Bible Ballistics: BBs #232   You Shall Call His Name Jesus!!!

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

He will “shall save his people from their sins”! Notice, He saves us “from” our sins—not “IN” our sins! We live in a culture, even a Christian culture, that implies, if not outright declaring, that you can be right with God and live your own way. NOT!!! Scripture clearly tells us that belonging to Jesus is NOT simply a matter of “speaking” His name and claiming to have “fire insurance”, but a real, genuine and evident regeneration–a change of “heart”– that will be indicated by a changed and regenerated life.

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers

of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom

of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”   Colossians 1:12-14

God does a work in our hearts and lives within, He:

Delivers us from “darkness”–

Transfers us “INTO” Jesus’ kingdom—

Redeems us through Jesus’ blood—

Forgives our sins through that same blood!

Our sins are “forgiven”, which not only means they are not counted against us, but also implies that they have been replaced by something else, we are given a new power to overcome the draw of sin in our lives. How? By the work of God’s substitutionary sacrifice of His own SON, for my sin, and the working of His Holy Spirit within me, applying and working the righteousness of Jesus into me and you who believe in and receive the gift of God—the gift of the Holy, Son of God. This Jesus, who was God, is God and ever shall be GOD!

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete in him,

which is the head of all principality and power:

11 In whom also ye are circumcised

with the circumcision

made without hands,

in putting off the body of the sins

of the flesh

by the circumcision of Christ:

12 Buried with him in baptism,

wherein also ye are risen

with him

through the faith

of the operation of God,

who hath raised him from the dead.

13 And you,

being dead in your sins

and the uncircumcision of your flesh,

(what we WERE—DEAD IN SIN)

hath he quickened

together with him,

having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances

that was against us,

which was contrary to us,

and took it out of the way,

nailing it to his cross;

(what we ARE—Alive, forgiven, overcomers by the blood)

15 And having spoiled principalities

and powers,

he made a shew of them openly,

triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:9-15

We have victory in JESUS, because HE saves people “from their sins”—we are enabled through the blood of Jesus, to overcome the power of the enemy because we have received the “righteousness” of Jesus.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

It’s all about Jesus and what HE did in coming as a babe, in living a holy life without sin, in giving Himself as “MY” sacrifice on the cross. And His sinless, substitutionary death, gives “righteousness” in exchange for sinfulness to all who will trust in HIM. We no longer have to walk in the world’s sinful ways when we die to sin and live through Jesus.

“I am crucified with Christ:”–dead to self & the flesh

nevertheless I live;”–alive IN Jesus

yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:”–Jesus lives IN me

and the life which I now live in the flesh”—I live life

I live by the faith of the Son of God,”–I live by FAITH

who loved me,”–because His love is now IN me

and gave himself for me.”—because He DIED for me   Galatians 2:20

We must come back to biblical Christianity—new life in Christ—not a watered down imitation “faith” that has no power because God’s NOT in it: Because Jesus is NOT in it. Only Jesus can give new life, and when HE does it’s real and it’s evident—in varying degrees, yes—but it’s evident. James makes it clear that genuine faith is expressed and seen by a “living” faith not by empty, dead words:

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:17-20 (vain man=empty, not real)

We have something the world can’t give, and that’s peace with God (as well as the “peace of God“) and the “love of God” (not my love “for” God, but the love from God put in me by His Holy Spirit)! And that’s something that the world doesn’t have and can’t give—only Jesus can and He will, just ask HIM!!!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also

we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.”    Romans 5:1-5

So, my question for us today is, “Have you been “saved” from your sins?” Or are you still living in your own way and in your own sin, and just trying to tack the ‘name of Jesus’ onto your own way? It’s a hard question, but one of eternal import. I pray that you will make sure of your standing with God today by bowing before HIM and seeking His face and His wisdom. If you truly ask HIM, He will reveal Himself to YOU!!!  May you truly know the “Christ” of CHRISTmas!

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

He came for YOU!!!