Are you going to rely on self, or what God has provided? Today on The Message of The Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and panel discuss justification by faith, and what it means to be righteous in the eyes of God. We cannot workout our own righteousness by good deeds and law keeping. The believer needs to understand imputed righteousness, which is only available to those who solely believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross. The just shall live by faith. Jesus paid a debt that He did not owe.

Revelation is the means by how God brings faith to us, and scripture confirms all. Today on The Message of The Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and panel discuss how first century Christians were exposed to the Word of God, with the first church being a mix of Jews and Gentiles. The Apostle Paul taught how faith in Christ, and Him crucified, was symbolized in the Old Covenant. Paul was an expert in the understanding of Christ’s death fulfilling the law of old. God is the author of our faith. He draws us by love and writes it on our hearts. When He reveals Himself to us, it is our responsibility to accept Him.

Today on The Message of The Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and panel discuss the Holy Spirit inspiration of the Word of God. The Apostle Paul taught on the looking through a dark veil, and the need of Holy Spirit revelation, and other means that will help us to understand what we are studying. Dr. Watts explains how the early church did not find fault with Paul’s writings, as his epistles line up with the Gospels. In the Covenant of old, God spoke through the law and the prophets. The Law established much, and was primarily the indictment of the human race. The panel discusses how the voice of Christ supersedes the voice of Moses.

There is none who does good, neither Jew, nor Gentile. All people are guilty before God. Today on The Message of The Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and panel read Romans 3:13-16 looking at the depravity of lost humanity without the Lord. Believers are called to tell the lost that we are all born in sin and need a Savior in Jesus Christ. The law of old was only designed to define sin, it in no way was meant to deliver man from sin.

Today on The Message of The Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and panel discuss lost humanity without Jesus Christ. Lost humanity can only enter into righteousness by faith in the finished work of Christ. The heart of man must be led by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to stir our will and bring us to the place to accept or reject the grace of God and His will. The panel discusses the different teachings of Armenians and Calvinists. Looking at marriage, and the love of God, only through salvation, and submission unto the Lord can we love another in marriage as God has ordained.

Today on The Message of The Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and panel discuss how all of humanity is born separated from God, due to The Fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. Every person will face judgment, at either the Judgment seat of Christ, or at the Great White Throne Judgment. Continuing their study in the third chapter of Romans, the panel discusses the teachings of the Apostle Paul on the gospel of God’s grace. Brother Loren says today, we find a great misunderstanding when it comes to the grace of God. The Apostle Paul detailed in God’s Word what grace really is.

Today on The Message of The Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and panel discuss the Apostle Paul’s teaching style through the use of questions. Paul’s questions address the many issues of the people to make them stop and think. Just because there is unbelief among the people, God forbid, it doesn’t mean God’s ways are wrong. Reading Romans 3:5-8, the panel looks at the righteousness of God, and discusses how God will judge the world at the Great White Throne Judgment.

Today on The Message of The Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and panel discuss the plan of God and timing for Israel. God is not done with His chosen people. Romans 11 explains God’s intentions for His chosen nation. He will once again gather the nation of Israel when she finally comes to believe on Jesus Christ as the Messiah. The panel discusses how God will bring to a remembrance for all who have heard. His grace and mercy is great to draw men and women by the power of the Holy Spirit to the saving knowledge of Christ and Him crucified.

Today on The Message of The Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and panel read Romans 2:28-29 as they continue their discussion on the New Covenant born again experience. This is an internal work of the Holy Spirit that was prophesied in the Old Covenant. In the Old, there was external moves of the Spirit, but after the crucifixion of Christ the Holy Spirit would come inside the believer and abide. This is a New Covenant, circumcision of the heart, which was symbolized in Deuteronomy 30:6, as the prophesy is given that the Jewish nation will come to Christ. This is a new Covenant law of grace, Christ’s Law. This is all of grace, and not of works.

Today on The Message of The Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and panel discuss what it means to be judged according to the gospel. Pastor Loren explains the life and living of the Jew versus Gentile, and the understanding of law keeping as works, which comes against the righteousness of being born again. We must know that circumcision of the heart is what is needed for salvation. Living a life of religious activity alone, will not result in making glory. The true love of God not only saves, but it transforms by the power of the Holy Spirit alone. His loves must be a transforming love, it is not one that will affirm us in our sin.