Judy's Declaration of Faith - Justification by Jesus, Our Savior

Galations 2:16-21

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Oh, No ... a Pentecostal Dog!

A Baptist preacher and his wife decided they needed a dog. Ever mindful of the congregation, they knew the dog must also be Baptist. They visited an expensive kennel and explained their needs to the manager, who assured them he had just the dog for them.

The dog was produced and the manager said, "Fetch the Bible." The dog bounded to the bookshelf, scrutinized the books, located the Bible, and brought it to the manager. The manager then said "Find Psalms 23". The dog, showing marvelous dexterity with his paws, leafed thru the Bible, found the correct passage, and pointed to it with his paw.

Duly impressed, the couple purchased the dog.

That evening a group of parishioners came to visit. The preacher and his wife began to show off the dog, having him locate several Bible verses. The visitors were amazed. Finally, one man asked, "Can he do normal dog tricks too?"

"Let's see" said the preacher. Pointing his finger at the dog, he commanded "Heel!" The dog immediately jumped up on a chair, placed one paw on the preacher's forehead and began to howl. The preacher turned to his wife and exclaimed:

"Good grief, we've bought a Pentecostal dog!"

This funny story brings me to my declaration of faith. I am, perhaps, a hybrid ... a Pentecostal Baptist. Basically, the two religions differ on only two things ... Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Eternal Salvation.

First of all, I wish to say that I am a child of God, washed in the Blood of Jesus. I have been justified in Spirit and sanctified in my soul. I know I will have a glorified body at the resurrection and will be together with my family and friends again in Heaven some day. I confess before God and man that Jesus Christ is God in flesh, virgin born, raised from the dead, and the Lord of my life. I believe in the Holy Trinity:


1. I AM A PENTECOSTAL

I believe in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. That's easy, since I received the indwelling when I was 13 years old.

2. I AM A BAPTIST

I believe in "eternal salvation". That's easy, too; since no matter what I've done in my life, Jesus has NEVER let go of me. Also, the Holy Spirit has NEVER left me a single time in all of those years either. If Jesus ever left me, it's for sure the Holy Spirit would have, too.

Below, I have included information that led me to my knowledge that Jesus will never let go of me. I have Eternal Salvation, because Jesus died on the cross to give it to me.


 John 6:35; 37-40

And Jesus said unto them,I am the bread of life: he that commeth to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

And this is the will of Him that sent me, that every one that seeth the Son, and believeth on Him,
may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

The following verse says that "Christ lives in me". If he didn't, he would have to die in me. (This comment of mine might seem silly, but think about it.) Since Christ can't die, then he must always live in me. I am always "saved".

It must be understood that if I put myself back under the Law of righteousness, then Christ died without cause. There is NOTHING I can do, no works (sin or good deeds) or obeying any law that can "save" me. ONLY the Grace of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, Savior of the World can do that. Just like it further says in Galatians:

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Where works and "the law" are concerned, we must realize they are not for our salvation - they are merely the foundation of what rewards we will receive in Heaven. Some people try to parse the word "works". I don't care how they parse it, the bottom line is still the same:

ONLY THE GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST CAN SAVE US AND
TAKE US TO HEAVEN TO BE WITH HIM.

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
John 3:19

If a man can kneel before God, he can stand before anyone.
Ephesians 6:12

http://www.freejesus.net/home/viewtopic.php?t=5025&start=100

Furthermore, don't forget "Paul's comments on Torah and Grace. Paul, who was Jewish, gives a balanced perspective on Torah and grace throughout his writings." (from this website http://www.bethmessiah.com/topic5.htm. Please check it out. There's many more "goodies" there.)

For you have been delivered by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment but G~d’s gift. You were not delivered by your own actions; therefore no one should boast. For we are of G~d’s making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by G~d for us to do. - Ephesians 2:8-10

For in His sight no one alive will be considered righteous on the ground of legalistic observance of Torah commands, because what Torah really does is show people how sinful they are. - Romans 3:20

Does it follow that we abolish Torah by this trusting? Heaven forbid! On the contrary, we confirm Torah. - Romans 3:31

For sin will not have authority over you; because you are not under legalism but under grace. Therefore, what conclusion should we reach? 'Let's go on sinning, because we are not under legalism but under grace?' Heaven forbid! - Romans 6:14,15

Therefore, what are we to say? That the Torah is sinful? Heaven forbid! Rather, the function of the Torah was that without it, I would not have known what sin is. - Romans 7:7

So the Torah is holy; that is, the commandment is holy, just and good.
- Romans 7:12


One thing to be recognized is the fact that there are those who PROFESS to be Christians who really aren't. I believe the example below is why some people believe that a "Christian" can lose his/her salvation.

They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. - 1 John 2:19

Those kind of people should not let us lose our faith in Jesus and the knowledge that we will be with him someday in Heaven. Even if we backslide, he'll lasso us and bring us back to the fold after he's let us have a few hard knocks and lessons in life. You can count on it!

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.
Hebrews 12:6

Finally, I cannot end this page without WARNING each of my children and grandchildren that they must be very diligent with their own children if they want us all to meet in Heaven. Be sure to take heed of this verse, or you'll be very sorry.

Raise up a child in the way he should go:
and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Dear Jesus, please let the circle be unbroken.
Bring all of my children and grandchildren to you
that we may all be together in Heaven someday.
Thank you. Amen

***
Oh, two last remarks ...
Boy, am I glad that I don't have to worry about not getting to go to Heaven.
Because of the sins I have committed, I'd go to Hell, for sure.

For all of those I have wronged, especially my children,
please forgive me, as Jesus has.



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