So very sharp and clear. Isn't it so easy to throw around in conversation words like justification and faith forgetting just what they mean and the weight behind them. Stott really does define the terms here. Always vital. I recall Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones saying ' if when you hear the gospel your reaction isn't ' this is just too good to be true' then you probably haven't heard the gospel or yet understood it..' Such is the nature of this Divine justification .

Jesus Saves

The Hallmark of the Christian faith in Christ is the living gift we receive by faith is in our hearts. It's not like other dead religions where there's no gift and the leader is deceased. And that's the modern problem with our evangelism. They focus on a "free gift" rather than the gift and how receiving the gift changes our lives upon reception and continues to change our lives as we walk in faith by the Spirit. If we focus solely on a free gift without explaining how the free gift works in our lives it's not a whole message and it will not lead to sanctification and fruit of the Spirit. That's why Paul said, "test yourself to be in the faith." We must know what the Word requires.. I'm not trying to be legalistic with the word requires. The gift we receive when received and pursued is met requirement. It'll be the plumb line in your life. We have the small part in the matter, believing. And believing the Word is both being and doing the work of bearing our cross. Jesus said doing the work of God is His food. John 4:34. And I've previously said if you don't follow His Word you don't believe it. But I realize you can believe it yet fail to follow through. Some things take practice. For the beginners making bread or pie crust isn't all that easy. So you discipline the loins of your mind and do it until you get it. Giving up is not an option. Press on to the prize.

Amen.

Lord blees you brother !

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