Ancient Words For Today - 1 Corinthians 15:57
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The context of this uplifting scripture concerns the victory over death and hell that believers are promised through faith in Jesus Christ. Victory over death and eternal life in God’s presence are not rewards for devoted service to God, a righteous lifestyle, or the great works that we have done for God. Rather, it is a free gift of God, according to His great love and grace (unmerited favor). In other words, we cannot earn eternal life, but God offers it to every person who believes on His Son, Jesus. Nobody is excluded from God’s generous offer – regardless of how many sins they may have committed. Sadly, not everyone will except God’s free gift. Only those who believe on Jesus Christ, trusting in His finished work on their behalf (dying on the cross to pay the penalty for their sins and then rising from the dead) can receive forgiveness of their sins, reconciliation with God, and His gift of eternal life. Here are a few of the many scriptures that explain this:
* A person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order
* Not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but in the measure of his mercy, he gave us salvation,
* For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.
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