Hey everyone 👋,

It’s Jason from Christ’s peer-to-peer here with a message titled “Technically Speaking.”

God doesn’t want your sacrifices; He wants your mercy. That’s not just me saying it; it’s in the Bible, loud and clear through Moses and reiterated by the prophets. God isn’t interested in your religious performances, your songs, or how much you throw into the collection plate. What He cares about is mercy – your mercy towards others (Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:8).

Jesus came to this earth to save the world. That’s what He’s about, right? Yet, I’ve been told by some pastors that our job as Christians is limited to preaching, talking, and encouraging. But isn’t that a bit too convenient for us and rather inconvenient for those in need?

Jesus didn’t just speak; He acted. He sat with sinners, healed the sick, and taught us to give to everyone who asks (Matthew 5:42). He lived out the commandments He gave: love God, love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). He emphasized doing good, seeking justice, and correcting oppression (Matthew 5:6, Isaiah 1:17).

Now, to those who cling to the “once saved, always saved” doctrine: Check your salvation. Salvation, according to scripture, involves working out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Where’s the fear or trembling in just checking a box? Salvation isn’t just about feeling good because you’ve said the right words; it’s about a transformative relationship with God that includes sorrow for our sins and a commitment to change.

Confession is key. If you haven’t confessed your sins to both God and the person you’ve wronged, you haven’t fully adhered to the process of forgiveness (James 5:16). It’s not about how many hymns you’ve sung or how often you’ve attended church; it’s about living out your faith through mercy and justice.

When we stand before Jesus, He won’t be impressed by our religious resume. He’ll look at how we’ve lived our faith, not just how we’ve talked about it. He might say, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23) if our faith was only surface-level.

So, are you sure you’ve got salvation in the bag? Seek it with diligence. Even if you believe in “once saved, always saved,” why not strive for excellence? Why not give it your maximum effort in living out your faith, knowing God’s grace will catch you when you fall?

And here’s a thought: if heaven is about rewards and rankings (Matthew 5:19), wouldn’t you want to be among those who not only got in but are held in high regard because they lived out God’s law and taught others to do the same?

Brothers and sisters, if all you’ve got to offer is a technicality, maybe it’s time to reconsider. God would rather have you be cold than lukewarm (Revelation 3:15-16). If you can’t be on fire for Him, maybe it’s better to be honest about where you stand.

Or, if you’re looking for technicalities, you might as well reconsider being Jewish.

Peace and blessings,
Jason (Jasonybird) 🐦