How were people saved in Old Testament times?

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Dr. Harry Ironside, for eighteen years pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago, told of visiting a Sunday School class while on vacation. The teacher asked, “How were people saved in Old Testament times?”

After a pause, one man replied, “By keeping the Law.”

“That’s right,” said the teacher.

But Dr. Ironside interrupted: “My Bible says that by the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified.”

The teacher was a bit embarrassed, so he said, “Well, does somebody else have an idea?”

Another student replied, “They were saved by bringing sacrifices to God.”

“Yes, that’s right!” the teacher said, and tried to go on with the lesson.

But Dr. Ironside interrupted, “My Bible says that the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin.”

By this time the unprepared teacher was sure the visitor knew more about the Bible than he did, so he said, “Well, you tell us how people were saved in the Old Testament!”

And Dr. Ironside explained that they were saved by faith—the same way people are saved today! Twenty-one times in Hebrews 11 you find the same words “by faith.”

If you are a Jew, you are a child of Abraham physically; but are you a child of Abraham spiritually? Abraham is the father of all who believe on Jesus Christ and are justified by faith. If you are a Gentile, you can never be a natural descendant of Abraham; but you can be one of his spiritual descendants. Abraham “believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”

"Who I Am In Christ"

I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power
Colossians 2:10.

I am alive with Christ
Ephesians 2:5.

I am free from the law of sin and death
Romans 8:2.

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me
I John 5:18.

I am holy and without blame before Him in love
I Peter 1:16; Ephesians 1:4

I have the mind of Christ
Philippians 2:5; I Corinthians 2:16

I have the peace of God that passes all understanding available to me
Philippians 4:7

I have the Greater One living in me;
greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world
I John 4:4

I have received the gift of righteousness by Jesus Christ
Romans 5:17

I have received the spirit of wisdom and the eyes of my understanding are enlightened Ephesians 1:17,18

I have put off the old man and put on the new man
Colossians 3:9-10

I lack nothing I need for my God supplies all of my need
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus
Philippians 4:19

I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith
Ephesians 6:16

I can do all things through Christ Jesus
Philippians 4:13

I was redeemed to show forth the praises of God Who
has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light
I Peter 2:9

I am God’s child for I am born again of the
incorruptible seed of the Word of God
I Peter 1:23

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ
unto good works
Ephesians 2:10

I am a new creature in Christ
II Corinthians 5:17

I am spiritually alive to God
I Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 6:11

I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind
II Corinthians 4:4

I am a joint-heir with Christ
Romans 8:17

I am more than a conqueror through Him
Who loves me
Romans 8:37.

I am able to overcome the enemy by the
blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony
Rev12:11

I am a partaker of His divine nature
II Peter 1:3-4

I am an ambassador for Christ
II Corinthians 5:20

I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a purchased people
I Peter 2:9

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ
II Corinthians 5:21.

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit;
I am not my own
I Corinthians 6:19.

I am a light to the world
Matthew 5:14.

I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness,
humility, and longsuffering
Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12.

I am forgiven of all my sins and
washed in the Blood
Ephesians 1:7

I am delivered from the power of darkness and
translated into God’s kingdom
Colossians 1:13

I am redeemed from the curse of sin
Galatians 3:13

I am called of God to be the voice of His praise
II Timothy 1:9; Psalm 66:8

I am raised up with Christ and seated
in heavenly places
Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:6

I am greatly loved by God (Colossians 3:12; Romans 1:7;
I Thessalonians 1:4; Ephesians 2:4

I am strengthened with all might according
to His glorious power
Colossians 1:11

I am running a race toward the goal
to win the prize
Philippians 3:14

For God has not given us a spirit of fear;
but of power, love, and a sound mind
II Timothy 1:7

I live yet not I but Christ
Galatians 2:20


(List compiled by Sam Ludvicek)

Blessings!

Morning Cuppas With Glenys

Random Things I Consider

On Haiti: With tears of sorrow and concern, there are many good-hearted Christians that are donating money to the Haitian disaster relief effort. Hmmm, what is their motivation? Some of these same Christians will, with these same tears that are now flowing because of selfishness and regret, produce a puffed up ego when it comes to tithing and giving to the local church. Hmmm, what is their motivation?


On non-tithers: The local church would save money and resources if non-tithers stayed home...

Defeatism Grieves God

Christian defeatism grieves God. We must refuse to stand as mere spectators while the godless dismantle our nation.

Believers through Christ are to be the overcomers, not the overcome.

Have we forgotten how those first century believers, working against even greater odds, “turned the world upside down”?

Have we become so mesmerized by the coming “tribulation” that we have forgotten Christ’s order to “occupy until I return”?

Once again Christians must become the nation’s salt, its preservative, and put the reins into the hands of righteous leaders.

No longer can be we mere “hearers” but through God “doers,” if the nation is to survive.

Let us pray that those of Christian character will lead and guide us in the ways of the Lord.

Have a great day,

Bro. Harry Shomaker

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