Freelance writer Lupie Riley

Thought:  His Word tell us “For grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man boast (Eph. 2:8,9).

Our Salvation is secure in our faith in Christ.  We can’t work enough or pay our way into Heaven.  But our deeds should reflect our faith as a natural response to Christ within.  We become a new creature.  Eph. 4:23,24” Now your attitude and thoughts must be constantly changing for the better.  Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good.  Clothe yourself with this new nature.”  And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Peter is addressing the Jewish community in this advice which is still appropriate for us today.  Faith in Christ and our Salvation is secure but the way we live should reflect his presence in our life.  Peter gives us steps we should take towards growing in the faith. II Peter 1:5-8

Step 1   But to obtain these gifts (blessings) you need more then faith; you must work hard to be good and even that is not enough.  For then……

Step 2   You must learn to know God better and discover what He wants you to do.

Step 3   Learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have His way with you.

Step 4   Is for you to enjoy other people and to like them, finally you will grow to love them deeply.  The more you go on this way, the more you will grow strong spiritually and become fruitful and useful to our Lord Jesus Christ.

We can’t attain Salvation through works.  We don’t gain God’s favor by tithing, membership to a church or works. It is a response to our faith in Christ shown by how we live and how deep our love is for the Lord.

Prayer:  Father God, help me to continue to grow in the faith and become more and more like Jesus in my daily walk with you. Amen

Verse:  Rom. 12:2 (KJ) “And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  

Married 58 years, four children, nine grandchildren and three greats.  I've been a freelance writer for over 40 years.  Working on a book at the present.  My priorities are God first, family, country. Look me up on Google search by my name Lupie Riley, click on first link. Faithwriters.com