We have looked at the grace of God, and how He has taken the initiative by sending His Son Jesus to die on our behalf. We have seen that although we do not deserve His goodness and mercy, He offers us salvation nonetheless. I would like to next look at man's response to this great salvation that is offered us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB
While we see that our salvation is a gift of God offered to us by His grace, yet we see we receive this gift through faith. It is not an automatic thing. We read in John's gospel that he who believes in Him (Jesus) is not judged, but he who does not believe is judged already, because he has not believed in God's Son (John 3:18). Mark tells us in his gospel that he who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned (Mark 16:16). So what is faith? It is essential that we have an accurate understanding of what it means to believe in Jesus. Does it mean to believe in the historical facts about Jesus and His life? Does it mean we believe correct doctrine? Perhaps it goes even deeper than this?
Lets go back to the concept of sin. Sin is rebellion against God. It is called enmity, or hostility toward God (Romans 8:7). Sin flows out of unbelief. One who does not know or understand the claims of God will not fear God, or walk in His ways. It is the same with one who acts in unbelief. He may know of God, he may know that God requires obedience, and he may know that God will punish evildoers, but the fact that such a one persists in disobedience in spite of this knowledge, proves that this individual does not believe in God. He is acting in unbelief. What he has heard and known about God does not matter to him. It is like a man sitting in a burning house. Someone may pound on his door, urging him to flee his burning house, but if he buries his nose in the newspaper, and does not get up and try to flee, he is acting in unbelief. So, what does it matter what we believe about God, if it does not move us to act upon that belief? James tells us that even the devils believe and tremble (James 2:19). No doubt they understand all of the historical facts about God, maybe even more than many of us. Yet they are not saved beings! All of the knowledge that they have of God profits them nothing. They are devils bent on doing evil. They know of God's laws, and they know of God's wrath, yet this type of belief profits them nothing.
The faith that God is looking for is a faith that not only trusts, but also obeys! A man who believes in Christ will be a man who obeys Christ. Correct doctrine, and correct biblical understanding are important, but our faith must lead us to act upon our belief.
When a man is brought to see the depths of his wickedness he will say like Paul "Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24) In our desperation to be set free from sin we will flee to Christ, trusting Him not only for pardon, but for deliverance as well. What kind of man would seek pardon while still holding on to his sinful ways? That is no faith at all.
Believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose again is much more than a mere formula to repeat in the hopes of gaining pardon from sin. To believe in the death and resurrection of Christ is to cease from our self efforts, and flee to Him for pardon, knowing that He is the only way. It is to know and understand that only in Him can the soul find deliverance from sin. The individual who has truly come to the end of himself will turn from his sin (repent) and turn to Christ with a submissive trust, longing to be delivered from sin. Such a one believes that just as Christ died and rose again, so to we also die to sin and are raised to newness of life by the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection (Romans 6:1-10, 8:1-4). Biblical faith also recognizes that as Jesus is alive from the dead, we are called to follow Him. Once again, this is a submissive, trusting faith, that works itself out in loving obedience. "Lord" is not a mere title that we place before a name like we do for doctors or professors. Jesus is Lord, and He is alive. If we believe this from our hearts, we will act upon this belief, and submit ourselves totally to His rule in our lives (Luke 14:25-33).
Faith is much more than believing things with our minds. It is a continuing, active principal that moves us to act upon what we believe. Faith is our connection to the life and power that flow from Jesus. To trust in Him is to be connected. To disbelieve, is to be unplugged from the life that can only be found in Christ.
See also The Nature of Biblical Faith.
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Rich in Mercy (Ephesians 2 part 4).
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7 NASB
We have looked at man's lost condition; the fact that he is dead in sin, a slave to his passions and lusts, an enemy of God, and a child of wrath. Let's take a look now at another aspect of God's character, His love and mercy.
We read in our Bibles that God is patient toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). As a holy being, God cannot tolerate sin, and in His absolutely perfect justice, He must punish it. That is a fact, and no matter how hard we try to convince ourselves otherwise, it can be no other way. The very character of God demands it. Yet we also read of God's unwillingness that any should perish. We read of His love, as in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." As our text states, God is rich in mercy, because He loves us with a great love. Even though we have sinned against Him time and time again, He loves us, and has made provision for us, so that we could be saved from our sin.
All of this flows out of His love. It is love that sent Jesus down to this earth to bear our sins on the cruel cross. We are told that as a demonstration of His love, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Motivated by great love, God has done everything possible to bring us into reconciliation with Himself. He did not wait for us to clean up, to become good enough, or to change our ways. He took the initiative, and sent Jesus to die on our behalf, while we were yet sinners.
The Bible tells us that God is rich in mercy. He is generous, and willing to forgive. Jesus Christ has done everything necessary to reconcile us to God. He is willing to clean up our lives, to change us and make us a new creation in Him (2 Cor 5:17). Once again, it is not based upon anything we have done, but on His mercy (Titus 3:5). Do not misunderstand this however. God's love and mercy do not do away with man's responsibility to repent of His sinful ways. As we previously read in 2 Peter 3:9, ...Not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
There are those who believe that God's love and salvation are universal in the sense that all will be saved in the end regardless of how they conducted themselves in this life. They would have you believe that repentance and obedience do not matter. They go so far as to teach that because of Christ's offering of Himself, you do not need to even believe in Him; everyone gets saved in the end, it is an automatic thing. Watch out for this false teaching! In His love, God has made a way to save us from our sin. That is, not only the guilt, but the power of it over our lives. There is a saying that goes something like this, God, not only loves us enough to forgive our sins, but loves us too much to leave us in them." This is the true picture of the grace and mercy of God. He has reached down to His enemies and offered them pardon, if they will submit themselves to Him.
Ephesians 2:4-7 NASB
We have looked at man's lost condition; the fact that he is dead in sin, a slave to his passions and lusts, an enemy of God, and a child of wrath. Let's take a look now at another aspect of God's character, His love and mercy.
We read in our Bibles that God is patient toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). As a holy being, God cannot tolerate sin, and in His absolutely perfect justice, He must punish it. That is a fact, and no matter how hard we try to convince ourselves otherwise, it can be no other way. The very character of God demands it. Yet we also read of God's unwillingness that any should perish. We read of His love, as in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." As our text states, God is rich in mercy, because He loves us with a great love. Even though we have sinned against Him time and time again, He loves us, and has made provision for us, so that we could be saved from our sin.
All of this flows out of His love. It is love that sent Jesus down to this earth to bear our sins on the cruel cross. We are told that as a demonstration of His love, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Motivated by great love, God has done everything possible to bring us into reconciliation with Himself. He did not wait for us to clean up, to become good enough, or to change our ways. He took the initiative, and sent Jesus to die on our behalf, while we were yet sinners.
The Bible tells us that God is rich in mercy. He is generous, and willing to forgive. Jesus Christ has done everything necessary to reconcile us to God. He is willing to clean up our lives, to change us and make us a new creation in Him (2 Cor 5:17). Once again, it is not based upon anything we have done, but on His mercy (Titus 3:5). Do not misunderstand this however. God's love and mercy do not do away with man's responsibility to repent of His sinful ways. As we previously read in 2 Peter 3:9, ...Not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
There are those who believe that God's love and salvation are universal in the sense that all will be saved in the end regardless of how they conducted themselves in this life. They would have you believe that repentance and obedience do not matter. They go so far as to teach that because of Christ's offering of Himself, you do not need to even believe in Him; everyone gets saved in the end, it is an automatic thing. Watch out for this false teaching! In His love, God has made a way to save us from our sin. That is, not only the guilt, but the power of it over our lives. There is a saying that goes something like this, God, not only loves us enough to forgive our sins, but loves us too much to leave us in them." This is the true picture of the grace and mercy of God. He has reached down to His enemies and offered them pardon, if they will submit themselves to Him.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Job, Blameless and Upright.
The bible records that Job was an upright man. In fact in his day, there was no one like him on the earth, blameless and upright, fearing God, and turning from evil (Job 1:8, 2:3).
This righteousness that Job possessed was not a form of works that somehow impressed God. Job was a man who was committed to serving God. He understood who God is, and how God desires each and everyone of us to live. Job's fear of the Lord, led him to forsake sin, and live righteously in his generation.
It is important to see that the Lord regarded Job as "His servant". Jesus teaches us that a true servant does not serve for the reward, but serves because it is his duty to serve (Luke 17:7-10).
In other words, works done for a reward, are works that cannot please God. It is those things done for God, without self interest as a motive, that are pleasing to Him.
This is how true saving faith works in the life of the believer. He lives for the glory of God, doing those things that please God, without thought of self. Like Abraham, faith is working with his deeds, and the scriptures are fulfilled, that "He believed God and it was counted as righteousness" (James 2:21-24).
This is what pleases God, when we lose our lives for His sake. Then our obedience is to Him a service of love, pleasing in His sight.
This righteousness that Job possessed was not a form of works that somehow impressed God. Job was a man who was committed to serving God. He understood who God is, and how God desires each and everyone of us to live. Job's fear of the Lord, led him to forsake sin, and live righteously in his generation.
It is important to see that the Lord regarded Job as "His servant". Jesus teaches us that a true servant does not serve for the reward, but serves because it is his duty to serve (Luke 17:7-10).
In other words, works done for a reward, are works that cannot please God. It is those things done for God, without self interest as a motive, that are pleasing to Him.
This is how true saving faith works in the life of the believer. He lives for the glory of God, doing those things that please God, without thought of self. Like Abraham, faith is working with his deeds, and the scriptures are fulfilled, that "He believed God and it was counted as righteousness" (James 2:21-24).
This is what pleases God, when we lose our lives for His sake. Then our obedience is to Him a service of love, pleasing in His sight.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
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, 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.
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?
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Brotherly Love, A Mark of Salvation.
A mark of true Christian conversion is the love that brothers and sisters in Christ have for one another. John has this to say about the love of the brethren.
The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
1 John 2:9-10 NASB
God is love, and those who have been born again and indwelled with the Spirit of God will love one another (1 John 4:7-11). As Christians we are taught by God to love each other (1 Thess 4:9). Therefore to say we are walking in the light while we hate a fellow believer in Christ is an impossibility!
As the scriptures tell us we are walking blindly in darkness if we harbor hate towards a fellow believer.
Love is not a fuzzy feeling about someone. It is a genuine desire to see the best for someone other than yourself. It acts in the best interest of others. So to withhold good from someone in need is to hate that individual, and thus prove our salvation is not grounded in truth (1 John 3:17-19).
Remember as believers we have a common goal, which is Christ. Therefore it is a great evil to despise someone who shares with us in the kingdom of God. To look down on another Christian, to harbor prejudice against another, to show favoritism, is wicked, and acts against the law of love by which we will be judged (James 2:1-13).
Are you walking in the light, loving your brothers and sisters in Christ? If not, I would question your salvation, you can have no assurance unless you walk in love.
The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
1 John 2:9-10 NASB
God is love, and those who have been born again and indwelled with the Spirit of God will love one another (1 John 4:7-11). As Christians we are taught by God to love each other (1 Thess 4:9). Therefore to say we are walking in the light while we hate a fellow believer in Christ is an impossibility!
As the scriptures tell us we are walking blindly in darkness if we harbor hate towards a fellow believer.
Love is not a fuzzy feeling about someone. It is a genuine desire to see the best for someone other than yourself. It acts in the best interest of others. So to withhold good from someone in need is to hate that individual, and thus prove our salvation is not grounded in truth (1 John 3:17-19).
Remember as believers we have a common goal, which is Christ. Therefore it is a great evil to despise someone who shares with us in the kingdom of God. To look down on another Christian, to harbor prejudice against another, to show favoritism, is wicked, and acts against the law of love by which we will be judged (James 2:1-13).
Are you walking in the light, loving your brothers and sisters in Christ? If not, I would question your salvation, you can have no assurance unless you walk in love.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Obedience, the Proof of Our Love.
In 1 John chapter 2 we find another passage of scripture that show us if we are truly born again or not.
By this we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
1 John 2:3-6 NASB
Jesus has shown us that the one who loves Him will obey His commands.
"If you love Me, You will keep My commandments."
"He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."
"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me."
John 14:15, 21, 23-24 NASB
You see, if we truly love someone, we will be absorbed in pleasing that person. If we truly love Christ from the heart, we will be careful to do what He commands us to do, not out of a sense of duty or slavish fear, but because we desire to please Him. The things that Christ desires are the things that we desire, because our highest goal as Christians is to see Jesus Christ glorified.
An individual who claims to know and love Jesus, and yet ignores and disobeys His clear teachings in the scriptures is nothing but a selfish fraud, caring only about themselves. Such a professor is deceived and lost in their sin and selfishness.
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
Luke 6:46
Jesus teaches us that it is useless to claim Him as Lord, and yet to live in disobedience to His commandments. He compares it to a builder who builds a house without a foundation upon sand, When a storm arose the house was destroyed (Luke 6:49).
Matthew records this same passage with the warning that Jesus will reject all those who claim Him as Lord, but do not obey Him (Matthew 7:21-23).
So how does your salvation line up with these words? Do you have a living faith that causes you to willingly obey Christ because He is the love of your life, or is your faith a dead empty faith that will lead you all the way to hell (James 2:26)?
By this we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
1 John 2:3-6 NASB
Jesus has shown us that the one who loves Him will obey His commands.
"If you love Me, You will keep My commandments."
"He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."
"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me."
John 14:15, 21, 23-24 NASB
You see, if we truly love someone, we will be absorbed in pleasing that person. If we truly love Christ from the heart, we will be careful to do what He commands us to do, not out of a sense of duty or slavish fear, but because we desire to please Him. The things that Christ desires are the things that we desire, because our highest goal as Christians is to see Jesus Christ glorified.
An individual who claims to know and love Jesus, and yet ignores and disobeys His clear teachings in the scriptures is nothing but a selfish fraud, caring only about themselves. Such a professor is deceived and lost in their sin and selfishness.
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
Luke 6:46
Jesus teaches us that it is useless to claim Him as Lord, and yet to live in disobedience to His commandments. He compares it to a builder who builds a house without a foundation upon sand, When a storm arose the house was destroyed (Luke 6:49).
Matthew records this same passage with the warning that Jesus will reject all those who claim Him as Lord, but do not obey Him (Matthew 7:21-23).
So how does your salvation line up with these words? Do you have a living faith that causes you to willingly obey Christ because He is the love of your life, or is your faith a dead empty faith that will lead you all the way to hell (James 2:26)?
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Empty Religion.
The Prophet Amos was sent to a people who were religiously offering the required sacrifices, they worshiped God with singing and instruments, and even longed for the day of the Lord to come.
This was God's chosen people Israel, but they were not pleasing to God. Their worship was empty, God detested their sacrifices (Amos 5:21-23). They longed for the day of the Lord. In their minds that was when their enemies would be punished and they would be vindicated by God. They were wrong! God, through Amos, told them that it would be a terrible, dark day for them (Amos 5:18-20).
The nation had turned away from obedience to the will of God. They practiced injustice, and transgressed God's law. (Amos 5:7, 10-12). They thought that because they were the chosen people of God, all that mattered was the outward forms and rituals of worship.
Jesus tells us of individuals who will one day stand before Him and be rejected. These individuals call Him Lord! They think they are saved! They claim to have done great things for Him, But He rejects their empty profession (Matthew 7:21-23). These people were not in subjection to the will of God. They were lawless, they had cast off restraint.
Many people today believe that they are Christians based upon baptism, confirmation, or church membership. They may have even said a sinners prayer at one time. Many look forward to the return of Christ, just like the people in the days of Amos the prophet, but sadly they are not ready!
Rituals, forms of worship, external works no matter how religious they seem to be do not impress God. God desires our hearts. He desires our lives to be lived in surrender to Him. The one who obeys Him, is the one who loves Him (John 14:21-24).
James says that true religion is a religion that looks out for the needs of the truly needy, and to remain unstained by the world (James 1:27).
What kind of religion do you claim as your own? Is external only, or does it spring from your heart, expressing itself in love toward God and your fellow man?
Your eternity depends on this!
This was God's chosen people Israel, but they were not pleasing to God. Their worship was empty, God detested their sacrifices (Amos 5:21-23). They longed for the day of the Lord. In their minds that was when their enemies would be punished and they would be vindicated by God. They were wrong! God, through Amos, told them that it would be a terrible, dark day for them (Amos 5:18-20).
The nation had turned away from obedience to the will of God. They practiced injustice, and transgressed God's law. (Amos 5:7, 10-12). They thought that because they were the chosen people of God, all that mattered was the outward forms and rituals of worship.
Jesus tells us of individuals who will one day stand before Him and be rejected. These individuals call Him Lord! They think they are saved! They claim to have done great things for Him, But He rejects their empty profession (Matthew 7:21-23). These people were not in subjection to the will of God. They were lawless, they had cast off restraint.
Many people today believe that they are Christians based upon baptism, confirmation, or church membership. They may have even said a sinners prayer at one time. Many look forward to the return of Christ, just like the people in the days of Amos the prophet, but sadly they are not ready!
Rituals, forms of worship, external works no matter how religious they seem to be do not impress God. God desires our hearts. He desires our lives to be lived in surrender to Him. The one who obeys Him, is the one who loves Him (John 14:21-24).
James says that true religion is a religion that looks out for the needs of the truly needy, and to remain unstained by the world (James 1:27).
What kind of religion do you claim as your own? Is external only, or does it spring from your heart, expressing itself in love toward God and your fellow man?
Your eternity depends on this!
Sunday, September 7, 2014
It Is Apointed Unto Men Once To Die.
We are told in the Word of God that man is appointed to die and face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and be judged according to our deeds (Romans 2:6, 2 Cor 5:10, Rev 20:12, 22:12).
The Bible also tells us that there are none righteous, no one who does good, none who seek after God, no one who fears God (Romans 3:10-18).
This leaves us in a hard place. How will we fare as we stand before God, as our lives flash before us. All of our secret thoughts will be out in the open. All of the acts we have committed in secret will now be exposed for all to see.
What can we expect God to say as our lies, idolatry, murders, thefts, adulteries, covetousness are paraded before us. Those who have disobeyed their parents, those who have lusted in their hearts, who have been unjustly angry will all be held accountable to God. Every mouth will be stopped. We will be without excuse on that day (Romans 3:19).
Jesus Christ, The divine Son of God took on flesh and came to this world to die for our sins (John 1:14, 3:14-17, Romans 5:6-8, 6:23). We can be justified, forgiven for the sin that now condemns us.
He died to set us free from sin. We do not have to remain in it any longer. Through Him we find freedom to walk in newness of life (Romans 8:1-4).
We are called to forsake our sin (Matt 4:17). We are called to forsake all for Christ (Luke 15:27, 33), as we put our faith in Him (Acts 16:31).
Our past can be erased, and our lives can be transformed as we walk by the Spirit (Romans 8:4, Gal 5:16).
Jesus calls us to follow Him....
The Bible also tells us that there are none righteous, no one who does good, none who seek after God, no one who fears God (Romans 3:10-18).
This leaves us in a hard place. How will we fare as we stand before God, as our lives flash before us. All of our secret thoughts will be out in the open. All of the acts we have committed in secret will now be exposed for all to see.
What can we expect God to say as our lies, idolatry, murders, thefts, adulteries, covetousness are paraded before us. Those who have disobeyed their parents, those who have lusted in their hearts, who have been unjustly angry will all be held accountable to God. Every mouth will be stopped. We will be without excuse on that day (Romans 3:19).
Jesus Christ, The divine Son of God took on flesh and came to this world to die for our sins (John 1:14, 3:14-17, Romans 5:6-8, 6:23). We can be justified, forgiven for the sin that now condemns us.
He died to set us free from sin. We do not have to remain in it any longer. Through Him we find freedom to walk in newness of life (Romans 8:1-4).
We are called to forsake our sin (Matt 4:17). We are called to forsake all for Christ (Luke 15:27, 33), as we put our faith in Him (Acts 16:31).
Our past can be erased, and our lives can be transformed as we walk by the Spirit (Romans 8:4, Gal 5:16).
Jesus calls us to follow Him....
Thursday, August 14, 2014
What does God require?
God, who created us, has a standard that He expects man to adhere to. As I discussed in a previous post, God is righteous, just, holy, and loving. It therefore makes sense that He would require Man as a moral being to be right and just in his dealings with others, to love God and fellow human beings, and to live separated from selfishness and sin in all of its forms.
Love has been God's desire from the beginning. The Old testament as well as the New, show this (Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Matthew 5:43-48, 22:37-40, Romans 13:8-10, James 2:8, 1John 3:11).
Along with love goes justice and mercy. As a just and merciful God, He also requires us to be fair and merciful to one another. Once again, this is shown in both the Old and New covenants (Leviticus 19:11-15, 35, Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:7, 7:12, Romans 12:17, 1Corinthians 6:7-9, James 2:13).
We are to be holy as God is holy. Just as God is separated from sin, we too must be separated from sin and self, and devoted to the service of God (Leviticus 11:44-45,19:2, Matthew 5:48, 1Peter 1:15-16).
Can you see that God holds us to a very high standard? Can you see that God is perfectly right in expecting us to conform to this standard? Can you also see that this is a standard that you have failed to live up to? If so, this is an important first step in the awakening of your soul!
Love has been God's desire from the beginning. The Old testament as well as the New, show this (Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Matthew 5:43-48, 22:37-40, Romans 13:8-10, James 2:8, 1John 3:11).
Along with love goes justice and mercy. As a just and merciful God, He also requires us to be fair and merciful to one another. Once again, this is shown in both the Old and New covenants (Leviticus 19:11-15, 35, Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:7, 7:12, Romans 12:17, 1Corinthians 6:7-9, James 2:13).
We are to be holy as God is holy. Just as God is separated from sin, we too must be separated from sin and self, and devoted to the service of God (Leviticus 11:44-45,19:2, Matthew 5:48, 1Peter 1:15-16).
Can you see that God holds us to a very high standard? Can you see that God is perfectly right in expecting us to conform to this standard? Can you also see that this is a standard that you have failed to live up to? If so, this is an important first step in the awakening of your soul!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
The Righteous Character of God.
In order to properly understand our lost condition, we must have an understanding of the Holiness of God. Many people think that they are really not that bad, perhaps their good deeds will outweigh their bad deeds. They may feel as though God somehow will not punish them, after all He is a loving Father, and we are all His Children, right? This is a deception!
What do the scriptures teach us about the Character of God?
1. He is Holy (Isaiah 6:3, Rev 4:8). To be holy is to be set apart from all that is selfish and sinful. It is to be set apart to the promotion of the Highest good of all being. As the only divine being, God is free of all sin, and selfishness (1John 1:5). When Jesus walked this earth He faced temptation just like we do, yet He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).
2. God is righteous (1John 3:7, Psalm 89:14). To be righteous is to be right, perfect in character, to always do what is right. This is what makes up the character of God. He will always do what is right in each and every situation.
3. Justice will prevail in the kingdom of God (Psalm 99:4). Psalm 89:14 declares that the foundation of God's throne is righteousness (God will always do the right thing), and Justice. God in His justice will make things right. Wrong doing will be punished. Nobody gets away with sin in the justice of God. We may have unjust courts, and judges who go soft on crime, but God will Judge, and it will be just and fair. It is sobering to think that we will stand before Him, nothing hidden from His sight (Hebrews 4:13), with no excuses (Romans 3:4,19).
4. God is love (1John 4:16). As a loving God, He seeks the highest good for His creation. It would be wonderful if we all loved God and lived for His glory. We would live in peace and the favor of God all of our days! Sadly this world is fallen, and love compels God to be fair in all His dealings with us. He must discipline those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). Because He loves us He must mete out justice, which seems severe to those who are on the receiving end, but once again, God's Character is perfect in every way. Everything He does is right every time. Out of His love He blesses us with rain, sunshine, life itself. He cares for us, even though we have rebelled against Him. Though He is angry with the sinner (Psalm 7:11), He desires that such a one would turn from evil, and live (Ezekiel 18:30-32).
What do the scriptures teach us about the Character of God?
1. He is Holy (Isaiah 6:3, Rev 4:8). To be holy is to be set apart from all that is selfish and sinful. It is to be set apart to the promotion of the Highest good of all being. As the only divine being, God is free of all sin, and selfishness (1John 1:5). When Jesus walked this earth He faced temptation just like we do, yet He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).
2. God is righteous (1John 3:7, Psalm 89:14). To be righteous is to be right, perfect in character, to always do what is right. This is what makes up the character of God. He will always do what is right in each and every situation.
3. Justice will prevail in the kingdom of God (Psalm 99:4). Psalm 89:14 declares that the foundation of God's throne is righteousness (God will always do the right thing), and Justice. God in His justice will make things right. Wrong doing will be punished. Nobody gets away with sin in the justice of God. We may have unjust courts, and judges who go soft on crime, but God will Judge, and it will be just and fair. It is sobering to think that we will stand before Him, nothing hidden from His sight (Hebrews 4:13), with no excuses (Romans 3:4,19).
4. God is love (1John 4:16). As a loving God, He seeks the highest good for His creation. It would be wonderful if we all loved God and lived for His glory. We would live in peace and the favor of God all of our days! Sadly this world is fallen, and love compels God to be fair in all His dealings with us. He must discipline those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). Because He loves us He must mete out justice, which seems severe to those who are on the receiving end, but once again, God's Character is perfect in every way. Everything He does is right every time. Out of His love He blesses us with rain, sunshine, life itself. He cares for us, even though we have rebelled against Him. Though He is angry with the sinner (Psalm 7:11), He desires that such a one would turn from evil, and live (Ezekiel 18:30-32).
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