Saved by tradition? – Romans 9

Saved by tradition?  – Romans 9   March 16, 2013 - Romans 9 Return to Admenu Home Dear  Saints, Today we prayerfully continue our Feast in Romans 9.  When I went into the military at the age of eighteen, the process by which we were inducted was like an assembly line.  There we had lines for clothing, haircuts, physicals, shots, etc… We were organized by groups and as we went through the induction process we stayed in our place just as we were organized.  The one person making my dog tags said to me; “Religion?”  To which I replied; “What are the choices?”  He looked up at me and said; “Are you Catholic?”  When I answered no he said; “Protestant” finished my dog tags and put them in my hands.  The reason I remember this I was a Christian by tradition.  Had the man said are you a Christian I would have said yes!  I knew that everyone in my family were Christians therefore so was I.  Not because of faith in Jesus however, it was because of family tradition.  “32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written,   “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;     and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 9:32-33, English Standard Version (ESV).  It was ok because I thought Christianity, Jesus and heaven were more like a story told to keep people in line.  Along those lines I thought that it was a good tradition and therefore I was a Christian by birthright.  I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus that would lead to life, faith and salvation.  I was lost and it didn’t bother me because I thought I was saved by tradition, a good man. “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” Colossians 3:12 ESV.  As a traditional Christian not only wasn’t I saved but I had none of the qualities mentioned in this verse.  Praise God! I didn’t die in combat; I lived until I was convinced what a miserable condition I was in. When I realized that I needed Jesus, he was there holding out his arms for me.  The truth is some treat the Church like a club that you can join if you’re invited.  If you measure up to the standard of the current club members.  There may be fellowship without faith in Jesus.  Without faith in Jesus there is there is no hope or love and no future. There is no salvation in tradition or the law.  No one is saved without a personal relationship with Jesus.  The Feast Sat, March 16, 2014, Romans 9, - “The apostle's concern that his countrymen were strangers to the gospel. (1-5) The promises are made good to the spiritual seed of Abraham. (6-13) Answers to objections against God's sovereign conduct, in exercising mercy and justice. (14-24) This sovereignty is in God's dealing both with Jews and Gentiles. (25-29) The falling short of the Jews is owing to their seeking justification, not by faith, but by the works of the law. (30-33)” – Matthew Henry Concise Pastor Glens complete Devotional Series |Click Here| See Destiny by Sandra Lee |Click Here| The Holy Spirit Is Calling by R. L. Waters |Click Here| God Bless you, Brother Mike http://www.admenu.com http://admenu.wordpress.com Tags: jesus, love, hope, care, god, holy, ghost, save, help Click Here to visit admenu for more information on our services and contacts! “let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10, 12 ESV.