1 Timothy 1:15,16 "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." The Gospel is clearly defined in Scripture, and Paul sets forth a pattern for its proclamation in 1 Timothy 1:15-16. In a world filled with religious confusion, the Word of God remains our authority to discern truth. Paul declares that how he received mercy serves as a pattern for all who believe on Christ to life everlasting. The term "pattern" in verse 16 signifies an outline or form—a definitive model of how God saves sinners and why He does so. Salvation has always been by one means, by one manner, and by one message. In contrast to the world’s uncertainty, the Scriptures affirm God’s exclusive way of saving sinners. The Means of Salvation: Grace Alone Paul testifies in 1 Timothy 1:14, "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." Grace—God’s unmerited favor in Christ—is the sole foundation of salvation. It is exceedingly abundant, greater than all our sins, and it ensures that God remains just while justifying those for whom Christ died. The Manner of Salvation: Christ’s Finished Work 1 Timothy 1:15 proclaims, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." He did not come to attempt salvation, but to accomplish it. At Calvary, He saved those that the Father gave Him from all eternity and in time obtained their eternal redemption by His death on the cross. "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." (Hebrews 9:12) God the Father justified, sanctified, adopted, and reconciled His people to Himself by the death of His Son. The cross was not a mere provision but a definitive act of salvation by God. The Message of the Gospel: Mercy, Not Merit Paul presents his conversion as the pattern of sovereign grace. The word "pattern" also appears in 2 Timothy 1:13: "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." Like an engineer sketches a design before building, God ordained salvation through Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). This pattern reassures sinners that, since God has purposed to save the chief of sinners, then certainly His mercy extends to the worst of sinners that He has ordained to save, by His Sovereign Mercy alone, and not any merit in the sinner. The Certainty of Forgiveness Through Christ Alone Many struggle with whether God has truly forgiven them. Paul’s testimony answers this by demonstrating that salvation is solely through Christ’s work. His blood that He shed unto death is the reason God forgives, and every sin of every elect sinner has already been put away. "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross." (Colossians 2:13-14) The Greatness of God’s Mercy Paul’s conversion proves that no sinner is beyond God’s mercy. "When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Mark 2:17) Since He has saved the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), there are none who are excluded for being too sinful. However, many are excluded for thinking themselves righteous. "Sin has slain its thousands. Self-righteousness has slain its tens of thousands." A Message of Mercy and Sovereignty Paul also speaks of God’s long-suffering towards His elect, while distinguishing them from the vessels of wrath. "Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory?" (Romans 9:21-23) Some are chosen for salvation, while others are ordained to condemnation. Though this truth is unpopular, it is Scriptural and represents the God of the Bible. Mercy Before Faith Paul states in 1 Timothy 1:16, "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." The biblical order is mercy, then faith. The sinner does not receive mercy upon believing. Rather, it is God’s mercy that brings the sinner to Christ in faith and repentance. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17) As a conquered rebel bows before a merciful king, the sinner surrenders to Christ and the Righteousness that He fulfilled to the satisfaction of God the Father for him, because of God’s prior work of grace and mercy. Mercy Unto Life Everlasting Finally, salvation is "unto life everlasting" —the eternal enjoyment of God in Christ. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (1 John 5:11-12) Faith does not produce eternal life; rather, it is given to those that God has already chosen and quickened by the Spirit of Grace. This life is sure because it rests on the unchangeable merits of Christ and His accomplished work at the cross. Thus, the Gospel pattern is clear: salvation is by grace alone, through Christ alone, unto eternal life. Let us rest in Christ, the Mercy of God, and proclaim His sovereign grace with confidence.

Luke 1:35 "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." God, according to His eternal purpose, sent forth His Son to accomplish salvation apart from human effort, as demonstrated in the miraculous conception of the Lord Jesus in the virgin womb of Mary. This divine act reveals that salvation is solely the work of God, without human contribution or will. The Gospel of Luke begins with the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary, a virgin in Nazareth, declaring that she would conceive the Messiah, not by natural means, but by the sovereign power of the Holy Ghost. This moment marks the mystery of the divine incarnation: God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). In this inspired declaration, the angel reveals God's sovereign initiative in the work of redemption. The eternal Son of God would take on human flesh, humbling Himself for the salvation of His people (Philippians 2:9-11) . This passage is a profound testimony that salvation is wholly of the LORD. Just as Mary had no part in initiating the conception of Christ, so too man has no part in the salvation that Christ accomplished, nor in the work of the Spirit in revealing Him. Salvation is entirely the work of God the Father, through the Son, and made effectual in the hearts of His people by the Holy Ghost. The Divine Origin of Salvation:   "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee..." Here, we behold the sovereign work of God in the incarnation. Mary was chosen not for any merit of her own, but solely by God's free and sovereign grace. Likewise, the new birth of every child of God is the result of the Spirit's sovereign work (John 3:3,8). Salvation is not of the will of man but of God (John 1:13). The phrase "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee" emphasizes that salvation is entirely a work of the Spirit. As Mary could not conceive the Savior by her power, so man, dead in trespasses and sins, cannot bring forth spiritual life. As it is written, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). The Spirit's work is to give life, to quicken the dead, and to bring about the new birth, which is wholly a work of God's grace, apart from human effort. The Mystery of the Incarnation:   "Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Jesus Christ, both fully God and fully man, is the Divine Gift of sovereign grace. He was born holy, without the stain of Adam's sin, for the Holy Ghost conceived him. The term "thing" was added by the translators. The underlying Greek text simply uses the word "holy" and therefore would be better translated as "holy One." This truth is foundational, for our salvation depends upon a perfect Substitute, a sinless Savior. As God sovereignly brought forth Christ in the womb of Mary, so He sovereignly brings forth spiritual life in His elect, by the Spirit revealing Him in their heart (Galatians 4:19). The declaration, "That holy (one) which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God," affirms the Divinity and Holiness of Christ, the spotless Lamb of God. It is throgh His holy life and effectual death that redemption is accomplished, and those elected by God from eternity are declared justified forever by His death. By sovereign grace, Christ was given as the Substitute for His people, effectually obtaining their salvation (Hebrews 9:12) . He did not come to make salvation possible but to save His people from their sins, according to the Father's eternal purpose (Ephesians 1:4-5). The Manifestation of God’s Power:   "The power of the Highest shall overshadow thee..." This statement reveals the omnipotence of God. The same power that brought forth Christ in Mary’s womb is the power that calls sinners to life. No heart is too hardened, no soul too lost, for when God purposes to save, none can resist His will (Romans 9:16) . The electing grace of God ensures that all whom He has chosen will be drawn to Christ in faith. As the LORD Jesus declared: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day" (John 6:37-39). Furthermore, "the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee" highlights God’s supreme authority. Just as He accomplished the incarnation apart from human means, so too does He bring about the salvation of sinners apart from human works. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Mary humbly submitted to the will of God, calling God her Savior, showing that she was herself a needy sinner for the work of Christ (Luke 1:46-47). So we who are His chosen, redeemed ones rest in the sovereign work of God's grace, trusting that He Who has began a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Let us marvel at the sovereign grace of God in the incarnation of the LORD Jesus, God in the flesh, to work out our complete salvation as a Man. May we, like Mary, respond in humble faith and submission, rejoicing that salvation is not of ourselves but is the gift of God, accomplished by His infinite power and made sure by the work of the LORD Jesus according to His eternal decree. To Him be all glory forever. Amen.

Psalm 86:10 "For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: Thou art God alone." This verse proclaims God's sovereign majesty—the One Who alone does wondrous things. It is a declaration of His absolute authority, His mighty works, and His exclusive role in the salvation of sinners. In light of sovereign grace, we see here the Gospel of Christ, the Word made flesh, Who bore the weight of our sins upon the cross. These words reflect the very heart of Christ’s suffering, as He gave glory to His Father, just as He did in John 17:1-2, knowing that the Father would bless His completed work on behalf of those for whom He died. As the Lord Jesus hung in agony, forsaken by the Father to suffer and die, He bore the wrath due to the sinners whom the Father had given Him to save. Yet, amid His suffering, His trust in the Father never wavered. Even in His deepest affliction, He proclaimed the Father’s faithfulness in His redemptive work on the cross. Christ’s suffering was not in vain—it was the fulfillment of God’s sovereign purpose, the accomplishment of the wondrous work of redemption for His people. The cross itself was the greatest "wondrous thing" ever accomplished—the perfect redemption and justification of the elect, obtaining their salvation through sovereign grace alone, as affirmed in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 . When Jesus cried, "It is finished" (John 19:30), He echoed the truth of Psalm 86:10 : God alone is great, and He alone accomplishes salvation. In Christ, the sovereign God did what no man could do—He redeemed His people with His blood, (Acts 20:28). The depravity of our flesh leads us to wrongly believe that we must contribute something to our salvation—whether by earning it, achieving it, or maintaining it. Our sinful nature always seeks a share in the glory, rather than submitting to the clear testimony of Scripture that salvation is in, by, and through the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Hebrews 1:3 declares, "When he had by himself purged our sins..." Christ Jesus is the LORD, the Word of God, the Gospel, and the very manifestation of the grace of God. He alone earned and established the perfect righteousness necessary to satisfy the Father's law and justice. Then, laying down His life, He shed His righteous blood unto death, so that God the Father might justify His elect fully and finally at the cross (Romans 5:9-11). Many blindly misread the Word of God, believing that something more is required for salvation beyond what the Lord Jesus Christ has already accomplished. Some claim that a sinner must first experience an inner work of grace that enables him to perceive Christ and call upon Him before he can be saved. Others insist that faith must be exercised first, even asserting that faith is a gift from God, yet holding that until a sinner exercises it, they are not saved. This view subtly shifts the focus from the wondrous work of God to some supposed work of the sinner. But the truth of Scripture is clear: everything necessary for the salvation of a sinner has already been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Faith and coming to Christ are not conditions for salvation but the effects of His finished work. The Lord Jesus Christ alone has done wondrous things in His righteous life and redeeming death, and therefore, all glory belongs to Him. This is why He is called "Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Psalm 86:10 declares the unrivaled greatness of God: "For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone." This truth is the foundation of True Faith—God alone is sovereign, and His works are mighty and marvelous, accomplished through the Lord Jesus Christ alone. In Christ, we see the greatest of these wondrous works: the redemption of sinners through His effectual and finished sacrifice on the cross. No one else could accomplish salvation; no other name can save (Acts 4:12) . From beginning to end, salvation is the work of a sovereign and gracious God Who alone is worthy of our trust, worship, and devotion. Let us, then, rest in His greatness, rejoice in His wondrous grace, and proclaim that He alone is God. May we ever acknowledge that His sovereign hand rules over all in creation, providence, salvation, and condemnation. Therefore, to Him alone belongs all glory, now and forever.

John 16:20-22 "...and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned to joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." Here the LORD Jesus speaks of the death that He was to die to the satisfaction of God the Father. This is the truth of Christ having died and risen again, whereby He would see His disciples again when He was raised from the dead. It is more than a mere story; it is the foundation of the completed work of the LORD Jesus that brings rest to all for whom He died. To know that He finished the work is a source of great comfort to the child of God. If that work were not complete, if even a single thread of righteousness were left for us to add, it would not be righteousness at all. He declares, “Your sorrow shall be turned to joy.” When? At His resurrection, when they would see Him again, fear would turn to joy. The LORD gives a simple yet profound illustration: “A woman, when she is in travail, hath sorrow because her hour is come.” What a fitting picture of Christ’s sufferings! Those women who have experienced the pains of childbirth know the sorrow and anguish that accompany it. It is a pain because her hour has arrived. “But as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” (John 16:21) Now, pause to consider this illustration in light of Christ’s sufferings. Was there not joy in the birth of a Man into this world, the God-Man? His coming into the world required not only the birth in Bethlehem, but also the travail of His soul. Isaiah speaks of the travail of His soul, saying, “He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:11). As significant as His physical birth was, there was yet a greater travail He endured—a spiritual travail that He had to experience, that He might be delivered and justify His people. This is what Christ spoke of to His disciples. We know that Christ's travail did not end in death. He did not live just to die and not come back to life. He arose victorious from the grave. The sins of His people were imputed to Him, and, being risen, this is evidence that God had imputed that very righteousness to the spiritual account of everyone for whom Christ died. This is salvation! It is not a work that we complete individually; it was accomplished once, in one place, at one time. Christ Himself declared that He must go to Jerusalem and accomplish His death (Luke 9:22) . Did He go? Yes. Was it accomplished? Yes. He continues, “And ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you” (John 16:22). When was the joy of the disciples made complete? When they saw the risen Savior, after His death, in revealing Himself to them (Luke 24:13-32). This was not a fleeting joy that came and went. When He says, “No man taketh it from you,” He means that this joy is divinely wrought. It is God’s work, and it is forever. In this life, we do nonetheless endure sorrow. As God's redeemed and justified children, we sadly continue to sin. We sorrow over unbelief. We sorrow over many fretful thoughts of heart and mind. Yet there is a joy that no man can take from us. And that joy is the knowledge, by God's sovereign grace, that when Christ died, He died for us and effectually put away our sins. When He rose, He rose on our behalf as proof that God the Father was satisfied with the work of the Son, and so complete was that work that when He raised from the dead, it was the declaration of the Father's satisfaction ( Romans 4:25). He now sits at the right hand of the Father, having returned to His rightful place. He sat down, for the work was finished (Hebrews 1:3) . What a blessed joy this is! "He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? It’s written in His Word!"

1 Thessalonians 1:4 "Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God." The apostle Paul here addresses the church as belonging to the LORD by His love and electing g race. He commends them for their Faith (Christ being the Object of their Faith), and also steadfastness in the Gospel, which He attributes not to them, but to God's love for them in Christ, and having elected them already in His Son the LORD Jesus. The phrase "brethren beloved"  emphasizes not only the deep affection Paul had for these believers but also affirms God's everlasting love for them in Christ. The term "election of God"   refers to the divine choosing of the Thessalonian believers, underscoring God's sovereign choice of them in Christ from everlasting for their salvation. Paul's words serve as both an encouragement and a reminder that their faith is not by "chance," nor by their personal choice, but by God's Sovereign election and choice. This verse underscores the biblical truth of God's electing love, reassuring those who are believers by His grace in Christ that their salvation is sure because it is according to God's will and purpose. Understanding this truth strengthens the Faith of God's elect (Titus 1:1) and produces gratitude for God's unmerited favor in Christ (Ephesians 2:8,9). What a powerful truth we find here—one that speaks to the sovereign grace of God  in salvation. What does Paul mean when he speaks of them being "Beloved of God" and their "Election of God"? Election is God's Work, Not Ours. Many struggle with the truth of election, because of the depravity and blindness of their heart. They have no problem making choices for themselves, but when it comes to God's choosing, suddenly they have an issue. But Scripture consistently teaches that, "Salvation is of the LORD"  (Jonah 2:9). Ephesians 1:4  tells us: "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…" Before we ever sought God, He had already set His love upon His people. He didn’t choose us because  we would believe—He chose us so that  we would believe. Faith is the evidence of election, not the cause of it. Election is Rooted in God's Love . Notice how Paul addresses the Thessalonians: ‘Brethren beloved’ —they are loved by God! The tense of that phrase is of having been beloved by God and that love continuing unconditionally forever. Election isn’t a cold, mechanical decree. It is the outflow of God’s love. As Jeremiah 31:3   declares: "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." God’s love in election is personal, eternal, and unchangeable. It ensures that His people will be saved and kept by His grace. Election is evidenced by the Spirit's Power. In verse 5, Paul gives the proof  of their election: "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance…" When God calls His elect, the Gospel comes with power —not just as words heard, but as truth received by Faith, revealed by the Spirit in the heart. The Spirit opens blind eyes, softens hard hearts, and draws sinners irresistibly  to Christ. Resting in Sovereign Grace. If you are a Christian, your salvation is not the result of your efforts, but of God’s eternal, sovereign grace in Christ before the world began. If you have believed, it is because God first loved you, chose you, and called you by His Spirit.  This is why Paul could confidently say, “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” Let us rejoice in this great truth, resting in the assurance that "Salvation is of the LORD"  and that His purpose will never fail. To God alone be the glory! Lord, 'tis not that I did choose you; That, I know, could never be, For this heart would still refuse you Had your grace not chosen me. You removed the sin that stained me, Cleansing me to be your own For this purpose you ordained me, That I live for you alone.

Ephesians 1:7 "In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;" The work of redemption and the work of salvation are the same thing. What is sometimes called God's saving His people in Scripture is referred to as redeeming them in other places. Therefore, Christ is called both the Savior and the Redeemer. Isaiah 49:26  states: "...and all flesh shall know that I, the LORD, am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob." The word 'Savior' is 'Yasha,' from which the Hebrew name 'Joshua' and the Greek name 'Jesus' are derived ( Matthew 1:21 ). It means 'to deliver' or 'liberate.' The word 'Redeemer' is 'Ga'al,' which means a near kinsman ( Numbers 5:8 ). Together, these words encompass the essence of the Person and work of the LORD Jesus. To deliver His people, He had to be God, because only God can deliver [Yasha]. Yet, His authority to do so was obtained by being made like His brethren ( Ga’al , [see Hebrews 2:14-18 ]). The term 'redemption' is sometimes understood in a more limited sense, as in the purchase of salvation that Christ fully accomplished at the cross ( Galatians 4:4-5 ). In this restricted sense, we can say that the work began and finished with Christ coming in the flesh [being made of a woman] and continuing through His life until His death, which culminated in His resurrection. In this sense, the purchase was completed, and the work itself, along with everything related to it, was accomplished. However, sometimes the work of redemption is understood more broadly, including all of God's work preparatory to the purchase itself and after its accomplishment. For example, 1 Corinthians 1:30  lists redemption after wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification. This is because it refers to the final deliverance of the saints from their mortal bodies in the resurrection at the end of this world ( Romans 8:23 ). The various aspects are unified, working together to achieve one purpose and produce one effect ( Romans 8:28-30 ): the salvation of sinners by the full, free, and unmerited grace of God in Christ Jesus alone. All the requirements for salvation were accomplished by Him alone. He is both the Redeemer and the Ransom, who together constitute the complete and everlasting redemption that belongs solely to Him. Jesus Christ embodies God's love and mercy. He took on human form to reconcile chosen sinners with God the Father. Through the Son's sacrificial death on the cross, He bore the punishment for the sins of those given to Him by the Father to save. The work of redemption was so thorough in shedding His blood unto death that the immediate result was forgiveness, pardon, reconciliation, and complete justification with God ( Ephesians 1:7 ). His resurrection from the dead represents the ultimate victory over sin and death, providing hope for everlasting life to every sinner whom the LORD Jesus redeemed ( 1 Peter 1:3 ). "Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer! Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree, Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading Blind and unheeding--dying for me."

Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." In the midst of a world filled with religious confusion and varied opinions on what it takes to be right with God, we need to return to the source—God's Word. There, we are given clear direction: the only way to stand justified before a holy God is through the righteousness that the LORD Jesus Christ earned and established in His Righteous life and then laid down His life, that God the Father might be just to justify those given to the LORD Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). And this by the grace of God alone in Christ. This powerful verse reminds us that salvation is solely by grace, not by human effort or religious works. The righteousness that saves us is not our own, but the perfect, finished work of Christ on Calvary. This is the gospel—the good news that Christ’s obedience and sacrifice are imputed to us by grace alone, received through faith alone, which is itself a gift from God. In Philippians 3:9 , the apostle Paul expresses his deepest desire: to be found in Christ, not trusting in his righteousness, but in the righteousness that comes through the faithfulness of the LORD Jesus Christ alone. What joy it is to know that our standing before God is not dependent on our imperfect attempts, but on the completed work of Jesus Christ, whose blood that was shed unto death has obtained eternal redemption for His people. As Hebrews 9:12 affirms, "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."  This is the Hope and assurance we have—the Gospel of Christ, the power of God unto Salvation, bringing us Righteousness through Faith. Let us then rejoice, knowing that our righteousness is not of ourselves, but is imputed to us freely by God's grace. This is our unshakable foundation, and it is what we, as the redeemed, stand upon now and forever. With all the religiosity in the world, and differences in opinions as to what to do, or NOT do, to be right with God, how important it is to go back to the source, God's Word, and read what HE has to say. How am I to be right with God? The Gospel of Christ answers: In the righteousness of Christ alone! His perfect, complete, finished work upon Calvary’s cross, accredited to me by the grace of God alone and embraced by faith (the gift of God). This is all of my hope and my standing before God. In Revelation 19:8, we have this picture of those who are bowed before God in glory: "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." The cry and earnest desire of the apostle Paul in Philippians 3:9 was that he be found in Christ, "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." We read in Romans 3:24, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." The redeemed and justified sinner, having been chosen of God the Father from eternity, and in time called by the Spirit of God, is righteous in God’s eyes exclusively by the work of Another, solely upon completion of the work of Christ at the cross, as we see in Romans 5:9-11: "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the reconciliation." In the death of Christ on the cross, the debt of sin for all those whom He represented is paid. He earned for them eternal righteousness, as seen in Hebrews 9:12: "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." This is the gospel, the good news--the only good news. And it is certain! Romans 1:16-17: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'"

Isaiah 48:1 "Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness." The God of Israel is the one true God of the universe, sovereign and supreme over all creation and all nations. He governs all things, and nothing in history happens apart from His will. His eternal purpose is not limited to one specific ethnic race or nation. All that transpires in time is what He has ordained to come to pass already before time. "Hear ye this, O house of Jacob." Isaiah’s address is to the descendants of Jacob, the natural Israelites. Though they were born into the family of Abraham, this did not automatically make them the true people of God, just as many today claim the Christian faith in name only. The people of Israel in Isaiah’s time were merely Israelites outwardly, but their hearts were far from the true God. Much like today with those who have a mere profession of faith and think that something they do by way of making a decision, walking an aisle, or baptism somehow contributes to their salvation. The people Isaiah addressed falsely boasted about their heritage. But, as Paul declares in Romans 9:6-8, " not all who are descended from Israel are truly Israel." True children of God are those who are children of the promise, those whom God has elected in Christ. "Which are called by the name of Israel" The people of Israel took pride in their physical birth and their descent from Abraham, but this did not guarantee God’s favor. This misguided belief parallels many today who think their religious background, a prayer made at an altar, or membership in a denomination secures their salvation. True faith, however, is not based on such external factors, but on the internal work of God through His Spirit in the heart. Christ, the true Seed, is the fulfillment of Israel's promise. He is the Lion of Judah, the True Israel (Galatians 3:16). "And are come forth out of the waters of Judah" This is a poetic or figurative expression. In this context, the phrase refers to people who have come from the nation of Judah, or the lineage and heritage of the Jewish people. The passage is directed toward the people of Judah or Israel, emphasizing their identity as descendants of Jacob (Israel) and their covenantal relationship with God in His mercy toward them. However, the verse highlights God's judgment of their actions, as they claim to be God's people but are ignorant of the truth or righteousness of the covenant, which is Christ alone (Romans 10:1-3). "Which swear by the name of the LORD." Many today profess to acknowledge God as Lord, but their lives do not reflect true submission to Him. They may honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him (Isaiah 29:13). Some have made decisions for a "god" or a "jesus" based on personal preference or tradition, but these are only idols of their imagination. The Lord's warning is clear: external professions, ceremonies, or decisions cannot replace true faith revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior of His people. Many today follow empty, man-made traditions, much like the Pharisees, who outwardly adhered to the law but missed God's true Righteousness that the LORD JESUS alone has fulfilled on behalf of those that the Father gave Him from eternity (Mark 7:7-8). "And make mention of the God of Israel." It is not enough to merely mention God’s name or to speak of salvation. Many profess faith in Christ and yet miss the essential truth of who Christ is, why He came, and what He accomplished. They may speak of grace, redemption, and salvation, but without the true Spirit-given understanding and belief in the righteousness of God in Christ, their words are empty. As Paul states in Romans 10:2, many have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. The wide gate of professed Christianity today leads to destruction because it perverts the one exclusive Way (Christ) for an inclusive view of salvation—one that ignores the narrow way of Christ’s redeeming work at the cross and God's imputed righteousness there when He had finished the work and laid down His life. "But not in truth, nor in righteousness." Truth and righteousness are inseparable. True faith confesses God's righteousness, which is revealed in Christ alone. There is no righteousness apart from Christ’s work on behalf of His people. If salvation depended on anything other than Christ, then He died in vain (Galatians 2:21) . Many today believe they must contribute something to their salvation, thinking that God's righteousness that Christ accomplished is a down payment that requires their efforts or trust in addition. This is a false profession. True salvation is grounded in the righteousness of God alone, imputed to believers by God from the cross, and revealed by the Spirit in the Faith of God that is in Christ. To trust in anything other than Christ’s completed work is to reject God's righteousness for a self-righteousness that leads to destruction. Christ came, lived, died, and rose again for the salvation of His people. True hope is found in knowing that our righteousness is not of ourselves, but is a gift from God through Christ (Philippians 3:9). This hope is not a "hope so" kind of hope, but a "good hope" established by grace through the work of the Holy Spirit. As the apostle Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2:16, Christ, through His grace, has given us eternal comfort and good hope. This hope is certain and founded in the unchanging righteousness of God in Christ, and it assures us that our salvation is entirely in the Person and work of the LORD Jesus alone. Thus, the true people of God are those who don't merely profess Him with their lips but live in the truth of God’s righteousness, resting solely on the work of Christ for their salvation. Let us not be deceived by outward professions, but examine whether we are in the True Faith, standing firm on the finished work of Christ. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness—nothing of ourselves, but entirely of God's grace alone.

Acts 3:26 "Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." This verse highlights the gracious, sovereign, eternal purpose of God in sending His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ, into the world to save wretched, iniquitous sinners. It emphasizes that God, in His sovereign will, exalted the LORD Jesus, not only as the promised Savior of Israel but also as the One Who blesses by turning sinners from their sins. The idea of "turning away" suggests the active work of God first in the putting away of their sins at the cross, but also in granting them repentance toward God, even faith in the LORD Jesus (Acts 20:21). Salvation is the work of righteousness initiated by God the Father before the foundation of the world and carried out by Christ alone to satisfy His law and justice— for God to be just and justify each of His elected ones. The doctrine of God's sovereign grace in Christ teaches us that salvation is entirely the work of God—from His choosing to His redeeming and justifying to calling and transforming them as objects of His grace—and not based on human effort or merit in any way (Titus 3:3). Who are those God sent His Son to bless? It is those for whom He paid the debt at Calvary, shedding His precious blood, and because of the perfection of His work, raising Him from the dead and receiving Him back into glory, where He ever lives to intercede for those for whom He paid the debt. "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25) . “To you first...” Those of Jewish descent who were the chosen seed in Christ, not all, but the remnant according to the grace of God, elect in Christ before the foundation of the world , and for whom Christ came, lived, died, and rose again, Romans 1:16, 9:6, 11:5 . "To you FIRST” signifies others who would follow. Just as those that God called out first, who were chosen by God in His grace, so others would follow, not just of the Jewish fold, but of the Gentiles, sinners from every tribe nation, and tongue for whom Christ paid their sin debt. "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd" (John 10:16). How has He blessed those for whom He came and paid the debt? The answer is clear! In turning away every one of them from their iniquities. Blessed Redeemer! There is, therefore, NOW, no more condemnation for sin. So complete was the work of the LORD Jesus, that upon completion of His death, and God raising Him from the dead, His people were once for all and forever redeemed, justified, and sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:30,31). So complete was His work in turning away their sin from them, and laying it upon His Son, that there remained nothing but righteousness to impute to their account. Titus 2:14 "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works"

1 Samuel 17:32 "And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine." The story of David and Goliath is among the most epic in all Scripture. While many will recount it as a powerful display of courage, faith, and the triumph of the underdog, there is far more to this historic narrative of victory and defeat. Beneath the surface, this account reveals a profound picture of salvation and condemnation—illustrated through the principles of representation  and imputation . When viewed through the lens of the Spirit, we see how David and Goliath serve as vivid symbols of the two great realities of the Gospel of Christ: salvation and condemnation by representation and imputation. The Great Conflict: Goliath as the Representative of Condemnation Goliath, the towering giant of the Philistines, represents the overwhelming power of sin and death in this world. He is the ultimate enemy of God's people, mocking them with his challenges and intimidating them with his strength. Goliath stands as a figure of all that opposes the righteousness and holiness of God. In the narrative, we see how the Israelites are paralyzed by fear before Goliath, unable to act because of his might. The challenge he presents is one of imputed condemnation—the entire fate of the Israelite people hangs in the balance, depending on the outcome of this battle. The Israelites are condemned by their representative, King Saul, who fails to rise to the challenge. Goliath, as the Philistine champion, is the embodiment of condemnation by representation . If Goliath triumphs, it will mean the disgrace and subjugation of Israel. Similarly, all mankind stands condemned before God by the first Adam, our representative. Just as Israel’s fate depended on one man, so too does humanity’s eternal destiny rest upon the representative of Adam. Our sin and condemnation were imputed to us through him (Romans 5:12). Like the Israelites cowering before Goliath, we are utterly powerless in the face of sin’s condemnation—not only because of Adam but also due to our sinful nature and actions, which result from being condemned in him. David: The Representative of Salvation In stark contrast, David enters the scene as the representative of Israel to fight on behalf of the people. He steps forward in Faith, trusting the God of Israel to grant him victory. David’s courage and confidence are not in his own strength, but in the power of God, Who had delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear. In this way, David foreshadows Christ—the true Champion Who comes to fight on behalf of His people. When David says, "Let no man’s heart fail because of him," he is portraying a picture of salvation that is not obtained through the strength of the individual, but through the power of the chosen representative. Just as David’s victory over Goliath would mean victory for all of Israel, so Christ’s victory over sin, death, Satan, and the Law procures salvation for all who are united to Him by God’s electing grace. Christ is the second Adam, chosen by God the Father as the Representative of those whom He has chosen to save. Through Christ’s perfect obedience to God’s Law and His victory over sin and death, His righteousness is imputed to each one for whom He obtained the victory (Romans 5:19) . Since the Lord Jesus came into the world and accomplished all that God’s righteous holiness required for our deliverance, the battle is over, and the victory has been won through His completed work. Imputation of Righteousness The doctrine of imputation by representation  shines brightly through David’s victory. David’s triumph is imputed to Israel. The people did nothing to earn the victory, yet the benefits of his triumph were applied to them as soon as David struck down the giant. The Israelites for whom David fought did nothing to win the battle, yet they shared in the victory. This illustrates the very heart of the Gospel: the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who represents God’s elect people for their salvation. Just as Israel’s deliverance was procured when David slew Goliath, so our salvation was accomplished when Christ laid down His life in satisfaction for God’s Law and justice. In the Gospel, the righteousness of God that Christ earned by His perfect obedience unto death is imputed to His people. Just as David’s victory meant salvation for Israel, so Christ’s righteousness is credited to each one for whom He paid the debt of sin, though they did nothing to deserve it. On the other hand, the condemnation of Adam is imputed to all who are in him. Just as Israel would have been condemned if Goliath had triumphed, so all humanity stands condemned in Adam. The Glory of Salvation by Representation David’s battle against Goliath is a picture of Christ’s victory on our behalf as God’s elect children. By the imputation of the righteousness that Christ earned and established, believers are counted as having fought and triumphed in the battle over sin and death, in Christ (Galatians 2:20) . Christ is our Champion, and His victory is ours by His faithfulness. His perfect obedience is reckoned to each of those for whom He laid down His life. When Christ finished His work on the cross, we were fully, freely, and forever justified before God. When David defeated Goliath, there were likely many in Israel who did not immediately hear the news of his victory. Yet, even before they learned of it, they were free because of David’s triumph. Similarly, believers, though we were once enemies of God, are justified in Christ through His finished work, even before we hear the GOOD NEWS that is revealed in our hearts by the Spirit and causes us to believe on the Christ Who died and paid our debt. FAITH is the fruit of what Christ accomplished. This reminds us that salvation is not a matter of our striving or ability, but of God’s sovereign choice to represent His people through His Son. In this, we find comfort and assurance, for the victory has been won, and we stand in the righteousness of Christ—not by our works, but by His. David’s words to Saul in 1 Samuel 17:32, "Let no man’s heart fail because of him," echo the Gospel truth for God’s children: Do not fear condemnation, for your Representative has already won the victory!! Just as David defeated Goliath on behalf of Israel, so Christ has defeated sin and death on behalf of those for whom He is the Representative. Through His representation, we are freed from condemnation and granted eternal life. By the Faith of Christ, His righteousness has been imputed once and for all to the spiritual account of every one of His elect people, for whom He obtained salvation and won the victory. Galatians 2:16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the Faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the Faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

Genesis 18:14 "Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son." In this verse, we encounter a powerful moment of divine revelation that poses a question with profound implications: “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” This question is spoken by God Himself to Abraham and Sarah, in the context of a promise that defies human logic—a promise that, in their strength, seemed utterly impossible. At the age of ninety, Sarah had long passed the years of childbearing, and Abraham, though still alive, was also well beyond the time when he could expect to father a child. Yet God, who is not limited by the natural laws He created, declares that, in His perfect timing, Sarah would indeed bear a son. The question posed by the LORD is not merely rhetorical; it is meant to stir something deep within the heart of the believer. In this single question, we are reminded of God's sovereign power and His ability to accomplish the impossible. Consider the significance of this question. God is not asking for our opinion, “Can I do this?” He is reminding us of His nature: He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the One who spoke the world into existence from nothing. As His creatures, we have limitations—whether they be physical, mental, or emotional. Not only are we created beings, but we are also fallen creatures. Our wills are not free but are bound by our depraved nature, so that, as Paul declared, “For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do” (Romans 7:19) . Knowing our limitations, we could never say, “Is there anything too hard for our will to achieve?” contrary to the false thinking of the "Law of Attraction"—"Believe to achieve." In reality, there is only one Being who has free will, and that is God Himself, who is not limited by anything but His Sovereign will and what He has purposed. Only He cannot deny Himself. But with God, no situation is beyond His reach, no promise too grand, and no circumstance too dire. The phrase "nothing is impossible with God" expresses the truth that God, being all-powerful and all-knowing, has no limitations in what He can do. It suggests that, regardless of how challenging or impossible a situation may seem from a human perspective, God has the power to bring it to pass. This truth is rooted in Scriptures such as Luke 1:37 ("For nothing will be impossible with God") and Matthew 19:26 ("With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible"). It speaks to God's sovereignty, His ability to bring about His will, and the belief that God directs all things and grants faith to sinners of His choosing, who rest in His power to accomplish what He has purposed, with nothing hindering His will. As Daniel 4:35 declares: "And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" How does this apply to God's promise to Abraham concerning the birth of his promised child? The Context of the Promise: God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah was not just an ordinary promise; it was the fulfillment of a long-awaited hope. Through them, the covenant of God’s elect people in Christ would continue, despite their old age, infertility, and the impossibility by human standards. God's promise, therefore, came against the backdrop of the impossibility of either Abraham or Sarah contributing, other than being instruments in God's hands to accomplish His will through them. What is impossible with man is not impossible with God, should He will and purpose it. This is the essence of what makes God sovereign in the salvation or condemnation of sinners. It's not that God is waiting for sinners to come to Christ by some fictitious "free will." Sinners are just as dead as Abraham and Sarah were in their ability to reproduce. God had to reverse their deadness, not only reinstating the ability to conceive and produce a child, but also renewing their desire for one another to bring it to pass. It is His grace that reaches down to the most hopeless of sinners and draws them to Christ, making a way when there would be none. The Assurance of God’s Timing: Notice that God also says to Abraham, “At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” God’s timing is always perfect. In our impatience, we may long for the fulfillment of His promises in our time. But God assures Abraham that His promise would be kept at the appointed time. Just as God did not forget His promise to Abraham and Sarah, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s promises for us will be fulfilled in His perfect time, even if it requires waiting. God does not operate on our timelines. His sovereignty over time means that He will bring about His eternal purpose in a way that is not only best for His glory but also for our good (Romans 8:28). How often do we find ourselves in situations where we question God’s timing? But we are to trust that His appointed times are always perfect. What we deem impossible today may be the very thing that God has purposed for us tomorrow. The Revelation of God’s Power: The question, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” is not just about our circumstances; it’s a revelation of the power of God. We see this truth revealed in the life of Jesus Christ. God's will from eternity in the creation of the world is to the honor and glory of Christ as the Creator, Sustainer, Savior, and Judge. In the New Testament, the LORD Jesus asked the same rhetorical question when speaking to His disciples about the impossibility of salvation for sinners: “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God demonstrated that He has the power to overcome sin, death, and the grave—things that seemed utterly impossible for those who languished under the condemnation of God’s law and justice. As we have considered the question, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” we must respond as the LORD Jesus has taught His disciples to pray: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). We therefore trust in His Sovereign power, His perfect timing, and His boundless Grace. There is nothing beyond His ability to accomplish. Whether we are facing physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges, we are not alone. The God Who spoke the stars into being, the God Who made a way for Sarah to conceive, is the same God Who works in our lives today. In those moments when doubt creeps in, when our limitations weigh heavily upon us, let us remember the Word of the LORD: “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” Let us bow and respond according to His gift of faith: "No—nothing is too hard for our God," for He has purposed to accomplish what He wills. We respond with hearts full of Faith, knowing that the answer is no—nothing is too hard for our God.

Jude 1:24 "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." As we read different portions of Scripture, we know that where there is wheat, there are also tares. Jude spoke of his desire to write them about the common salvation he shared with them, the oneness in the Gospel of Christ. Yet, he said in Jude 3, “It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Word had come that there was an erosion of the message, much as Paul had faced after preaching through the region of Galatia. He wrote in Galatians 1:6-7, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” Here, we have a very precise picture of those who were among the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ—men who, as it says , “crept in unawares.” The call here is to beware and to know that no congregation is safe. Even though a congregation may be founded upon the truth of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, there are those in every congregation who can expect men to creep in unawares—of whom it is said here, “...were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men.” The only ones that God approves as godly are those He has chosen, those Christ has redeemed, and those the Spirit has called. All others are ungodly, no matter how moral they appear, no matter how nice and kind they may seem outwardly to men. If they are not Christ’s, they are ungodly. We see here a call to beware of compromise, to beware of that which would pervert the true Gospel of redeeming grace, as it has been purchased by the Lord Jesus Christ and revealed through the Spirit of God. There is always going to be a mixed congregation. Even Christ, with His disciples, had a mixed congregation because He told them, “I have chosen you, but one of you is the son of perdition" (John 6:70). Judas was purposed to be a tare among the wheat to the honor and glory of Christ. Since it was so even among those whom the LORD called to Himself and sent forth, can we expect it to be any different in our day? We often look outside the congregation, but the most treacherous and subtle enemy is within the Church. In 2 Peter 2:1, Peter said, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Paul, in writing to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:1, says, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith.” The FaitH is that body of truth in connection with the Lord Jesus Christ and His death.T his is not talking about someone who once believed and then became lost. Departing from the Faith means to renounce it, to turn from it, even “Giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.” In Scripture, whenever doctrine is described with the truth, it is always singular. There is that singular, exclusive doctrine concerning Christ, God’s Son, called the doctrine of Christ, concerning His death—unto which those that are taught of the Spirit are attached. They are given to that doctrine. They know no other, as opposed to those who give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We need, by God’s grace, to keep the doctrine of Christ—the testimony concerning His Son and His death. Therein lies our safety. “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9). In Matthew 7:15 , our Lord said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Now, how does someone come in sheep’s clothing? They talk about grace. They talk about redemption. Likewise, they talk about Christ. That is where many are misled. These crept in unsuspecting and under false profession. These are our Lord’s words, and so we take heed. Paul says of these, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Those who are truly called of God and sent forth by Him to exhort and to feed the Lord’s sheep speak of One Righteousness—that of the Lord Jesus Christ and what He accomplished. That is the only foundation of true fellowship. The Lord tries His Church for many reasons. Since it causes those who are truly the Lord’s to seek Him more fervently, blessed be the name of the Lord. Since it causes any of those that are the Lord’s to see the reality of enemies within the Church and to examine themselves—whether they be of the faith—that is a good thing. We should never become lethargic in this matter of Christ, His death, and what He accomplished for sinners. Every time we come together for worship, it is an opportunity for us to weigh our motives and hearts in light of this Word. We should never open God's Word and have it be just a mechanical reading. Sadly, many do not value the importance of Christ's blood that He shed unto death. Their eyes have never been opened. These are unconverted men whom Jude is writing about, who come among those that are the Lord’s, and of whom the Scriptures say were long ago ordained to this judgment. They infiltrate the Church, they corrupt the truth, and it serves the purpose of God in marking them out, revealing them for what they are. This portion of Scripture is designed to warn and to awaken us to the realities of the leaven and the tares. The characteristic of these is described as being ungodly men in verse 4, “who turn the grace of God into lasciviousness.” What the grace of God does is make us more aware of our sinfulness. It causes us to be broken before a holy God and to look again to the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The grace of God causes us to look at the most grievous of our sins and say, "Even that was paid by the death of the LORD Jesus." It is not a prideful way of looking at it—it is humbling. Should the Lord take His hand off of us even for an instant, we fall. It is a reminder of just how much we need the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not going about flaunting the sin; we are exalting the Savior. Any time a person puts a condition on man for God to be gracious, they have turned the grace of God into lasciviousness. So, we are warned not to heed such and to be wary of any who enter in with strange doctrines. Strange doctrine is any persuasion or teaching that does not give God ALL the glory in Jesus Christ. To preach the grace of God is to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ alone in His work and what He has accomplished—that righteousness imputed upon the completion of His death. This gives Him all the glory alone.