GOD'S FREE GIFT LEADS TO OUR WORKS!

IT IS NOT OUR GOOD WORKS THAT SAVES US,

BUT HIS FINISHED WORK ON THE CROSS FOR US!

Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Romans 10:3 - For they (those who seek to be righteous by the works of the Law - Israel) being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 - Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:  we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For He (The Father) has made Him (Jesus, God's Only Begotten Son) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD in Him.

Philippians 3:9 - And be found in Him (Jesus), 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....

THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND ARE SAVED, 

SEEK TO DO THE WILL AND THE WORK OF GOD!

John 7:16-18 - Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.  IF ANY MAN WILL DO HIS WILL, HE SHALL KNOW OF THE DOCTRINE (in order to know the will of God, one needs to know the Word of God), whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself.  He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory:  but he that seeks His glory that sent Him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

Ephesians 2:8-10 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD:  NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.  For WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.

Philippians 1:3-6 - I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that HE WHO HAS BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST.

THE CONVERSION OF SAUL OF TARSUS:

AN EXAMPLE OF A CHANGED HEART!

Acts 22:4-10 - And I persecuted this way (believers in Jesus were originally known as The Way - see Acts 9:2) unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.  As also the high priest does bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders:  from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.  And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me (why do you persecute Me)?  And I answered, WHO ART THOU LORD?  And He said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, Whom you persecute.  And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of Him Who spoke to me.  And I said, WHAT SHALL I DO, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

[Note:  Saul was later named Paul, an apostle chosen by Jesus Himself.  At his conversion above, notice he said two things:  1) WHO ARE YOU LORD?  2) WHAT SHALL I DO,  LORD?  Those who become believers in Jesus Christ, know Him as their Lord, and they desire to do His will out of gratitude for the free gift of salvation!]

JESUS CAME TO SAVE US!  

WHEN WE TRUST IN HIM, HIS FATHER CAN USE US!