TRUST IN THE LORD, NOT IN SELF

 (2 Corinthians 1:9). 

This dramatic statement by the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul has given me a much needed explanation of my life’s journey and the strength to continue it with hope and spiritual vigor. Not trusting in ourselves is a major hurdle that we all must face and overcome. Generally, we face our hurdles without recognizing that they are not our real problem. Often, we look at difficulties as the devil coming against us; therefore, we pray and pray believing that the Lord will remove our impediments without realizing that they are designed to destroy self-trust. 

Trusting in ourselves is our real hurdle. 

Self-trust is a weapon that the enemy often uses to defeat us. Paul says that the sentence of death in ourselves is God-ordained; that we should not trust in ourselves, but in the ever-present, all knowing, and all powerful God.  

The scriptures say, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3: 5-7). 

These scriptures tell us how to be victorious in all situations and circumstances. We are to trust the Lord with all our heart and not be wise in our own eyes! We must not lean on our own understanding or trust in our natural wisdom because our understanding and wisdom are inadequate and limited. Jesus is the Wisdom of God. Let’s practice leaning on and acknowledging Him in everything we do. This is His road to success. The promise is that He will direct our paths. 

We are designed by God to live in total dependence upon Him. It was Adam’s independence that caused our problems.

 Disobedience says, “I’m my own person.” It is an expression of self-trust and not trust in the Lord. Trusting in the Lord means obeying Him and depending on Him even when you don’t understand. 

Let us thank the Lord in all our trials because He is bringing us to the end of ourselves. When we no longer have self to depend on, we will have learned to depend upon and trust Jesus, our Lord.

Our works can not save us

No, your works cannot save you; salvation is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned through good deeds. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Salvation is a gift, not a reward:

The Bible teaches that salvation is a free gift from God, received through faith, not something earned through good works. 

Ephesians 2:8-9:

This passage clearly states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—not by works—so that no one can boast". 

Good works are a result of salvation, not a means to it:

While good works are important and expected from believers, they are a natural outcome of having a transformed heart through faith, not the basis for earning salvation. 

Focus on faith in Jesus:

The focus should be on trusting in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, not on trying to earn salvation through your own actions. 

James 2:14:

This verse highlights that faith without works is dead, meaning that genuine faith will naturally lead to good works, but good works alone are insufficient for salvation. 

Philippians 2:12:

This verse instructs believers to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling," which is understood as living a life that reflects your faith, not as a means of earning salvation

Faith but not blind faith

 The Bible encourages faith, but not blind or unquestioning faith. It values seeking understanding and discerning truth, as seen in passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:21, which urges believers to "test everything, hold on to what is good". 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Faith as Trust, Not Blind Acceptance:

The Bible emphasizes faith as trust in God based on His character and promises, not simply accepting something without question. 

Seeking Understanding:

The Bible encourages believers to seek knowledge and understanding of God's Word and ways. 

Testing and Discernment:

Passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:21 and 1 John 4:1 encourage believers to "test everything" and to discern between truth and falsehood. 

Examples in the Bible:

Thomas's Doubt: The story of Thomas, who initially doubted Jesus' resurrection, highlights the importance of seeking evidence and not blindly accepting everything. 

Paul's Defense: Paul, in 1 Peter 3:15, encourages believers to be prepared to defend their faith and explain the hope they have in Christ. 

Passages to Consider:

1 Thessalonians 5:21: "Test everything; hold on to what is good." 

1 John 4:1: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." 

Proverbs 3:13: "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for it is better to seek wisdom than to seek silver, and to get understanding rather than gold."

what is in the heart comes out of the mouth

 The saying "what is in the heart comes out of the mouth" means that a person's words and actions reflect their true feelings and beliefs, often found in religious teachings like the Bible. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Biblical Context:

The phrase is rooted in biblical teachings, particularly in Matthew 12:34 and Matthew 15:18, where Jesus states that "the mouth speaks what the heart is full of" and "what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart". 

Reflection of Inner State:

The saying suggests that a person's words and actions are a manifestation of their inner thoughts, values, and character. 

Positive and Negative Implications:

If a person's heart is filled with good things like love, kindness, and compassion, their words and actions will likely reflect that. Conversely, if their heart is filled with negativity, their words and actions may reflect that as well. 

Practical Application:

This saying serves as a reminder to cultivate a positive and loving heart, as our words and actions can have a significant impact on others. 

Example:

If a person consistently speaks unkind or hurtful words, it may be an indication that their heart is not filled with love and compassion, but rather with negativity or anger.

Result of eternal seperation from God

 According to the Bible, dying in a state of sin, without repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, results in eternal separation from God, known as hell or eternal punishment. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

The Wages of Sin is Death:

The Bible states that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), meaning that the consequence of sin is spiritual death and separation from God. 

Jesus's Role:

Jesus's death on the cross is presented as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of those who believe in him. 

Repentance and Faith:

To be forgiven of sins and have a relationship with God, the Bible teaches that people must repent of their sins and have faith in Jesus Christ as their savior. 

Eternal Consequences:

Those who die in a state of unrepentant sin are said to face eternal punishment, a place of judgment and separation from God, often referred to as hell or the lake of fire. 

Examples in the Bible:

John 8:24: "I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins." 

John 3:16-18: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." 

Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

Many will not enter the kingdome of God

 In Luke 13:24-28, Jesus emphasizes the urgency and difficulty of entering the kingdom of God, warning that many will strive to enter but fail, while some who seem unlikely will be welcomed, and those who are rejected will experience weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the key points:

"Strive to enter through the narrow door":

Jesus urges people to make every effort to enter the kingdom of God, implying that it requires a conscious and dedicated pursuit. 

"Many will seek to enter but will not be able":

This highlights the fact that simply trying to enter the kingdom will not guarantee success; a genuine and committed effort is necessary. 

"There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth":

This describes the lament and despair of those who are excluded from the kingdom, emphasizing the consequences of failing to enter. 

"You will see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out":

This underscores the possibility of those who seem unlikely to be saved entering the kingdom, while those who might have expected to be there are rejected. 

"They will come from east and west, north and south, and sit at the feast in the kingdom of God":

This suggests that the kingdom of God is open to people from all backgrounds and cultures, not just those who might be considered "deserving". 

"And some who are here will be last, and some who are last will be first":

This highlights the paradoxical nature of God's kingdom, where the lowly can be exalted and the proud can be humbled.

No there way to heaven

 The statement "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) is a foundational concept in Christianity, emphasizing that everyone is in need of God's grace and forgiveness, and that death is the consequence of sin, not a barrier to heaven, but rather a path to it through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Here's a more detailed

 explanation: 

Universal Sinfulness:

The verse in Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," highlights the universal nature of sin, meaning that no one is inherently righteous or perfect in God's eyes.

Need for Forgiveness:

This understanding underscores the need for forgiveness and redemption, as everyone has fallen short of God's standard of holiness.

God's Grace:

The following verse (Romans 3:24) introduces the concept of justification by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, offering a path to reconciliation with God.

Death and Eternal Life:

While death is the consequence of sin (Romans 6:23), the Christian faith offers the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, who died to atone for the sins of humanity.

Salvation:

Salvation is not earned through good deeds or following rules, but is a free gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ.

Not a Barrier to Heaven:

The death of a believer, therefore, is not a barrier to heaven, but a transition into the presence of God.

The Importance of Faith:

The Bible emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and eternal life.

No there way to heaven 🙏