Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 13 What Jesus Do YOU Profess???
I know that sounds like an odd question and title, but with a heavy heart it is a subject that just keeps coming back to my heart and mind. I see and hear so much around me, both from the people that I love dearly, as well as from the general information that bombards us continually. So, what do I really mean? I’d like to use scripture to answer that question.
“For I am not ashamed
of the gospel of Christ:
for it is the power of God
unto salvation
to every one that believeth;
to the Jew first,
and also to the Greek.
17 For therein
is the righteousness of God revealed
from faith
to faith:
as it is written,
The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17
Paul reminded the Roman believers that the “gospel of Christ” is God’s love and power revealed through the substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice which Jesus made at Calvary. And Matthew told us in the story of the birth of Jesus exactly why HE came, as God assured Joseph that Mary’s child was the promised Messiah, that she had not been unfaithful or immoral, and why Jesus was coming! The child that she would deliver, would deliver all who will believe from sin, death, and hell. (See 1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
“And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people
from their sins…
….23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,
and shall bring forth a son,
and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is,
God with us.” Matthew 1:21 & 23
Jesus came to take on flesh, so that HE could die for you and me—in our place, for our sin–for all who would receive HIS sacrifice in repentance and faith. For contrary to popular opinion today, SIN IS the issue; and it doesn’t matter whether you claim to be a Christian or you openly deny Jesus, there is a debt to be paid, and only those who choose to follow Jesus in true repentance and faith in HIS payment for sin, receiving the “new birth” (being born again) will reflect HIS glory. Paul gives us the “Gospel” in a nutshell—let’s see what it says.
“Moreover, brethren,
I declare unto you the gospel
which I preached unto you,
which also ye have received,
and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved,
if ye keep in memory what I preached
unto you,
unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all
that which I also received,
how that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried,
and that he rose again
the third day
according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas,
then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-5
Much like what John shares with us regarding Jesus’ clear declaration that “ye must be born again”, it is essential that we receive “truth” as “truth”, and not have “vain” faith—and if you don’t know, “vain” faith can be called ‘imitation’, ‘false’, ‘pretend’; as Jesus talked about those who simply “say”, “Lord, Lord”!
“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 1:10-13
And Jesus himself removes all doubt of the meaning. And just FYI, “verily, verily” means “truly, truly”!
“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
“Jesus answered,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born
of water
and of the Spirit,
he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh
is flesh;
and that which is born of the Spirit
is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,
Ye must be born again.” John 3:5-7
Then there is the profound truth of Matthew chapter 7; and while I won’t put the whole chapter here, I would encourage you to make it a priority to read it and ask God to convict and touch your heart to receive HIS truth in whatever way HE speaks to you. For without the conviction of the Holy Spirit you will never know the same Jesus that I do. For just as “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”, it is also clear that no one comes to Jesus unless “the Father which hath sent me draw him”! If you hear the voice of Jesus calling you, please respond in repentance of your sin, faith in His redeeming work, and open the door and HE will come in!
“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
“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 on to Matthew 7:
“Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth
evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth
good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit
is hewn down,
and cast into the fire.
20 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.
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.” Matthew 7:17-23
What does all of this have to do with you? It affects your eternal destiny, and every person must choose; if you say you refuse to choose, you need to understand that you “have chosen”. There are two ways—Jesus leads to life on the “narrow way”—the “broad way” leads to destruction! Will you be part of the “few” or the “many”? You can join the crowd—go your own way—live in sin, immorality, debauchery, or even try to “clean up your act” yourself; but what will you do about your sin? For sin is the issue! It’s the problem, the disease if you please, and Jesus IS the only cure.
“Enter ye in
at the strait gate:
for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be
which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life,
and few there be
that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
Paul makes it clear that “SIN” is the issue, and the “gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”! Jesus calls us to follow HIM and when we do it will show!
“For all have sinned,
and come short
of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
“For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God
is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
I am so concerned about those around me/us, who claim the name of Jesus, yet their lives are steeped in the sin of the world—are you settling for shacking up, drinking up, doping up, consumed with greed, lust, power and all the disasters that these things can (and usually do, for we do “reap…what we sow”) bring. Why are we, as parents and grandparents, so eager to send our young ones off to Nashville, Hellywood, New York City, or all the other places that offer fame and success (in the world’s eyes) yet are fraught with sin, drugs, illicit sex, heart break and disaster—yet we seem to be so blinded by the bling of the world, and/or the “bottom-line” of $$$ that we are failing to see the dangers that abound when we choose the world over Biblical Christianity and The Jesus who calls us to godliness and holiness, not what is passing for the “Jesus’ Gospel” in many circles today. Circles that say that ‘anything’ goes, the “heavenly “grandfather” only wants you to be “happy”—sin your heart away, just wear a Jesus shirt, or a cross around your neck, go to church but refuse the work of The Word of God, and God’s precious Holy Spirit, working and seeking to transform HIS children into the “image of Jesus”! This is the gospel that “I am not ashamed” of! The transforming power of heaven-sent, Holy Ghost, blood bought redemption that transforms “sinners” into saints, not puts some soap and powder on a pig for a show! (See Romans 8:28-29)
“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.
17 And if ye call on the Father,
who without respect of persons
judgeth according to every man’s work,
pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as ye know
that ye were not redeemed
with corruptible things,
as silver and gold,
from your vain conversation
received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ,
as of a lamb without blemish
and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained
before the foundation of the world,
but was manifest
in these last times
for you,
21 Who by him
do believe in God,
that raised him up from the dead,
and gave him glory;
that your faith and hope
might be in God.” 1 Peter 1:15-21
What Gospel are you counting on? What Jesus are you depending on? It makes a difference whether you build upon the “rock” or the “sand”! And in closing, let me simply say, this often-sung children’s song—IS “The Gospel” which I am not ashamed of! How about you? Will you be “astonished” at this truth, or trust to it for your salvation, in real biblical repentance and faith salvation bought by the “blood of the lamb”? Please come to Him while there is still time! Won’t you choose to “walk in the light”!
“But if we walk in the light,
as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ
his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
“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.
28 And it came to pass,
when Jesus had ended these sayings,
the people were astonished
at his doctrine:” Matthew 7:24-27
Praying that God will speak to our hearts and do the work that only HE can do, and that we will listen to HIS voice?
“But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,
be ye stedfast,
unmoveable,
always abounding
in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour
is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
I’m praying for you and yours and well as me and mine!!! The time is short!
Amen and Amen!!!
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