On the road to Damascus, Jesus spoke to Saul and challenged him about "kicking against the pricks" (or ox goads). Then Jesus led Saul into a direction and a place that Jesus selected.

Exactly how much does one have in determining one's salvation?

Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) Romans 9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. Romans 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Romans 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.

Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Clearly, the mighty works of Moses were not sufficient to gain him entry into the Promised Rest or the Promised Land that God foreswore. Yet, at the Transfiguration, the Disciples see Moses with Abraham and Jesus. (Matthew 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.)

Somehow Moses' works, that did not gain him entry into the Promised Land, and the Thief - who is only reported as offering faith without any works - find themselves in Paradise with Jesus. Something other than "works" has gotten these two men into Paradise.

Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Deuteronomy 34:4 And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. Deuteronomy 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 34:10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, Deuteronomy 34:11 In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, Deuteronomy 34:12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses showed in the sight of all Israel.

For the year beginning around May, 2004, I was forced to assess my Bible and faith foundations. I forced myself to examine the works perspective that suggests that good works are a contributory element of salvation. The themes of these postings are that Jesus did it all. I found that the embodiment of my Biblical observations for this theme begin with God's redemption of Adam and Eve (their efforts - fig leaves - were rejected) and also with God's redemption of Isaac.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

The death of a loved one can throw us into a maelstrom of doubt. We do not know which way to turn; who to be angry with; what to do.

As Ruth found herself in such a condition, she did not respond to doubt. She chose Naomi and Her God. That God produced a kinsman redeemer for both women.

Ruth 1:13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. Ruth 1:14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. Ruth 1:15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Ruth 1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Oh the list of things we can, and cannot, do. Restrictions, can'ts, don'ts...on and on....yet Christ says that "All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men:...."

Do you have faith and believe in Him? Does He dwell within and rule your life?

Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

The men on Jonah's ship feared that they would perish. So too did the Disciples who were accompanied by the very lover of their souls. After experiencing what they had, with Christ, why would they ask such a question?

Christ is the Master of every storm; He will calm the storms we experience.

Mark 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. Mark 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

How great a Love, that God would provide a mediator for us...someone to plead our cause before the Holy Judge.

Without Him, we have no one to plead our cause.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

In our mortal strength, we sometimes believe that we can provide for ourselves and, in times of crises, save ourselves. After emerging from a shootout as a Detective in 1990, I believed that my prowess had saved me. Some action I had taken, I thought, was what provided for me.

Only the Power of the Living God Saves.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Justice. American Justice. We read an account of the crimes committed by Barabbas, yet he is released. We read how Christ is "just" and He is condemned. Grace is the opposite of what we deserve (Rev. Nick Harris).

Barabbas was spared when Jesus replaced him. Only His righteousness can replace our sin.

Matthew 27:21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Matthew 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. Matthew 27:23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Matthew 27:26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

The old hymn pleads, "Revive us again," and we consider reinvigoration, not the restoration of our souls. In this passage, Elijah prays for the restoration of the lad's soul and God revives the boy.

It is only God's Power that revives and restores.

1 Kings 17:17 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. 1 Kings 17:18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? 1 Kings 17:19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode,and laid him upon his own bed. 1 Kings 17:20 And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? 1 Kings 17:21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. 1 Kings 17:22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

Can you imagine having friends who love you so much that, if you were paralyzed, they would carry you to and tear off the roof of a home and lower you to be healed by the Master? Do you have friends or family who also have a form of paralysis? Might they need a touch from the Master?

The man suffering from palsy did not heal himself and he could not forgive his own sins. Jesus heals. Jesus saves.

Mark 2:2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. Mark 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. Mark 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Imagine being a citizen of Nineveh...oblivious to the drama that has gone on between Jonah and God. According to John 3:17-18, you have been condemned already, yet God desires to save you. What did you do to deserve such unmerited grace?

Despite our unworthiness, God makes creative ways to redeem and save those He selects!

Jonah 4:8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. Jonah 4:9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death. Jonah 4:10 Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night: Jonah 4:11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than six score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

The Book of Ruth presents a story from Christ's lineage that focuses upon the plight of two widows. There plight is such that they need to be "brought out" of their condition. Much like the way God heard the cries of the tribe and brought them out of Egypt, referenced in the passage below.

God redeemed Naomi and Ruth through His grace and mercy. They did not redeem themselves.

Deuteronomy 24:18 But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing. Deuteronomy 24:19 When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thyfield, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. Deuteronomy 24:20 When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. Deuteronomy 24:21 When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. Deuteronomy 24:22 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

Paul twice describes how the hands of others were used to rescue him when he was also trapped. Like the spies and David, Paul was provided for by passing through a window and he had no hand in saving himself.

God Redeemed the spies, David and Paul. Paul did not redeem himself.

Acts 9:23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: Acts 9:24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Acts 9:25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

2 Corinthians 11:32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 2 Corinthians 11:33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

1 Samuel records the many times that David needed saving. In one instance, like the spies referenced in Joshua, he found himself trapped. Like those spies, he was saved by the hands of a woman who lowered him through a window...a window that many believe was Christ, who continues to be the only way out of the trap that everyone finds themselves within.

David was saved by the hands of another. Through Michal, God saved David, God redeemed David.

1 Samuel19:10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night. 1 Samuel19:11 Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain. 1 Samuel19:12 So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.

At least three times, in the Bible, men chosen by God find themselves trapped inside walled cities with enemies pursuing them. In Joshua, the men are the spies, sent by Joshua to spy out Jerico. They do not save themselves after Rahab hides them on the rooftop. It is Rahab, from Christ's lineage, who lowers them through a window, to safety.

The spies did not save themselves. God's provision of Rahab saved them.

Joshua 2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Joshua 2:12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: Joshua 2:13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. Joshua 2:14 And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. Joshua 2:15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window:for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. Joshua 2:16 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way. Joshua 2:17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

Daniel finds himself in the Lions' Den and he doesn't lift a finger to extract himself. The King ordered that Daniel be brought up and out of the Den, however, Daniel attributed his redemption to his God.

God protected and preserved Daniel and God Saved Daniel.

Daniel 6:19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. Daniel 6:20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Daniel 6:21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. Daniel 6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.