Testify to the Truth #9 - How Do We Get There?
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July 18 (Communion)
“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9 CSB17)
As We Gather
If our goal is spending an eternity in paradise with our God, we've got to figure out how we get there. Some will tell you that you must work your way there (though perhaps using more subtle language than that.) They'll tell you to pray harder, to do more good, to give more money, to have more faith, to offset your carbon emissions, to use "trickle-down economics," the list can (and does) go on and on. While we can argue about the value of these things on their own, to tie any of them to salvation misses the point entirely. You are saved by Jesus: by His death on the cross, by His gift of Baptism, by grace, through faith. Thank God you cannot save yourself. He has done it all!
Prayer
Almighty God, heavenly Father, Your mercies are new to us every morning and, though we in no wise deserve Your goodness, You abundantly provide for all our wants of body and soul. Give us, we humbly pray, Your Holy Spirit that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, and cheerfully serve You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Journal