Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.17 A Message From Hell???

 

I know some of you are wondering what in the world is this about! Well my friends, it is an issue that has been on my heart and mind all week. We are facing uncertain times, and there is one issue of which we must be sure, and that is our true relationship with GOD!!!

We can live before the world a life of success, prosperity, popularity and even fame but have no relationship with God because we failed to “believe” God, His Word and His only Son, the Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord! And when we come to know the Lord Jesus Christ through the new birth of salvation, we are transformed by the power of His precious blood, which He shed for our sin. It IS why He came!

“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

Jesus came to save us from sin, and all who will believe in Him can have eternal life in and with God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit! But there is only one way – Jesus; believing that HE IS God; that He is the Son of God who came to die for our sin; not because He had to, but because He loves us that much.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”   John 3:14-19

Jesus came because He loves us, but He gives the privilege of choice to you and me. We will choose whether we believe God or not, and refusing to choose is a choice! If we trust and believe in Jesus, there is life, but if we refuse Him and what He has done for us we stand (Both now and in the end, if we continue in unbelief.) condemned before God. And there is a day coming when every knee will bow before God—those who received Jesus as Lord and Savior bowing in love, gratitude and devotion; but those who refused Him will bow before their judge to receive the just rewards of their choices.

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

Just as the old adage talks about “nothing is certain but death and taxes”, we can be assured that death and judgment before God is certain (Whether you paid your taxes or not!). Without going into a lot of detail here, there are only two options for every person; either trust Jesus and stand before Him at the “Judgment Seat of Christ”, or reject Him and stand before the “Great White Throne”! You will bow before Him at one or the other. You can choose to bow before Him now, as your Lord and Savior, or you can stiffen your neck and go your own way in this world, and bow before Him ‘then’ with no recourse or salvation offered—you will bow before the One that you rejected and receive His true judgment.

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:41

For those of us who belong to Jesus, our hearts desire should be that others would come to know Him. We are to share the truth of the Gospel as we have opportunity (The very least that we should be doing!), yet often our message of Jesus is not received any differently than He was. But that is nothing new—the truth has been rejected since the beginning! But often today people compromise the message to get others to “choose” Jesus, but friends, we must understand and clearly embrace the fact that the truth never has changed and still hasn’t today. Just as “Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him” because Abel was righteous before God by faith, and Cain came to God his own way, rather than in the manner which God had prescribed, and through faith in that “way”! And that way was looking forward to Jesus in faith and obedience! And only by faith in Jesus can we receive true “righteousness”.

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts….” Hebrews 11:4a

Just like us, Abel wasn’t righteous in his own merit, but by faith in the promised “One” who would come, the same “One” that saves and changes lives today!!!

“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 5:20-21

Paul also told the Romans that there is not one person that is righteous in and of himself, except Jesus Christ, the God-Man. In Jesus Christ we can receive God’s “righteousness”!

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified

freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins

that are past,

through the

forbearance

of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time

his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him

which believeth

in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26

It isn’t our own goodness, kindness, generosity, open-mindedness, justice, love or charity, success or popularity that makes us right with God; but the righteousness of Jesus, which He died to impart to those who will believe. No compromise on our part will make the truth palatable to all. We can share the truth but we can’t make people believe, and Jesus Himself made this clear. If people won’t accept the truth, compromise, spectacular miracles or entertainment can’t change hearts and lives! Let’s look at a familiar account and see what we Jesus had to say.

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass,

that the beggar died,

and was carried by the angels

into Abraham’s bosom:

the rich man also died,

and was buried;

23 And in hell

he lift up his eyes,

being in torments,

and seeth Abraham afar off,

and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said,

Father Abraham,

have mercy on me,

and send Lazarus,

that he may dip the tip of his finger in water,

and cool my tongue;

for I am tormented

in this flame.

25 But Abraham said,

Son, remember

that thou in thy lifetime

receivedst thy good things,

and likewise Lazarus evil things:

but now he is comforted,

and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this,

between us and you

there is a great gulf fixed:

so that they which would pass

from hence to you cannot;

neither can they pass to us,

that would come from thence.

27 Then he said,

I pray thee therefore, father,

that thou wouldest send him

to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren;

that he may testify unto them,

lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him,

They have Moses and the prophets;

let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham:

but if one went unto them

from the dead,

they will repent.

31 And he said unto him,

If they hear not Moses

and the prophets,

neither will they be persuaded,

though one rose

from the dead.”    Luke 16:19-31

I don’t believe that this is a parable as such, but a true story that Jesus shared (He never used ‘names’ in His parables). I think he named the beggar because no one would have remembered him anyway, yet he did not name the rich man, because some people may have remembered and known who he was. And while this account isn’t teaching us that the rich go to hell, and the poor go to heaven—it is teaching us that faith isn’t discriminating toward riches, but eternal destiny is the result faith in Jesus! And death is the end of any opportunity for salvation, and that is in God’s hands.

This account also teaches us that the greatest hearts for the lost are in Hell!!! Those who find themselves in hell, are concerned about those that they left behind, and they aren’t looking to have them join them in a “party” but they are begging that their loved ones be reached with the Gospel, just as this man did. Yet as this rich man asked that Lazarus return from the dead to reach his family, Jesus tells us that even someone “rising from the dead” won’t convince those who willfully reject the truth of the Gospel. I find it interesting that Jesus shares this truth knowing that He Himself would arise from the grave and people would choose unbelief, even in the light of HIS miraculous resurrection from the dead!!! It was true then and it’s true now. It is God’s grace that saves by faith—not fame, wealth or power! This man had it all in life, and lost it all in death. What about you? Are you counting on something other than the cross to save you? Only Jesus can save, and only by faith!

“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.” Ephesians 2:8-10

While we aren’t saved “by” our works, we are saved “to do” good “works”!!! We are to “work out” what God has worked in through Jesus, and by the power of His Holy Spirit. We are to be His salt and light before the world. James says that we are not saved by works, but that when we are saved, our works are the evidence to the world that we belong to Jesus.  What we do not just what we say!

“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.” James 2:18

And one of our greatest works is the display of a changed life by the power of the blood of Jesus, before a lost and dying world. People can’t argue with a genuinely changed life!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

A new life in Christ Jesus is the evidence of that “transformation”– from the Greek word “metamorphoo”– yes the same word that we get our English word “metamorphosis” from. The change from “such a worm as I” to be evidence to the world of “that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”. Do you want to be proof of the power of the cross, or a shame, or are you living a sham? The choice is yours, and the message from “Hell” is clear—choose Jesus and avoid being “tormented in this flame”; for just as certain as the reality of heaven, the judgment of Hell is just as certain for all who refuse to come to God through Jesus Christ. There is no second chance—the choices that you make today will have eternal consequences. You can choose life or death—but you will choose! Will you receive the “Message From Hell”? I pray that you will receive the truth while there is still time. For there won’t be a reunion party in “Hell”, but a grief for opportunities past for all of eternity!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

I pray to live like a new creature in Christ, proclaiming the truth of the Gospel, with NO regrets. Or you can spend eternity with futile desires that have no fulfillment? The choice is yours (And mine.), but remember that to every choice there is a consequence; and while you are free to make your own choice, you are not free to set the consequences for that choice. And those consequences are engraved in the hands of Jesus either as Savior or Judge—it’s your choice. My hearts desire and plea is that if you don’t know Jesus you will come to Him in repentance and faith—He wants to save you today. Or if you belong to Him that you will hold fast to the truth and share it today—in His power and not compromise (And you must get into the Word to know what it says! See 2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:16-17)

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”    2 Corinthians 6:2

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #303 The Blessed Need Not Fear!!!

 

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel

of the ungodly,

nor standeth in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the Lord; and

in his law doth he meditate

day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation

of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knoweth

the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”    Psalm 1:1-6

Or as the Amplified Bible puts it:

       “6 For the Lord knows

and fully approves

the way of the righteous,

   But the way of the wicked shall perish.”

Just a brief word this morning—Our God Reigns. Regardless of what is going on around us, the blessed of the Lord are still “Blessed” because we know HIM, and we know the Lord Jesus Christ and are trusting in Him. The blessed of the Lord walk right before Him and we can know the way He wants us to go, and we should confidently walk there—wherever that may be!!! Whether it be the fire or the flood—God walks with His own, His Spirit dwelling within those who are His own. Examine yourself to see if you are His. He will reveal truth to those who seek Him.

“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.” Romans 8:9

And when we belong to God, born again of His Spirit, redeemed and forgiven of our sin, we can walk boldly forward despite the challenges or adversities before us.

“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for

I have redeemed thee,

I have called thee by thy name;

thou art mine.

2 When thou passest through the waters,

I will be with thee;

and through the rivers,

they shall not overflow thee:

when thou walkest through the fire,

thou shalt not be burned;

neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am the Lord thy God,

the Holy One of Israel,

thy Saviour:” Isaiah 43:1-3

So take heart friends—we win, because Our God Reigns, we can also be confident because:

“….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 13:5b-6

Remember you don’t need to fear when you belong to Jesus, YOU are blessed! Walk like the blessed! Act like the blessed! Trust like the blessed! Let the world see the love of Jesus in your humble attitude of gratitude and confidence in HIM!!! Now “Have a blessed day”!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #302 Days Of Decision & Difficulty???

 

“This know also,

that in the last days

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

If I wrote nothing else, the picture is clear—the message is unmistakable—the truth is plain and unwavering, but will we receive it and take it to heart? That is a question that only you can answer! It is a question that I must answer! Will we awake from our slumbering stupor and “withstand in the evil day”? Go over that list and match it to our culture, to the daily news, to the political hoopla, to any field or arena of life that you choose—the likeness is unmistakable!!! And just as importantly, we need to examine our lives and make sure that we are not consumed with these traits of behavior. Remember, Jesus told us that behavior comes from the heart—what’s in our heart will come out!

My friends, we must awake from our drowsy state and fall on our faces and ask God to help us to reflect “HIS” light and glory rather than our own or the world’s idea of “glory”. We must stop ‘playing’ church and decide if we really belong to the Lord Jesus Christ or not. And if we do, we must dig into HIS Word and equip our hearts and minds with HIS truth, put on our Armor of God, and “stand”! We must get off of our “Blessed Assurance” and start marching “Onward Christian Soldiers”! We are called to be salt and light—that is light in the darkness around us as well as seasoning and a preservative to our world and culture. We can make a difference. We aren’t The Light of the world, but our Savior Jesus Christ IS, and we are to reflect HIS light, which is within us, in the darkness, and that does make a difference. Our job is to shine HIS light, and to be a seasoning and a preservative agent, and because we believers are failing to BE that preservative in our culture, the corruption has flourished. We have failed to proclaim “truth” as “truth” and we will give an account, but just as significant right now, is that we may be about to reap the consequences of our choices and our compromising ways!

“Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden

under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all

that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine

before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.”    Matthew 5:13-16

We can choose to reflect the Savior to the world, or we can choose to live like the world and shame our Lord. How are you living? What are your choices accomplishing in the Kingdom of God? Are you ready for the persecution that may lie ahead? And I can hear some of you saying, “What persecution?” The persecution that is already at work, the persecution of bakers and photographers who won’t cave to the politically correct thought police. The persecution that is even now coming against those who stand for biblical morality—the laws that say it’s “OK” for men to go into women’s bathrooms. The persecution that sends employees to “sensitivity training” because they won’t call wrong ‘right’ and right ‘wrong’! The persecution toward those who dare to stand for life and morality! Wake up my friends, we must wake up!

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” Matthew 24:9-10

Then seems to be here!

“Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Mark 13:12-13

And while these references are to the very last days, the persecution has been around since the beginning. Many who serve Almighty God and His Son Jesus Christ, have been put to death ever since sin entered into the world, we can expect no less. Why did Cain kill his brother? Cain killed his brother because Abel obeyed God and was accepted, while Cain came to God his own way and was not accepted, therefore he rose up and took Abel’s life. Jesus even spoke of the innocent, righteous blood that had been shed from Abel’s time on.

“That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.” Matthew 23:35

And persecution is going on today, from minor inconveniences to those who stand for truth, to the murder of those refuse to deny Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and understand this, it is coming to a home near you. Are you ready? Paul told Timothy this very thing!

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

Friends, we are there. And regardless of what happens in November in America, the world is becoming more and more hostile toward biblical Christianity and Israel. We are both hated because we hold to the truths of God’s Word, because we won’t call wrong ‘right’, or right ‘wrong’! The question we must answer today is “Am I living ‘godly in Christ Jesus’ before a world of darkness and corruption, or have I lost my ‘saltiness’?” We must each answer that question in our own hearts and before God!!! And while God knows the answer already, do you? We must redeem the time that we have!

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17

Many are familiar with Chief Justice Roy Moore of Alabama, who has been embroiled with the government hierarchy for quite some time over his pursuit of real justice, truth and righteousness. After a recent ruling against his stand for “truth” and “right”, he made some statements that I would like to leave you with. My friends this truly is a day of decision!

“Welcome to the new world. It’s just changed for you Christians. You are going to be persecuted, according to the U.S Supreme Court dissents.”  

“Have we elevated immorality to morality? Do we call good, bad? What are we Christians to do? Are we exiles in our own country…?”

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

What’s your difficulty? What’s your decision?

 

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.16 What Is That I Hear???

 

We live in a world with many voices screaming around us. Some are screaming louder than others, but all calling for our attention, time and devotion. What are we to do about these voices? Are we to heed every voice, turn them all off, or is there some other solution that we need to seek and understand. I believe that one thing which must be done, is to recognize that as believers in Jesus Christ The Lord, we must understand that we are marching to a different drummer; and that there are now, have always been, and will continue to be ‘other’ drummers vying for our attention. The Apostle John spoke the truth about this issue, and we need to learn and take it to heart, especially in these chaotic times about us.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits

whether they are of God:

because many false prophets

are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:

Every spirit that confesseth

that Jesus Christ is come

in the flesh

is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not

that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh

is not of God:

and this is that spirit of antichrist,

whereof ye have heard

that it should come;

and even now

already

is it in the world.”    1 John 4:1-3

John clearly warns us that there are other “spirits” (voices) at work in this world, and not all of them are the “Holy Spirit”—in fact only ONE is the Holy Spirit of Jesus! We must be apprised of the fact that not everything that “quakes” like a duck, and “waddles” like a duck IS a duck! There are false spirits, false preachers, false teachers and false leaders who are constantly working to lead people away from the truth with pleasant sounding platitudes that are in reality half truths wrapped around lies. Jesus described them a little differently.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15

We MUST know truth so that we can recognize it and discern the real from the false/fake. We must learn to recognize the “wolves” and avoid the pitfalls they lay out for us. John tells us that anything or anyone who refuses to confess (agree whole-heartedly with God) that Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh– to save mankind, to redeem those who will come to Him through His precious blood–are not simply “nice” people with whom we disagree, (And some of them can be very ‘nice’) but are people diametrically opposed to God because they are opposed to the “Son of God” Himself, Jesus Christ! They are, as John says, ‘anti’ Christs, not “The Anti-Christ” of Revelation 13 (and other passages), but they are those who live and function in the “spirit” of “anti” Christ—denying that Jesus possessed complete deity and yet was fully human, and come to pay for our sin on the cross. There is no middle ground, you are either for Him or against Him, you believe “truth” or you believe a “lie”. And what you believe, you believe in your heart, and it will come out in your/our actions. And all choices have consequences—some choices have eternal consequences, set by your choice to “believe in” or “reject” Jesus! (And by belief I am not talking about “mental assent” to His existence, but a recognition of personal sin, repentance of the same and faith in the life-changing salvation and new birth which Jesus died to give.) Jesus made this truth abundantly clear as He was talking to Nicodemus in John 3.

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth

in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds

were evil.”    John 3:16-19

So what are our options? To believe or not to believe in who Jesus is, and what He has done—died to redeem those who will come to Him trusting HIM to deliver from sin (See Matt. 1:21)! Not to choose is to choose—it is choosing to remain under the condemnation of the penalty of sin. But today you can trust Jesus and receive the “forgiveness of sins” and “eternal life” “through him”!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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 1:11-13

Jesus came to redeem, and all of mankind who will hear the voice of God and receive Him can be “saved” from the condemnation and penalty of sin—HELL! But God initiates Salvation, not us; it is only when God speaks to our hearts that we can even realize that we have sinned and that God has provided a Savior (Matt. 1:21). Salvation is all of God—we simply respond in faith to His call—but we must hear His Spirit’s message and call to our hearts and receive by faith what Jesus has already accomplished at Calvary!!!

“But as it is written,

Eye hath not seen,

nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things

which God hath prepared

for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them

unto us

by his Spirit:

for the Spirit searcheth all things,

yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man,

save the spirit of man which is in him?

even so the things of God knoweth no man,

but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received,

not the spirit of the world,

but the spirit which is of God;

that we might know

the things that are freely given

to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak,

not in the words

which man’s wisdom teacheth,

but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;

comparing spiritual things

with spiritual.

14 But the natural man

receiveth not the things

of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness unto him:

neither can he know them,

because

they are spiritually discerned.”    1 Corinthians 2:9-14

The things of God are “spiritually discerned”, meaning that only the mind willing to hear the Holy Spirit’s convicting voice will respond in faith to the message. We don’t choose God, but He chooses us, and by His grace we are saved. The same God who chooses us also declares, “whosoever will may come”. And while in our finite mind, we can’t rectify those two things (predestination and free will); God in His infinite wisdom, grace and mercy means both!!! God wants all men to come, but He won’t force anyone to believe!

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

God desires for all to come, but He created man in His own image, with a free will and the right and privilege to choose. He gave Adam and Eve the right to choose and they cast us all into the “sin bin”, so to speak. And in the same way, our choices also affect those who come after us—what will you choose? What have you chosen? Who is following in your steps? Have you received the grace and mercy that comes through the “blood of Jesus, which cleanses us from all sin”? Or are you still waiting for some “better time”? Delay is choosing against God—not one of us is guaranteed another tomorrow. Will you be like King Agrippa, or will you believe?

“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.” Acts 26:28-29

And while we see the unwillingness of Agrippa to believe in Jesus, don’t miss the awesome compassion of Paul. He could have said, “Hey, Agrippa, I can change the message, if it would make it easier for you!” He could have said, “Hey, Agrippa, I can change the message if you’ll simply let me out of prison!” But what Paul said is amazing in response to the “Almost Persuaded” (I think that would make a great song!—oh maybe there already is a song like that–J!). Paul responded with a compassion that felt the need for the salvation of the lost far more than his own physical freedom!!! What would we have asked for? How often do we compromise the message to convince someone to “join” us? It’s Jesus they need to “join” NOT us! Paul desired the salvation of all those who heard his message, that they would hear and receive the truth about Jesus as he had!

“….Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.”

Oh that we could see others in that light; that we could remember that the Creator of all gave Himself on the cross for our/my salvation. What are we willing to give to and for Him? What is He asking us to do that is worthy of anything near what He has done for us? God did it all for me! He delivers us from darkness and brings us into HIS light!!! Jesus IS that light!

“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 1:13-14

Jesus taught that salvation was of God NOT man. The religious leaders found this offensive as they assumed that they had God’s blessing because they were righteous on their own terms. God says something different.

“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” Romans 3:9-11

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith

in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins

that are past,

through the forbearance

of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time

his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him

which believeth

in Jesus.”     Romans 3:23-16

And why is this so “all” important? Because my friends, there is a day coming when “every knee shall bow” before the Lord Jesus Christ. Either before their own personal Lord, Savior and King, or before the one they rejected, who will then be recognized for who He is—the King—their Judge, with no more opportunity for salvation and redemption—just judgment of all who will not believe! 

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,” 2 Peter 3:9-11

So, the question we must deal with today is, “Have you heard that voice?” and if you have heard the voice of God’s Spirit speaking to your heart, what have you done in response? Which voices are you heeding? Only ONE voice will bring you to eternal life!

“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

“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

“And he said,

Therefore said I unto you,

that no man can come unto me,

except it were given unto him

of my Father.” John 6:65

When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives, we also receive the Holy Spirit who will lead us into all truth!!! We can know truth—the Person and the “facts”.

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” John 7:38-39

Jesus IS GOD, and He promised us that His Spirit would lead us into all truth so that we can rest in who HE is, and know what He wants us to do, in any given situation, by listening to and heeding HIS Spirit’s working within us.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1:1-5

Yet we must remember that when we shine the light of The Lord Jesus Christ and His Word to the world, it will not always (in fact seldom) be received well. That’s one reason that John reminded us that “the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not”! Even Jesus, who IS light, who IS truth, who IS God, was rejected because of His message; and He told us not to be surprised when the world treated us just like it treated Him.

“These things I command you, that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them,

they had not had sin:

but now they have no cloak for their sin.

23 He that hateth me

hateth my Father also.

24 If I had not done among them the works

which none other man did,

they had not had sin:

but now have they both seen

and hated both me

and my Father.

25 But this cometh to pass,

that the word might be fulfilled

that is written in their law,

They hated me without a cause.

26 But when the Comforter is come,

whom I will send unto you

from the Father,

even the Spirit of truth,

which proceedeth from the Father,

he shall testify of me:

27 And ye also shall bear witness,

because ye have been with me

from the beginning.” John 15:17-27

Are you being ridiculed for you faith? Are you being laughed at because you won’t compromise the Word of God? Are you not welcome to some places, by some people because you speak the truth? Are you worried that you are “unpopular” because of your belief in Jesus, and/or your holy walk of obedience to “scripture”? Well, my friends don’t worry—they hated Jesus and He was the perfect, sinless Son of God and they crucified Him!!! You press on with that “biblical” walk and remember that the Holy Spirit is walking with you. You may be marching to a different “drummer”, but you’re never marching alone.

“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

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

“And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.” John 14:16-18

So keep on marching, dear friend. We win!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #301 What Footprints Are You Leaving?

 

We often talk about the “Armor of God” as scripture tells us to put on, and this morning as I was praying about what to share with you (As well as praying on my own “Armor of God”), I was drawn to the “Gospel of Peace” in which we are to walk along this Christian journey! I also thought about the uniqueness of this armor—the first three pieces of armor represent what we “receive” IN Jesus when we are born again; while the second three pieces can represent what we are to do IN and through the power of Jesus that we receive by the Holy Spirit. And of course all of the armor is made more effective by the seventh piece—PRAYER!

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…..”   Ephesians 6:13-18a

Not to diminish the import of the first two pieces of armor, I want to focus on the third, the “preparation of the gospel of peace” which is to be our footwear. Why is that important? I think part of the importance of this piece of the armor is not only that it protects our feet as we walk, but it is also to be the “mark” of our journey. What do I mean? I mean, as we walk through this life as a follower of Jesus Christ and a believer in His death, burial and resurrection for our sins, we are to leave “footprints” of “Good News”! The Good News of the Gospel of peace. What peace are we talking about? Let’s allow scripture to answer that question, and Romans chapter 5 gives us great insight.

“Therefore

being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:”    Romans 5:1

But why do we need to “have peace with God”? We aren’t His enemy are we? Well, since you asked, yes we are. Because of Eve’s and Adam’s ‘sin’, man became alienated from God—the personal relationship and fellowship that they had experienced with God before ‘sin’, died! They were now alienated from the God who created them (And that is one reason it is important that we believe the first 11 chapters of the Bible—if those chapters aren’t true, then there is no creator, there was no “Adam and Eve”, there was no sin, and we don’t need a Savior!), Yet God didn’t leave them without a remedy. God loved them and told them that He had already made provision for their restoration and redemption back into His favor. They could once again have an intimate relationship with God because He would provide ONE to save and deliver them. One who would make the way for them to be at peace with God once again; and Paul goes on in Romans 5 to describe this redemption, this Gospel of ‘peace’!

While this is a rather lengthy passage, I think it is well worth our consideration as it can help us to see what a great gift God provided for us IN Jesus Christ our Lord! And when we have “peace with God”, how could we not leave footprints of this “Good News” everywhere we go? We shouldn’t (You know, we should not, not, pun intended!!!)!

“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.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love

toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we

have now received

the atonement.”    Romans 5:2-11

How can that NOT be Good News? Yet if it is such good, good news, why would we keep it to ourselves? Why would we not take the truth of the salvation that Jesus provides to those who will believe, everywhere we go? And just as importantly, shouldn’t our lives leave “footprints” of His glory, love and sacrifice for the world? If someone were following my footprints, where would they end up? Am I leading people to Jesus or somewhere else? Are my footprints a reflection of the Lord Jesus Christ I claim to serve, or do they reflect worldliness rather than Jesus?

I think back to the old western movies, and the “trackers” who could follow the “footprints” of the horses and apprehend the “bad guys”. I think our ‘footprints’ should lead others to desire to apprehend the Savior who died for them. Are we leaving “beautiful” footprints for others?

“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15b