Scripture

 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8, NIV

Quote

The object of faith is more important than believing.

~Frankling Graham

If I am sure about anything, I am sure that salvation is by grace: it is a gift to be received not a status to be achieved. If man had any part in salvation, he would boast. One of the fascinating things about the passion week was Jesus moving toward total loneliness. Going from Jericho to Jerusalem, no one walked beside Him. No one wanted to go to Jerusalem. All of His followers feared what might happen in Jerusalem. This loneliness hit an apex on the eve of His crucifixion when He literally begged Peter, James and John to pray with Him for just one hour and all they could do was sleep. Then when they arrested Jesus, all the disciples fled. No one stood beside Him during the mock trail which was the greatest travesty of justice in human history. He faced His hateful enemies alone; He bore the cross alone; He carried our guilt and shame alone. We were not there for Him. We failed Him miserably. We gave Him no assistance. It was our fear, cowardice and contemptable weakness that caused Him to die. We are just as guilty of His death as the despicable Sadducee’s.

This has always bothered me but there is a providential reason for Jesus doing all this by Himself. There is ONE Savior and His name is Jesus. Jesus paid it all. When it comes to our atonement, He did everything that needed to be done without our help. We have no right to claim any part of our salvation. He suffered alone and He died alone and He alone is to get the glory. How dare we claim salvation on the basis of our putrid righteousness. The very idea of attempting to rob Him of his glory is detestable.

So what it boils down to is this: Jesus and Jesus alone secured our atonement. We gave Him no assistance whatsoever. We have One Savior and His name is Jesus. Our hope is in Jesus–nothing more, nothing less and nothing else. Putting your faith in your own righteousness is vain. Putting faith is religion is useless. Put your faith in Jesus and Jesus alone. Putting faith is all these other things will get you no where except hell–put your faith in Jesus. He is the One and Only Savior.

Extra

Another bitter cold morning. Looking at the long range forecast, it looks like January will be a cold month. I have decided to attend the Pastor’s Conference today. The I am going to make a visit or two and run some errands. I got a lot of rest yesterday and I am going to slow the pace today.

We had a good crowd and a good service yesterday at the POINT and this Friday is our first 49er fellowship for 2026 and I am excited. Our Guatemala Mission Offering was phenomenal [$1,535.00}. This is to help pay air fares.

Another great Sunday night crowd at DBC. They have so many new faces I don’t know them all. Some of the new faces talked with me after the service. I was very encouraged. One man liked my parable of “Jack the bullfrog.”

Stay warm and have a great day. THANKS for reading the blog.

Extra/Extra

Morgan County tournament this week at Falkville. I think Danville and Brewer play Tuesday; all three teams. We are the two lowest ceded teams in the tournament. It has been a long time since that has happened.