(Rom. 3:23) "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Because of sin, our righteousness can never be good enough to get us into heaven. Why, because we fall short of the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, God gave the world the ten commandments. Not to save, but to explain to us why it is that we fall short. (3:20) "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." And that is why God sent Jesus, because man from his birth is under the condemnation of sin. We therefore need help to cover our sin, to stand righteous before God. That is why God sent his Son Jesus to die in our place. To pay the penalty for our sin. God’s price for our forgiveness was the innocent life and blood of His Son Jesus. God therefore came himself to be our justifier, to offer himself as the innocent one for the guilty. (3:26) "To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Thus enters Faith. All that is required to be made righteous enough to get into heaven, is to believe in his sacrifice and receive Jesus into our heart and life; salvation is therefore free in Christ Jesus!
( Gen 41:41-43) “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt... A nd he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.” When Joseph was introduced to us in chp.37, he was a young inexperienced 17 year old boy, and yet 13 years later God raised him up to rule the nation of Egypt. So, what made him different ? The Answer : “ Time,” and his faith in God ! You see time is a wonderful teacher; 1) Time strengthens endurance . Endurance and faith can only be strengthened over time. Like exercise, we start out not able to do much but over time we find that we can do more. You see, God allows us to go through the ups and downs of life, to help us gain not only spiritual maturity, but also spiritual abilities. Spiritual endurance therefore enables us to handle life’s trials better. 2) Time strengthens patience . Although Joseph, ...
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