WHAT YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT!

And without faith it is impossible to please Him.  Hebrews 11:6a

We cannot reach heaven WITHOUT Jesus Christ.  “You were at that time WITHOUT Christ … having NO hope and WITHOUT God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:12-13).  We cannot be saved or forgiven WITHOUT Jesus’ shed blood.  Our sin is never forgiven with silver or gold, but only with the “precious blood as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19).  Thus for Jesus to be able to die for us He had to be WITHOUT sin.  Even as the sacrificial animals had to be perfect specimens, our Savior was “tempted in all things like we are, yet WITHOUT sin” (Hebrews 4:15).  Jesus’ sacrifice will never count for us WITHOUT personal faith and trust in Him.  It only benefits “whoever believes in Him” so that he/she “shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  True salvation can never be evidenced WITHOUTworks.  James declares “faith WITHOUT works is useless” (James 2:20, 26).  Our works can never justify or make/declare us righteous (Romans 3:24, 28) says Paul.  Yet James also says, “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). 

The believer’s testimony cannot be effective WITHOUT holiness.  “Pursue peace with all men and the sanctification WITHOUT which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).  Will unbelievers be drawn to Christ if we live sinful lives?  Finally, true believers will not be WITHOUT God the Father’s correction (Hebrew 12:5-7). If you can sin as a professing believer and never experience God’s correcting hand, you’d better check your “spiritual birth certificate” and examine whether or not you are really in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5)!

God bless you as you seek to please and follow Him!

Bob Kulp