Category Archives: Compromise

Fickle Fame–Fickle Followers??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 05

05 Sunday Apr 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Be not conformed to this world, Born Again, Compromise, Cross, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Fickle or Faithful

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 05   Fickle Fame—Fickle Followers???

 

I want to share some food for thought in regard to the “passion” week of our Lord, particularly the four short days between Palm Sunday and the taking of our Lord.

“And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

2 Saying unto them,

Go into the village over against you,

and straightway ye shall find an ass tied,

and a colt with her:

loose them,

and bring them unto me.

3 And if any man say ought unto you,

ye shall say,

The Lord hath need of them;

and straightway he will send them.

4 All this was done,

that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion,

Behold, thy King cometh unto thee,

meek, and sitting upon an ass,

and a colt the foal of an ass.

6 And the disciples went,

and did as Jesus commanded them,

7 And brought the ass,

and the colt,

and put on them their clothes,

and they set him thereon.

8 And a very great multitude

spread their garments in the way;

others

cut down branches from the trees,

and strawed them in the way.

9 And the multitudes

that went before,

and that followed,

cried, saying,

Hosanna to the Son of David:

Blessed is he that cometh

in the name of the Lord;

Hosanna in the highest.

10 And when he was come into Jerusalem,

all the city was moved, saying,

Who is this?

11 And the multitude said,

This is Jesus

the prophet of Nazareth

of Galilee.”  Matthew 21:1-11

Here we have Jesus coming into Jerusalem on this amazing Sunday for, as the Gospels record repeatedly, His “time had come” to be the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin.  As Paul and John each put it, He IS the “propitiation” for our sin!

Propitiation: conciliation; or the means by which atonement or reparation (the making of amends for wrong or injury done) is made—the payment in full for the “wages of sin” which “is death”…

The work that Jesus was going to accomplish at Calvary!

“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 3:24-26

“My little children,

these things write I unto you,

that ye sin not.

And if any man sin,

we have an advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation

for our sins:

and not for ours only,

but also for the sins

of the whole world.”                       1 John 2:1-2

“In this was manifested the love of God

toward us,

because that God sent his only begotten Son

into the world,

that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son to be the propitiation

for our sins.”  1 John 4:9-10

It amazes me that so many today are in the same boat as those people long ago who actually encountered Jesus in person.  Yet we so often become discouraged and distraught when we encounter opposition and flighty people; or we give in to the philosophy of compromise which says we must make the “Gospel” palatable to the masses!  Yet, it seems to me that Jesus was so “unpalatable” to the masses that they killed HIM!  Yet Jesus Himself told us that it would be this way—so, we must choose to follow Him even when we receive fickle responses to our faithfulness to God and His Word, or cave to the demands for compromise on every hand!

“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 cloke

for their sin.

23 He that hateth me

hateth my Father also.”  John 15:17-23

As we look at the account above recording the four days from the “triumphal entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem, how did people change from praising and lauding this very Son of God, to crying “crucify Him…crucify Him”?

“Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

16 And they had then a notable prisoner,

called Barabbas.

17 Therefore when they were gathered together,

Pilate said unto them,

Whom will ye that I release unto you?

Barabbas,

or Jesus

which is called Christ?

18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

19 When he was set down on the judgment seat,

his wife sent unto him, saying,

Have thou nothing to do with that just man:

for I have suffered many things this day

in a dream because of him.

20 But the chief priests and elders

persuaded the multitude

that they should ask Barabbas,

and destroy Jesus.

21 The governor answered and said unto them,

Whether of the twain will ye that I release

unto you?

They said, Barabbas.

22 Pilate saith unto them,

What shall I do then with Jesus

which is called Christ?

They all say unto him,

Let him be crucified.

23 And the governor said,

Why,

what evil hath he done?

 But they cried out the more, saying,

Let him be crucified.

24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing,

but that rather a tumult was made,

he took water,

and washed his hands before the multitude, saying,

I am innocent of the blood

of this just person:

see ye to it.

25 Then answered all the people, and said,

His blood be on us,

and on our children.”   Matthew 27:15-25

So, I challenge each of us to be sure that we are using The Word of God as our standard and not the reactions, polls, and popular opinions of the world.  Many will ‘say’ they are friends of Jesus, but then balk at biblical ‘Christians’, biblical ‘morality’ and the desire to live biblically.  We must be ready to stand on The Word—but to stand on it, we must know it!

“I charge thee therefore

before God,

and the Lord Jesus Christ,

who shall judge the quick and the dead

at his appearing

and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word;

be instant in season,

out of season;

reprove,

rebuke,

exhort

with all longsuffering

and doctrine.

3 For the time will come

when they will not endure sound doctrine;

but after their own lusts

shall they heap to themselves teachers,

having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears

from the truth,

and shall be turned unto fables.”  2 Timothy 4:1-4

The choice is yours and mine; will we speak, preach, teach, share the truth “in season, out of season” as we have opportunity?  Will we hold to “sound doctrine” or compromise truth to popular demand?  Will we be those who change from “hosanna” to “crucify HIM”; or will we “stand fast in the evil day”!  My dear friends—truth is our only hope; and Jesus IS that truth; both the living hope, the written hope and the crucified, buried, and RISEN hope!  The risen Lord who IS OUR HOPE!!!  We ought never to be the “fickle” flock—but those who are faithfully following our Lord and sharing HIS truth, even when our closest family and friends oppose us!

“But speak thou the things

which become sound doctrine:”  Titus 2:1

To God be the glory—great things HE has done, is doing, and will ever do.  Open your ears and eyes and let God use YOU today—YOU may change someone’s life forever!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which according to his abundant mercy

hath begotten us again unto a lively hope

by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead,

4 To an inheritance

incorruptible,

and undefiled,

and that fadeth not away,

reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God

through faith

unto salvation ready to be revealed

in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5

Choices And Clothing Affect Others!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #624

12 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Bling, Children, Choices And Consequences, Clothed In His Righteousness, Compromise, Consider Your ways, JESUS, Modesty, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #624   Choices and Clothing Affect Others!!!

 

We talked last time about spiritual ‘clothing’—being clothed in Jesus, by the power of His Spirit whom we receive when we are born again.  I also mentioned then, that we are to be modest in our attire, and I’d like to take that a step farther today, as our choices do affect the world around us!  It seems to me that we have taken our cues of behavior and attire from the world rather than from our Lord and His Word; modesty has been relegated to ‘days gone by’!  But I caution each of us to remember that God’s standard never changes, and our choices bring consequences; and when we choose to disregard God’s principles, we will pay a steep consequence.  It is what has brought us to where we are today!  And, where are we?  Living in a culture that is removing all the boundaries and standards of righteousness that protect, and ought to mark the people of God.

“Righteousness

exalteth a nation:

but sin

is a reproach to any people.”  Proverbs 14:34

Whose standard are we buying into?  Is it affecting others?  The truth is that every choice has a consequence, and we seem to have allowed the media to dictate what is acceptable.  Scripture calls us to be modest and holy, and what the world is dictating is something totally opposite, yet we have embraced it and allowed our children to embrace it (if not led them to embrace it by our own choices).  While I don’t think there’s anything wrong with fashion or “bling” per se, when it becomes our source of significance, or import,  or leads us to do wrong, we might want to examine our motives.  Am I striving to please men or God?

“I will therefore that men

pray every where,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath

and doubting.

9 In like manner also, that women

adorn themselves in modest apparel,

with shamefacedness

and sobriety;

not with broided hair,

or gold,

or pearls,

or costly array;

10 But (which becometh women professing godliness)

with good works.”  1 Timothy 2:9

I don’t think that Paul is saying that women can’t wear pretty things, but that “women professing godliness” ought to clothe themselves with “good works”, one of which is to dress in a manner worthy of our Lord, considering our influence on others rather than caving to the latest fashion.  Necklines to the navel, and hemlines to the buttocks are, to say the least, less than modest; not to mention, skin-tight, see-through, and seductive apparel ought not to be the choice of those seeking to please God.

“Likewise, ye wives,

be in subjection

to your own husbands;

that, if any obey not the word,

they also may

without the word

be won by the conversation (lifestyle)

of the wives;

2 While they behold your

chaste conversation (lifestyle)

 coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be

that outward adorning

of plaiting the hair,

and of wearing of gold,

or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man

of the heart,

in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament

of a meek and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God

of great price.”  1 Peter 3:1-4

Women, and men, are to adorn themselves with that “which is not corruptible”—and believe me (believe your own eyes) when we look at the things on the TV, in the movies, on the ‘award’ shows, talked about in the music we hear, how can we miss the corruption that is being not only accepted, but promoted in this world.  Whose example are you following?  What example are you setting for your children and grandchildren?  Are you buying the things of the world and in essence telling your sons and daughters that this is acceptable before God (and man)?  We allow our little children to idolize sin, wickedness, and immorality all in the name of “celebrity”!  Then wonder why they become worldly and promiscuous!

God calls us to a higher standard!  I’d just like to leave you with some food for thought today, scripture always says it best.  I pray that you will ponder the things that you are choosing to bring into your life, into the lives of your children and grandchildren.  I beg you to consider where you are leading those who are following you—and believe you me, someone is following you–whether you realize it or not!  Please choose wisely while there is still time to make a difference!

“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                               (Read the whole chapter for even more insight!)

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end for the grace

that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:13-16

And one last passage to speak to our hearts!  Amen and Amen!!!

“And make straight paths for your feet,

lest that which is lame be turned out of the way;

but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace

with all men,

and holiness,

without which

no man shall see the Lord:”  Hebrews 12:13-14

You’re Not A DIY!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 02

25 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Compromise, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Dependence, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Filled With His Spirit, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, God Is In Charge, God's provision, Gospel, Growing in Jesus!, Holy Living, If not now? When?, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Listening To God, Living Right, Make Like A Tree?, Plumbline?, Polluted by the world?, Salvation, Saved by grace, SIN, Sovereignty, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus, Walking With Jesus, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 02  You’re Not A DIY!!!

 

We live in a culture of DIY—Do it YOURSELF!  But God never calls us to ‘fix’ ourselves but to yield to HIS love, work and transforming power.  I would like to share from the scriptures some food for thought to perhaps readjust our thinking.  I pray that it will touch hearts, encourage the faithful, convict those who have fallen for the lies of the enemy, by speaking the truth of God in love.  I do love and pray for each of you that will read this post, that God will speak HIS Word to your heart; that you will come to know that you don’t have to DIY; you simply have to “let God BE God”!

“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

God begins His work in us by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus—His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice of Himself for us.  We couldn’t save ourselves and apart from Jesus we surely can’t keep ourselves!

“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

Just as a branch broken off of the tree will not grow—neither will we unless we abide in Jesus.  He has provided everything that we need to be faithful, successful followers of His!  God has called and equipped us to grow IN HIM!

“Grace and peace be multiplied

unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us

all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us

to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great

and precious

promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world

through lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4

As Paul said above—God began it—and He will finish the work in His own!

“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?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not

with him

also freely give us

all things?”  Romans 8:28-32

And how do we become HIS?  By coming to Jesus in repentance and faith!  Only One Way—only One Savior:  “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” And we come by faith in The One who died for you and me, who also said: “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”!  Amen! (See John 14:6 & 6:37)

“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

Instead of a DIY project, God calls us to die to self, and live unto Him, by Him and for Him!

“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

It’s all about JESUS!

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

 to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.”  Romans 11:36

So my conclusion is that we must stop working on our own—doing our DIY project on ourselves–and let Jesus do HIS work in us, yielding to His Spirit, knowing His Word, His truth, and trusting to HIS perfect provision and providence (a word that we have mostly forgotten today)! Here are a few passages to help us focus on our Master Builder rather than ourselves!

“For it is God

which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”   Galatians 5:16 & 25-26

And more from our brother Paul:

“What?

know ye not

that your body is the temple

of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Finally, how do we know what it looks like to choose HIS way?  Again, Paul gives us an amazing contrast that I’ll leave with you!  You must decide if you will focus on the way of the flesh or The Spirit.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such

there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.”   Galatians 5:19-24

Remember the fruit can only come from abiding in the tree!  May we learn to measure with God’s plumb-line not the world’s; and abide in our LORD Jesus in all our ways!  Be fruitful!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are You Hearing What You’re Seeing??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #574

31 Wednesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Compromise, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Crucified With Christ, Father of lies, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Gospel, Have You Heard?, Hearing God, Holy Living, Idolatry, If not now? When?, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Liars, Listening To God, Plumbline?, Polluted by the world?, Seeing Truth, SIN, The Crucified Life, The Father of Lies!, The Mind Of Christ, The Word Or The World?, Trendy Or Truth

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #574 Are You Hearing What You’re Seeing???

 

I know that seems like a ludicrous question, but we live in a world that is ready to accept and believe any ‘cutsey’ meme, video, artsy word picture, social media claim, or celebrity tirade; so I would like us to consider bringing “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (See 2 Cor. 10:3-5)?  Are we willing to measure with God’s plumb-line?  Or have we become accustomed to just measuring by our own/the world’s judgment, without regard to the real truth of what God has said? Who/what is influencing your perceptions and actions?

“The idols of the heathen

are silver and gold,

the work of men’s hands.

16 They have mouths,

but they speak not;

eyes have they,

but they see not;

17 They have ears,

but they hear not;

neither is there any breath

in their mouths.

18 They that make them

are like unto them:

so is every one

that trusteth in them.”  Psalm 135:15-18

While we may not bow down to ‘statues’ of gold and silver, we do have modern idols (as well as the old-fashioned statues and figures that are worshipped by some) that the enemy uses to draw us from God—to distract us from the truth, by feeding us half-truths—pretty, sweet-sounding platitudes!  And when I looked up the word, platitudes, I almost laughed out loud!  It’s the perfect description of most of the ‘media’ we are enamored with!

Platitudes: a flat, dull or trite remark, especially one uttered

as if it were fresh or profound; the quality or state of being flat, dull or trite.

Isaiah received a message from The Lord about the blindness of mankind.

“And he said,

Go,

and tell this people,

Hear ye indeed,

but understand not;

and see ye indeed,

but perceive not.

10 Make the heart of this people fat,

and make their ears heavy,

and shut their eyes;

lest they see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart,

and convert,

and be healed.”  Isaiah 6:9-10

We live in a culture that ‘marches’ for or against so many things that you can’t keep up with it; but the issue isn’t will we ‘march’, but will we return to God.  We want to stop violence, but we don’t want God and His ways.  We want to stop ‘disease’, but we aren’t willing to make God first in our lives rather than our flesh.  We want to stop ‘abuse’ of various kinds, but we aren’t willing to seek God’ face and call ‘sin’ sin!  We want our own way, and we want to have the abundant blessings of God, but we aren’t willing to accept HIS principles, hear His Gospel, recognize our sin, repent and be saved—we want our way NOT HIS! That will always bring consequences.  Only Jesus changes hearts! God makes it clear:

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season

we shall reap,

 if we faint not.”    Galatians 6:7-9

Let’s get ‘back to basics’ by delving into His Word and learning to recognize and discern ‘good from bad’ (See 1 Kings 3:9)!  Only God sets the true moral compass—and yes there still is one, but we must ‘seek’ Him!  We won’t ‘fall into it’ by chance; and the devil will never tell you the truth (See John 8:44)!

Paul gave the Corinthian believers a caution regarding the difference between the spiritual things of God (God’s way) and the natural man (without God), and I think we can gain great insight from it, for, as Solomon put it, “there is no new thing under the sun” (See Ecclesiastes 1:9). While this is a lengthy passage, I want us to consider these truths and take them to heart, so I’ll just print it out here and pray that you will ponder, with me, what we are doing with what we see!  Are we willing to judge what we hear (and see) by what we ‘find’ in God’s Word, and live accordingly, or are we living by the world’s ‘platitudes’?

“And I, brethren, when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

 or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness,

and in fear,

and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching

was not with enticing words

of man’s wisdom,

but in demonstration

of the Spirit

and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand

in the wisdom of men,

but in the power of God.

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom

among them that are perfect:

yet not the wisdom of this world,

nor of the princes of this world,

that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God

in a mystery,

even the hidden wisdom,

which God ordained before the world

unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew:

for had they known it,

they would not have crucified

the Lord of glory.

9 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.

15 But he that is spiritual

judgeth all things,

yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord,

that he may instruct him?

But we have the mind of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-16

And for good measure, Paul told us what “the mind of Christ” looks like!  Are we reflecting HIS mind in us, or the world’s?

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.”    Philippians 2:5-8

Am I “crucified with Christ”?  (See Galatians 2:20). Amen!!!

Skipping Rocks??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #446

21 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by in Approved Unto God, Compromise, For Such A Time As This

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #446 Skipping Rocks???

 

As a child I never could “skip rocks” like other kids did. I never could get the knack of throwing those rocks across the top of the water so that they would skip/hop across the water, making rings of ripples as it went. While I couldn’t skip rocks, we do all make ripples! And that’s what I want us to consider this morning. Our actions are like those rocks that children (and even adults who can do it) throw across the surface of the puddle, pond, or lake—for you see it doesn’t matter how big or small the body of water is, when you set the ripples to rolling, they continue on across the way; and our actions have the same potential in cause and effect! As an old adage says, “Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, it will keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and it will cost you more than you wanted to pay!” And friends our choices in life can cause ripples for good or harm—choices for right and truth, or choices to sin.

Our choices are like investments, sometimes they reap good benefits, and sometimes they cost us dearly! Jesus told us that our direction of investment would determine the yield.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures

upon earth,

where moth

and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures

in heaven,

where neither moth

nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”   Matthew 6:19-21

Our choices will be motivated from either earthly desires or heavenly ones, so we must direct our hearts toward heaven? We must keep our heart and mind set on Jesus. We must lay aside the things of the flesh and the world and cling to HIM! We must walk in His power by yielding to HIS Spirit and not our greedy, lustful flesh. We can learn what that looks like from Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh……..

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”    Portions of Galatians 5:16-25

We have a choice as to how we ‘throw our rocks’! As I am often want to say, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so”! Knowing Jesus and belonging to Him is a matter of a new heart, not just ‘saying’ you “love Jesus” while living like the world. Paul describes a life that is walking “in the Spirit” in another portion of this same letter—a reminder that we all need!

“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.”Gal. 2:20

Being “crucified with Christ” means that I die to “me” and live to “Jesus”—by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit, which is the wonder and beauty of the New Covenant into which Christ births those who believe! Dead sinners, being made “alive” in Jesus — HIS life within me!

“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,

but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known

what is the riches of the glory

of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:26-27 

The presence of Jesus within me—enabling me to spread ripples of His love, joy and peace and all of the “fruit of the Spirit”!!! So as the television ad asks, “what’s in your wallet?” my question for us is “what’s in your heart?” Are your ripples leading others to the cross or the world; are you full of His Spirit or fleshly lusts? Are we spreading the truth of the gospel, or the lies of the enemy? Questions that only you can answer, all worth pondering today; for our ripples can’t be brought back—once they are set in motion and we can’t control where they go! Are you ‘saying’ or ‘being’?

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 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.” Matthew 7:20-21

Only by HIS saving blood, for “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:5