I am not saved by believing— I simply realize I am saved by believing. And it is not repentance that saves me— repentance is only the sign that I realize what God has done through Christ Jesus. The danger here is putting the emphasis on the effect, instead of on the cause. Is it my obedience, consecration, and dedication that make me right with God? It is never that! I am made right with God because, prior to all of that, Christ died. When I turn to God and by belief accept what God reveals, the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ instantly places me into a right relationship with God. And as a result of the supernatural miracle of God’s grace I stand justified, not because I am sorry for my sin, or because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has done. The Spirit of God brings justification with a shattering, radiant light, and I know that I am saved, even though I don’t know how it was accomplished.The salvation that comes from God is not based on human logic, but on the sacrificial death of Jesus. We can be born again solely because of the atonement of our Lord. Sinful men and women can be changed into new creations, not through their repentance or their belief, but through the wonderful work of God in Christ Jesus which preceded all of our experience (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-19). The unconquerable safety of justification and sanctification is God Himself. We do not have to accomplish these things ourselves— they have been accomplished through the atonement of the Cross of Christ. The supernatural becomes natural to us through the miracle of God, and there is the realization of what Jesus Christ has already done— “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

________________________________________________________________

October 28 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning God and thank you for this devotional and Your leading. It seems that You are teaching us that our actions and intent play little if any role in our “getting right with You”. Our actions and intent do not count. What counts is the cross of Jesus. Is this the lesson Lord? That our role is to simply acknowledge and accept the cross of Jesus? Should we stop striving to be “more” of “this” or less of “that” ? Should we give up our attempts to become better men and women? Should we give up trying to become men after Your own heart?

And God says…”When you simply accept the work of Jesus on the cross, and surrender yourself to Me, I am free to work in your life. The supernatural work of the cross begins where you end. When you let go of your ideas of what our relationship should be like, when you let go of your plans and perceptions and understanding, I am free to make your paths straight. ….”Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and do not trust your own understanding and I will make your paths straight”.

“When you seek first seek the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and His righteousness, all your needs will be met… your day to day needs as well as your need for clarity and answers to life’s questions. Although the questions, answers and issues you thought were important miraculously change and or are suddenly unimportant when you realize, through surrender and connection, that I am God, and I love you more than you can comprehend. When you are surrendered and connected you simply “know” your standing with Me. You then begin to realize that I always and forever, work all things, all circumstances, all events and issues out for your good. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your miraculously changed heart and life.”