Believe Right!

Most crucial is how this verse applies to we who believe in Jesus (are under Grace) today. We often think of Amos 3:3 in terms of our personal/business relationships with our fellow human beings or in terms of spousal relationships. Not so in the context in which it is used in the Book of Amos. See Amos 3:1-3- "Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying: 2 “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” 3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" See the Living Bible Translation: "Listen! This is your doom! It is spoken by the Lord against both Israel and Judah—against the entire family I brought from Egypt: 2“Of all the peoples of the earth, I have chosen you alone. That is why I must punish you the more for all your sins. 3 For how can we walk together with your sins between us?" It i...

Believers, Titus 2:14 says of our Saviour Jesus Christ: "He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds." Beloved of God, God is not looking at your sins that you struggle with and which false doctrine preachers say will make Him stay away from you or judge you. Your sins are not the issue. He knows about them and how they destroy you whom He loves. That's why He sent His beloved Son to save you from them all: "He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin..." Beloved of God, in Christ, your unclean situation that others say will make Him stay away from you is not the issue. He gave His life to "...cleanse us..." With Christ, God isn't looking at what you do by your own power to ensure that you are godly and remain a member of the flock of Christ. Christ gave His life for this purpose: "to make us His very own people......

Believers, when you jump into a pool without your clothes on, there's no way you can avoid getting wet. Nobody has to order you to get wet when you are submerged in water. Same principle applies with living a righteous life under Grace through Christ. When you are under God's Grace, you will live a righteous life. Being under Grace without living in triumph over sin and death/having works of faith to show for it is as impossible as being submerged in water unclad without getting wet. God works His will and the ability to do His good pleasure in us (Philippians 2:13). Without trying or knowing it, we bear fruit to God through no effort of ours. Christ in us does it all. This is why you won't find believers in Christ boasting about how "I sowed my car and God gave me a jet." For all of our works of faith and every blessing that we FREELY receive from our heavenly Father, Christ gets all the glory. Imagine a person being in an impregnable prison (of sin) a...

Believers, Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:7-8 - "But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?" The only part of the law that was written and engraved on stones is the Ten Commandments. Paul calls this the ministry of death ! Believers in Christ, we are not given this ministry! Verse 4 of the same chapter says the Lord has "...also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." Living life under the law (trying to keep the Ten Commandments and doing "righteous things" t o get right with God) only brings death. Trying to keep the law to get right with God has the effect of cutting one off from Christ: "For if you ar...

Believers, consider Hebrews 4:14–16: “Since then we have a Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Notice "receive mercy " and "find grace…? " We receive Mercy when we escape the punishment that we very much deserve and find Grace when we get the good things that we most certainly do not deserve. Our Lord God's mercy and His grace are for the undeserving who look to Him utterly for salvation, even salvation from sins. Also consider this very popular song: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is Your faithfu...

Beloved of God, Grace is a Person. His name is Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11 says of Him: "God’s marvelous grace has manifested in person, bringing salvation for everyone." Verse 14 of the same Titus 2 says: "He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds." Believers whose righteousness is found in Christ, trust in Christ to make you "free indeed," even free from your sins. Matt. 1:21 says of Him: "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Don't let anyone bully you into believing that it is up to you to save yourself and that you are headed for hell if you don't do certain things that they prescribe for you to get back into God’s good graces or be godly aka "be like God." Christ paid the price for that and all who truly believe Him, having Him as their righteousness a...

Beloved of God, Grace is a Person. His name is Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11 says of Him: "God’s marvelous grace has manifested in person, bringing salvation for everyone." Verse 14 of the same Titus 2 says: "He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds." Believers in Christ, God's saving Grace that saves and heals us is the same power that saves us from our sins and sets things right in our lives, causing us to live a godly life as well as serve the living God in the way that pleases Him. Is there a sin or addiction that you are trying to overcome? Do you feel jealous when good things happen to others and hate yourself for it? Are you having challenges believing that all you have to do to live in triumph over sin and death is rest in Christ's love? Do you feel empty and just don't know what to do? By Grace, stop trying to defeat such things by your e...