I have often been disappointed in myself in that I have sinned after knowing not to, even while knowing so much Bible. The question then becomes, “How could I do such a thing?” and “How can I not sin?” The fact is that after our salvation we soon recognize that we have a stubborn ‘heart’ problem that needs resetting. Thankfully, God’s grace and His ongoing work upon our soul, over time … ‘repurposes our heart.’

I was saved in 1968 through the preaching of salvation in Christ that I first heard at Hydewood Park Baptist Church, in New Jersey. It was a rigid fundamentalist Bible believing church. Thankfully, many are saved in and through first hearing the word of salvation in a denominational church setting, hearing a message of God’s grace and the free gift of salvation “through faith” alone in Christ alone.

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)

Both redemption and sanctification (Holiness) flow to us from the cross in the person of the indwelling “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.”

But distinctively, Grace and faith are the great characteristic features of the present age of “the dispensation of the grace of God.”

“Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Be careful (anxious) for nothing”— pray the Pauline way… and relax in God’s grace!

By Arthur J Licursi

Before one can be saved from eternal damnation they need to know and acknowledge their true condition, as to how they are seen in God’s eyes. Who can receive and answer until they first come to the question… which is, “Is man able to save himself?”

God’s word gives us the answer starting with the revelation of our true condition, apart from His Salvation.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

Mercy and grace are often confused. While the terms may seem to have similar meanings, grace and mercy are not the same.

To briefly summarize the difference:

• Mercy is God not punishing us as our sins would deserve… you don’t get what you deserve!

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”

 Reference Text: Romans 4:16-22

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6 KJV).

The third verse of Jack P. Scholfield’s classic 1911 hymn, “Saved, Saved, Saved,” the truth of our Salvation.

“When poor and needy and all alone,
In love He said to me,
‘Come unto Me and I’ll lead you home,
To live with Me eternally.’”