Bible Ballistics: BBs #675       Erasure Or Experience???

 

I want us to consider some things today in the way of not only current issues in our nation and our world; bur eternal issues that are the ones worth considering.  There are voices demanding that we erase our history, but our history is what has contributed to not only our past, but our present and if we disregard the things of the past, our future will be doomed to repeat the worst of history.  But if we will take the time to look at our cumulative past and measure it by the truths of The Word of God, it can help us discern some precepts of truth that are lacking in our culture today and make good progress to affect change in our world!

“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.

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 5:1-11

The issue is our sin; yours and mine, and without the redemption of Jesus we all walk in our own view of things, rather than God’s.  While our history in America (or any country in the world) is checkered with good choices as well as bad ones, we must look forward, with the past in mind, and pursue righteousness rather than more wrong choices, evil or chaos.  We are to seek God’s face rather than the lies of the enemy of men’s souls, learning to know truth and recognize the lies of the devil.  But by the same token, we must recognize the sinful nature of man—our own included.  We are all sinners, and if we choose to live in our flesh, we will see more and more wrong choices prevail; rather than the fruit of the spirit of God, which is the only thing that can, or will minster change in our world. (See Galatians 5:18-24)

Jeremiah shared God’s opinion of the difference—and there is a vast difference.  I so long to see the fruits of righteousness begin to shine through God’s people; and revival break out in churches all across this nation and the world, that the truth would be recognized, appreciated and lauded as “truth”! May we receive God’s truth as such and act accordingly—biblically!  And to act biblically, we must know what The Bible says!

“Blessed is the man

that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree

planted

by the waters,

and that spreadeth out her roots

by the river,

and shall not see

when heat cometh,

but her leaf

shall be green;

and shall not be careful

in the year of drought,

neither shall cease

from yielding fruit.

 9 The heart is deceitful

above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit

of his doings.”  Jeremiah 17:7-10

For you see, it’s not just about me—it’s about “choices”—to try and erase—or to pursue excellence by considering the past, and choosing to do right, to do better than before—to choose wisely between good and not good (evil)!  For you see if it’s not good or of God, it is evil—for sin is sin, and God will reveal truth in HIS time.  So, we can try to erase the past, or we can grow from it, pursuing God’s excellence to do better today, and the next “today”, to make a difference in my/your circle of influence.  I can’t change the world, but I can yield to God’s work in me and change what “I” can, leaving the rest to The GOD who reigns!!!  By HIS redeeming grace and for HIS glory—all because of Jesus substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—my sin and yours!

“And that ye put on the new man,

which after God

is created in righteousness

and true holiness.”  Ephesians 4:24

Put up your eraser and put on your thinking cap, and be a reflection of God’s truth, glory and grace to a lost and desperate world!!!

Amen and Amen.