The Foundation of the Gospel of Christ

Man is sinful and falls short of God’s holiness (Romans 3:23). Yet, the Apostle Paul wrote those who believe and are saved are chosen in Christ Jesus before the creation of the world and chosen for God’s purposes (Eph 1:4-11). Jesus said all those chosen in Him will come to Him (John 6:37). He said we cannot come to Him unless the Father draw us (John 6:44) and authorizes us (John 6:65). Jesus said we must be born again (John 3:3). This is the work of God (John 1:13; 3:7-8; 6:29); the flesh, our effort to get saved or our effort to get someone saved, is no help at all (John 6:63); lest any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9). And this is why Christ died: to redeem those who are His (Matthew 1:21); to satisfy the wrath of God toward those whom He chose (Romans 3:25-26; 1John 4:10). The sign of those who are saved is obedience; to be disobedient is unbelief (John 3:36; Heb 3:18-19). To be obedient, we must abide in the Word; if we read the Word but there is no fruit, we are not saved (John 15:1-6). Many people profess to know Christ but they refuse to honor Him as their King, their Lord and their Master; they may give lip service but their hearts are far from Him (Luke 6:46). They cling to their sin, which is rebellion to God (Hebrews 6:1-8; 1John 2:19). The Apostle Paul warned us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2Corinthians 13:5).