Page 2 - Good News December 2011 paper

It costs you nothing saved (delivered from judgment God]? For what can a man give as
“For the wages which sin pays is and made partakers of Christ's an exchange (a compensation, a
death, but the [bountiful] free gift salvation) through [your] faith. ransom, in return) for his
of God is eternal life through (in And this [salvation] is not of [blessed] life [in the eternal
union with) Jesus Christ our yourselves [of your own doing, it kingdom of God]?” (Mark 8:36-37
Lord” (Romans 6:23 Amplified came not through your own Amplified Bible).
Bible). striving], but it is the gift of God;
Not because of works [not the We can have certainty about
In fact, you can not buy it fulfilment of the Law's demands], possessing it
“WAIT and listen, everyone who is lest any man should boast. “I write this to you who believe in
thirsty! Come to the waters; and [It is not the result of what anyone (adhere to, trust in, and rely on)
he who has no money, come, buy can possibly do, so no one can the name of the Son of God... so
and eat! Yes, come, buy [price- pride himself in it or take glory to that you may know [with settled
less, spiritual] wine and milk himself.]” (Ephesians 2:8,9 and absolute knowledge] that you
without money and without price” Amplified Bible). [already] have life, yes, eternal
(Isaiah 55:1 Amplified Bible). life” (1 John 5:13 Amplified Bible).
You cannot afford to be without it
Neither can you work for it “For what does it profit a man to
“For it is by free grace (God's gain the whole world, and forfeit
unmerited favour) that you are his life [in the eternal kingdom of

wo missionaries were He spelled out the word
captured and imprisoned in Immanuel. As soon as his friend
Tthe same cell but forbidden saw the word, immediately he lit
to speak to each other. Christmas up with joy. They were captives,
came. but they both believed that God
One of the missionaries, shive- was with them and that ultimate
ring and silent, sat on the floor triumph would be theirs.
covered with hay. Let us find a variety of ways this
As he was playing with bits of hay Christmas of showing to others
around him, he discovered a that God is indeed Immanuel, God
silent way of communicating with with us.
his friend. www.e-sword.net