Greetings today ladies!
I was pondering a teaching on why the gospel is useless unless it is complete. Have you ever truly stopped to think what the good news to eternal life really is and how you can be on the narrow road that Jesus talked about? In the past, no, I didn't understand it correctly either.
We in our lives if we are true believers are never "above" the gospel or needing it, hearing it, and following it, as it is our foundation. Sadly I know many think one time in their lives they accepted Jesus or prayed a prayer and they now don't need to think about the gospel in relation to themselves. Or they may believe it is only for heathens and unbelievers. The biblical gospel of faith in Christ, repentance, being born again, obedience and holiness and endurance is so needed among many who claim to be believers these days and sadly they are the ones who think they do not need it. The true path to eternal life and the hope we have in Christ will lead us to a life of good works and obedience to all of God's commands in the New Testament.
We cannot just obey God's commands outwardly either...like the Pharisees were. No.
"Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."
Matthew 23:28
But our heart must have been transformed by the new birth and only then can we have a good and pure heart and obey the outward commands of God.
We can please God by obeying Him and living righteous lives. No nothing we ever do could atone for our sins or we never could have even close enough righteousness without Christ's blood shed and righteousness, but as James says faith without works is dead. We all must know and obey the gospel in order to enter the kingdom of God. We have many warning for those who do not obey the gospel.
"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?"
Romans 10:15-16
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
1 Peter 4:17-18
"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;"
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
See the gospel explained in more detail here.
And this is by no means all there is to this but I hope we all see how much we need to keep Christ's way/the gospel in our moment by moment lives lived. And as women the gospel will lead us to do things like head cover and dress in simple loose long clothing have a meek and quiet spirit as well as all the other acts of obedience we are called to do. Christ is worthy to be obeyed and it is our reasonable service as unprofitable servants. We are not worthy.
Strive on sisters!
And a flower and verse for my sisters who love and obey the Lord and are godly women and good examples.
May the Lord bless and keep you in His care!
Love in Christ
...from a daughter of God