Belief in Christ Jesus is shown in acts. And it is by grace you have been saved, through faith. Grace is the result of our faith, and that grace is the doorway to supply service to the Father's will.
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Galatians 3:14
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He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
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The blood of Christ, paid for the sins of mankind.
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1 John 2:1,2
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My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
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He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
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The sins of the whole world. As John was directly speaking to Jews that were young in their belief of Christ Jesus. John saying the 'whole world', is because holy scripture said that the promise made to Abraham would include many nations. So the Gentiles, are included in this. As the true children of Abraham are those who walk in faith.
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Galatians 3:7-9
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Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.
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Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
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So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
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But one thing that forgotten is that just because he died for our sins, does not make us righteous. No. We are not righteous by faith, no, we are sinners under grace, and righteousness comes through us. Righteousness is of God alone. Those then who deny themselves and instead have holiness come through them, are considered then of Christ, and he is what is Holy in us. 'The body of Christ of which he is the head.'
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Isaiah 45:24
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It will be said about me, 'Righteousness and strength are found only in the LORD.'" All who are enraged against him will come to him and be put to shame.
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So our actions are what is righteous, not our faith. Our actions are not our own, when we have denied ourselves and are by faith bearing fruit from the kingdom upon us. That is how we are known as righteous, because we are an empty vessel that has then been filled and is overflowing with holiness and strength that is not our own.
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Ephesians 2:4-10
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But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
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made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
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And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
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in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
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For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
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not by works, so that no one can boast.
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For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
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Without grace we could not find our way into the presence of God. But because we deny ourselves, and by faith, carry Christ in us, we are of Christ, who is in the Father's presence, and our acts are his acts, and the do the Father's will. Grace was the reason behind the forgiveness of sin, grace is what the forgiveness of sin supplied.
The forgiveness of sin was not supplied for the salvation of our souls. The forgiveness of sin was supplied so by grace, we could in faith deny ourselves, so that what is holy could act through us, bearing fruit that is holy, serving the Father's will. Eternal life is the end result of faith, but how you spend that eternity, is dependant on your service.
Grace affords us the ability to bring holiness into the world. To be beacons even in the darkest moments. Grace affords us the ability to supply love and its fruits which others are then witness to. Grace provides our faith with holy acts, because holiness works through us when we deny ourselves out of faithfulness.
You cannot serve lovingly without denying yourself in the moment. And to grow in perseverance turns that moment into moments, times, and the day. For Today is the holy day. Everyday is to be devoted to the gift of salvation. We are commanded to Love the Father, and then one another. To devote ourselves to bringing holiness through us, and humbly serve the will of the Father, not our own.
None are without sin. Because everything outside of faith is sin. So fear God, appreciate grace, do not conform to the ways you have been saved from, and devoted yourself to grow in service.
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