We are closing out another year. This is the time when people make new years resolutions, which fall by the wayside most of the time.
What about you? Have you been living your life for yourself, with little or no regard for God? Is your life filled with sin and guilt, do you desire to be free from addictions and habits that you just can't break?
Don't make another resolution this year, like all the other years gone by. This is only an exercise in futility. Now is the time to be set free by Jesus Christ. Give up your sin! Turn from it and surrender your life to Jesus Christ. He shed His blood on the cross for you. He will forgive you, and set you free from the sin that binds you. In the power of the Holy Spirit, whom He will give you, you will find the victory to live a life pleasing to Him.
Do not put it off another day. Give Christ Your life, and find freedom. It is the only way.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Unbelief.
The Lord said to Moses, "How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst?"
Numbers 14:11 NASB
The occasion was when Israel stood ready to enter the promised land, but refused to enter for fear of the inhabitants of the land.
Notice that God charged them with unbelief. God had indeed performed great deeds in their sight. The people saw the plagues in Egypt. They experienced the crossing of the Red Sea. They were led by God in the cloud, and pillar of fire. They stood in fear of His awesome presence at Sinai, and had experienced His discipline already for their grumbling. They had seen His wrath in the incident of the golden calf. He had faithfully provided manna for them, and miraculously provided water from the rock when they grumbled in His sight.
The people did not doubt the existence of God. They knew Him to be real, they had experienced His presence and power daily as they travelled from Egypt to the promised land.
Their unbelief entered in as they failed to obey Him. Their lack of faith was evidenced every time they grumbled, every time they cried out to return to Egypt.
It is not enough to merely assent to the fact that God does exist. The demons believe this, and tremble (James 2:19). They know all too well that God exists, and they also know that they will some day face His wrath.
God expects us to believe in Him with a unshakeable trust that follows Him in obedience no matter the cost to us. A grumbling disobedient faith is no faith in God's estimation.
The writer of Hebrews uses this example from Israel's history to show us the New Testament concept of faith tied to obedience. It has not changed from the Old testament to the new (Hebrews 3:7-19, 4:1-11). What God expected of the Israelites of old, He expects of us today as well. He desires us to commit ourselves to Him with an obedient faith . Any other faith is really unbelief.
Numbers 14:11 NASB
The occasion was when Israel stood ready to enter the promised land, but refused to enter for fear of the inhabitants of the land.
Notice that God charged them with unbelief. God had indeed performed great deeds in their sight. The people saw the plagues in Egypt. They experienced the crossing of the Red Sea. They were led by God in the cloud, and pillar of fire. They stood in fear of His awesome presence at Sinai, and had experienced His discipline already for their grumbling. They had seen His wrath in the incident of the golden calf. He had faithfully provided manna for them, and miraculously provided water from the rock when they grumbled in His sight.
The people did not doubt the existence of God. They knew Him to be real, they had experienced His presence and power daily as they travelled from Egypt to the promised land.
Their unbelief entered in as they failed to obey Him. Their lack of faith was evidenced every time they grumbled, every time they cried out to return to Egypt.
It is not enough to merely assent to the fact that God does exist. The demons believe this, and tremble (James 2:19). They know all too well that God exists, and they also know that they will some day face His wrath.
God expects us to believe in Him with a unshakeable trust that follows Him in obedience no matter the cost to us. A grumbling disobedient faith is no faith in God's estimation.
The writer of Hebrews uses this example from Israel's history to show us the New Testament concept of faith tied to obedience. It has not changed from the Old testament to the new (Hebrews 3:7-19, 4:1-11). What God expected of the Israelites of old, He expects of us today as well. He desires us to commit ourselves to Him with an obedient faith . Any other faith is really unbelief.
A Serious Question.
"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
Luke 6:46 NASB
Jesus asks a question of those who call Him Lord, but do not obey His words. In effect He is saying if we claim Him as Lord, if we claim to be Christians, but do not obey Him, we are frauds, there is not one ounce of salvation in us!
In another place He tells us that if we love Him we will obey His commands. The one who does not love Him will not keep His commandments (John 14:15, 21, 23-24). It is the one who loves God with an obedient love, who is loved by God, and lives in fellowship with Him (John 14:21, 23). Take heed to this, for these are the very words of God!
True faith will produce works of love in the believer, because faith works by love (Romans 13:8-10; Gal 5:6; James 2:22-26). Love, faith, and the works produced by them, cannot exist without each other. If any of these are absent, the spiritual life of the individual is in question.
Jesus gives a warning to those who call Him Lord, but disobey Him.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
"Many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'"
Matthew 7:21-23 NASB
These were people who called Jesus Lord. They considered themselves Christians. They even claimed to have prophesied, cast out demons, and performed miracles in His name.
What a shocking surprise many will have when they stand before Jesus and hear these very words. All along they thought that they were saved, and called Jesus Lord. Like the examples in these verses, many will claim to have done great deeds in the name of Jesus, but something was missing the whole time.
Jesus emphasizes that His true disciples, those who really follow Him, will do the will of God. This is in contrast to those who are called workers of lawlessness.
Sadly too many professing Christians today have cast of restraint, and live with little or no law. They view it as obsolete, irrelevant to the culture today, or unnecessary under grace. A look at the scriptures will show us however, that faith, in reality, upholds the law (Romans 3:31). The law is written upon the heart of a believer, causing him to walk in the law of God (Hebrews 10:16), and the life of the Spirit within us will produce the works of the law in our daily lives (Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:22-25).
Do not be deceived, Jesus gives us a stern warning. We do well to listen, and to heed what He says. Examine yourself in light of the scriptures, and see if you are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5). Someday we will all stand before Christ, and then it will be too late.
Luke 6:46 NASB
Jesus asks a question of those who call Him Lord, but do not obey His words. In effect He is saying if we claim Him as Lord, if we claim to be Christians, but do not obey Him, we are frauds, there is not one ounce of salvation in us!
In another place He tells us that if we love Him we will obey His commands. The one who does not love Him will not keep His commandments (John 14:15, 21, 23-24). It is the one who loves God with an obedient love, who is loved by God, and lives in fellowship with Him (John 14:21, 23). Take heed to this, for these are the very words of God!
True faith will produce works of love in the believer, because faith works by love (Romans 13:8-10; Gal 5:6; James 2:22-26). Love, faith, and the works produced by them, cannot exist without each other. If any of these are absent, the spiritual life of the individual is in question.
Jesus gives a warning to those who call Him Lord, but disobey Him.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
"Many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'"
Matthew 7:21-23 NASB
These were people who called Jesus Lord. They considered themselves Christians. They even claimed to have prophesied, cast out demons, and performed miracles in His name.
What a shocking surprise many will have when they stand before Jesus and hear these very words. All along they thought that they were saved, and called Jesus Lord. Like the examples in these verses, many will claim to have done great deeds in the name of Jesus, but something was missing the whole time.
Jesus emphasizes that His true disciples, those who really follow Him, will do the will of God. This is in contrast to those who are called workers of lawlessness.
Sadly too many professing Christians today have cast of restraint, and live with little or no law. They view it as obsolete, irrelevant to the culture today, or unnecessary under grace. A look at the scriptures will show us however, that faith, in reality, upholds the law (Romans 3:31). The law is written upon the heart of a believer, causing him to walk in the law of God (Hebrews 10:16), and the life of the Spirit within us will produce the works of the law in our daily lives (Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:22-25).
Do not be deceived, Jesus gives us a stern warning. We do well to listen, and to heed what He says. Examine yourself in light of the scriptures, and see if you are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5). Someday we will all stand before Christ, and then it will be too late.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
A New Heart.
Almost 300 years ago, Charles Wesley penned this verse in his hymn "O for A Heart To Praise"
A heart in every thought renewed, and full of love divine; perfect, and right, and pure, and good, a copy, Lord, of Thine. (1)
The need of mankind is a new heart. Look around at all of the wickedness that runs rampant throughout the world we live in. As Jesus points out, it all springs out of the heart, a heart that is desperately wicked, beyond cure (Mark 7:20-23; Jeremiah 17:9).
The promise of the new covenant is a divine heart transplant; the removal of the sin hardened old heart, exchanged for a new heart, soft and pliable, upon which the law of God has been written (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Jeremiah 24:7, 31:33; Hebrews 10:16-17).
Are you weary of a life of bondage to sin? Are you sick of wanting to do right, but always doing what you know to be wrong (Romans 7:15)?
Come to the cross of Christ, and lay down your burden of sin. Put your life into the Hands of Jesus, and follow Him. He will take out your sin sick heart, and give you a new heart renewed in His image (Col 3:10), but you must come to Him to put it on.
(1) O For a Heart to Praise
Charles Wesley 1742
The Mennonite Hymnal
copyright 1969
Herald Press, Scottdale, Pa 15683
Faith and Life Press, Newton, Kansas 67114
A heart in every thought renewed, and full of love divine; perfect, and right, and pure, and good, a copy, Lord, of Thine. (1)
The need of mankind is a new heart. Look around at all of the wickedness that runs rampant throughout the world we live in. As Jesus points out, it all springs out of the heart, a heart that is desperately wicked, beyond cure (Mark 7:20-23; Jeremiah 17:9).
The promise of the new covenant is a divine heart transplant; the removal of the sin hardened old heart, exchanged for a new heart, soft and pliable, upon which the law of God has been written (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Jeremiah 24:7, 31:33; Hebrews 10:16-17).
Are you weary of a life of bondage to sin? Are you sick of wanting to do right, but always doing what you know to be wrong (Romans 7:15)?
Come to the cross of Christ, and lay down your burden of sin. Put your life into the Hands of Jesus, and follow Him. He will take out your sin sick heart, and give you a new heart renewed in His image (Col 3:10), but you must come to Him to put it on.
(1) O For a Heart to Praise
Charles Wesley 1742
The Mennonite Hymnal
copyright 1969
Herald Press, Scottdale, Pa 15683
Faith and Life Press, Newton, Kansas 67114
True Grace.
For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:14 NASB
There is this idea that somehow the grace of God allows us to sin. Many individuals believe that it's ok to sin because God understands, and after all, grace covers it.
It is true that it is by grace, and not by works that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is equally true however, that as His workmanship, we are created for good works (Ephesians 2:10)!
Paul makes the point in Romans 6:1-23, that in salvation, we are delivered from the bondage and power that sin holds over us. Through our identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, we are set free from sin to serve Christ in righteousness.
He anticipates that some may claim that grace gives them liberty to sin, and he emphatically says NO, grace does not give you freedom to sin, but freedom from sin (Romans 6:1-2, 14-18).
We get a true picture of what God's grace really means for us in Paul's letter to Titus.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Titus 2:11-14 NASB
This passage shows us that true grace instructs us to deny sinful and worldly desires and behavior. It teaches us to live sensible, righteous lives that please God who has redeemed us from every lawless deed through Jesus Christ.
God's purpose in saving us was to have a people for His own possession who were zealous for good works. He desires to have a holy people who have turned from sin, and now live for Him (Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 1:2), people who have been transformed from what they were, into something new and glorious in the eyes of God (1 Cor 6:11, 2 Cor 5:17).
Grace does not wink at sin. It never gives us permission to sin. The true grace of God will turn us from sin, and set us free. Anything less than this is not grace at all.
Romans 6:14 NASB
There is this idea that somehow the grace of God allows us to sin. Many individuals believe that it's ok to sin because God understands, and after all, grace covers it.
It is true that it is by grace, and not by works that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is equally true however, that as His workmanship, we are created for good works (Ephesians 2:10)!
Paul makes the point in Romans 6:1-23, that in salvation, we are delivered from the bondage and power that sin holds over us. Through our identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, we are set free from sin to serve Christ in righteousness.
He anticipates that some may claim that grace gives them liberty to sin, and he emphatically says NO, grace does not give you freedom to sin, but freedom from sin (Romans 6:1-2, 14-18).
We get a true picture of what God's grace really means for us in Paul's letter to Titus.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Titus 2:11-14 NASB
This passage shows us that true grace instructs us to deny sinful and worldly desires and behavior. It teaches us to live sensible, righteous lives that please God who has redeemed us from every lawless deed through Jesus Christ.
God's purpose in saving us was to have a people for His own possession who were zealous for good works. He desires to have a holy people who have turned from sin, and now live for Him (Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 1:2), people who have been transformed from what they were, into something new and glorious in the eyes of God (1 Cor 6:11, 2 Cor 5:17).
Grace does not wink at sin. It never gives us permission to sin. The true grace of God will turn us from sin, and set us free. Anything less than this is not grace at all.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Sin Separates You From God.
Behold the Lord's hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor His ear so dull that it cannot hear.
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.
Isaiah 59:1-2 NASB
It is sin that comes between man and God. Sin destroys the fellowship that God desires to share with us. As a holy God with eyes to pure to look upon sin with approval (Habakkuk 1:13), He will not fellowship with, or even listen to the prayers of one who is living in known sin (Psalm 66:18).
God stands ready to forgive sin, and restore the sinner, through the sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us. His arm is not too short to save. He is ready and willing to save the sinner. Jesus Christ accomplished everything necessary for the salvation of our souls.
What is lacking is the broken and contrite heart, of the repentant sinner (Psalm 55:17). What God requires of us is that we give up our sin, and turn to Him in humble submission.
It does no good to pray, to seek forgiveness, as long as we are unwilling to turn from sin. God is opposed to the proud, to those who will not submit to Him, to those who refuse to obey Him. There can be no grace for unrepentant sinners, but He gives grace to the humble, to those who in godly sorrow, confess and forsake their sin, and yield their lives to Christ (James 4:6-10; 2 Cor 7:9-10; 1 John 1:9).
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.
Isaiah 59:1-2 NASB
It is sin that comes between man and God. Sin destroys the fellowship that God desires to share with us. As a holy God with eyes to pure to look upon sin with approval (Habakkuk 1:13), He will not fellowship with, or even listen to the prayers of one who is living in known sin (Psalm 66:18).
God stands ready to forgive sin, and restore the sinner, through the sacrifice Jesus made for each one of us. His arm is not too short to save. He is ready and willing to save the sinner. Jesus Christ accomplished everything necessary for the salvation of our souls.
What is lacking is the broken and contrite heart, of the repentant sinner (Psalm 55:17). What God requires of us is that we give up our sin, and turn to Him in humble submission.
It does no good to pray, to seek forgiveness, as long as we are unwilling to turn from sin. God is opposed to the proud, to those who will not submit to Him, to those who refuse to obey Him. There can be no grace for unrepentant sinners, but He gives grace to the humble, to those who in godly sorrow, confess and forsake their sin, and yield their lives to Christ (James 4:6-10; 2 Cor 7:9-10; 1 John 1:9).
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Unless You Repent.
It is easy to look at the misfortunes of others and make quick judgments about them.
When a tragedy strikes, it is a common thing for some people to assume that the people involved must have been great sinners.
So often, we find temporary comfort in making these judgments, because it gets our focus off of our own lives, and onto the lives of others. We tend to feel better about ourselves when we find someone who in our estimation, is worse than we are.
Jesus was confronted with this, when some people reported a tragedy to Him concerning some Galileans whom Pilate had killed, and mixed their blood with their sacrifices (Luke 13:1).
Indeed, this looked very bad for these people, and no doubt many people believed that these things occurred because they were great sinners (Luke 13:2).
Jesus pointed out that these individuals were not greater sinners than any others. He then gets very personal when He states to the crowd that unless they repent they too would likewise perish (Luke 13:3).
Using another example, of some people who had died in another tragic way, He makes the same point again to emphasize the fact that we are all responsible to God (Luke 13:4-5). It is not a matter of who is the greater sinner, we are all accountable to God, and unless WE, AS INDIVIDUALS, repent of our own sin against God, we too will perish.
God deals with each and every individual on the basis of their own sin. What one individual does determines their eternal fate. To believe that somehow God will overlook my sin because He is more concerned with somebody else is to be deceived.
As Jesus said "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." We are accountable to God, we have all sinned, and we will all stand before God someday.
What will you do about it? Will you look around you, hoping to find somebody worse than you, to ease your guilty conscience, or will you take the responsibility for your own sin against God, and give it up for His sake?
When a tragedy strikes, it is a common thing for some people to assume that the people involved must have been great sinners.
So often, we find temporary comfort in making these judgments, because it gets our focus off of our own lives, and onto the lives of others. We tend to feel better about ourselves when we find someone who in our estimation, is worse than we are.
Jesus was confronted with this, when some people reported a tragedy to Him concerning some Galileans whom Pilate had killed, and mixed their blood with their sacrifices (Luke 13:1).
Indeed, this looked very bad for these people, and no doubt many people believed that these things occurred because they were great sinners (Luke 13:2).
Jesus pointed out that these individuals were not greater sinners than any others. He then gets very personal when He states to the crowd that unless they repent they too would likewise perish (Luke 13:3).
Using another example, of some people who had died in another tragic way, He makes the same point again to emphasize the fact that we are all responsible to God (Luke 13:4-5). It is not a matter of who is the greater sinner, we are all accountable to God, and unless WE, AS INDIVIDUALS, repent of our own sin against God, we too will perish.
God deals with each and every individual on the basis of their own sin. What one individual does determines their eternal fate. To believe that somehow God will overlook my sin because He is more concerned with somebody else is to be deceived.
As Jesus said "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." We are accountable to God, we have all sinned, and we will all stand before God someday.
What will you do about it? Will you look around you, hoping to find somebody worse than you, to ease your guilty conscience, or will you take the responsibility for your own sin against God, and give it up for His sake?
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Eternity.
The concept of eternity is a hard one to grasp. The mind has a difficulty in wrapping itself around the idea of time going on forever and ever, with no end in sight.
Think of mathematics for a moment. You can always add 1 to a number that exists. There is no end to numbers. Take the largest number that you can think of, and add 1 to it. Take 1,ooo,ooo,ooo and add a billion zeros to it, and then multiply it by itself, then double that, and on and on it goes. There is no end to a number line, it goes on for eternity.
Charles Finney used an illustration to help in understanding the idea of eternity. Imagine a bird coming to the earth once every thousand years, picking up a grain of sand and flying away. It would take an "eternity" for the earth to be depleted in this way. Now imagine that same bird depleting the entire universe in the same way; one grain of sand at a time in one thousand year intervals. Think of how long it would take as each planet, the moon, and everything else in the solar system was depleted in this way. When it would all be gone, time would still march on with no possible end in sight.
Your soul will live on in eternity, long after your death. For those who reject the claims of Christ, and choose to live for themselves here in this life, it will be an eternity filled with anguish and sorrow, as they suffer the just punishment for their sin.
The old hymn Amazing Grace has a line that goes "When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise, then when we first begun."
This is true. For those who have been born again into the kingdom of God, who have their names written in the book of life, eternity will be a joyous time spent in the presence of Christ Himself. We will go on and on worshipping Him. Time will have no end, and we will not want it to end.
The reverse is true as well. For the unrepentant sinner, time in eternal torment will go on as well. After ten thousand years in the lake of fire, there will be no less days of agony. There will be no end in sight for the wicked. Although they may long for an end, it will never come. Just like that bird coming once every thousand years for a grain of sand, time will agonize on and on and on.........
Eternity, where will you spend it?
Think of mathematics for a moment. You can always add 1 to a number that exists. There is no end to numbers. Take the largest number that you can think of, and add 1 to it. Take 1,ooo,ooo,ooo and add a billion zeros to it, and then multiply it by itself, then double that, and on and on it goes. There is no end to a number line, it goes on for eternity.
Charles Finney used an illustration to help in understanding the idea of eternity. Imagine a bird coming to the earth once every thousand years, picking up a grain of sand and flying away. It would take an "eternity" for the earth to be depleted in this way. Now imagine that same bird depleting the entire universe in the same way; one grain of sand at a time in one thousand year intervals. Think of how long it would take as each planet, the moon, and everything else in the solar system was depleted in this way. When it would all be gone, time would still march on with no possible end in sight.
Your soul will live on in eternity, long after your death. For those who reject the claims of Christ, and choose to live for themselves here in this life, it will be an eternity filled with anguish and sorrow, as they suffer the just punishment for their sin.
The old hymn Amazing Grace has a line that goes "When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise, then when we first begun."
This is true. For those who have been born again into the kingdom of God, who have their names written in the book of life, eternity will be a joyous time spent in the presence of Christ Himself. We will go on and on worshipping Him. Time will have no end, and we will not want it to end.
The reverse is true as well. For the unrepentant sinner, time in eternal torment will go on as well. After ten thousand years in the lake of fire, there will be no less days of agony. There will be no end in sight for the wicked. Although they may long for an end, it will never come. Just like that bird coming once every thousand years for a grain of sand, time will agonize on and on and on.........
Eternity, where will you spend it?
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Overcomers.
For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.
Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:3-5 NASB
The true believer in Christ is marked by an overcoming life. Look around and you will see people who call themselves Christians, but their lives are filled with sins of all kinds. There is very little to distinguish them from the world around them.
These professed believers make little or no effort to overcome sin, in fact they seem even to enjoy the sinful lifestyles that they engage in. The truth is they love their lives the way they are, and do not desire to live the life of holiness that Jesus Christ calls them to.
In contrast, the one who has placed his trust in Christ Jesus lives a life above this wicked world. By faith, the child of God overcomes sin and temptation, out of love for the one who died for him.
As those who have been born of God, the Christian now draws life and strength in union with Christ, becoming partakers of the divine nature (1 Peter 1:3-4). We have everything we need for life and godliness, in Christ, and the true Christian will walk in this union, by faith, thus overcoming this world and it's evil ways.
Look at the emphasis Jesus places on overcoming in His message to the seven churches, in the book of Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28, 3:5, 12, 21. In essence Jesus is saying if you do not overcome, you will be overcome, by this world, by it's evil ways, and it's false worship.
The one who overcomes has this promise from God.
"He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.
Revelation 21:7 NASB
This is a wonderful promise to those who have placed their faith in Christ, and by the power of His Spirit, are living a life of victory over sin.
However, the following verse shows the terrible end for those who never come out of their sin. their end is one of untold suffering in the lake of fire (Rev 21:8). Rather than becoming overcomers through faith in Christ, they remain overcome by this world, and go lost for eternity.
What does your life look like? Are you overcome by sin, do you look just like the world around you, or are you set free by Christ Jesus, to live triumphantly over this world and all it throws at you?
Only the overcomers can please God, and only those born of God through faith, can overcome the world.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.
Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:3-5 NASB
The true believer in Christ is marked by an overcoming life. Look around and you will see people who call themselves Christians, but their lives are filled with sins of all kinds. There is very little to distinguish them from the world around them.
These professed believers make little or no effort to overcome sin, in fact they seem even to enjoy the sinful lifestyles that they engage in. The truth is they love their lives the way they are, and do not desire to live the life of holiness that Jesus Christ calls them to.
In contrast, the one who has placed his trust in Christ Jesus lives a life above this wicked world. By faith, the child of God overcomes sin and temptation, out of love for the one who died for him.
As those who have been born of God, the Christian now draws life and strength in union with Christ, becoming partakers of the divine nature (1 Peter 1:3-4). We have everything we need for life and godliness, in Christ, and the true Christian will walk in this union, by faith, thus overcoming this world and it's evil ways.
Look at the emphasis Jesus places on overcoming in His message to the seven churches, in the book of Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28, 3:5, 12, 21. In essence Jesus is saying if you do not overcome, you will be overcome, by this world, by it's evil ways, and it's false worship.
The one who overcomes has this promise from God.
"He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.
Revelation 21:7 NASB
This is a wonderful promise to those who have placed their faith in Christ, and by the power of His Spirit, are living a life of victory over sin.
However, the following verse shows the terrible end for those who never come out of their sin. their end is one of untold suffering in the lake of fire (Rev 21:8). Rather than becoming overcomers through faith in Christ, they remain overcome by this world, and go lost for eternity.
What does your life look like? Are you overcome by sin, do you look just like the world around you, or are you set free by Christ Jesus, to live triumphantly over this world and all it throws at you?
Only the overcomers can please God, and only those born of God through faith, can overcome the world.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
No Other Way.
We have seen and testify that the father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
1 John 4:14 NASB
The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
1 John 5:10-12 NASB
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
1 John 5:20 NASB
The word of God is very plain when it comes to the salvation of our souls. We may think there are many ways to heaven, but God is clear in telling us that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between us as sinful men, and God, whom we have offended (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
Consider what Peter says about Jesus being the only way of salvation.
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ - This Jesus whom you crucified."
Acts 2:36 NASB
He goes on to tell his listeners, who were cut to the heart by his words, to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:37-38).
Peter also tells the crowd who gathered at the healing of a lame man (Acts 3:1-11), that faith in the name of Jesus was the basis for the miracle that had just occurred, and that they could experience refreshing from the Lord, through Jesus, the one appointed for them, if they would repent (Acts 3:16-20).
Peter tells the religious leaders that this sick man was healed in the name of Jesus, and that in fact salvation is found in no other name (Acts 4:10-12).
Jesus is the one exalted by God as a Prince and Savior to grant repentance, and forgiveness from sin (Acts 5:30-31).
The Apostle Paul writes that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Jesus Christ was the one who died for us. It is through Him that we are reconciled to God the Father (Romans 5:6-11).
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). There is no one else, no other belief system, that can ease a guilty conscience. In fact Paul declares that if anyone preaches another gospel, he is to be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9). People have always been so willing to believe something other than the truth (2 Cor 11:3-4). False teachers and false doctrines have existed from the very beginning, leading people astray from the truth that can save them. It is no different today. Thousands are led astray by cults, a soft gospel, new age, universalism, and a host of other deceptions.
Jesus Himself declared that He was sent for the salvation of the world, and it is through faith in Him that one is saved (John 3:16-17). As Jesus claimed, He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
Contrary to the opinion of many, the way is narrow, and few find it (Matt 7:13-14). There is no other way!
1 John 4:14 NASB
The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
1 John 5:10-12 NASB
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
1 John 5:20 NASB
The word of God is very plain when it comes to the salvation of our souls. We may think there are many ways to heaven, but God is clear in telling us that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between us as sinful men, and God, whom we have offended (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
Consider what Peter says about Jesus being the only way of salvation.
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ - This Jesus whom you crucified."
Acts 2:36 NASB
He goes on to tell his listeners, who were cut to the heart by his words, to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:37-38).
Peter also tells the crowd who gathered at the healing of a lame man (Acts 3:1-11), that faith in the name of Jesus was the basis for the miracle that had just occurred, and that they could experience refreshing from the Lord, through Jesus, the one appointed for them, if they would repent (Acts 3:16-20).
Peter tells the religious leaders that this sick man was healed in the name of Jesus, and that in fact salvation is found in no other name (Acts 4:10-12).
Jesus is the one exalted by God as a Prince and Savior to grant repentance, and forgiveness from sin (Acts 5:30-31).
The Apostle Paul writes that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Jesus Christ was the one who died for us. It is through Him that we are reconciled to God the Father (Romans 5:6-11).
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). There is no one else, no other belief system, that can ease a guilty conscience. In fact Paul declares that if anyone preaches another gospel, he is to be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9). People have always been so willing to believe something other than the truth (2 Cor 11:3-4). False teachers and false doctrines have existed from the very beginning, leading people astray from the truth that can save them. It is no different today. Thousands are led astray by cults, a soft gospel, new age, universalism, and a host of other deceptions.
Jesus Himself declared that He was sent for the salvation of the world, and it is through faith in Him that one is saved (John 3:16-17). As Jesus claimed, He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
Contrary to the opinion of many, the way is narrow, and few find it (Matt 7:13-14). There is no other way!
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Making Comparisons.
People tend to consider themselves as good. They know they have a fault or two, but basically they are good at heart.
They look around and see that they are not like the single mother down the street who has never married, or like the man struggling with drug addiction.
It is easy to see the sins of others while we conveniently overlook the obvious in our own lives (Matt 7:3). In order to justify ourselves in the eyes of God, we fall into the trap of making our own standard of judgment (2 Cor 10:12). Paul says that those who do this lack understanding.
Consider Adolph Hitler. We could compare our lives and actions with his, and come to the conclusion that we are not that bad. After all he was guilty of countless atrocities. He was responsible for the suffering of countless numbers of people, displacing them from their homes and countries, splitting up families, imprisonment, torture, and the systematic slaughter of millions of Jewish people and other groups he deemed inferior.
Stop and think however, at what point did his actions become too much? When he began to invade other countries? When he began to round up people, or when he began to kill them? At what point did he become bad? Was it long before this, beginning with smaller, less noticeable sins?
See how useless it is to judge ourselves by ourselves as sinful human beings? We have no true standard to base our judgment on.
We have a standard. It is the standard that God uses, and it is absolute. It is God's law, and He will use it to judge us with all fairness (James 2:12). James tells us that if we keep the whole law, and yet break one commandment, we become guilty of all of it (James 2:10).
You see God's standard is not like ours, where we decide if we are good enough by looking at how many things we have done, compared to how many, and of what sort of sins others have committed. To be a lawbreaker in just one point of God's law, is to be a lawbreaker.
Look at the example of Hitler again. We might say that we have never killed another person, let alone be responsible for the genocide of an entire people group. What does God have to say about prejudice though? In this same passage The law of liberty condemns it as murder (James 2:1-13).
How many of you are prejudiced against another race, or someone of another social status, or economic class? God calls this murder!
Jesus considers anger murder as well (Matt 5:21-22). John, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, condemns hatred as murder (1 John 3:15).
This tightens things up for us quite a bit! Do we look so good now, when we measure ourselves by God's standard?
It is a shocking thing to consider that an individual who hates a racial group is just as evil in God's sight, as someone who has actually carried out genocide!
This principle holds true for adultery as well. You might think you are faithful to your spouse, not like that guy down the street who is having an affair, but what about your thought life? Do you look at others with lust in your heart? If so, you are guilty of adultery according to Jesus, who will be your judge someday (Matt 5:27; Acts 17:30; Romans 2:16; 2 Cor 5:10).
The truth is, no matter how hard we try to justify ourselves in God's eye, we fall far short of His standard. We need a Savior, not only to make it possible to be forgiven, but to change our hearts and lives!
As sinful human beings, we are liars, thieves, adulterers, blasphemers, and murderers. We worship gods of our own invention, making us idolaters. We have all sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Our only hope is found in Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins (1 Peter 2:24). We need the new birth with its life changing power to set us free from sin. We need the life changing power of Christ turning us towards living righteously in this present age (Titus 2:11-12, 3:5; Gal 1:4; 2 Cor 5:17). We need the law of God written upon our hearts (Heb 10:16-17).
Stop looking at others, and surrender to Jesus Christ today!
They look around and see that they are not like the single mother down the street who has never married, or like the man struggling with drug addiction.
It is easy to see the sins of others while we conveniently overlook the obvious in our own lives (Matt 7:3). In order to justify ourselves in the eyes of God, we fall into the trap of making our own standard of judgment (2 Cor 10:12). Paul says that those who do this lack understanding.
Consider Adolph Hitler. We could compare our lives and actions with his, and come to the conclusion that we are not that bad. After all he was guilty of countless atrocities. He was responsible for the suffering of countless numbers of people, displacing them from their homes and countries, splitting up families, imprisonment, torture, and the systematic slaughter of millions of Jewish people and other groups he deemed inferior.
Stop and think however, at what point did his actions become too much? When he began to invade other countries? When he began to round up people, or when he began to kill them? At what point did he become bad? Was it long before this, beginning with smaller, less noticeable sins?
See how useless it is to judge ourselves by ourselves as sinful human beings? We have no true standard to base our judgment on.
We have a standard. It is the standard that God uses, and it is absolute. It is God's law, and He will use it to judge us with all fairness (James 2:12). James tells us that if we keep the whole law, and yet break one commandment, we become guilty of all of it (James 2:10).
You see God's standard is not like ours, where we decide if we are good enough by looking at how many things we have done, compared to how many, and of what sort of sins others have committed. To be a lawbreaker in just one point of God's law, is to be a lawbreaker.
Look at the example of Hitler again. We might say that we have never killed another person, let alone be responsible for the genocide of an entire people group. What does God have to say about prejudice though? In this same passage The law of liberty condemns it as murder (James 2:1-13).
How many of you are prejudiced against another race, or someone of another social status, or economic class? God calls this murder!
Jesus considers anger murder as well (Matt 5:21-22). John, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, condemns hatred as murder (1 John 3:15).
This tightens things up for us quite a bit! Do we look so good now, when we measure ourselves by God's standard?
It is a shocking thing to consider that an individual who hates a racial group is just as evil in God's sight, as someone who has actually carried out genocide!
This principle holds true for adultery as well. You might think you are faithful to your spouse, not like that guy down the street who is having an affair, but what about your thought life? Do you look at others with lust in your heart? If so, you are guilty of adultery according to Jesus, who will be your judge someday (Matt 5:27; Acts 17:30; Romans 2:16; 2 Cor 5:10).
The truth is, no matter how hard we try to justify ourselves in God's eye, we fall far short of His standard. We need a Savior, not only to make it possible to be forgiven, but to change our hearts and lives!
As sinful human beings, we are liars, thieves, adulterers, blasphemers, and murderers. We worship gods of our own invention, making us idolaters. We have all sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Our only hope is found in Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins (1 Peter 2:24). We need the new birth with its life changing power to set us free from sin. We need the life changing power of Christ turning us towards living righteously in this present age (Titus 2:11-12, 3:5; Gal 1:4; 2 Cor 5:17). We need the law of God written upon our hearts (Heb 10:16-17).
Stop looking at others, and surrender to Jesus Christ today!
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Don't be a Fool.
The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."
Psalm 14:1a
The bible tells us that one who denies the existence of God is a fool. These are strong words, and they are not my words, but God's.
We are told that the heavens declare the glory of God. Daily they declare His works, and from night to night they reveal knowledge. We can not hear their speech audibly, but they utter the glory of God throughout the earth (Psalm 19:1-4).
This agrees with what the Apostle Paul tells us in the book of Romans. God has revealed Himself to us through what He has created. We have a clear understanding of the existence and eternal attributes of the almighty God, deep within our conscience, leaving us without excuse to worship and obey God.
Only a fool would suppress this knowledge, but that is what men do. They violate their consciences, as they deny the God revealed to their souls, and recreate one who is more to their liking (Romans 1:18, 21-23). Paul says that they became fools (Romans 1:21).
In his wicked heart, man has decided that he would rather live for himself, he would rather be in control of his life and destiny. Man would rather live selfishly with little or no regard for the rights and happiness of others.
For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, and the greedy man curses and spurns the Lord. The wicked in the haughtiness of his countenance does not seek after Him. All his thoughts are, "There is no God."
Psalm 10:3-4 NASB
It comforts a man's troubled soul when he can deny the existence of God. His sinful life rises up and condemns him through his conscience. In his pride mankind pursues wickedness, and finds comfort and even strength in his denial, or re-creation of God. (Psalm 10:5-11).
This is seen in the theory of evolution. In order to suppress the knowledge of God revealed in creation, men have chosen to reject the creator, and instead declare that the creation created itself. This is a doctrine of fools seeking to stamp out the very idea of God.
Only a fool would deceive himself, so that he could continue in a destructive life of sin. God will judge sin, and the wicked will not stand. The way of the wicked will perish (Psalm 1:4-6).
Even now, the unrestrained sin that is so prevalent in society is a sign of the judgment of God (Romans 1:22-32). Men who deny the truth revealed, are turned over to a depraved mind.
A day of wrath is coming upon the whole world (Rev 19:11-16). Don't be a fool, repent and give your life to Christ!
Psalm 14:1a
The bible tells us that one who denies the existence of God is a fool. These are strong words, and they are not my words, but God's.
We are told that the heavens declare the glory of God. Daily they declare His works, and from night to night they reveal knowledge. We can not hear their speech audibly, but they utter the glory of God throughout the earth (Psalm 19:1-4).
This agrees with what the Apostle Paul tells us in the book of Romans. God has revealed Himself to us through what He has created. We have a clear understanding of the existence and eternal attributes of the almighty God, deep within our conscience, leaving us without excuse to worship and obey God.
Only a fool would suppress this knowledge, but that is what men do. They violate their consciences, as they deny the God revealed to their souls, and recreate one who is more to their liking (Romans 1:18, 21-23). Paul says that they became fools (Romans 1:21).
In his wicked heart, man has decided that he would rather live for himself, he would rather be in control of his life and destiny. Man would rather live selfishly with little or no regard for the rights and happiness of others.
For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, and the greedy man curses and spurns the Lord. The wicked in the haughtiness of his countenance does not seek after Him. All his thoughts are, "There is no God."
Psalm 10:3-4 NASB
It comforts a man's troubled soul when he can deny the existence of God. His sinful life rises up and condemns him through his conscience. In his pride mankind pursues wickedness, and finds comfort and even strength in his denial, or re-creation of God. (Psalm 10:5-11).
This is seen in the theory of evolution. In order to suppress the knowledge of God revealed in creation, men have chosen to reject the creator, and instead declare that the creation created itself. This is a doctrine of fools seeking to stamp out the very idea of God.
Only a fool would deceive himself, so that he could continue in a destructive life of sin. God will judge sin, and the wicked will not stand. The way of the wicked will perish (Psalm 1:4-6).
Even now, the unrestrained sin that is so prevalent in society is a sign of the judgment of God (Romans 1:22-32). Men who deny the truth revealed, are turned over to a depraved mind.
A day of wrath is coming upon the whole world (Rev 19:11-16). Don't be a fool, repent and give your life to Christ!
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Open Air Preaching
Here is a link to an open air presentation of the gospel. http://www.bibletube.tv/media-gallery/16616
Today if You Hear His Voice...
You men who are stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just what your fathers did.
Acts 7:51 NASB
The individuals that this verse is speaking of were those who had rejected the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. They were the ones who had been responsible for betraying Him into the hands of the Romans, and having Him put to death.
They stubbornly refused to hear what Jesus taught. They refused to accept that what He proclaimed was the truth, and they must put it into practice in their lives. They stiffened their necks and hardened their hearts against the truth.
Many individuals are just like that today. They hear the faithful witness of the gospel, and they are angered. They hear as the word of God is proclaimed in truth, and close their ears, and stubbornly refuse to submit to the claims of Christ.
These individuals are not merely resisting what men teach, but are in fact resisting the Holy Spirit as He convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment in their own sinful hearts (John 16:8-11). It is in fact the Holy Spirit working through the witness of faithful believers, who convicts the sinner of his sin, who convinces the sinner of his lost condition, of his danger, and need for the Savior.
To go on resisting the Holy Spirit by rejecting His message is to do so at your own eternal peril. We are given this warning in scripture,
Today if you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts...
Psalm 95: 7-8; Hebrews 4:7
This is a grave warning to heed the voice of the Holy Spirit. The ancient Israelites failed to do this and suffered severe consequences because of their stubborn refusal to hear and obey.
We are warned in Proverbs, that to stubbornly resist reproof is fatal to our souls.
A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.
Proverbs 29:1 NASB
Friend, are you one who has heard the gospel message and closed your ears against it? Have you felt conviction of sin deep within your heart, and yet tried to ignore it, tried to drown it out? You are resisting the Holy Spirit! He is convicting you because God loves you and is not willing that you perish, but that you would repent of your sin and follow Jesus (2 Peter 3:9).
Do not resist Him a moment longer. You will never come to Christ and be saved without the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart. He will only be resisted so much before it is too late.
Acts 7:51 NASB
The individuals that this verse is speaking of were those who had rejected the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. They were the ones who had been responsible for betraying Him into the hands of the Romans, and having Him put to death.
They stubbornly refused to hear what Jesus taught. They refused to accept that what He proclaimed was the truth, and they must put it into practice in their lives. They stiffened their necks and hardened their hearts against the truth.
Many individuals are just like that today. They hear the faithful witness of the gospel, and they are angered. They hear as the word of God is proclaimed in truth, and close their ears, and stubbornly refuse to submit to the claims of Christ.
These individuals are not merely resisting what men teach, but are in fact resisting the Holy Spirit as He convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment in their own sinful hearts (John 16:8-11). It is in fact the Holy Spirit working through the witness of faithful believers, who convicts the sinner of his sin, who convinces the sinner of his lost condition, of his danger, and need for the Savior.
To go on resisting the Holy Spirit by rejecting His message is to do so at your own eternal peril. We are given this warning in scripture,
Today if you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts...
Psalm 95: 7-8; Hebrews 4:7
This is a grave warning to heed the voice of the Holy Spirit. The ancient Israelites failed to do this and suffered severe consequences because of their stubborn refusal to hear and obey.
We are warned in Proverbs, that to stubbornly resist reproof is fatal to our souls.
A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.
Proverbs 29:1 NASB
Friend, are you one who has heard the gospel message and closed your ears against it? Have you felt conviction of sin deep within your heart, and yet tried to ignore it, tried to drown it out? You are resisting the Holy Spirit! He is convicting you because God loves you and is not willing that you perish, but that you would repent of your sin and follow Jesus (2 Peter 3:9).
Do not resist Him a moment longer. You will never come to Christ and be saved without the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart. He will only be resisted so much before it is too late.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Foolishness, or Power?
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18NASB
The world is filled with people seeking to overcome their problems. There are as many self help books, motivational gurus, talk show hosts, counselors, psychologists, pills, and so on, as there are problems to overcome.
Sadly the world pursues hopeless solutions while scorning the only thing that can deliver them from the real issue of sin.
The cross of Christ is considered foolishness by the wise of every age. Man has invented gods to worship, and rituals of every sort in an attempt to ease his guilty conscience.
It has never been a popular thing for the world to view the turmoil in the hearts of men as a sign of their lost condition. It is not popular today to call all the rebellious behavior that runs so rampant, what it really is, sin.
We have come to a place where what was once viewed as sinful behavior, is now seen as a thing to be tolerated, accepted, and even embraced. Political correctness runs in opposition to good morals.
The world desperately attempts to break addictions to no avail. We try to medicate, we try therapy, we go to support groups, but sin still rules in the hearts of men.
Jesus Christ is the only one who can set the prisoners free. He who the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:34-36). The message of the cross is indeed foolishness to the world. Religion is viewed as a crutch for weak minded people. But the cross of Christ is where the victory is found.
This is where the bondage is broken. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Sin is destroyed in the life of the believer as He identifies himself with Christ, through repentance and faith. (Romans 6:6-7). Our surrender to the Lordship of Christ requires us to live the crucified life, where we have no plans or purposes of our own. Now only Christ lives through us in power (Gal 2:20, 6:14).
Once again, this appears as foolishness to a self sufficient, wicked world system. Christ crucified, living in me is the answer. You can have victory over the sin in your life. You can be set free from the bondage and addictions that control you. You can be free from the guilt that haunts you. You can be reconciled to God.
Come to the cross.
1 Corinthians 1:18NASB
The world is filled with people seeking to overcome their problems. There are as many self help books, motivational gurus, talk show hosts, counselors, psychologists, pills, and so on, as there are problems to overcome.
Sadly the world pursues hopeless solutions while scorning the only thing that can deliver them from the real issue of sin.
The cross of Christ is considered foolishness by the wise of every age. Man has invented gods to worship, and rituals of every sort in an attempt to ease his guilty conscience.
It has never been a popular thing for the world to view the turmoil in the hearts of men as a sign of their lost condition. It is not popular today to call all the rebellious behavior that runs so rampant, what it really is, sin.
We have come to a place where what was once viewed as sinful behavior, is now seen as a thing to be tolerated, accepted, and even embraced. Political correctness runs in opposition to good morals.
The world desperately attempts to break addictions to no avail. We try to medicate, we try therapy, we go to support groups, but sin still rules in the hearts of men.
Jesus Christ is the only one who can set the prisoners free. He who the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:34-36). The message of the cross is indeed foolishness to the world. Religion is viewed as a crutch for weak minded people. But the cross of Christ is where the victory is found.
This is where the bondage is broken. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Sin is destroyed in the life of the believer as He identifies himself with Christ, through repentance and faith. (Romans 6:6-7). Our surrender to the Lordship of Christ requires us to live the crucified life, where we have no plans or purposes of our own. Now only Christ lives through us in power (Gal 2:20, 6:14).
Once again, this appears as foolishness to a self sufficient, wicked world system. Christ crucified, living in me is the answer. You can have victory over the sin in your life. You can be set free from the bondage and addictions that control you. You can be free from the guilt that haunts you. You can be reconciled to God.
Come to the cross.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
The Just Judgment of Christ.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who did the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me."
John 5:25-30 NASB
Be sure of this fact. One day we will all stand before God, to face judgment for how we have lived in this lifetime. We have this lifetime only in which to live our lives, and once we die it is over. We cannot change our lives, we cannot go back and try to undo all of our wrongs. We can be certain that we will stand before God's judgment to receive what is due us according to our deeds (Hebrews 9:27; 2 Cor 5:10; Romans 2:5-13; Rev 20:12-13, 22:12).
You can count on God to be perfectly just and fair to everyone who appears before Him. See what the Psalmist has to say about God's absolute justice.
He summons the heavens above, and the earth, to judge His people: "Gather My godly ones to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice." And the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is judge.
Psalm 50:6 NASB
The heavens declare the righteousness of God. As a righteous judge, He will make no mistakes, He will not be swayed by any excuses, bribes, or show any partiality.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne.
Psalm 89:14a
Righteousness and justice are what His rule is founded on. It is impossible for God, the holy, righteous judge, to render an unjust decision. It cannot be any other way. This is a great comfort to those who love and follow Him, those who have suffered at the hands of evil men. At the same time it should strike a holy fear in the hearts of all those who do not know God, nor obey the gospel (2 Thess 1:4-10).
Paul speaks of the justice of God.
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
Who will render to each person according to his deeds.
Romans 2:4-6 NASB
God is patient, waiting for souls to come to repentance, to turn their hearts from selfish, sinful pursuits, to Him and His service.
The blame lies squarely on us. We are the stubborn unrepentant ones who will not give up our sins and follow Christ. God will be perfectly just on that day when the books are opened and our deeds are laid bare for all to see.
Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God.
Romans 3:19 NASB
God's broken law will be the standard on that day. We will not be able to say that we are good people at heart. We will not be able to say that we are not truly sinful, or wicked. We will have no excuses. We will not be able to blame others, or claim we were born that way, or even that God made us that way. Every mouth will be closed on that day as God judges us according to our deeds, lining our lives up against His holy standard found in His law.
The law that condemns idolatry, blasphemy, the dishonoring of our parents, dishonesty, theft, murder, covetousness, and adultery, will be the standard that God will use as He righteously judges our deeds.
Where does this leave you or I, as we all know that we have broken some if not all of these commandments. This only shows us that we have wicked hearts, as it is out of the heart that these evil deeds proceed (Mark 7:20-23).
Our only hope lies in the offering of Jesus Christ, who gave His life for us, to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2). For those who confess and forsake their sin, there is mercy and forgiveness. Our past is forgiven, forgotten by God. If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9). We can be forgiven and start over with a clean slate. We do not have to stand before God with our past condemning us, if we are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
We now have the ability to walk in a manner that pleases God. We do not have to fall into the same pattern of sin that previously ruled our lives. We have victory in Jesus to live above the power of sin. By allowing the Holy Spirit to empower and lead our lives, we find that the righteous requirements of the law are now fulfilled in us (Romans 8:4).
The new covenant promises us that the law will be written upon our hearts (Hebrews 10:16-17). In other words, we will want to do the things that God requires of us in His law. We will love Him, and desire to please Him. Such an individual with a love for God, who orders his life by the Holy Spirit's leading will find himself fulfilling the law as he loves his neighbor as himself (Romans 13:8-10).
This is the new birth, a new creation in Christ. A sinful person forgiven and transformed. Such a one will not dread the judgment, but will look expectantly for the return of Christ (Hebrews 9:28).
John 5:25-30 NASB
Be sure of this fact. One day we will all stand before God, to face judgment for how we have lived in this lifetime. We have this lifetime only in which to live our lives, and once we die it is over. We cannot change our lives, we cannot go back and try to undo all of our wrongs. We can be certain that we will stand before God's judgment to receive what is due us according to our deeds (Hebrews 9:27; 2 Cor 5:10; Romans 2:5-13; Rev 20:12-13, 22:12).
You can count on God to be perfectly just and fair to everyone who appears before Him. See what the Psalmist has to say about God's absolute justice.
He summons the heavens above, and the earth, to judge His people: "Gather My godly ones to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice." And the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is judge.
Psalm 50:6 NASB
The heavens declare the righteousness of God. As a righteous judge, He will make no mistakes, He will not be swayed by any excuses, bribes, or show any partiality.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne.
Psalm 89:14a
Righteousness and justice are what His rule is founded on. It is impossible for God, the holy, righteous judge, to render an unjust decision. It cannot be any other way. This is a great comfort to those who love and follow Him, those who have suffered at the hands of evil men. At the same time it should strike a holy fear in the hearts of all those who do not know God, nor obey the gospel (2 Thess 1:4-10).
Paul speaks of the justice of God.
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
Who will render to each person according to his deeds.
Romans 2:4-6 NASB
God is patient, waiting for souls to come to repentance, to turn their hearts from selfish, sinful pursuits, to Him and His service.
The blame lies squarely on us. We are the stubborn unrepentant ones who will not give up our sins and follow Christ. God will be perfectly just on that day when the books are opened and our deeds are laid bare for all to see.
Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God.
Romans 3:19 NASB
God's broken law will be the standard on that day. We will not be able to say that we are good people at heart. We will not be able to say that we are not truly sinful, or wicked. We will have no excuses. We will not be able to blame others, or claim we were born that way, or even that God made us that way. Every mouth will be closed on that day as God judges us according to our deeds, lining our lives up against His holy standard found in His law.
The law that condemns idolatry, blasphemy, the dishonoring of our parents, dishonesty, theft, murder, covetousness, and adultery, will be the standard that God will use as He righteously judges our deeds.
Where does this leave you or I, as we all know that we have broken some if not all of these commandments. This only shows us that we have wicked hearts, as it is out of the heart that these evil deeds proceed (Mark 7:20-23).
Our only hope lies in the offering of Jesus Christ, who gave His life for us, to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2). For those who confess and forsake their sin, there is mercy and forgiveness. Our past is forgiven, forgotten by God. If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9). We can be forgiven and start over with a clean slate. We do not have to stand before God with our past condemning us, if we are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
We now have the ability to walk in a manner that pleases God. We do not have to fall into the same pattern of sin that previously ruled our lives. We have victory in Jesus to live above the power of sin. By allowing the Holy Spirit to empower and lead our lives, we find that the righteous requirements of the law are now fulfilled in us (Romans 8:4).
The new covenant promises us that the law will be written upon our hearts (Hebrews 10:16-17). In other words, we will want to do the things that God requires of us in His law. We will love Him, and desire to please Him. Such an individual with a love for God, who orders his life by the Holy Spirit's leading will find himself fulfilling the law as he loves his neighbor as himself (Romans 13:8-10).
This is the new birth, a new creation in Christ. A sinful person forgiven and transformed. Such a one will not dread the judgment, but will look expectantly for the return of Christ (Hebrews 9:28).
Sunday, November 16, 2014
The Witness of the Spirit.
The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
1 John 3:24, 4:13 NASB
As Christians, God has set our bodies apart to be temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). It is His purpose for us to abide in Him, and He in us.
Paul tells us that the love of God is poured out within our hearts, by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Think of your life before you met Christ. At some point you felt the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, as He showed you your sinfulness, and need for the Savior (John 16:7-11; 1 Thess 1:5). I can remember the unrest and turmoil as I struggled against the Holy Spirit's work in my life before I surrendered to Him.
An amazing thing happens as we repent, and by faith cast ourselves upon God's mercy through Christ Jesus. We have peace. The condemnation we felt is now gone (Romans 5:1, 8:1). Once we are forgiven, and the Holy Spirit enters our hearts, He bears witness with our spirits that we are now children of God (Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6).
Now instead of convicting of us our sin, instead of driving us to the cross for mercy, the Holy Spirit comforts us, brings us peace, fills our hearts with love, and confirms to us that we belong to God as His children.
It is a wonderful thing to have a clean heart, a conscience at rest. When we felt the guilt of our sin we had no faith. We were unable to approach God with confidence, but now this has all changed (1 John 3:21).
I ask you, "Do you have this witness of the Holy Spirit, that you are a true child of God?" You can have this witness, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are indeed born again.
By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
1 John 3:24, 4:13 NASB
As Christians, God has set our bodies apart to be temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). It is His purpose for us to abide in Him, and He in us.
Paul tells us that the love of God is poured out within our hearts, by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Think of your life before you met Christ. At some point you felt the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, as He showed you your sinfulness, and need for the Savior (John 16:7-11; 1 Thess 1:5). I can remember the unrest and turmoil as I struggled against the Holy Spirit's work in my life before I surrendered to Him.
An amazing thing happens as we repent, and by faith cast ourselves upon God's mercy through Christ Jesus. We have peace. The condemnation we felt is now gone (Romans 5:1, 8:1). Once we are forgiven, and the Holy Spirit enters our hearts, He bears witness with our spirits that we are now children of God (Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6).
Now instead of convicting of us our sin, instead of driving us to the cross for mercy, the Holy Spirit comforts us, brings us peace, fills our hearts with love, and confirms to us that we belong to God as His children.
It is a wonderful thing to have a clean heart, a conscience at rest. When we felt the guilt of our sin we had no faith. We were unable to approach God with confidence, but now this has all changed (1 John 3:21).
I ask you, "Do you have this witness of the Holy Spirit, that you are a true child of God?" You can have this witness, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are indeed born again.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Are You Guilty of Murder?
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
1 John 3:14-15 NASB
Once again John turns to the love of our Christian brethren as proof of our salvation (1 John 3:10-11, 14). If we cannot love those with whom we share the fellowship of Christ, how can we say we have eternal life abiding in us?
John goes beyond the act of actually killing somebody, and says that to hate a brother is to murder that brother. Listen to what Jesus said about this very same thing.
"You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good for nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says , 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell."
Matthew 5:21-22 NASB
Likewise, James warns Christians that when they treated fellow believers with partiality they were committing sin. He also makes the connection to murder as Jesus, and John do.
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not commit murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
James 2:9-11 NASB
This really makes one think soberly! God looks at the inward motives and attitudes that we hold in our hearts. We may not actually kill a person physically, but to be unjustly angry, to harbor feelings of hatred, and to show partiality, is the same in the eyes of God, who declares that NO MURDERER HAS ETERNAL LIFE IN HIM.
Think of all the racial prejudice in the world today. Think of how we so often despise others of lesser means than us. The poor are often treated as inferior by those who are better off than they. This is exactly what James was pointing out in the Church he addressed.
John goes on to say that if we see a brother in need, and we can meet that need, but we close our heart towards that brother, we cannot possibly have the love of God abiding in us (1 John 3:17). This shows that we do not care about that brother, he means nothing to us, we are despising that brother in our hearts.
This should make us think and examine our hearts and actions to see if we can truly say we know Christ, we are born of Him, we have eternal life in us.
Love does not merely consist of feelings and emotions, but in deeds and action (James 2:14-17; 1 John 3:18). It is useless to wish someone well, but to refuse to help them.
These passages deal primarily with the love of Christian brothers and sisters. Jesus also commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and shows us that our neighbor can be anyone we come across that needs our help (Luke 10:27-37). We are to treat one another as we would want to be treated (Matt 7:12). Jesus goes so far as to command that we love our enemies (Matt 5:43-48). This seems a hard saying, and indeed it goes against the way of the world. Only those who are born again of the Spirit of God are able to fulfill such an exacting command.
1 John 3:14-15 NASB
Once again John turns to the love of our Christian brethren as proof of our salvation (1 John 3:10-11, 14). If we cannot love those with whom we share the fellowship of Christ, how can we say we have eternal life abiding in us?
John goes beyond the act of actually killing somebody, and says that to hate a brother is to murder that brother. Listen to what Jesus said about this very same thing.
"You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good for nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says , 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell."
Matthew 5:21-22 NASB
Likewise, James warns Christians that when they treated fellow believers with partiality they were committing sin. He also makes the connection to murder as Jesus, and John do.
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not commit murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
James 2:9-11 NASB
This really makes one think soberly! God looks at the inward motives and attitudes that we hold in our hearts. We may not actually kill a person physically, but to be unjustly angry, to harbor feelings of hatred, and to show partiality, is the same in the eyes of God, who declares that NO MURDERER HAS ETERNAL LIFE IN HIM.
Think of all the racial prejudice in the world today. Think of how we so often despise others of lesser means than us. The poor are often treated as inferior by those who are better off than they. This is exactly what James was pointing out in the Church he addressed.
John goes on to say that if we see a brother in need, and we can meet that need, but we close our heart towards that brother, we cannot possibly have the love of God abiding in us (1 John 3:17). This shows that we do not care about that brother, he means nothing to us, we are despising that brother in our hearts.
This should make us think and examine our hearts and actions to see if we can truly say we know Christ, we are born of Him, we have eternal life in us.
Love does not merely consist of feelings and emotions, but in deeds and action (James 2:14-17; 1 John 3:18). It is useless to wish someone well, but to refuse to help them.
These passages deal primarily with the love of Christian brothers and sisters. Jesus also commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and shows us that our neighbor can be anyone we come across that needs our help (Luke 10:27-37). We are to treat one another as we would want to be treated (Matt 7:12). Jesus goes so far as to command that we love our enemies (Matt 5:43-48). This seems a hard saying, and indeed it goes against the way of the world. Only those who are born again of the Spirit of God are able to fulfill such an exacting command.
A Changed Life, Proof of Our Salvation.
We have seen that a person who practices sin is a lawless person, one who has cast off restraint (1 John 3:4). They show by their actions that they actually hate God (Romans 8:7).
John tells us that Jesus came to take away sins (1 John 3:5), and to destroy the devil's works (1 John 3:8). His purpose was to break the hold that sin has upon the life of a lost, selfish individual (John 8:36).
Therefore, one who abides in Christ, that is lives in trusting, obedient, submission to Him and His words, will not live a sinful lifestyle anymore (1 John 3:6). They have been set free from sins power over their lives. They now live to please Jesus their Lord in all they say and do.
Do not be deceived by those who say a Christian can be saved and live a sinful life at the same time. One who practices righteousness is righteous (1 John 3:7). The one who practices sin has not been changed by the power and grace of God through Jesus, and is in fact A CHILD OF THE DEVIL (1 John 3:8; John 8:44).
God's seed now dwells within the true believer. The law of God has been written upon His heart, a provision of the new covenant (Hebrews 10:16; 1 John 3:9). The true born again child of God does not walk in sin because of the redemptive work of Christ on his behalf. True grace teaches us to forsake our sin and to live sensible, upright lives (Titus 2:11-13).
This is not to say that it is impossible for a Christian to fall into sin. A Christian may be overtaken in a fault (Gal 6:1), and brought back to restoration. John writes to us so that we do not sin, but if we do we have an advocate in Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1-2). John is speaking of sin being the exception in the believers life, not the rule. He goes on to say that a saved individual will keep the commandments of Christ (1 John 2:2-6). A born again follower of Jesus lives with the purpose of obeying Christ. They do not seek to hold on to any sin, and if they should fall, they confess it and repent. They grieve because they have offended their God. They do not seek to see how close they can get to sin without losing their salvation. That is a selfish attitude that proves one has no desire to please God, and is devoid of spiritual life.
A transformed life is the proof of our salvation. Jesus has come to change sinners into saints, to totally change their lives (1 Cor 6:9-11; 2 Cor 5:17).
John tells us that Jesus came to take away sins (1 John 3:5), and to destroy the devil's works (1 John 3:8). His purpose was to break the hold that sin has upon the life of a lost, selfish individual (John 8:36).
Therefore, one who abides in Christ, that is lives in trusting, obedient, submission to Him and His words, will not live a sinful lifestyle anymore (1 John 3:6). They have been set free from sins power over their lives. They now live to please Jesus their Lord in all they say and do.
Do not be deceived by those who say a Christian can be saved and live a sinful life at the same time. One who practices righteousness is righteous (1 John 3:7). The one who practices sin has not been changed by the power and grace of God through Jesus, and is in fact A CHILD OF THE DEVIL (1 John 3:8; John 8:44).
God's seed now dwells within the true believer. The law of God has been written upon His heart, a provision of the new covenant (Hebrews 10:16; 1 John 3:9). The true born again child of God does not walk in sin because of the redemptive work of Christ on his behalf. True grace teaches us to forsake our sin and to live sensible, upright lives (Titus 2:11-13).
This is not to say that it is impossible for a Christian to fall into sin. A Christian may be overtaken in a fault (Gal 6:1), and brought back to restoration. John writes to us so that we do not sin, but if we do we have an advocate in Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1-2). John is speaking of sin being the exception in the believers life, not the rule. He goes on to say that a saved individual will keep the commandments of Christ (1 John 2:2-6). A born again follower of Jesus lives with the purpose of obeying Christ. They do not seek to hold on to any sin, and if they should fall, they confess it and repent. They grieve because they have offended their God. They do not seek to see how close they can get to sin without losing their salvation. That is a selfish attitude that proves one has no desire to please God, and is devoid of spiritual life.
A transformed life is the proof of our salvation. Jesus has come to change sinners into saints, to totally change their lives (1 Cor 6:9-11; 2 Cor 5:17).
Friday, November 14, 2014
Lawlessness.
John has this to say about those who practice sin.
Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4).
This is in contrast with those who are waiting for Jesus Christ to return. These are the ones who are purifying themselves in anticipation of seeing Jesus.
A lawless person is a person who has cast off restraint. The law of God means nothing to them, it is there to be broken at one's convenience. They ignore the fact that Jesus did not come to do away with the law (Matt 5:17-20). Many individuals today believe that in the New Testament age of grace, the law is optional, and if it is disobeyed, God doesn't mind because they believe Christ has obeyed it for us. Actually the moral law of God has not been done away with, and God expects us to abide by it. Listen to what Jesus says about those who live without law.
Not everyone who says to Me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.
Matthew 7:21-23 NASB
Jesus is plain. If we cast off law, if we chose to live our lives in sinful disobedience to God, He will cast us off on that day when we stand before Him. To hear His words and obey is like building a house upon a rock, but to hear and disobey Him, is like building upon a foundation of sand (Matt 7:24-27).
The Apostle Paul stated that it was not enough to hear the law, but one must also obey it (Romans 2:13). According to Paul, it is not the hearer who is justified, but the doer of the law. James says a similar thing about hearing the word, and actually obeying it.
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
James 1:21-22 NASB
James likens one who hears without obeying the word to a man who looks at himself in a mirror and then walks away, forgetting what he looked like. The one who hears and obeys however, will be blessed in what he does (James 1:23-25).
You see, when we decide that we do not have to obey God's moral law, we are rebelling against Him. We are casting off restraint, and deciding that we know what is best for us, and we will live our lives without God. We are actually setting ourselves up as our own little god, to the peril of our own souls.
The point is submission. Do we understand who God is, and who we are, and that we must submit to His authority over our lives? To willingly yield and obey is what biblical faith consists of (James 2:14-26). To say we believe in Christ, but to refuse to submit to Him and His word is an untruth. Paul tells us that such an individual is an enemy of God, and cannot please Him (Romans 8:7-8).
What does your life look like compared to these verses? Are you living your life with no regard for God's law, or are you living in loving obedience to Christ, showing the proof of your faith?
Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4).
This is in contrast with those who are waiting for Jesus Christ to return. These are the ones who are purifying themselves in anticipation of seeing Jesus.
A lawless person is a person who has cast off restraint. The law of God means nothing to them, it is there to be broken at one's convenience. They ignore the fact that Jesus did not come to do away with the law (Matt 5:17-20). Many individuals today believe that in the New Testament age of grace, the law is optional, and if it is disobeyed, God doesn't mind because they believe Christ has obeyed it for us. Actually the moral law of God has not been done away with, and God expects us to abide by it. Listen to what Jesus says about those who live without law.
Not everyone who says to Me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.
Matthew 7:21-23 NASB
Jesus is plain. If we cast off law, if we chose to live our lives in sinful disobedience to God, He will cast us off on that day when we stand before Him. To hear His words and obey is like building a house upon a rock, but to hear and disobey Him, is like building upon a foundation of sand (Matt 7:24-27).
The Apostle Paul stated that it was not enough to hear the law, but one must also obey it (Romans 2:13). According to Paul, it is not the hearer who is justified, but the doer of the law. James says a similar thing about hearing the word, and actually obeying it.
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
James 1:21-22 NASB
James likens one who hears without obeying the word to a man who looks at himself in a mirror and then walks away, forgetting what he looked like. The one who hears and obeys however, will be blessed in what he does (James 1:23-25).
You see, when we decide that we do not have to obey God's moral law, we are rebelling against Him. We are casting off restraint, and deciding that we know what is best for us, and we will live our lives without God. We are actually setting ourselves up as our own little god, to the peril of our own souls.
The point is submission. Do we understand who God is, and who we are, and that we must submit to His authority over our lives? To willingly yield and obey is what biblical faith consists of (James 2:14-26). To say we believe in Christ, but to refuse to submit to Him and His word is an untruth. Paul tells us that such an individual is an enemy of God, and cannot please Him (Romans 8:7-8).
What does your life look like compared to these verses? Are you living your life with no regard for God's law, or are you living in loving obedience to Christ, showing the proof of your faith?
Monday, November 10, 2014
Purified like Christ.
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed upon Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 John 3:2-3 NASB
As those whose citizenship is not of this world, Christians eagerly await the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20; 2 Timothy 4:8). This is a mark of one who is truly born again. The love that one has for Jesus expresses itself in a longing for His return, just as we long to be united with loved ones who we are separated from in this life.
The true Child of God knows and understands that God is pure. They understand that He is without spot or wrinkle and they also desire to be pure in their conduct as well. As they await His return they are careful to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
They understand that to keep oneself pure, it is important to go to His word, and allow it to shape and mold our lives (Psalm 119:8). Keeping oneself pure in this way is not advocating a works based salvation, on the contrary, we are saved from our sins, and called to live holy lives. We are instructed to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13). We are to cooperate with God by yielding to His word, by submitting ourselves to the Lordship of Christ. In this way we purify our lives.
This is how a Christian lives. He lives to please Christ. He desires to be like his heavenly Father (Eph 5:1). Christ gave Himself to wash us clean, without spot or wrinkle (Eph 5:25-27), and this is the desire of the believers heart, to be clean in his conduct before God, to live a life beyond reproach.
Someone who claims salvation, but carelessly lives in this world, trusting that God will pass over his sinful conduct, while really not desiring to be clean and pure in God's eyes, is lacking the life of God within his heart.
1 John 3:2-3 NASB
As those whose citizenship is not of this world, Christians eagerly await the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20; 2 Timothy 4:8). This is a mark of one who is truly born again. The love that one has for Jesus expresses itself in a longing for His return, just as we long to be united with loved ones who we are separated from in this life.
The true Child of God knows and understands that God is pure. They understand that He is without spot or wrinkle and they also desire to be pure in their conduct as well. As they await His return they are careful to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
They understand that to keep oneself pure, it is important to go to His word, and allow it to shape and mold our lives (Psalm 119:8). Keeping oneself pure in this way is not advocating a works based salvation, on the contrary, we are saved from our sins, and called to live holy lives. We are instructed to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13). We are to cooperate with God by yielding to His word, by submitting ourselves to the Lordship of Christ. In this way we purify our lives.
This is how a Christian lives. He lives to please Christ. He desires to be like his heavenly Father (Eph 5:1). Christ gave Himself to wash us clean, without spot or wrinkle (Eph 5:25-27), and this is the desire of the believers heart, to be clean in his conduct before God, to live a life beyond reproach.
Someone who claims salvation, but carelessly lives in this world, trusting that God will pass over his sinful conduct, while really not desiring to be clean and pure in God's eyes, is lacking the life of God within his heart.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Chosen Out Of the World.
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1 John 3:1 NASB
Can you truthfully say with John that the world does not know you? As Christians we are a peculiar people. True Christians do not blindly conform to the ways of this world (Romans 12:2). They do not run in the same course of sin that the world does, and the world cannot understand this (1 Peter 4:3-4).
Jesus told His disciples that they were not of this world, He had in fact chosen them out of it.
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
John 15:18-19 NASB
There is something wrong with your Christianity if you are loved and accepted by the world. Jesus said that Christians are chosen out of the world, therefore they are hated by the world. The world loves those who belong to the world! If you belong to the world you are not of the Kingdom of God!
Just as the world hated and rejected Christ, so too His followers will be hated and rejected, the reason being, they do not know God (John 15:21, 23).
There is so much compromise and tolerance today. Everyone is seeking to feel accepted by the world, and yet be called a Christian. This is a great error, that leaves one feeling secure in their sins. Jesus said that the road a disciple travels is narrow with few on it. It is a lonely thing to be a follower of Christ, while the broad road to destruction is filled with people enjoying the fellowship of darkness as they travel to hell (Matt 7:13-14).
The one who compromises with the world, who remains silent while the world around is filled with wickedness, is seeking acceptance by the world. They would rather be safe and loved by what they profess to have come out of, than to take a stand for Christ and His word, Jesus will be ashamed of them at His coming (Matt 10:33; Mark 8:38; Luke 12:9).
These kind of professors are those whose heart is filled with the things of this world, the things that Jesus warns us about seeking. They are pursuing the material treasures of this temporal world, rather than laying up eternal treasure in heaven. They seek their best life now rather than giving Christ and His kingdom the highest priority (Matt 6:19-21, 33).
We have been chosen out of this world. We are not of this world. If this is true in our lives, we will be despised by this world for our testimony of Christ's redeeming work in our lives. If we find ourselves loved and accepted by this sinful world, something is lacking in our profession of Christ!
1 John 3:1 NASB
Can you truthfully say with John that the world does not know you? As Christians we are a peculiar people. True Christians do not blindly conform to the ways of this world (Romans 12:2). They do not run in the same course of sin that the world does, and the world cannot understand this (1 Peter 4:3-4).
Jesus told His disciples that they were not of this world, He had in fact chosen them out of it.
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
John 15:18-19 NASB
There is something wrong with your Christianity if you are loved and accepted by the world. Jesus said that Christians are chosen out of the world, therefore they are hated by the world. The world loves those who belong to the world! If you belong to the world you are not of the Kingdom of God!
Just as the world hated and rejected Christ, so too His followers will be hated and rejected, the reason being, they do not know God (John 15:21, 23).
There is so much compromise and tolerance today. Everyone is seeking to feel accepted by the world, and yet be called a Christian. This is a great error, that leaves one feeling secure in their sins. Jesus said that the road a disciple travels is narrow with few on it. It is a lonely thing to be a follower of Christ, while the broad road to destruction is filled with people enjoying the fellowship of darkness as they travel to hell (Matt 7:13-14).
The one who compromises with the world, who remains silent while the world around is filled with wickedness, is seeking acceptance by the world. They would rather be safe and loved by what they profess to have come out of, than to take a stand for Christ and His word, Jesus will be ashamed of them at His coming (Matt 10:33; Mark 8:38; Luke 12:9).
These kind of professors are those whose heart is filled with the things of this world, the things that Jesus warns us about seeking. They are pursuing the material treasures of this temporal world, rather than laying up eternal treasure in heaven. They seek their best life now rather than giving Christ and His kingdom the highest priority (Matt 6:19-21, 33).
We have been chosen out of this world. We are not of this world. If this is true in our lives, we will be despised by this world for our testimony of Christ's redeeming work in our lives. If we find ourselves loved and accepted by this sinful world, something is lacking in our profession of Christ!
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Confidence or Shame?
There are professed Christians who do not look forward to meeting Christ, because they know deep down, that they are not right with God. Their hearts condemn them according to their actions as Paul teaches in Romans 2:12-16.
John tells us that we must abide in Christ if we are to have confidence at His appearing (1 John 2:28). Those who abide in Christ are those who bear much fruit (John 15:4-5).
To abide in Christ is to live in obedient submission to Him as Lord and master. It is to be totally surrendered to Him and His will. It is to live in dependence on Him, trusting Him to empower us to do every good work. It is to be connected to Him through faith. Just as a branch must remain connected to the vine if it is to have life, so we too must remain in Christ or we will be unfruitful, and die spiritually.
The one who abides in Christ will not shrink in shame at His appearing because he is living righteously. John goes on to tell us that if we believe God is righteous, we will also practice righteousness, because we are born of God (1 John 2:29).
The one who is born again now lives by a new standard. He no longer lives selfishly, in rebellion against God, but he lives to please God in all he does. Such an individual finds that what the law requires is being fulfilled in his life as he walks in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4).
This kind of individual is doing what is right in the sight of God and man. He loves God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, and loves his neighbor as himself. this love shows itself in how he treats others. True biblical love must act, it must prove itself by deeds, or it is not love, just as faith without works is dead, because faith works by love (Gal 5:6; James 2:17, 26).
Look at the bride of Christ at the marriage supper of the lamb in the book of Revelation. She had made herself ready, dressed in fine linen, bright and clean. What did this fine linen represent? The righteous deeds of the saints (Revelation 19:7-8).
The true Christian is a new person, living for the glory of Christ, working out his faith by doing deeds of righteousness. Christians do not work to earn God's favor, they are producing the fruit of righteousness because they are branches abiding in the vine, which is Christ. It is inevitable that they do such things, because if there is no fruit, they are not in Christ, but lost.
Do you look for His appearing with joyful confidence, knowing that you are born again, and faithfully serving Jesus Christ? Or, do you fear His return, knowing you must stand before Him in shame, because you are not born again, and your actions prove it?
John tells us that we must abide in Christ if we are to have confidence at His appearing (1 John 2:28). Those who abide in Christ are those who bear much fruit (John 15:4-5).
To abide in Christ is to live in obedient submission to Him as Lord and master. It is to be totally surrendered to Him and His will. It is to live in dependence on Him, trusting Him to empower us to do every good work. It is to be connected to Him through faith. Just as a branch must remain connected to the vine if it is to have life, so we too must remain in Christ or we will be unfruitful, and die spiritually.
The one who abides in Christ will not shrink in shame at His appearing because he is living righteously. John goes on to tell us that if we believe God is righteous, we will also practice righteousness, because we are born of God (1 John 2:29).
The one who is born again now lives by a new standard. He no longer lives selfishly, in rebellion against God, but he lives to please God in all he does. Such an individual finds that what the law requires is being fulfilled in his life as he walks in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4).
This kind of individual is doing what is right in the sight of God and man. He loves God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, and loves his neighbor as himself. this love shows itself in how he treats others. True biblical love must act, it must prove itself by deeds, or it is not love, just as faith without works is dead, because faith works by love (Gal 5:6; James 2:17, 26).
Look at the bride of Christ at the marriage supper of the lamb in the book of Revelation. She had made herself ready, dressed in fine linen, bright and clean. What did this fine linen represent? The righteous deeds of the saints (Revelation 19:7-8).
The true Christian is a new person, living for the glory of Christ, working out his faith by doing deeds of righteousness. Christians do not work to earn God's favor, they are producing the fruit of righteousness because they are branches abiding in the vine, which is Christ. It is inevitable that they do such things, because if there is no fruit, they are not in Christ, but lost.
Do you look for His appearing with joyful confidence, knowing that you are born again, and faithfully serving Jesus Christ? Or, do you fear His return, knowing you must stand before Him in shame, because you are not born again, and your actions prove it?
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