My Journey Journal

Reading through 2 Timothy this morning I ran across this which sounded so familiar.

“… God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace ….”
2 Timothy 1:8-9 ESV

Also stated by Paul famously in

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV  Read more... (121 words, 1 image, estimated 29 secs reading time)

Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (NASB – sent from CadreBible)

Growing up we learn that responsibility is a hallmark of maturity. Paul even speaks of laying aside “… childish things ….” One thing we need to retain, however, is a complete dependence on God. Jesus likened this faith in God to children trust when He said that without that absolute trust that children display we couldn’t enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  This seems to present an issue for me because much of my adult life I’ve been taught that success is attainable by greater efforts. The aphorism “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” comes to mind. While God speaks to the value of industry over sloth, He also points out that spiritual goals are not attained by effort but through belief and even submission; characteristics often deemed less effective. One primary goal is righteousness and here’s what the Bible says about a Abraham.  Read more... (407 words, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)