OXYMORON OF THE DAY: ARROGANT CHRISTIANS!

SALVATION IS A GIFT; GIFTS ARE NOT EARNED!

Ephesians 2:1-10 - In my own words!

       And God has made you alive, you who were dead in your trespasses and your sins; in which you lived according to the ungodly way of the world.  Yes, you lived a life pleasing to Satan and his demonic spirits which are at work in those who refuse to obey God, and you relished your life filled with lust, and went about fulfilling them, as do all those who will face the wrath of God!
       But God, Who is rich in mercy, showed His love for us by offering His Only Begotten Son to die on our behalf.  For even when we were spiritually dead due to our sins, He made us alive and raised us up together with Christ, and made us fit to sit together with Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come, He will point to the loving grace He showed us as a testimony of His awesome benevolence.
       For it is by faith that we believe we are totally saved by grace, and that we have contributed nothing to our salvation:  it is the gift of God; not of our works, but by His so that we have nothing about which to brag.  Yes, our salvation is the work of almighty God, Who calls us to do good works out of gratitude toward Him!

EVEN OUR OBEDIENCE OUT OF GRATITUDE 

IS THE WORK OF GOD IN US!

Philippians 2:3-13 - In my own words!

       Allow nothing to be done through strife or pride; but in lowliness of mind, esteem others as being better than ourselves.  Do not focus upon your own things, but focus on the things of others.

       Think like Christ Jesus, Who being one with God, did not see His equality with God as something stolen.  He made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  and being seen by others as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

       Wherefore His heavenly Father has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:  so that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and even things under the earth.  And bowing, every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.

       Therefore my fellow believers, obey God even when you think no one is looking, and live out your relationship with your heavenly Father with gratitude and respect.  Remember, it is God Who is working in you to do what pleases Him.  

GENUINE BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS KNOW THAT THEY DID NOT EARN GOD'S FAVOR, BUT THAT HE SAVED US THROUGH HIS GREAT MERCY AND GRACE!  OUR RESPONSE TO GOD SHOULD BE OBEDIENCE, AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS OUGHT TO BE THAT OF TOTAL HUMILITY!