W ORSHIP J OINU S in

THIS WEEK’S

Building

own merit, I am not a bad person, my good works will outweigh the bad, I have Christian parents, I go to church, success is about money, I am an educated person, I trust in science. The Bible says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”(Jesus Christ) (Acts 4:12)

It’s only by acknowledging our sin and placing our faith in Christ and his finished work on the cross as atonement for our sin that secures salvation. All religions lead to the same path…destruction. There will be more religious people in hell than any other type. “Enter through the narrow gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and many are on it but narrow is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13, 14). I am talking about a relationship which we can have with God through Christ alone. The difference between religion and this relationship are four letters… DONE… all religions are about DOING and you’re never sure if you did enough. Christianity is done; (Christ’s work on the cross) and it’s completely done. “But when this priest (Christ) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” (Hebrews 10:12). When Christ died on the cross He made it possible for every man, woman and child to be saved. But only those who realize they have sinned (repentance) and receive (pardon for all our sin) by placing their faith in Christ are saved!

The associated judgment on Judah for “trusting in the flesh” is enumerated in verses 1­4 of this chapter. Because they turned from the true God to false worship, they lost their freedom and went into captivity under Babylon ­ “you will serve your enemies.” They lost their wealth ­ “I will give as plunder your wealth.” Verse 6 says this person who trusts in man or flesh “shall be like a shrub in the desert and not see good but inhabit a parched place barren not inhabitable land.”

Following Jesus Christ yields a very different life; Verses 7­8 describe the results of blessings that follow a right relationship with the God of the universe through His Son Jesus Christ. “For he will be like a tree planted by the water that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.”

Don’t trust in man or the flesh departing from The Lord. Believe on the Lord and be saved.