oct '24
The Character of God
14
Oct '24
The Old Testament vs The New Testament
• God is just (Deuteronomy 32:4; 1Peter 3:18).
• God is righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4; 2Thessalonians 1:5; Revelation
15:3).
• God is compassionate (Isaiah 30:18; Matthew 9:36; James 5:11).
• God is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9; 1Corinthians 1:9; 2Thessalonians 3:3).
• God is gracious (Deuteronomy 34:6; Psalm 116:5; Ephesians 2:8).
• God is merciful (Joel 2:13; Luke 6:36; James 5:11).
• God is impartial (Deuteronomy 10:17; Romans 2:11).
• God is good (Ezra 7:9; 1Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 143:10; Mark 10:18).
• God is loving (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 25:6; 1John 4:8; John 3:16).
• God is just (Deuteronomy 32:4; 1Peter 3:18).
• God is righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4; 2Thessalonians 1:5; Revelation
15:3).
• God is compassionate (Isaiah 30:18; Matthew 9:36; James 5:11).
• God is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9; 1Corinthians 1:9; 2Thessalonians 3:3).
• God is gracious (Deuteronomy 34:6; Psalm 116:5; Ephesians 2:8).
• God is merciful (Joel 2:13; Luke 6:36; James 5:11).
• God is impartial (Deuteronomy 10:17; Romans 2:11).
• God is good (Ezra 7:9; 1Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 143:10; Mark 10:18).
• God is loving (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 25:6; 1John 4:8; John 3:16).
• God is holy (Psalm 99:9; Psalm 22:3; Psalm 51:11; 1Peter 1:16; Revelation
4:8).
• God is jealous (Deuteronomy 4:24; James 4:5).
• God is patient (Psalm 86:15; Nahum 1:3; Romans 2:4; 2Peter 3:9).
4:8).
• God is jealous (Deuteronomy 4:24; James 4:5).
• God is patient (Psalm 86:15; Nahum 1:3; Romans 2:4; 2Peter 3:9).
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