Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

The book of Ephesians

Chapter 2

Eph.2:1 You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, 2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; 2:3 among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Many have and still do after reading the apostles Paul's words here think by good effort, and knowledge of the scriptures they can put away the filth of their flesh. Specifically, sin, sins of the world by a knowledge of God's word the bible.

1 Peter 3:21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you--not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:17 For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith."{Habakkuk 2:4}

However, lets be pointed here, whom exactly was this letter written to, and for, and for what purpose? It was written to a new creation, created new from what? The answer qualifies our understanding. If you are a sinner, your are not a new creation; are those words shocking to you? These brothers and sister were birthed into a sinless spirit being Christ Jesus as his body members. Such birthing was not done through their will or efforts, it was done by God whom worked mightily towards them and in them.

1 John 3:9 Whoever is born of God doesn't commit sin, because his
seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of God.

This one point changes our entire understanding of Paul's words here, putting us under grace so we may walk in love. Paul was not punishing these brothers and sisters with works of law. He was not telling them you must work harder in putting away the filth of your own flesh. No! He was informing them of the truth of how they became a sinless person in Christ, and for them to stop living in works of laws thinking they had made themselves righteous before God, and man!

2 Timothy 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and{or, Every writing inspired by God is} profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.

Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

They were not better, or superior to others, they were blessed by God's kindness through unmerited favor. They should humbly accept this kindness while offering it to others. They should not want to be like the world they had been deliver from, or think like the world calling God's ways its ways. They above all had received God's love, why would they boast as though they earned a righteousness by their own good efforts in keeping the law? This is the discipline Paul is giving them, not do more works of law, and become more righteous by your good efforts, not at all!

Romans 3:10 As it is written, "There is no one righteous; no, not one.

Romans 5:19 For as through the one man's disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.

1Cor.1:30 But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

They were a new creation not made with human hands, washed clean by the blood of Christ and regenerated by God's holy Spirit they could not put away the works of the flesh by any laws on earth, God must do that for them. They were once children of wrath just as the rest are, they could not deliver themselves out of sin, why were they preaching to others they had, or must?

Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

Romans 3:28 We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Romans 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God.

Romans 4:4 Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as debt.

The light was given them as a gift of God's love, they had been re-birthed into a new mother, who is the Jerusalem above, declared sinless, yes, which means “righteous”, for Christ is indeed righteous and they were now reborn into his righteous life. This truth should caused them to honor all men, for they too were once ignorant and foolish walking just as the world does in darkness.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
3:2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
3:3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,
3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
3:6 whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; 3:7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Although. they sinned, just as we all do, their sins were not being accounted against them, not because God is weak and condones sin, but because God paid a great price in delivering them from death in their the flesh, and its judgment of sin, by re-birthing them into a spirit being, that is, into Christ Jesus.

Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.{NU omits "who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit"} 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
8:3 For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; 8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;
8:7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.
8:8 Those who are in the flesh can't please God.
8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.

If they remained in God's love, Christ Jesus life, above, and walked as they were being treated in Christ they would remain in God's love forever. But should they hate their brother as Cain did Abel, by judging him worthy of death, a cutting him off from the unmerited kindness of our Lord and Savor they were not in Christ, but death promoting false religion.

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.

Revelation 12:11 They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death.

1 John 4:21 This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.

1 John 4:16 We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.

James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.

James 4:11 Don't speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Eph.2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 2:5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).

How have Christian's been made alive? Not a trick question? Was it by death? That is, by being judge a sinner, making us unrighteous? Was it by keeping the righteous laws of God the best we can? Moreover, what are we alive too? Just what does it mean to be dead in our trespasses, dead to what? Here are some basic keys to understanding God, and his word. God is life, YHWH is the source of all life. Subsequently, we as human under sin are measured against life, that is, YHWH. In weighing mankind for thousand's of years and seeing the truth of mankind eventuality we find they all return to the dust, into death. None, not one, has been able to escape death by his/her own efforts.

Galatians 4:5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.

Psalms 49:7 none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him.

Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

Hence, from God's view point of everlasting, eternal, and incorruptible life without death from sin, mankind is dead, but dead to what? God, the source of life. They are cut off from him because of what, sin, the fatal flaw, which causes us uncleanness so we cannot keep God's righteous laws, his ways of everlasting live. Thus, if a person does not, or cannot keep the laws of their country they are dead to their country benefits, convicted of breaking the laws condemn to no association, and/or intercourse with society. The person cannot reconcile themselves by their own good efforts back into good standing legally with their country laws, they cannot be reconcile because they now want to keep the law. The greater, that is, the authority must move first to repair the relationship with the outcast (convicted), which person is dead to the privileges of its mother country.

2 Corinthians 1:9 Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.

Romans 5:12 Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned.

The apostle Paul speak this truth of all of us, we all sin, we all fall short of God's righteous standard, and we have all been convicted of these transgression by God's righteous laws. Thus, God must show us mercy, and allow us freedom of association with the him the source of life for us to have life.

Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

God made us alive, by his mercy, which mercy was totally undeserved, a kindness. God loved us first, God than moved by his own love sent us a gift of life, the son of God. Christ step in, and fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law, by his perfect merit, enough merit to redeem any of us putting faith in the power of his righteous life, and/or blood.

Romans 4:5 But to him who doesn't work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

The problem for these brothers and sisters was the power of the law working in them, and what is that? Sin, sin is the power of God's righteous laws. The inert desire for one to think they can now keep God's law by their own merit. Such thinking tramples upon God's love too us. Such thinking is the very desire of the Devil, whom thought and lied to the first human couple. But is the power of the law really that powerful the our need to justify ourselves by some good work in keeping the laws of God?

James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.
3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

Yes, indeed it is! This desire to produce seeds of weeds that overtook God's planting in less than one hundred years. Now compare that with thousands of years of God's law, which power is sin, and you can quickly see why false religion is so prolific today. The thing causing it not to happen (restraining weeds) was the very thing given these brothers and sister freedom from judgment in the life of Christ, God's undeserved kindness making them the temple of God where God's Holy Spirit kept them holy and righteous clean from false teaching.

1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.

1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

1Cor. 3:1 Brothers, I couldn't speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ. 3:2 I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you weren't yet ready. Indeed, not even now are you ready, 3:3 for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren't you fleshly, and don't you walk in the ways of men? 3:4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," aren't you fleshly? 3:5 Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him? 3:6 I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. 3:7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

Once those early Christian went back to their own merit over Christ merit the weeds started popping up of unrighteous teaching like weeds of human reasoning by combining yeast of sin creating a merit system of works in the name of Christ. The natural flow is downward, not upward, down into a polluted seas of waters of Babylon. Mankind found nothing new under the Sun, but the same old practices of every unrighteous government and false religion in the history of mankind.

Matthew 13:33 He spoke another parable to them. "The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast, which a woman took, and hid in three measures{literally, three sata. 3 sata is about 39 litres or a bit more than a bushel} of meal, until it was all leavened."

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 2:9 He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now.

1 John 2:10 He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him.

The coming up, was now an illusion of justifying human sin into good works to hid the evil on the tree of corruption in sin and death. The true hope which comes from above, not below, the hope of God's power which is true restoration comes from God too us by Holy Spirit. False religion chase its own tail hoping to improve the human race by its teachings through works it does for mankind in the name of God and Christ.

John 8:23 He said to them, "You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.

John 3:31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the Earth belongs to the Earth, and speaks of the Earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

Galatians 4:26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

However freedom does not come from below, freedom comes from God's mercy too us, in redeeming us from our captivity of sin. False religion tries hard to perfects the flesh which is dead to God because of sin then it boast in the flesh, and it compares its progress against other flesh. The love of God removes the flesh judgments, killing it, putting it into the grave. God stops the judgment, and puts us in Christ Jesus where there is no condemnation, and gives us his law of love. Now we are seated where? Above on God's mountain, where Christ our body is located. Where by Holy Spirit we beating our implements of war, that is, the ways of all fallen flesh judgments into implements of love doing no harm (Spirit and truth just as Christ is).

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

We learn the ways of peace, the love of God, we are God's new creation not of flesh, but of Spirit and truth. This is the gift of God, freedom by Christ mind, freedom from fear, freedom from the ugly hateful judgments of our fallen flesh. This is God's power, the power of Christ kingdom, it is not from below, it must come too us from above to save us, from ourselves!

Rom.7:18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good. 7:19 For the good which I desire, I don't do; but the evil which I don't desire, that I practice. 7:20 But if what I don't desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. 7:21 I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present.

1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.

1 John 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God doesn't sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn't touch him.

Zechariah 4:7 Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of 'Grace, grace, to it!'"

John 1:14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Eph.2:6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 2:7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus;

Christ was raised in spirit, by God's Holy Spirit to be part of a spirit kingdom, but here we are told by Paul under Holy Spirit that those anointed by Holy Spirit from a Spirit Father are raised to be seated with Christ as a spirit person, but how?

1 Peter 3:18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

Many Christian's uses these scriptures as a label, an elevated thoughts in thinking about the things of God. However, its much more than that; they are mistaken. The prophets of old, God's people have always thought about God above, but they were not seat with YHWH, so what is the difference? The grand difference is God moved worship from a physical kingdom upon earth into the new heavens with Christ so that each child of God must walk by faith, not sight. God separate his kingdom upon earth from the sins and corruption of mankind.

2 Peter 2:19 promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.

1 Corinthians 15:50 Now I say this, brothers,{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} that flesh and blood can't inherit the Kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.

Yes, he made a demarcation between what is mans and what is his, something he had given many previews of in his earthly kingdom like no one was allowed to enter into the holy of hollies but the high priest. God in his wisdom stopped corruption by his undeserved kindness, he did something so wonderful that in Christ is all his richness of forgiveness for mankind. Here are some simple points we must consider to have the mind of Christ on this subject.

Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;

First, we should know that corruption, that is, sin does not inherit Christ kingdom, even for those on earth that have been raised in Christ. And secondly, the “key” is being “in Christ” so one can be raised with Christ as part of him, that is, his life, as our life. And
lastly the truth is restored to mankind because Christ is the truth, our become part of him we know the truth. In other words, the grand mistake is to think mankind through a religion restores the truth that is a lie that misleads all the nations of our earth.
Christ is the king, the truth, and the protector of the truth. He gives us God's truth, we do not give any truth without his authorization he is the truth, he has been entrusted with the truth, because he earned life for us by his merit. In fact, everything in Christ is given too us as a gift.

Heb.1:1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 1:2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
The process of being born again removes our judgment of sins, we are put to death in our sinful flesh before God, we are made alive by Spirit, so we can be adopted into the body of Christ as a spirit being, from that point we know no one by the flesh any longer. We are feed spiritually, lead in this life by Spirit, and we walk in Spirit and truth, not our truth we research, but the truth given us from the mind of Christ Jesus. All things are Christ, and Christ belongs to God, we share in this wonderful privileges of making disciples by administering the Holy Spirit of God too others.

2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;

We are not of this world, we are of another world suffering in this world because the flesh is against the Spirit of God, it is violently opposed to the Holy Spirit and twist everything of God into false religion so those upon earth are blinded to the glorious Good News that has been reveal to us by Spirit and truth from above.

2 Corinthians 3:6 who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

1Cor.4:3 Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish; 4:4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.
4:5 For we don't preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake;
4:6 seeing it is God who said, "Light will shine out of darkness,"{Genesis 1:3} who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

None of this was possible to the faithful prophets and kings of old. None could be born anew by the blood of animals, none could have the mind of Christ, or be given the truth of God's love, by law. None had intimate association with God's Holy Spirit as a comforter, as their teacher, or as their mother. This is the richness of God that will be shared into all creation by his undeserved kindness towards us found in the body of Christ.

Rom.8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 8:36 Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."{Psalm 44:22} 8:37 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eph.2:8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 2:9 not of works, that no one would boast.

How does one qualify grace, or unmerited kindness, undeserved kindness in legal terms? We human cannot, we can in our depth of depression and unworthiness for a moment appreciate God's loving kindness towards us, but like a mist it seem to disappear as quickly as it came.

Isa.40:6 The voice of one saying, "Cry!" One said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field.
40:7 The grass withers, the flower fades, because Yahweh's breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass. 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever."

True freedom exist with God, why? Because we are told from the holy writings God is love, we experience that love in our hearts from the life of Christ indwelling us, true freedom is love. Love does not owe anyone a single thing but love. Hence, love is a gift it does not have strings attached, it not base upon us, but the giver, and the giver is love, Jehovah God.

Rom.13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God.

Do you believe God offers us his love as a gift with no strings, no hidden clauses? “I will love you if you do this or that?” Yes, it true, as unacceptable as that seem to our fleshly mind, no matter that our entire existence as a human fights against this thought, it is nevertheless truth!

1 John 4:16 We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.

In other words, if God love expressed in grace towards us was of us, we would make it conditional, owing each other, without complete freedom as God's love is towards us. The problem we are face with, is putting faith in this great of love as a mere human born into sin. Here is our dilemma, if God's love is free, without strings, and he gives it freely than the only love he can accept is the same love. Do we love God based upon certain conditions, what he does for us, or what we think we should be doing for him, or do we love him as God love us, freely?

Romans 5:15 But the free gift isn't like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

This is a stunning thought if your a honest person? No we don't and can't that is why we fall short of God's glory, all of us! Now God express to us his undeserved kindness through his son Christ Jesus who took our sins, or weakness of not being able to give love as God does too us substituting his life for ours undeservedly. Now in our weakest form, we can put faith in the merit of Christ life, not in ourselves which cannot make the grade, but in the incorruptible life of Christ Jesus whom conqueror this world in his life, in loving the Father to redeem us not by works, but by the power of his life. In this we can understand the great love for which God loves us, in some small measure as if we look into a haze mirror so we can endure to end of this course in faith.

2Cor.12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. 12:8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 12:9 He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

1Cor.13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. 13:13 But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.

If it is based upon works of law, we cannot come all the way into love, the freedom we must have to understand the love of God, We will hate the Father because our relationship is quick pro quo.

1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.

1 Peter 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you.

James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."{Proverbs 3:34}

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe.

Eph.2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

Lets get the context of Paul's words above? God created in Christ Jesus His good works that we would walk in them. Now anyone of us reading these words written by Holy Spirit, not originating from Paul's own will, but the will of our Father might ask?

John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.

James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain.

How is it than so many in religion are telling God what his good works are, and then driving others to do those good works? Yes, it's as if nothing has been prepared by God in Christ? Now think about that? YHWH the creator of the DNA who knows before we do good or bad in our mothers womb created Jesus for good works.

Rom.9:11 For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls.

We being made a part of him, his body, as members therein, not the head, or the will of the body; so are we doing good works we think God may or may-not have created? Really, this thinking is faithless, are we connect to Christ or not? Can a good tree produce evil fruits?

John.15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.
15:2 Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 15:3 You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 15:4 Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.

Matt.7:17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. 7:18 A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.

One cannot, lets say that one more time; cannot! We cannot be connected to a good tree and not produce good works. The problems is our flesh, what flesh determines its own will is God's good works which works are prepared literal from the founding of this world in Christ Jesus. The flesh must have forward progress seen by other human's for it to be satisfied, it equates God's good works by the world standards as God's own works. But herein is the problem, flesh cannot please God at all, neither can it know God, because God is Spirit and truth, and the flesh is neither, it is the lie, death, and corruption.

Romans 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.

Romans 8:8 Those who are in the flesh can't please God.

The weeds (flesh) steal the field of God planting claiming God's works are done in the flesh, which are dead, and/or works of law, God's planting that are prepared before the founding of our world are Spirit, and not flesh. Works created by Holy Spirit will have certain success they are planted by God's Spirit producing everlasting life, without sins of our flesh. God is the creator and builder not us, we are helpers if we walk in Spirit and truth, which imply not by flesh, but in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds.

2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

The only way we can walk in Spirit and truth, isn't by driving our flesh into good works by religious commandments, but just the opposite resting in Christ as a good tree producing good works in us by his will. This than is the suffering in of our flesh, because the flesh is at war against those walking in faith, implying we must waiting, resting, on God's direction by Holy Spirit. Not doing the fears of our flesh in thinking we are earning rewards by works for everlasting life.

Galatians 2:16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "Don't fear what they fear, neither be troubled."{Isaiah 8:12}

Faith is walking on water despite all that's in our flesh which wars against the Spirit, telling us it is impossible, its not about us, but Christ commanding us to walk on the water, we supply the trust in his words. (Faith). First, we must believe we have been created in Christ for God's good works, if not, no matter how much one pushes the flesh to be apart of a religion, or a person interpretation of God's good works it is not God's good works, it is their own good works using God's word the bible to earn eternal life, or trying to prove we are serving God by making ourself do good works.

2 Corinthians 3:3 being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.

1 Corinthians 1:29 that no flesh should boast before God.

We have life in us, that is, the life of Christ or we don't? If we don't we cannot do the works of God, its that simple, so let us not lie about the truth, let us speak truth about the power of Christ life producing good works resting in full faith God can do no evil. Let us not teach the lust of our flesh that we transformed flesh desire into Christ works by making our flesh obey commandments which is false religion. God does not redeem our flesh, or change it to be righteous, our righteousness comes from the Spirit of God by being in a spirit person Christ Jesus who is God's righteousness for us.

Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water. 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. 3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

In his life, we are under the law of love, he does the works of God, the vessel of flesh we are in cannot please God, or be in subjection to God, so we must walk in Spirit to be in Christ, who is a spirit person himself giving us his sinless righteousness so can be in subjection to God through Christ headship, That is, doing the works of God through the power of Christ life. Like a tree we must wait upon the life of the tree to produce the fruit on the tree we are not life, but Christ life, we are not the boss, we are the branches.

Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.

Hebrews 10:24 Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works

Eph.2:11 Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by that which is called "circumcision," (in the flesh, made by hands); 2:12 that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.

Can the flesh make peace with God? Not a trick question? The Gentle must of thought that being circumcised in their flesh would make peace with God in a holy covenant like Israel had? But strange, in the flesh a Gentle could never be apart of Israel they we kept separate, only a Jew could serve in the temple.

Romans 8:8 Those who are in the flesh can't please God.

Circumcision did not reconcile the Jews or the Gentles to God, not even the law did that. Those were signs, of a condition that exist in all humans, sins. Circumcision was a sign that they had come into a holy covenant through the blood, without blood none could be saved even under the law.

1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, isn't it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn't it a sharing of the body of Christ?

Hebrews 9:18 Therefore even the first covenant has not been dedicated without blood.

Hebrews 9:22 According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.

Now the Gentles were seduced by the power of flesh once more; just like Eve was seduced by the serpent, how? By a lie, flesh has no power in Christ. Flesh has no power under the law! Flesh is dead to redemption as corrupted by sin. Flesh is not a good tree producing good fruit, flesh produces the fruit of its vine, not fruit of Holy Spirit!

Romans 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.

James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.
3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

How had the Gentles been seduced, just as so many Christian's are seduced today? Eve was seduced by a physical snake talking to her. Yes, flesh is seduce by other flesh, by sight. Flesh is very impressed with the physical things of this world, the hidden things “mystery” the flesh greatly seeks, like precious stones desired to impress flesh like a god, like Eve longed for, to be looked up to, to be glorified by her flesh upon earth. Knowledge, any type of knowledge, knowing all, even the deep things of this world are sought by the flesh as gold!

1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing.

Romans 3:20 Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

Romans 10:2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

Christian's believe if they touch knowledge against the scriptures it become clean, acceptable, as being exempted by their holy and good mind. Eve, must of thought the same, but there is nothing new under the Sun when it comes to sin in mankind's heart. That is, Christian, or otherwise, flesh always acts the same it entitles itself to God's things by mere knowledge, not blood, of the life of Christ, but rather steals what is rightly in Christ jurisdiction.

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Proverbs 27:1 Don't boast about tomorrow; for you don't know what a day may bring forth.

Romans 11:18 don't boast over the branches. But if you boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you.

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

The new covenant freed the Gentle from the flesh, killing it, and its wicked judgments by the mind of Christ which was given them freely by God's Holy Spirit. But the flesh is not impressed with waiting upon a master unseen by human eyes. Flesh must push a head into things of God, because its entitled so by its good and righteous motives. But the Holy Spirit does not lie, flesh lust against the workings of Holy Spirit it opposes the headship of Christ, just as Eve opposed her headship.

Psalms 25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.

Psalms 27:14 Wait for Yahweh. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for Yahweh.

Psalms 37:7 Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don't fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

Romans 8:25 But if we hope for that which we don't see, we wait for it with patience.

Those of the spirit, angles, and those created in Christ do not take, they wait upon Christ. Christ upon earth in his flesh did not take what was God's, he waited upon God. The Jews those of the flesh took all that was God's claiming it as under the power of their jurisdiction by knowledge of the holy writings. They possessed and opposed any of the Spirit, killing if necessary the Christ and his apostles. How could the Jews not know everything, even the last days; weren't they entitle? Why not circumcision didn't they own it?

Isaiah 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it can't rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt.

Matthew 23:15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much of a son of Gehenna{or, Hell} as yourselves.

Mark 4:39 He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Dogs posses everything in their sight they don't walk by Spirit that gives up possessing on this earth, instead like the Spirit , which owes no one a single thing but love. Possession outrages the flesh, it security comes from taking, having, even its desires for more knowledge of God its the same old same, nothing new under the Sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:15 That which is crooked can't be made straight; and that which is lacking can't be counted.

Here the Gentles wanted to go back to flesh, flesh seeks its desires, but it is seduced and deceive by its good motives not understanding it can only seek that which is death, and the desires that promote death it own lust of the flesh. Touching holy writings does not change the flesh into new flesh, no! Christ does by his life which transforms us from flesh into Spirit, which seeks the food of spirit, by the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,{or, faithfulness}

Ezekiel 13:10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there is no peace; and when one builds up a wall, behold, they daub it with whitewash:

Romans 3:22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

1 Timothy 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

Rom.9:20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"{Isaiah 29:16; 45:9} 9:21 Or hasn't the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor?

Daily Bible Thought: Everlasting Peace

Eph.2:14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, 2:15 having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace; 2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby.

Here are some hard facts, human will never bring lasting peace on earth, why? Because peace is not brought by judgment! Sadly, on every level of human existence there are laws for judgment of sin, personal, and societal, right and wrong depending on the degree of sin. In some nation horrific acts of inhumanity are accepted as lawful. While in other countries a simple incorrect word can ruin a person entire life!

Ezekiel 44:23 They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Isaiah 64:6 For we have all become as one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is as a polluted garment: and we all fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Peace which makes a person reasonable can never truly be known with such self-righteous extremes. However, what many of us never really let sink in that Paul here was not talking about the world, he was specifically speaking to a small group, a little flock taken out of this world that God himself made peace with. Why were they taken out of this world spiritually? Because in the world is darkness, darkness of judgment found in the lust of our flesh a need to self-justify by judging the acts of others.

Haggai 2:12 'If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?'" The priests answered, "No."

Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, "I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?"

God YHWH did something not of this world he did something so incomprehensible for us humans we spend a life time trying to understand, he removed his judgment from upon us. Religion, government, and commerce none stand without the power of judgment of its people to conform them into a profitable institution. To think, to have an enemy, a person deserving of our judgment by every human right, than to remove willfully their judgments by giving them a gift so grand and precious they can become one of God's own children is a depth of truth that only a God of love could create.

Romans 11:33 Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!

God did not set up a scale of degrees of sin pointing to one while condoning others, no! Sin entered into our world, and since then all are dying. God instead understood life will not come from death, a death which is deserved judgment of sin. Life must come from life, new life, free of judgment of sin. In other words, when any human gets on a high horse thinking unrighteously that they are better by the degrees of sin they haven't committed, they are found to be in death, why? Because they have unwittingly measured out death to themselves by being in a fleshly mind.

Matt.7:1 "Don't judge, so that you won't be judged. 7:2 For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.

Romans 5:10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.

Romans 5:21 that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We humans are under a law, a court set in place by the king judge from the beginning of sin. What ever we measure out in judgments we get back the same measure. In other words, we must find out why death from judgment can only bring us more death? Most of us struggle our entire life thinking if this one judgment is pronounced upon our enemy it will correct all matters, it won't, it will create an everlasting wall of division between us, causing a lack of peace.

2 Corinthians 4:11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.

Life comes from blessing our enemies with gifts undeserved, wow! How can we do that? We can't, we can try some, we can lie some, we can die in our sins, and/or accept the fact we are not Christ Jesus and realize we must be saved by the mind of Christ, which is now the mind of God. We must mustered the strength to send them to the one person that can save them, as he has saved us. We must send them to the power of God's kingdom. Yes, the power of Christ life working in them for good, not us, not our judgments from the scriptures, not a religion, no not even are strongest beliefs of right, and wrong based upon our nearest and dearest principles.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.

The power of God's kingdom is forgiveness of us, but not only that, but also life working in us daily to overcome death found in our flesh because of its inherent judgments of sin. The power of Christ life in a person changes this world, there is no other hope for true peace found in where in the worlds greatest minds, its all an illusion based upon a false peace of hate by forcing someone to obey a rule that prevents them from a certain act we condemn.

Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were through the law, worked in our members to bring forth fruit to death.

Romans 7:10 The commandment, which was for life, this I found to be for death;

God's love comes from peace, an everlasting peace based upon one simple truth that love never fails, love is not a law, it is life, a force that bring a person to love ever good and righteous thing a God, it is his love he wants to share with his earthly children, it is a power God created all living thing, it is a power so deep that we can known only an outline of it in our flesh. This is why, we must be born again, new, without the wages of sin, and the judgment of sin, so we may have God's Spirit which teaches us a new commandment to love one another as he loved us.

2Cor.4:7 But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. 4:8 We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; 4:9 pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; 4:10 always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 4:11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh. 4:12 So then death works in us, but life in you.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:19 We love Him, because he first loved us.

Eph. 2:17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. 2:18 For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 2:20 being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; 2:21 in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 2:22 in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

How wonderful are the feet of those declaring good news, can there be anything better then good news of peace? Here the word that has gone forth into all the world announced from heaven, not of man, but announced through Spirit and truth, the Son of Man Jesus Christ. God is making peace, real, everlasting peace with us, he speaks from faith, not religious might, but in words that do not frighten those seeking him.

Ezekiel 37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them forevermore.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 6:15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace;

Words not of judgment, that is, of war, but rather reconciliation, freedom and blessings. To who does he speak such comfort? To those sheep abandonment, toss about wandering throughout the world with no hope of comfort from mankind or their religions. God's message is heard in our hearts, by Spirit, it draws us to God's love, the real good news for loss sheep. No more would feeding of God children be left to step parents, harsh people having no love, but to God himself, writing the love of God into their very hearts, feeding them from holy life saving bread in the body of Christ.
They would be taken up, far above the hate and turmoil of this world into divine peace on God's mountain, and their they would learn the truth of God's own kindness in the ways of peace. Their hope would be in a kingdom that cannot be shaken, by flesh, human events that terrify all flesh upon earth. They would have real treasure in heaven the Christ, his works, which are spoken by everlasting Spirit to them and through them.

Revelation 14:6 I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people.

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,

Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus.

Where does God YHWH dwell, can one build a house for God with human hands, can the very heavens of the heavens contain his glory? No! But God builds himself a house, from the most precious things in the universe His children hearts where all truth and love should start and finish in the loyalty of his own prophets and apostles being the first chosen from the founding of our world in such a habitation God chooses to dwell. Who will destroy this temple and God will not destroy them?

Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

1 Peter 2:5 You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Although mankind is enamored with power, wealth, the showy display of ones means of life there God cannot be found, he is not found in the greatest of this world, he is not found in the power of government, nor the glitter and gold of religion. Nor is he found in the flesh in all its builds and produces upon this earth. God is not found in the wisdom of this world, he is not found in the wilderness, or in the depth of the sea. He is found in our own hearts, in our own mouths if we are not seeking him by human righteousness. He is not far off from anyone one of us.

2 Chronicles 6:18 But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can't contain you; how much less this house which I have built!

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

This is the real good news, this is how God makes peace, by tearing down the wall of flesh bent on judgment, stopping wars of who is better by human works, making peace, through the single greatest gift of all, do you know what that gift is? It a gift so undeserved no one could boast that they had gotten it through some work they had perform for mankind or God. This gift is so precious that God gave it to the least of mankind the forgotten of society to bring all such haughtiness and boasting in human wisdom to nothing.

1Cor.1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 1:21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn't know God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.
1:22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,
1:23 but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks, 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1:26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; 1:27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; 1:28 and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:
1:29 that no flesh should boast before God.

God gave us the gift of eternal life, without sin, removing our judgment by the life of his Son Christ Jesus through his own kindness from his own love, without cost, or condemnation, without harsh treatment, but with love that believes all things, hopes all things, a love that cannot fail. Let us rest in that, what else could there be that would be any better?

Romans 5:17 For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

Ephesians 2:8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

Completed: February 10, 2016

by: Daniel a Slave of Christ Jesus