GOD IS!

God’s Grace And Man’s Traditionsready rejected the will of God (Mk 7:9).Since they had already rejected theword of God, it was easy to rejectJesus.Will you be one of those religiouspeople today to whom Jesus comes,but because of your religious traditionsyou will reject Him? Keep in mind thatGod’s grace is not only offered to thosewho do not know Jesus. It is also offeredto those who have devised theirown religions in order to save themselves.It is offered to those who havebeen trapped in the world of man-madereligions. God calls us out of such vainreligions in order to enjoy the freedomof His grace. He calls, “‘Come outfrom among them and be separate,’says the Lord. ‘And do not touch whatis unclean, and I will receive you’” (2Co 6:17).Jesus calls us into freedom fromthe bondage of man-made religion (Gl5:1). In Him we can be free from humanorganizations, ceremonial religion,binding traditions of men, and authoritarianreligious institutions that seek toassume lordship over God’s people.Jesus calls us into the freedom ofGod’s grace in order that we becomethe bondservants of His will.Those who accept God’s grace onHis conditions can have hope. Here’sGod's promise. "But as many as receivedHim, to them He gave the rightto become children of God, even tothose who believe in His name" (Jn1:12). If you accept Jesus through theconditions God prescribes in His word,you have the right to become a child ofGod. You have a right to come into arelationship with the Father, Son and28Holy Spirit by obedience to the gospel.In this relationship you will be headedfor heaven and eternal glory in the presenceof God. This is the gift that Godwants all people in the world to have.You can have it through your obedienceto the gospel. This is great news!SELF TEST1. ____ Jesus did not come to condemn theworld, but that the world through Himmight be ... (A) ... judged, (B) ... saved,(C) ... rejected2. ____ In what was God rich that movedHim to save us by His grace? (A) Power,(B) Joy, (C) Mercy3. ____ In whom must we be in order to enjoyGod's grace? (A) Christ, (B) Theworld, (C) In heaven4. ____ What did God demonstrate towardus while we were still dead in sin? (A)Love, (B) Hope, (C) Faith5. ____ What does God say those who arecaught in traditional religion must do inorder to accept Jesus? (A) Maintain theirtraditions, (B) Combine traditions withGod's word, (C) Repent6. ____ One must examine himself accordingto God's word in order to determinewhether he is in what? (A) The faith, (B)His father's religion, (C) The commandmentsof men7. ____ What did many religious Jews ofJesus’ day not do in reference to Jesus?(A) Believe the Old Testament, (B) ObeyGod, (C) Receive Him8. ____ What do those who receive Jesushave a right to become? (A) Judged, (B)Persecuted, (C) Children of GodYES - NO If you understand how far Godhas to come in order to bring you home withHim, and yet refuse His invitation, do youthink you should be saved anyway?SCRIPTURE READING: Jn 1:1-51; 3:1-21; Rm 5SCRIPTURE RESEARCH: Salvation in Christ: Lk 19:10;Jn 1:29; At 4:12; Rm 5:8,9; Hb 9:28; 1 Pt 2:24; God's love:Jn 3:16; Rm 5:8; 1 Jn 3:1; 4:9-11, Child of God: Rm 8:16;Gl 3:7; 4:5; Ph 2:15; Hb 2:10; 12:5; 1 Jn 3:2