My Attitude!! My Rights!! – Joy in Serving – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 2b) [5]

May 8, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

We had talked about God’s counter-intuitive ways for people to experience joy in the posts, “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!”, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK. In Phil. 2:5, we see Paul is revealing to the Philippians another tip to experiencing joy in serving. He says, You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

WHAT WAS JESUS’ ATTITUDE TOWARD SERVING?

He humbled Himself, not clinging to His rights as God, and taking the form of a servant. – v.6-7 Mark, in Mark 10:44-45, puts it this way – whoever wants to be first among you must be the servant of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.

IS GOD’S ATTITUDE DIFFERENT FROM THE “WORLD’S” ATTITUDE?

I think the answer would be a definite YES!!

As I think about the way schools, businesses, and various organizations measure success and HAPPINESS, it seems that the world connects success and HAPPINESS with personal achievement.

Whereas, when we look at the counter-intuitive teaching of Jesus, He encourages people to look for ways to be a blessing to others, connecting service with success and JOY.

YEAH, BUT WHAT ABOUT MY RIGHTS? WHAT I DESERVE?

Remember from v.6, Jesus did not cling to His rights as God.

Here are a couple of examples of our “rights” —

“I can have an abortion. It’s my body, and I have a “right” to decide what I want to do.”
“I worked hard to earn my money. I have the “right” to keep it all for myself.”
“I work hard for my grades in school. I have the “right” to be recognized and rewarded for my efforts.”

WHAT DO OUR RIGHTS HAVE TO DO WITH SERVICE?

Because of our sinful natures, our natural tendency is to choose what we want, our will, verses God’s will. Our first reaction is self-preservation – me, me, me.

In Philippians 2:6-7, Paul is bringing to our attention that the world’s road to glory, fulfillment, success, happiness, etc., is nothing more than an illusion. Nothing more than a carrot dangling ahead of us, tempting us, and leading us to believe that if we catch it, then we’ll finally be HAPPY.

Paul describes Jesus’ preparation for service in Phil. 2:7, He made himself nothing, He emptied Himself, He took the humble position of a bond servant, and appeared in human form.

Jesus was now subject to “human” experiences. To pain, to temptation, to rules, to His parents, and most importantly, He was dependent on God.

I take a moment to note that Jesus, in choosing to humble Himself, to voluntarily take on the form of a human, in no way changed the fact that He continued to be God.

The fact that Jesus continued to be God, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin, Hebrews 4:15, is encouraging to me. It demonstrates I am not being forced to serve, or forced to depend on God. I choose to empty myself. I choose to serve. I choose to depend on God. Also, in making those choices I will not lose who I am, my personality, the characteristics that make me, me. No, instead I am accepting an opportunity to experience JOY.

Keep in mind that Jesus did not lose who He was, God. In the same way, as I mentioned above, we don’t lose who we are either. And who are we? Sinners!! – For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard – Romans 3:23

It’s because we’re sinners that we so desperately need a leader. We need to follow someone who has faced all of the same testings we do, yet did not sin – Hebrews 4:15. Someone who knows the way to JOY, and wants to help us experience JOY in our lives.

WHO SHOULD WE FOLLOW?

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Really?? There Can Be Joy in Suffering?? – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 1b) – [3]

April 30, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

Continuing on from Philippians (Chapter 1a), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mF…

ARE YOU IN PRISON?

You may not be in a literal prison, or even experiencing physically suffering, but you may feel trapped or discouraged.

Remember: The way you respond when you find yourself in conflicts at work, in your friendships, in your marriage, with your finances, with your teachers, your family members, etc. has to power to restrain you, or set you free. Your response reflects what you believe, and of who you believe in.

WHAT KEPT PAUL GOING IN ADVERSE SITUATIONS?

Paul, “I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, and I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ whether I live or die. And while I live that means fruitful service for Christ.“ – Phil. 1:20,22

WHAT FUELED PAUL TO PUSH THROUGH HIS SUFFERING?

I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. – Phil. 1:25

AN EXAMPLE OF JOY IN SUFFERING

Between 1942 and 1945, a Jewish man named Viktor Frankl, spent time in four different Nazi concentration camps. His family died, he suffered horribly, and he spent years watching everyone around him suffering and dying. Out of this horrific experience came the book, Man’s Search for Meaning.

Here is a few quotes to ponder from Frankl’s book.

“Suffering is of itself meaningless. We give our suffering meaning by the way we respond to it.”

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances — the freedom to choose how you will respond to situation.”

“You can’t control what happens to you in life, but you can always control what you feel and do about what happens to you.”

TRANSFORMATION/STRENGTHENING

Allow your suffering to transform you. Allow your suffering to strengthen your faith in God.

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Really?? There Can Be Joy In Suffering?? – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 1a) – [2]

April 27, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

The Book of Philippians is a letter, written by the Apostle Paul. It is a rather short book, consisting of 4 chapters. Each chapter describing how joy can be experienced within different contexts.

Chapter 1 – Joy in Suffering
Chapter 2 – Joy in Serving
Chapter 3 – Joy in Believing
Chapter 4 – Joy in Giving

When I read Paul’s letters, I like to imagine that he wrote them to me.

By making the letters personal, as was Paul’s intention, I read them as “pep talks”.

They encourage me, while reminding me, that regardless of my circumstances there is hope when I put my trust in the Lord.

WHAT WAS PAUL’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PHILIPPIANS?

Looking at Phil 1:5 we see that Paul had a special relationship with the Philippians, You have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

Because of the close relationship Paul shares with the Philippians, he knows that they are troubled by his suffering. Therefore, he takes the time to reassure them that his suffering is not without purpose. Paul says, “I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.” – Phil 1:12–15

WHO’S IN CONTROL OF OUR LIVES?

He reminds the Philippians that God is sovereign, and in control of his (and their) life and circumstances. Paul lets them know that he is fulfilling God’s intended purpose for him.

SUFFERING => UNFAIRNESS OR OPPORTUNITY?

Paul saw his imprisonment, not as an act of unfairness, or God forsaking him, but rather as an opportunity. An opportunity to spread the Good News that Christ came to save people, including prisoners and prison guards.

He saw his situation through God’s eyes verses limited human eyes.

Paul encouraged people by the way he responded when he was put into less-than-desirable situations. He demonstrated his faith, and encouraged others to experience God’s provision and comfort found in suffering.

ARE YOU IN PRISON?

You may not be in a literal prison, or even experiencing physically suffering, but you may feel trapped or discouraged.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED A POST FROM PHILIPPIANS, SEE LINKS BELOW 🙂

– Want to Know a Secret – (Introduction) Philippians [1] , http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mp

– Really?? There Can Be Joy In Suffering?? – PHILIPPIANS (Ch.1b) [3] , http://wp.me/p5nZpi-no

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Want to Know a Secret?? – PHILIPPIANS (Introduction) – [1]

April 20, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

My last post series was called “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!”,http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK.

In that 4 part series, I touched on the difference between joy and happiness. I suggested that it is better to experience joy, which perseveres and is ongoing, verses happiness, which is temporary and fleeting.

Today I’d like to introduce the Book of Philippians. I have chosen this book to follow the series “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” because it reveals the secret to experiencing joy.

The Book of Philippians was a letter written by the Apostle Paul, in approximately A.D. 61, to a church, in the Macedonian city, of Philippi. Paul had a special relationship with the Philippians. This letter expresses how much he cared for them, as well as, to thank them for the gift they sent him.

Keep in mind as we read this letter, that Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned in Philippi.

Paul started the church at Philippi on his second missionary trip to the area. Philippi was located in Greece, and was the first church established in Europe. Below are ruins from Philippi.

After Paul’s conversion, dated approximately A.D. 33-36 on the road to Damascus, he dedicated his life to serving the Lord. To read more about Paul’s conversion, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A1-22&version=NLT.

On his journey he experienced terrible poverty, great wealth, and everything in-between. No matter what his circumstance, Paul learned to be content. He says in Philippians 4:12, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need…

Keep an eye out for my next post, and discover the secret to Paul’s joy.

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“I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” – (Part 4 of 4)

April 16, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

In my last post “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” – (Part 3), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kn, I ended with these 3 questions:

Have you ever heard of making a New Year’s Resolution? A promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good, or to stop doing something bad on the first day of the year.
Have you ever heard of the concept – exercising mindfulness? Meaning to pay attention “on purpose” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
Have you ever heard this verse from the Bible? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 55:8

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WHAT DO THESE SEEMINGLY, RANDOM, QUESTIONS HAVE TO DO WITH GOD’S WAY TO JOY?

1. A New Year’s Resolution.

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. – Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (The whole passage can be read at, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30:11-20)

It seems to me that our first step is to make a choice – God’s Way or the World’s Way.

But DON’T wait until January 1st, make a choice today!! Follow God as the Lord, the leader, of your life.

2. Mindfulness.

Many people go through life by way of their habits. Some good and some not so good. When I think of mindfulness, I think of becoming consciously aware of the choices/decisions I’m making.

Do I go to church on Sunday because I’ve always gone to church on Sunday?

Do I have dessert after every meal, just because?

Do I watch movies because the critics say it’s “good”, and put it up for an Academy Award?

When I actively engage my mind vs. operating on habits, I’m consciously and actively retraining myself and my mind. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think... – Romans 12:2

Instead of simply reacting, I am now choosing to respond.

In response to circumstances or situations, is my knee-jerk reaction – How will this benefit me? If that is your answer, that’s GREAT!! Why? Because you have just made a mindful evaluation.
You stopped for moment, even if it was just for a split second, to recognize what was driving your thoughts/actions – me or them, them or me…

Every time we bring awareness to our reactions, we increase our chances of forming habits that we desire, verses unconsciously adopting our parents, friends, co-workers, fellow students, TV personalities, etc. ways of reacting.

Maybe what they do is good, or not-so-good. Either way, you now have a way to evaluate your responses, instead of leaving them up to chance or habit.

3. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 55:8

This verse puts “my way of thinking” into perspective.

I, “the pot”, don’t completely understand every Biblical concept, idea, or God’s mode of operation. Nor, do I have the ability to know how my choices will affect myself and others. Only God, “the potter”, does.

I’m reminded that if I did have all the answers, I would have no need for God. All my relationships would be perfect, or at least my version of perfect, and in theory I’d live happily-ever-after.

Unfortunately, I have all to often acted or spoken too soon, wishing I could have a do-over.

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IN CONCLUSION:

We will experience joy when we invite God, and His Word to soften, and reshape our hearts.

Everything that God guides us to “do” in His Word, is for the purpose of growing our relationship with Him, and with others.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Luke 10:27

Additionally, God’s desire is to give us a rich and satisfying life. – John 10:10

GOD’S WAY TO JOY ==>> BE OTHER-CENTERED

REMEMBER: We can trust God. He always has our best interest in mind.

If God is for us, who can be against us? – Romans 8:31

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SEE ALSO: “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!”

(Part 1), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK,

(Part 2), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY,

(Part 3), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kn

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“I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” – (Part 3 of 4)

April 13, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation 1 Comment

Let’s take just one moment to recap from the previous post, “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” – (Part 2), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY.

God’s way to joy =>> Other-centered – them, them, them (How can I be a blessing to others? What might I have to “give up”, sacrifice, to restore a relationship, to start a relationship, to set healthy boundaries in a relationship, etc.)

The world’s way to happiness =>> Self-centered – me, me, me (What’s in it for me? What will make me happy?)

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The life God calls us to live may seem, at first glance, counter-intuitive and challenging. It seems to fight against every fiber of our being. I often feel the way Paul describes himself in Romans 7:19 – I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.

Referencing the slide from my previous post, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY, The Way to…, we can see that there is a battle being fought for our hearts.

Satan, the god of this world, John 12:31, the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2, seeks to influence our ideas, opinions, goals, hopes, education, finances, and worldview (philosophies) towards his ways. Forget about others. You’re the only one who matters. Look out for #1.

God, on-the-other-hand, wants to give us wisdom, James 1:5, He’s allowed us to experience love, because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:19. God, who so deeply desires a relationship with us, that He willingly gave His Son, Jesus, to be a sacrifice in our place, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16, and live forever with God. He desires for us to look outside of ourselves, towards others. Not for His benefit, but for ours.

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Have you ever heard of making a New Year’s Resolution? A promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good, or to stop doing something bad on the first day of the year.

Have you ever heard of the concept – exercising mindfulness? Meaning to pay attention “on purpose” – Jon Kabat-Zinn

Have you ever heard this verse from the Bible? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 55:8

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WHAT DO THESE SEEMINGLY, RANDOM, QUESTIONS HAVE TO DO WITH GOD’S WAY TO JOY?

< “I Just Wanna Be Happy!! – (Part 4), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-lH >

SEE ALSO: (PART 1) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK, (PART 2) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY

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“I Just Wanna Be Happy!!!” – (Part 2 of 4)

April 9, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

Have you ever heard this verse from the Bible? –

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 55:8

Or how about this verse? –

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. – Proverbs 3:5-8

As I mentioned in the last post, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK, our goal should not be the pursuit of happiness, but instead should be the pursuit of JOY. Happiness is fleeting, joy in everlasting.

And the verses above, well, they put me and God into perspective. They remind me that – I am not my creator, I do not have all the answers, I don’t always know what’s best for me, my friends, my friends, my career, my schooling, etc.?

What I do know, however, is that in a blink of an eye,

my whole world can be turned upside down.

And then what? What do I have left?

Thankfully we have an all-knowing, ever-present, all-powerful God who loves us so much, that He’s willing to freely share the Way to Joy with all people.

The world’s way to happiness =>> Self-centered – me, me, me (What’s in it for me? What will make me happy?)

SEE ALSO: “I JUST WANNA BE HAPPY!!”

(PART 1), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK,

(PART 3), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kn,

(PART 4), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-lH

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If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar. Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
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Response to Reader’s Comment – “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!!” – (Part 1)

April 9, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

< TO READ POST, “I JUST WANNA BE HAPPY!!!” – (PART 1) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK >

READER’S COMMENT:

Monica thank you for the great post! I absolutely believe that happiness and peace are possible for everyone regardless of their various situations. In high school I used to think, “I’ll be happy when my skin clears up. I’ll be happy when I make the Volleyball team. I’ll be happy when I get my braces off. Now…I’ll be happy when I lose my baby weight :)Etc” I was waiting for life to provide me happiness. What I had to learn is that I have the opportunity to chose be happy today. All people experience challenges, sadness, and disappointments in this life, but we don’t have to be consumed by our hardships; we can move toward peace (And yes, I know it is easier said than done, but that is why we have our Savior to help heal our wounds and hurts). I have learned from inspiring individuals who have made peace with their challenges and live with joy amid adversity. A great medicine that works for me is to serve others in a meaningful way. When we focus our attention on helping others we are accompanied by the Holy spirit, whose comfort is true peace.

MY RESPONSE:

Thanks for your thoughtful comment 🙂

Did you take a peek at “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!!” – (Part 2)?, because your comment –

“A great medicine that works for me is to serve others in a meaningful way. When we focus our attention on helping others… “

is just the prescription the Great Physician, Jehovah – Rapha: The Lord Who Heals, prescribes 🙂

Your “cure” for happiness, I’d suspect, is not so different from what we’ve all tried in an attempt to achieve the elusive “HAPPY” feeling. For me personally, there are almost too many times to count, when I’ve allowed my “cures” for happiness to the direct my responses and reactions, with less than desirable results.

The key for me, and probably others who can relate to your comment, is to apply what I’ve learned, and practice what I preach.
I must just listen to God’s word. I must do what it says. Otherwise, I am only fooling myself. – James 1:22

Until the Lord Jesus Christ returns, I continue to be a work-in-progress 🙂

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“I Just Wanna Be Happy!!!” – (Part 1 of 4)

April 8, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation 4 Comments

“I just wanna be happy!!”

After reading this post, I’m not so sure you’ll settle for just being “happy”.

“What? Of course, I want to be happy!! Who wouldn’t?”

HAPPINESS DEFINED:

Merriam Webster – the state of being happy, an experience that makes you happy.

Bible – a fleeting feeling that depends upon temporal factors, like circumstances or other people.

HAPPINESS EXAMPLES:

Everyday life – “I’m bummed out. I think some ice cream, with chocolate syrup, will be just the thing I need to make me happy!” – At least for the moment…

Bible – When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, “What good fortune!” So she named him Gad. Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. Then Leah said, “How happy I am! – Genesis 30:9-13

To read more about this intense “boy baby producing” competition between Rachel and her sister Leah read – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+30%3A1-13&version=NIV

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JOY DEFINED:

Merriam Webster – to feel great delight, to be glad

Bible – contentment that comes from internal factors, like our faith in the Lord. It is everlasting and not dependent upon circumstances.

JOY EXAMPLES:

Everyday Life – When life gives you lemons…

Bible – Paul says, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:12- 13, 19

SO MAYBE YOU’RE THINKING…

“I like this concept of joy. I can be content with my life, I can appreciate the ‘present’, I don’t have to allow circumstances to dictate how I’m feeling, and it lasts forever. Wow!! Seems good to be true? Seems like I’m on a seesaw. Some days up, some days down.”

IS HAVING “TRUE JOY” IN MY LIFE REALLY POSSIBLE?

FOR THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION, KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR “I JUST WANNA BE HAPPY!!!” (PART 2), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY

SEE ALSO:

(PART 3), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kn,

(PART 4), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-lH

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No One is Good?? Not Even One Person??

February 3, 2015March 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

ALL people are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say, “NO ONE is good — not even one. NO ONE has real understanding; NO ONE is seeking God. All have turned away from God; ALL have gone wrong.“

For NO ONE can ever be made right in God’s sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God’s law, the clearer it becomes that we aren’t obeying it. But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight — NOT by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago.

We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we ALL can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. For ALL have sinned; ALL fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us NOT guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for OUR sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.

God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times. And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus. Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal

IS NOT based on our good deeds. IT IS BASED ON OUR FAITH.

So we are made right with God through faith AND NOT by obeying the law.

There is only one God, and there is only one way of being accepted by him. He makes people right with himself ONLY BY FAITH, whether they are Jews or Gentiles (any one other than a Jew)

Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law. – Romans 3:9-31

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