The Open Word (Audio)

As Pastor David continues through the book of Romans he will be teaching us that our faith is contingent upon how the Lord moves and operates in our lives. When we trust in the Lord we will no longer trust in our own abilities, strength and logic. Do we limit the greatness and power of God to our own understanding? Do we contain God in a box? God is willing, and more than able, to move on behalf of those who operate their lives in faith. Christ said, “According to your faith, let it be done unto you.”

As Pastor David continues through the book of Romans, he will be explaining to us in depth what the phrase, “imputed as righteous” means. Imputed is defined as a legal and accounting term that means to credit to a person’s account. We all have a spiritual account of -0- before we were saved. Once we receive Christ, His righteousness is imputed into our spiritual account. The Father looks at our account and all He sees is Christ’s righteousness imputed into it.

As Pastor David continues taking us through the book of Romans, we will learn that just as God tested Abraham’s faith the Lord will test our faith as well. When God tests our faith we become more dependent on Him rather than on ourselves. When Peter kept his eyes focused on Jesus he had faith to walk on water, but as soon as Peter took his focus off the Lord and focused on the storm, he began to sink. We must have faith in God’s character and keep our eyes fixed on Him.

Pastor David will be taking us through the life of Abraham. We are not to have faith in our works but have good works because we have faith. The Lord says in the book of Isaiah that “our righteousness is as filthy rags”. The best we have to offer God on the basis of our works is looked at as filthiness. Faith in Christ must come first, then empowered by the Holy Spirit He calls upon you and I to walk in obedience to His word. Our good works prove that we have faith that is alive.

As Pastor David continues his teaching on being freely justified, he will be teaching us more in-depth definitions that coincide with the term justification. Terms such as propitiation, a term used to describe the sacrifice of the Passover lamb that was brought to the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies. When Christ, the Lamb of God, made propitiation for our sins He became that atoning sacrifice for us, once and for all. And our response to this free gift is to become a living sacrifice for Him.

Pastor David will be sharing with us the importance of understanding you’re freely justified. Justified means that when I stand before God it is just as if I never sinned. We receive this justification by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. There’s nothing we can do to earn our way into heaven. When we understand justification we obey God because we want to show love and appreciation for the free gift of salvation that He’s offered us. It is a joy, not a chore, to obey.

As Pastor David continues through the book of Romans we will learn that it is useless to try and follow rules and regulations apart from abiding in Christ. It must be a matter of the heart, not outward knowledge or guidelines set by a church. When coming to Christ the Holy Spirit dwells within us and convicts us. Unless we’re spending intimate time with the Lord we will miss out on His guidance. The Lord gives us the power and ability to be able to follow Him. Apart from Him you can do nothing.

Pastor David will be teaching us about the importance of sincerity and not allowing ourselves to be caught up in empty ceremonies and rituals. God is not pleased with meaningless actions. God want us to obey out of a genuine heart that loves Him. The Lord desires obedience and not sacrifice. Pastor David will also be warning us not to allow knowledge to puff us up. We must guard ourselves from only having head knowledge, and to be doers of the word and not hearers only.

Scripture gives us many examples of people who won’t take responsibility for themselves. People like Cain and Esau, who shake their fists at God and say, ‘If you’d only changed me’. The Bible warns us that behavior is inexcusable. We’ve been told that we’re sinful and that our sin has been covered. We’re in no position to argue the Cross and God’s authority over us. We’re saved through faith, not of works, but our works should show that we are saved, and because we love Jesus.

In faith you’ve been saved through grace, and not of works. However, when you are truly saved you’ll have works that show you love Christ. What you do is important to God, when you have sin in your life there is discipline and correction because of it. Your sin is inexcusable! You’ve been told and taught, you can’t shake your hand at God and be mad that He didn’t change you. He gave you Jesus Christ so that your inexcusable sin is covered. Now, let what you do show that you love Christ.