| “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” – Galatians 6:14 |
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| Keep First Things FIRST In keeping first things firsts and the main thing the main thing, the Apostle Paul reminds us that our focus is Jesus Christ and the work He did at the cross. We are to focus on the message of the cross because it is the only message that doubly changes lives! It changes a person’s eternal destination, and it changes a person’s earthly desires. No other message can do that. No wonder the Apostle Paul said he would only boast in the cross of Christ! When the gospel is accepted it changes a person’s eternal destination, and it changes a person’s earthly desires. To go along with Galatians 6:14 the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians that he had “determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2) Earlier he had written, “But we preach Christ crucified, .. (1 Cor. 1:23) As he moves toward a conclusion with the Corinthians he writes, Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you — unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,” When the gospel is accepted it changes a person’s eternal destination, and it changes a person’s earthly desires. Note: Just a reminder that as we desire to see other people live and think differently it begins with regeneration and justification and adoption into the family of God. In other words, change happens when one gets saved! One only changes when one accepts the gospel. For that to happen there needs to be evangelization. For us to see our neighbors, friends, relatives, and associates, as well as our neighborhoods, cities, country, and yes world changed, they need to hear the message of the CROSS – the GOSPEL! Evangelization, sharing the GOSPEL – introducing people to Jesus – is the start. Are you sharing the gospel? Verse to DATE the Word on June 14 (6/14) is Galatians 6:14. It says, “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” As you boast let your boast be about JESUS and knowing Him and making Him known! “But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice, and righteousness on the earth–for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:24) Continue Strong with first things always being first And remember to DATE the Word |