For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
(Rom. 5:17-18)
Righteousness is a free gift. We are made righteous when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The Bible tells us that His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
But in order to have this righteousness, we must receive it. Receiving is an important attribute and we must know how to receive in order to be saved, and in order to have God’s promises working in our lives.
Most of my life I have paid for my meals in restaurants. It didn’t seem to matter if I was by myself or if I had the entire Brady Bunch with me, I paid. If I went out to eat with someone who was poor, I had compassion because they possibly didn’t have any money. So I paid. If I went out with somebody that was rich, I wanted them to know that I was just as rich as they were, so I paid.
I couldn’t receive a free meal because I wouldn’t receive a free meal. After a few years, I got the reputation of being the guy who paid. Then everyone invited me out to eat.
I began to wonder if I was so popular because everybody knew as long as I came along, they got a free meal. God has a word that describes this entire situation. The word is pride.
Since then I have made it a goal to eliminate pride in my life. I have discovered there is no such thing as good pride. Pride will keep you from receiving God’s best for your life.
I still like to pay the bill when I go out to eat with friends, but now it is not pride. I just love to bless people! It may look the same to others, but now my heart is different. Occasionally I let someone else pay. I have decided to not allow pride to stand in the way of receiving God’s best, or a free meal.
“And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification” (Rom. 5:16).
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.