From Jakov (ne Jamie, Jime-e, Jacob)

If your able, let me know what verse you speak of regarding purgatory. Also, if the Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary is correct when it defines "grace" as unmerited favor (unearnable obviously, and undeservable), than how, logically, could that be something that an individual could choose or reject?You said a couple of weeks ago that an individual must "do something", in terms of their relationship with God. More importantly, i believe the Gospel is arguing, and, i believe, Paul testifies, that a Christian or Catholic must "believe" something first. They must believe what's referred to as "the milk of the Gospel". That Christ accomplished something for us, and, indeed, for all creation on the Cross. He is the "author and finisher of our faith". And what did Christ do for us on the Cross? Well, simply, he saved us. Saved us from what? Answer: the bondage of the law. Dad, you told me several months ago, and many times previously, that freedom is responsibility. I don't know if that's true, but i do know that neither you nor i are free in the most radical sense meaning capable of doing anything we wish without repercussion (the Webster's says freedom is to be not subject to the control or domination by another). You and i are very much not free. We are under bondage of the law. Paul says the law is good, and i agree. It seems to point toward kindness, common decency, and consideration toward your neighbor. Christ came not to destroy the law but to fullfill. This is the milk of the Gospel. While the law is usually good, kind, and just, we are not eternally accountable for it because God, in his infinite wisdom and love toward us, chose to take the responsibility of the law, and of course, the punishment that the violation of the law brings. We live in a state of grace with God because of what was accomplished for us on the Cross. We cannot earn unmerited favor, it is where we stand positionally with God because of the sacrifice on the Cross. We do not choose grace. Grace has been thrusted upon us. Paul states, "For by Grace are we saved through faith and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, least any man boast". We are given the gift of faith by God to trust in what was accomplished for us on the Cross. We are given the gift of faith to trust Romans 3.21... that the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.Why is Jesus God? It's simple. According to the Gospel of John nothing was created without the Savior. Nothing that was created was under anything other than grace. Jesus is God because He is given all the credit, He is given all the glory, He is given all the honor for saving and delivering Ed Peters and the rest of creation from the bondage of the law and from any guilt or shame the law can bring. All of God, the twenty four elders, the four beasts, and all of creation shall bend a knee in homage to the Lamb's sacrifice. Jesus is given all the credit for the eternal righteous perfection of God's creation. We can all proclaim Isaiah 61.10, " I greatly rejoice in my Lord for he has covered me in the garments of salvation, he has clothed me in robes of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride (the bride of Christ?) adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations".You cannot put new wine into old wineskins. If you do the skins will burst... and the wineskins will be ruined. You pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved. What does this mean? Simple, the old skins are Judiasm and Judaic Law. These skins cannot contain the blessings of joy, peace, and salvation that are ours by the Grace of God.

written by

Jakov