Great morning! How are we faithing? I have had some good conversations and interaction with many different people. Many were pleasant exchanges and many were eye opening. A person I've known for many years asked a question and just the asking revealed lots about her belief system and where her understanding is. The question you are wondering? "My friend is a good person and if she doesn't accept Jesus she goes to hell?" This is a scary question to me because it opened my eyes to how some don't quite understand what our savior has done for us. God gave us free choice, yes or no to Jesus. It also revealed that some still think we have to do more or earn salvation. This premise says that what Jesus did wasn't enough and we must supplement it. Where is the assurance or the grace or the peace if we must continue to earn salvation? The Word talks of the peace and assurance of belief in Jesus. It talks, as we have many times, that only Jesus matters and that while we still sin, our Lord Jesus is there interceding on our behalf. So many still think that performance earns grace instead of grace causes the good performances. The result of Jesus' gift of salvation is shown by, as the Word says, good works and not the other way around. If I am sure of my place, I am going to perform with grace. Nothing wrong with tradition or ceremony as long as it doesn't replace grace. I have such concern for people who may miss that grace and that love and try to stand on their works because, it will never be enough, if it were possible, Jesus would not have had to take all sin on himself..

Rom 3:23-25
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.
NAS

Rom 3:10
"There is none righteous, not even one;
NAS

Titus 3:3-7
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
NIV

Eph 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
NIV

Heavenly Father,
We come before you seeking understanding of your Word. We ask for the wisdom your grace brings. Lord, reveal your truths. Let us not be offended but let us desire your will and understanding. Do not let us be intimidated or belittled away from your grace. Open the eyes of our hearts, soften out hearts to the understanding of your love and grace. Lord we lift the concerns to you and rely on just your love and power to sustain us. to you the glory is given, in Jesus name, amen