Bible Ballistics: BBs #740  Jesus Said It—That Settles It!!!

 

I am sorely grieved that social media has become the be all do all in many lives; even Christians are being swayed by what appears on social media rather than pursuing the Word of God and ordering our lives accordingly.  We must return to the pursuit of not only holiness, but “truth” based on the Word of God not man’s opinions, posts, songs, or drama!  Jesus has told us what to expect from the world, yet HE calls us to abide in HIM—not rant our opposition or agreement with various ideas and popular “hot buttons”!  We are called to “take up our cross’ and “follow” Jesus not the latest buzz topics on the public forum!  No matter how great a ‘debater’ we may be if we’re not living as obedient servants of Christ, we have missed the point.

I’ll just let scripture speak today.  You can pick your topic and measure it by The Word of God!

“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.”  John 15:18-21

When we live like the world around us, they will never see a Jesus’ difference in us.  If I dress like a slut (even if I don’t live like one), how can I reflect the Holy Lord; if I talk like a vile reprobate, how can I expect others to desire the Jesus I claim to follow; if I have no use for godly things, but cling to the worldly, how can I draw the lost to the cross?  I could go on, but I think you get the point.  Many would often rather be ‘fashionable’ than holy; rather be affluent than humble servants; would rather go their/our own way than suffer for going God’s way!  There’s only one way to truly reflect Jesus in all we do and say, and Jesus said it better than I ever could.

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word

which I have spoken unto you.

4 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 15:1-5

What kind of fruit are you and I bearing before not only the world, but before our Lord?  Remember all that we do is ever before HIS eyes!

“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 12:1-3

I simply want to leave you with Paul’s sober warning to us that there will be an accounting—and there won’t be any excuses or reasoning before The One who knows and will hold us accountable!

“According to the grace of God

which is given unto me,

as a wise masterbuilder,

I have laid the foundation,

and another buildeth thereon.

But let every man take heed

how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed

by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which

he hath built thereupon,

 he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not

that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God

dwelleth in you?”  1 Corinthians 3:10-16

What will you present to your king?  Gold, silver, and precious stones (all things that God created and that we must mine out as we live for Jesus by the strength, wisdom, and grace only HE can supply!); or will you see your wood, hay and stubble burn up before your eyes and HIS, as your only gift of service to your KING—by your own choice?

The choice is yours but choose wisely there is a test—by fire!  And I truly believe our King is coming soon—very soon!

‘Nuff said!

Amen and Amen!!!