"When the map and terrain differ, follow the terrain"

Today, in Red Church, Joseph and Heather Z teach about repentance and forgiveness, exposing the mysteries surrounding faith, grace, and righteousness. Joseph explains that begging and pleading with God or trying harder to do good to make God take pity on us and give us what we want is not true righteousness. Instead, we're expected to lean into the promises of what Christ has for us, receive what he has done, and improve on what He has called us to do because Christ paid the price already and all we're expected to do is walk on the path He has already paved for us. Also, Heather makes us understand that our righteousness does not stem from what we do, but from what Christ has done for us. She leads us to the Book of Romans 5:5-8 to buttress that Christ died for the ungodly, for, while we're still sinners, He died that we might be saved through Him.

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Next, Joseph insists that doing more or getting better to get more from God is not scriptural, for our salvation is by grace through faith. He explains that we become righteous when saved, referencing Ephesians 2:8-9 to emphasize that our salvation is God's gift to us, not by our works, lest we become boastful. Also, he cites Galatians 3:1-9 to elaborate that we receive God's Spirit by faith and not by the works of the law. Again, Heather points out the importance of understanding the sacrifice Christ has made, and holding onto it to gain answers to our prayers and not relying upon the good works we have done, believing that our miracle will come from there instead of what Christ has done.

Furthermore, Joseph explains that our belief in God counts as righteousness. Only those of the faith are sons of Abraham, for Abraham was counted as righteous because he believed in God. He asserts that everyone answers to God, and no one will get away with anything, thus, we must embrace Christ and live in the fullness of what He has for us. Once more, he references 2 Corinthians 2:3-11 to teach forgiveness and repentance, for when we hold unto unforgiveness, we give the devil legal access into our lives. He urges us to allow God's word to adjust our compass, saturate our senses, and guide us on every decision we make in life; for when we seek God first, every other thing will be added to us.

November 24, 2024