During free time most of grace alive made another trip to meeks bay to play on the sand and swim. After a couple volleyball games, a few of us swam out to the buoy and then back to shore. It was a pretty challenging experience, but if I go on the retreat next year I think I would do it again. I was dizzy afterwards.

While I was recovering, the volleyball players started making new teams. By the time the new round of volleyball games were underway, the thunderstorm we could hear in the distance was upon us. Interestingly enough it didn't rain, but everything got dark and the occasional flash of lightning could be heard.

Morning meeting:

Righteousness and holiness were not things Adam had to achieve or earn. It was simply a gift of grace. God was not asking Adam to do something, but instead was asking him not to do something. The Lord provided Israel with manna to teach them that man does not live by bread alone. God created Adam as a living creature that lived by faith. This is the purpose of the tree in the garden. Satan tested the faith of Adam. Would he refuse to do what God had told him not to do? He chose to become a sinner who would die in his unbelief. Because of Adam's guilt, we pay the penalty of death.

Human beings cannot do anything good in the sight of God. Abel, by faith, offered to God a better sacrifice. He believed God and acted accordingly. Enoch was commended as one who pleased God. Hebrews centers on the emphasis of faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Eternal life is the destination of those who are righteous and living by faith. Noah was blameless among the people of his time. Human beings who were created in righteousness had become hideous creatures. God preserved his church even when it was reduced to a single man. Did Noah's own righteousness keep him alive? Even though he was a godly man, he was not without sin. He too deserved to be swept away in judgment. God intervened to save Noah and his family. This is justification and salvation. We are forgiven and accepted by God. Noah is a righteous man who lived, therefore he was justified.

Building an ark on dry land was ridiculous. They thought he was delusional, but Noah believed God and acted accordingly. Abraham got up and left through faith even though he did not know where he was going.

Evening meeting:

Who may dwell in the Lord's sanctuary? The first five books of the bible are the gospels of the Old Testament. They rehearse the promises God made for those who obey their commands. God warned us about the dangers of living the wrong way. Even under the law, justification was by faith. The guilt of sin left us liable to condemnation and death. God deals with sin by teaching us how to live. How to live in loving fellowship with the Lord. God taught his people how to live happy and dependant lives. God was teaching his people how to live as righteous men and women. We cannot add glory to God, just like you cannot add water to a container that is already full. However, we can reflect the glory and magnify it.

How are sinners saved under the mosaic covenant. We do sin, but we cannot give ourselves over to a sinful lifestyle. The words of the Lord are our light. The basic idea of holiness is separation. God doesn't leave us wandering around in the wilderness. We need to avoid religious and social integration with the enemies of the Lord. Unbelief and disobedience are patterns throughout the history of Israel. Israel did seek justification and salvation but in their own incorrect way. The unbelief found in the Old Testament is the same today. Paul learned his doctrine of justification from the Old Testament.

A man who walks with the Lord is a righteous man who lives by faith. A man is called righteous not because he doesn't sin, but because he confesses his sins and is forgiven. Proverbs gives us insight into the wisdom of God's law. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Encourage God's people to persevere in this faith. We assure the people of God that they're on the right path. Assurance encourages perseverance. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial.