Bible Ballistics: BBs #240     Forgive Us This Day???

I would just like to take a few minutes today to remind us all that forgiveness, while seldom being easy, is essential. Mostly it is essential because the Lord told us to forgive, bust also for our own spiritual well being we need to forgive others, after all, we are forgiven ourselves. As Jesus commanded us in the model prayer:

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen..”     Matthew 6:12-13

And I don’t know about you, but I am in need of HIS forgiveness on a moment-by-moment basis. Jesus calls us to pray about forgiveness but also to apply forgiveness. He even goes on in this passage to warn us that if we won’t forgive, why would God forgive us. Believers in Jesus have, above all people, an honor and an obligation to extend to others the same kindness that God has extended to us in and through His Son Jesus Christ’s forgiveness.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you..” Ephesians 4:32

Paul also in his prayer for the Colossian church reminds us that while God does love the “world” unconditionally, His forgiveness is totally conditional on the blood of Jesus; and when we have received that forgiveness, we can do nothing but extend to others the forgiveness that we have received and experienced. Even when others hurt our feelings, offend us, disrespect us or treat us harshly, we are compelled to follow the example of Jesus.

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:14

So just as a word of reminder and encouragement today, no matter who has hurt you today, yesterday or ages ago remember that we were all lost in sin without Jesus!

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; …… 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” Ephesians 2:1, 4-5

Quickened meaning gave new life, and He tells us twice in these short verses that He gives new life—a forgiven life!!!

Have a blessed day dear friends and as the popular refrain of the day says, “Let it go”, give it to Jesus! Remembering that God in His total sovereignty knows what is going on in your life and HE is working it out for YOUR good.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29

So, remember:

“If God be for us, who can be against us?” Ro. 8:31b

Not any one ultimately because we belong to Jesus!!! Have a blessed day of freedom and joy.

Bible Ballistics: Sorry, I Don’t Go There? Pt. 2 Vol. 7#08

As we continue our thoughts from last week, we know that God saves and changes lives, but “just saying so, doesn’t make it so”! Only the life-changing blood of Jesus can change a heart from sinful to holy!!! And when He does, there is an evidence of His presence.

“Wash you, make you clean;

put away the evil of your doings

from before mine eyes;

cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well;

seek judgment,

relieve the oppressed,

judge the fatherless,

plead for the widow.

18 Come now,

and let us reason together, saith the Lord:

though your sins be as scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson,

they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:16-18

The only way that we can be changed and cleansed from our sin, is by grace through faith in the blood of Jesus—realizing that we can’t save ourselves or change our own hearts apart from Jesus. Playing church won’t do it. Living a lie—no matter how convincing it may be—will never make you a child of God. Only Jesus can do that! What are you depending on?

“Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:” Revelation 3:17

If you are familiar with the context of this passage, Jesus Himself is speaking to a “church”—those who claimed to know Him. Yet their perception of themselves, is totally opposite to what Jesus reveals to be the truth about them! Jesus says that they considered themselves to be “rich… ….increased with goods…” and in “need of nothing”! This is the state of many churches around us today, particularly in America. So many churches aren’t seeking God, for they think they already have all they need. But it would seem that Jesus is warning us that when we think we “have need of nothing”, it may be time to examine where we really are. He also tells us that to accomplish anything of value for His kingdom, we must abide in HIM.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me, and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”    John 15:4-5

Only what we do with the power and Spirit of Jesus will bear any real and lasting fruit—personally or corporately!!! We can spin our wheels and impress people, or we can “abide” in Jesus and watch God do mighty things (And man isn’t the judge of what is the mighty work of God)! God works in ways often incomprehensible to the world!

“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.”      1 Corinthians 1:25-29

It’s all about God—NOT me! As we mentioned last week:

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.”    Romans 11:36

Where is our focus? Let’s see what else Jesus had to say to the church we observed above:

“I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love,

I rebuke and chasten:

be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:18–19

Jesus calls people to repent and buy HIS ‘goods’! But with what? Not with money, but with faith in HIM and HIS atoning work at Calvary, that’s how! We must respond to HIS Spirit’s call with a contrite heart ready to abandon self, and cling to the cross. Here is Jesus’ invitation to YOU:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

And what door is Jesus knocking on? The door of the church? The door of your heart? If any person hear! If the Spirit brings you to the place of hearing the “knock” on the door, and you respond in repentance and faith to “open the door”, He has promised that He will “come in to” YOU, and you will “sup” or dine together—you become His and He will ever be with you because of the “new birth”!

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:12-13

I believe Jesus paints a wonderful picture of this in His ‘Sermon on the Mount’; a beautiful image of realizing our need and receiving the only thing that can meet the need, make the change, and give us life: JESUS!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

But who are the “poor in spirit”? The “poor in spirit” are those who realize and see their own abject spiritual poverty; those who see that without Jesus there is no hope, but that with Him there is no end to hope, life and joy!!! He alone came that we might have life—real life—abundant life! He said so Himself!

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

Real life is only found in Jesus. Anything else is an imitation of life from the thief, the enemy of your soul (that we mentioned last week). His desire is to steal, to kill and to destroy, but Jesus can and will give you “abundant” life! Yet belonging to Jesus doesn’t mean the war is over, but it does mean that we can be victorious in the conflict. But we must maintain our vigil, because we still have an enemy who wants to distract us and rob us of our effectiveness and value to God’s kingdom work. And this is a serious issue that we often neglect to address, but James nails it to the wall for us. We need to consider what James warns us about:

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not:

ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain:

ye fight and war,

yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not,

because ye ask amiss,

that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore

will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;

and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted,

and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”    James 4:1-10

We can walk in holiness and righteousness because of HIM, and HIS redeeming work, which has given us “NEW LIFE” –a new life that should be evident in all our ways; or we can be an “adulterer” before the God that we claim to love and serve! Are you willing to “Humble yourselves” before God, or would you rather stand on your own flesh and its merits? It’s your choice, but choose well.

When we truly belong to Jesus, He is always working in us with His purpose in mind. The question we must ask is “Am I cooperating with His work and walking in the Spirit, or am I constantly running from, and wrestling with God?” Do I have to learn everything the “hard way”? Is my confidence in Jesus? When my confidence is in Him, my life can be ordered by Him.

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

And be sure, God knows those who are His:

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19

“For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” Psalm 37:22-24

And if God knows, how ought we to live? First we must be sure we are God’s own, and then seek His face and His will in all our steps. And often that means we refrain from some behaviors.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil…….Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 22 & 24

And praise God we don’t ever have to do this alone, yet we are expected to continually consider our ways.

“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3:14

We can have confidence in the one who is working for our good, because He is always with us–always:

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6

So the question isn’t “Is God faithful?”; but rather do you belong to Him. Have you bowed your knee before Jesus Christ in repentance and faith? Or are you counting on something YOU have done to make you right with God? Remember what we said earlier:

“The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity”.

So the main question that we all need to ask and come to grips with is, “Do I belong to Jesus?”. If you say so, where is your evidence? Are you living in accordance with the Spirit of God and the Word of God. Are you claiming a relationship that God doesn’t recognize. It’s a question of eternal import. One that Jesus states clearly!

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:20-27

The question isn’t what do you claim, but who do you possess? Your ‘house’ may look just like the real thing to others, but God knows the foundation that you have chosen to build upon, is it the “Rock Of Ages”, or “Sinking Sand”? If you are on the rock—you will stand with HIM!!! For those who are in Christ Jesus have this grand assurance:

“As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:36-39

Are YOU in HIM? I’m praying!  May God open your eyes to see Him!!!

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #239     What Are You Looking To???

I would like to share a word of confidence on this Friday; a word that might encourage you as you deal with the issues of living today. Life is from God, but oftentimes living through the daily grind includes a pathway strewn with difficulty, confusion, pain, heartache and even opposition from not only expected sources, but the most painful of all, opposition and hurt that comes from the closest and most unexpected places. We’ve all had those experiences of disappointment and betrayal; when those we love and trust turn out to have a different motive and agenda than we expected. What do we do when those things come (and if they haven’t come yet, they will)?

Well, what we don’t do, is let our circumstances control our perspective. Let’s take some lessons from the Psalms today and get a glimpse of what God would have us do today and each day we live. Whatever difficulty or pain you may be experiencing and suffering through remember –if you belong to Jesus– YOU are NOT ALONE. God has promised that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us when we belong to HIM!

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6

What must we do? We must learn to live with a contented heart, without covetousness—oh, my isn’t that “un”-American? No! In fact our founding father’s, who signed the Declaration of Independence, pledged to one another, and to this nation “Their Lives, Their Fortunes, and Their Sacred Honor”! Why? Because the things they believed about life, liberty, freedom (particularly religious freedom) and honor weren’t based on greed but selfless devotion to right and freedom. They were “content” to lay it all on the line, and many of them, if not most, trusted that God would provide for them in their just cause.

What has happened to our generation, our culture? We have abandoned God and contentment and we flounder in an ocean of greed and selfishness; while God tells us that He cares for His own and will NEVER leave those who belong to HIM!!! Where is your “contentment”? Is it in God and the here and now, or somewhere down the road in the next raise, a winning wager or ticket, the next rung on the ladder of corporate success? When difficulty comes, or conflict, or opposition, what are we to do? What do the Psalmists have to say!

“In my distress I cried unto the Lord,

and he heard me.

2 Deliver my soul, O Lord,

from lying lips,

and from a deceitful tongue.” Psalm 120:1-2

In our vernacular, “Give it to Jesus”, He knows how to handle your life, if you will but call out to HIM for deliverance—not only for salvation, but also for daily living.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23

And the delight here, I believe, is two-sided. God delights in the way of the “good man”, and the “good man” delights in God’s ways (See verse 4 of Psalm 37). And how do we accomplish this delight in and from God? Good question:

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?

by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee:

O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart,

that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O Lord:

teach me thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I declared

all the judgments of thy mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,

as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate in thy precepts,

and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes:

I will not forget thy word.” Psalm 119:9-16

The Psalmist here asks how, and then proceeds to point us to the WORD as the “how to”!!! He lists multiple actions that we are to take, and they all focus on the Word of God! How about you and me? Are you willing to make the Word of God the primary guide of your life? Are we willing to:

Take heed to it (pay attention)—

Seek it out (along with it’s author)—

Hide it in our hearts (read, study and memorize it)—

Ask God to teach us(through His Holy Spirit)—

Declare it to others when He teaches us(testify)—

Rejoice in His Word and His Ways(Glad God is God)—

Meditate in and on His Word(Read it, think it, live it)—

Respect His ways (follow and love them)—

Delight in His ways (rather than complain)—

Not forget (remember it, don’t be distracted)—

So my dear friends, what are you looking to? Are you looking to the all-sufficient God of the universe or the flimsy and fleeting fancies of the world? It’s your choice. Choose wisely. There is a test at the end! Look up!!!

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #238       I Know!!! Do You???

I would like to share a word of encouragement with you this morning. I have been so burdened over the world around us seemingly “going to hell in a hand-basket”, as the old proverb says; but we all need to be balanced and a reminder of hope is much needed. I pray that you will look up and take heart in the One who is totally in charge—always.

Let’s take a walk through Paul’s encouraging words to Timothy, his son in the faith, as Paul faces death for his testimony and service to our Lord Jesus Christ. Even in the face of extreme government opposition, we can have “Victory In Jesus”! Because our hope is NOT settled in terra firma, but in heaven, even as the Psalmist records for us:

“For ever,

O Lord,

thy word

is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89

Do you see that? “For ever” it is “settled in heaven”, regardless of what our physical eyes see happening before us here below, God has it all covered and He hasn’t ever lost control, nor will He! Ever! You can take heart in the sovereignty of our God. Let’s examine what Paul told Timothy using our analytical format.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed

of the testimony of our Lord,

nor of me his prisoner:

but be thou partaker

of the afflictions of the gospel

      according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us,

and called us with an holy calling,

not according to our works,

but according to

his own purpose

and grace,

which was given us

in Christ Jesus

before the world began 

10 But is now made manifest

by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ,

who hath abolished death,

and hath brought life

and immortality

to light through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed

a preacher,

and an apostle,

and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause

I also suffer these things:

nevertheless I am not ashamed:

for I know whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able

to keep that

which I have committed

unto him

against that day.

13 Hold fast

the form of sound words,

which thou hast heard

of me,

in faith

and love

which is in Christ Jesus.

14 That good thing

which was committed unto thee

keep by the Holy Ghost

which dwelleth in us.”    2 Timothy 1:7-14

Just to recap:

Don’t fear but think clear IN JESUS—

Don’t be ashamed but courageous in GOD’S POWER—

Don’t be dismayed but confident in GOD’S PURPOSES—

Don’t be intimidated but bold in the GOSPEL’S TRUTH—

Don’t be defeated but KNOW WHOM YOU BELIEVE—

Don’t flounder but HOLD FAST TO GOD’S LOVE—

Don’t be frazzled but REST IN THE HOLY SPIRIT—

 WHO DWELLS IN YOU!!!

So, take heart and sing with me (yes there’s a song written from this passage)—

“for I know whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able

to keep that

which I have committed

unto him

against that day.”

 “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke21:28

Amen and Amen!!!

Bible Ballistics: Sorry, I Don’t Go There! Pt. 1 Vol. 7#07

As you can surmise from the title designation “Pt. 1”, we will be taking this study through next week, simply because there is too much to share in one article. So next Sunday we will look at Pt. 2 and hopefully give you some serious food for thought. Related to the things we have been talking about so far this year, I continue to call each one to ‘examine’ our own hearts and lives to see where we truly stand with Jesus, because it is too important an issue to ignore or neglect. And I believe that many in our day are far afield from “Biblical Salvation”, a burden the Lord has placed on my heart and I must obey his call and share truth.

I am deeply grieved that our culture is opening it’s arms wider and wider to receive the things of the world and the “prince of this world”, while rejecting and ignoring the things of God and His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord of glory; as well as those who are His (See John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; and Ephesians 2:2 to see that Satan, the serpent, the Devil/Lucifer are references to the same “prince of the world”). We are seeing more and more open, blatant acceptance of this enemy of the souls of men, the one who seems to be becoming the hero of the world, ushering in a time that God prophesied would come in all of scripture (And that’s a subject for another day); a time that scripture warns us abut again and again. Yet it seems many have missed that warning and are under the delusion that they can be on both sides of the fence and can love the world and God at the same time; but scripture tells us that is impossible.

While genuine believers do stumble, and make egregious mistakes and sin, they do not “live” there continually because God disciplines His own children, and brings them to repentance or He may take them home, in fact scripture clearly confirms that very thing.

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Hebrews 12:6-8

“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.” 1 John 5:16-17

Now please understand, that while we can’t always discern between a “sin unto death” and a “sin not unto death”, we are to continually pray for our brethren who have stumbled and reach out to them, but God says there is a line that believers can cross. That’s one reason I believe God clearly tells us we are to pray “in the Spirit”, and when we are praying according to the direction of the Spirit, it will be the right thing. But the point I want us see is that God is telling us something important? God is telling us that believers are accountable because they belong to HIM! The lost are already dead in sin, so John is talking to those who are genuine believers. But everyone must be sure they are in the faith!

What do I want to convey in this article today? I earnestly and with a grieved heart call us to examine ourselves and be sure that we truly belong to Jesus, that we might have the confidence of having HIS life in us; to be sure we belong to Him! This is eternal life—not just the promise of heaven, but also the life of Jesus within us, at work in us all the time.

“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 55:7

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13: 3 (And 5, Jesus repeats this twice, that means it is important)

And true repentance brings change, change that God works within that we are to work out. To coin a phrase, “no change, no salvation”:

“God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” Psalm 55:19

Have you allowed God to change you? Or are you still walking in your own selfish, sinful ways? Are you a “new man/woman”? Does your lifestyle reflect Jesus’ new life?

“Therefore

if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors

for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

                             we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 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 5:17-21

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.” John 10:9-11

A real relationship with Jesus is not just a “prayer”, or a “formula”, or “walking an aisle”, or doing “works of the law”, or doing “good works” that we are depending on to save us. It is becoming HIS SHEEP!!! A real relationship with Jesus comes when we sense the conviction of His Holy Spirit calling our heart to forsake our sinful, selfish ways and repent of those sin, and trust in Jesus for transformation and redemption. Paul says it about as well as it can be said in Colossians 1:

“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

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44 God draws us unto the Son via the Holy Spirit, and Jesus brings us unto the Father!

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Only one way—and it’s all of God, we simply respond in repentance and faith to HIS work on the cross, from within our hearts. We are delivered from sin and the power of the devil, and are translated (transferred/placed) into the Kingdom of Jesus. How? By His redemption (buying us back from death) for our sin on the cross where His precious, sinless, divine blood paid the debt that I owed, because my sin made me unable to pay any other way but by death and hell. And by faith in His payment/redemption, which His sacrifice made, our souls can be saved from the clutches of HELL!!! (Remember the “wages” of sin IS “death”!) But praise God for grace—getting what I don’t deserve; and mercy—not getting what I do deserve!!!

“For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:8-10

By the grace of God I am saved, delivered, redeemed and made new—not left to flounder in my sin until I get to heaven, but made a new creation to live the life of Jesus in the here and now! Not saved “BY” good works, but saved “UNTO” good works—I don’t work to be saved, but if I am genuinely saved, His work will be manifest in me! (See James 2:17-19 & John 14:15, 21 & 15:10). Again, my point isn’t to repeat the gospel of grace and faith that gives us this new life, but to remind us that when we receive “eternal life” it is the life of Christ being worked out in us right now. And to experience this, I must understand that true, genuine, heaven sent salvation is a work wherein I die to my own sinful ways, and receive the life of Christ within.

“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 5:1-6

Because “all have sinned” we are “the ungodly”, so we all need Jesus, and when we come to Him we are made “godly” by, in and through HIM, because we can now walk in the Spirit– not the flesh!

“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:8-18

Did you notice how many times Paul reminds us of the nature of the transforming “Spirit” within all those who belong to Jesus? And when Jesus is within us, we are enabled to live for Him each and every day, in each and every thing we do. And because He is alive within me, there are places I don’t go, there are things that I don’t do, there are words that I don’t use, and try not to listen to or read as a regular endeavor. Now you might say that is a little harsh and demanding, and you may be right, but what price am I NOT willing to pay to be pleasing to my Lord Jesus Christ and Father God? None! While I’m not perfect, nor do I claim to be, I do earnestly strive to please my Lord in all that I do. Why? Again, Paul says it better than I could:

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8: 28-31

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:20-21

And why do I desire to live this way? How can I?

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36

All because of HIM, the One who is worthy because:

HE IS GOD!

HE paid for my sin!

HE provides all that I need to live for HIM!

HE is coming again!

It’s all about Jesus, and if I belong to HIM, then my life should reflect HIM in all I do. What is your life marked by? Jesus? Or something else?

In closing today, I’d like to share my own testimony with you, the story of how I came to know Jesus Christ as my own personal Lord and Savior, and we’ll pick up form there next Sunday.

I was raised in a Christian home, with two parents who loved God and loved us children. We were not only taken to church but also taught to live what we were taught in church and at home, by the example and instruction of our parents.

While I knew the “facts” of biblical teachings, I had a heart of rebellion that ran deep within me. I could talk the talk, and live the life that was expected before others, but deep within my heart there was an emptiness, yet I wasn’t willing to really do things God’s way. I was a people pleaser, but deep within I was full of pride, arrogance and a heart full of grudges and resentments that others didn’t see.

I married when I was 17, the same week I graduated from high school because I wanted to be on my own, and be my own boss, rather than to yield to my parents. I knew very quickly that I had ‘jumped out of the frying pan into the fire’, and the resentment and grudges grew more and more with each passing year. I was so full of discontent that I yielded to the temptation to let my affections wander. This ended up in a divorce from my first husband, and another marriage made of two homes that I was the main cause of destroying. All this time claiming to be a believer, I simply moved to a new town and a new church. In fact I found a preacher that told me that God wanted me to be happy, and “not all marriages were really marriages before God”!! Really? At the time it was just the thing I wanted to hear to fulfill my own lusts and desires and justify my sin, but it IS NOT what God’s Word teaches about the sanctity of marriage. I was an adulterer and I just ran headlong my own way, with no compunction or concern for what it might cost me or the other people that were affected. I resumed my “people pleasing” lifestyle in a new church that simply accepted me as what I pretended to be. I had made so many “professions” of faith in Jesus, and had been baptized enough times to “know all the frogs by first name”, but not once had I faced my own sin and my need to be “changed” and “transformed” by the blood of the Lamb.

After several years in the “new” marriage, I had just participated in a “revival” in the church we were attending (never stopped doing the “good” works before men”), and had been burdened about the true nature of my evil, prideful and resentful heart but just tried to ignore it. On the Monday after the revival, a very dear friend called me on the phone and was so excited to tell me that she (also a worker in this church) had finally come to realize that she was not saved, that she had been trying to save herself all these years, and that the Lord had spoken to her heart and called her to repentance and faith, and she had responded and been saved that very morning! Of course she called on the phone and I feigned excitement and congratulated her, but when I got off the phone I shrugged my shoulders and said to myself, “So what?”

At that point God began to speak through the convicting power of His Holy Spirit, and kept whispering in my ear, “That’s what you need! You aren’t my child”! But yes Lord, I must be yours—I’ve been raised in the church, I’ve been teaching since I was a teenager, I sing, I play, I attend your church faithfully, and everyone is impressed with me. They just elected me as the women’s group leader! Yet God kept on whispering, “You are NOT my child”, but Lord look at all I’ve done. And He kept coming back with that same, still small voice, “You are NOT my child”. In desperation I called a dear friend to come over, and she did, so I argued with God and her for a good while still, (and she said very little but I know she was praying) until I finally had to acknowledge that God was right and I was wrong. I had to fall on my face and confess to God that I was in need of His cleansing, life-changing salvation that only Jesus could give; that I could never earn it myself, and my heart told the story that I knew to be true, regardless of what others thought. He saved me, praise God, so I made my conversion public and while many tried to convince me that I was already saved, I assured them that God knew my heart and I knew what He had truly done in me on that Monday morning, in my own living room, in tears on my face before Him—HE saved me FROM my sin, and put a new heart and spirit within me. The Holy Spirit of Jesus came and redeemed me, and put His love and Spirit within me.

And while I didn’t achieve perfection, I did gain a new heart, a friend that is closer than a brother, and a redeemer who has never forsaken me, but has worked in and through my heart to make me more like Jesus with every day that I walk with Him. Through circumstances of life, I went through two more failed marriages (Both on grounds of immorality against me, you do “reap what you sow” Gal. 6:7) but by God’s grace we made it through the trials and difficulties, and God has never failed me. I came to Oklahoma in 1979 as a single mother with four children between 12 years old and 10 months old, and God has always gone before us; we never missed a meal or went naked because Jesus always provided for us. And I have tried to faithfully serve Him at every opportunity, and in 1987 God sent a wonderful godly man to share my life and the life of my family, and through thick and thin, good and bad God has grown us more and more into the image of His Son. And I thank God for grace, mercy, forgiveness and His restoring work. I serve because of God’s provision, and His power to deliver from sin!

May you know Him in all His fullness! See you next week!