The Way

The law tells you what God wants and it converts your soul to obey his directives. 

The testimony of God tells his children how to live so it gives them wisdom. 

The statutes of God are his narrow road so it rejoices our hearts to know we are on the path. 

The commandments of God help us know what he expects they are pure and open our eyes and help us live rightly. 

The fear of God helps us remember he is a consuming fire and we need to choose to be wax not ceramic, melt not harden in his presence, enduring forever. 

The judgements of God are true and righteous and we need to TRUST him. 

Psalms 19:7-9

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:

the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:

the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:

the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Will you let me change your mind?

Are you willing to let me change your mind? (Repent)

Paradox is something that seems contradictory we hold in tension. 

Grace (are you willing to let me change your mind) ----Free will (yes/no decision)

God gives grace to agree to do his will by freeing our mind out of bondage to sin. 

All he needs from us is a decision. All power is Him. 

We love our sin because we think it makes us happy. But freedom to do right is what really fulfills. Everyone is trying to be happy. 

He is always calling us to change our mind - to let sin go - to let him heal our thoughts and ways. 

Anger: will you let me take it away and let me decide how to judge the other? You let go and be free?

Sex: will you let me change your mind to what is the correct freeing use of sex in a fulfilled marriage that shows true love?

Steal: will you let me change your mind and help you work and live in your means in simple peace?

Addiction: will you let me change your mind to let go of what does not really satisfy to give you peace and rest in my love and care?

Just because God loves you does not mean he will save you. He loves everyone but does not save everyone. 

Salvation is in Christ. 

Life is not about getting to heaven it’s about doing God’s will. If you are doing God’s will, by the Spirit, you are in heaven already-in Christ. 

You must choose to be in Christ by abandoning your whole self into his care, walking and listening to the Holy Spirit, doing God’s will for you.

To choose you must admit you are a helpless sinner needing the grace of God to live his way. His way is not the world’s way. 

In the beginning…

Adam and Eve and later Mary were full of grace. 

All three had a choice to sin. 

Adam and Eve did choose to sin. 

Mary did not. 

Christ came to renew grace filled living. When baptized you get the Holy Spirit. But like Adam, Eve, and Mary it’s still a choice. 

To not sin you must be like Mary and say “let it be done to me according to your word.”

If you do sin you can plead for mercy, repentance, and forgiveness. This can renew your state of grace. 

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, 

they are the sons of God.

Matthew 7:21-23

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Jude 1:17-19

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

Save

Jesus did not come to save 

for Heaven, 

he came to save 

from sin 

all the way to Heaven. 

Forsake Sin is Heavenly

Heaven is only for sinners that forsake their sin, by the Holy Spirit Power, following Christ in humility and dependence. 

Just because God loves you does not mean he will save you. 

Salvation is in Christ. 

You must choose to be in Christ by abandoning your whole self into his care. 

Heaven

Heaven is only for sinners that forsake their sin and surrender complete abandonment to Jesus.

Grace and Free Will

Saved by grace yes; but he will not save apart from free will ascent. (It’s both not one or the other)

Grace convicts

You choose: agree or disagree

Agree: grace delivers

Disagree: grace retreats