Grace Or Works

No matter how much I preach grace, the doctrine of works comes up quite often as it did in our Bible study class last Sunday. Our stinking pride wants some of the glory. We want salvation to be a partnership. We want some credit and to share in the glory, but that is not to be.

The repentant thief had no time to do any good works. He was dying and so was Jesus. Somehow the thief realized that Jesus was innocent but that is not the shocker. What is shocking is that he would pray to a dying man. Why would he pray to a dying man? Because he understood what most did not understand; Jesus' kingdom was not like the kingdoms of this world. Yes, Jesus and the thief were dying but the thief believed that Jesus would not stay dead and that He was who He said He was, the Son of God and the King of kings. The thief prays a short prayer of nine words: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." Immediately Jesus gives him an answer which many do not like, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."

The thief was saved not by works — he had done no works; he was saved by the power of Jesus' word. If Jesus says you're saved, you are saved. The thief did not need anyone's approval; all he needed was the word of Christ. He put his faith in Jesus' word and died in agony but with assurance.

What I love about the story is that the dying thief did not have an opportunity to be baptized, join a local church, or attend a Bible study. He had no good works to his credit. All he had was the word of Jesus, and that is all he needed. There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel's veins; and sinners, plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains. The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day; and there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away.

I am thankful that I did not look at my weather app: I thought it was to cool some but I was wrong. When I looked at it last night and saw all those high 90's for the week I thought surely this is the last week of this extremely hot weather. I guess we will see.

We will be taking our final offering for THE WORD FOR THE WORLD project this Sunday. We lack $1,103.00 reaching our goal of 108 verses. We can do this folks; if our givers will give just one more verse, we can do it.

Slider and Hotdog supper Wednesday night at 6:00. June and I picked up the food yesterday and we are good to go.

Monday October 26…we are hosting THE MORGAN BAPTIST ANNUAL MEETING here at the POINT. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I doubt that we have more than 60 people total. The Annual meetings are poorly attended these days. I have asked the 49ers to help and this will be our October 49er gathering. You do not have to attend the meeting. Just bring your food and join us for lunch. We will get the KFC, drinks and rolls but we need your help with the other things. It will work if we have a servant's heart!

October 28 is our Bill Smith Jambalaya Supper and our November Wednesday night meal falls on Veterans Day, November 11, and we are having a stew and Joe is going to have us a video of our veterans at the round table. After the Stew in November, there will be no more Wednesday night suppers until Spring.

Have a great Tuesday and thanks for reading the blog!!!!