Category Archives: SIN

Counterfeit Faith??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #505

02 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Faith, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Seeing Truth, SIN, Spiritual Warfare, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #505      Counterfeit Faith???

 

We’ve talked recently about ‘people of faith’, and I’d like to take a bit of a turn today. I’ve been seeing a lot of billboards, ads and social media input lately that I want to call our attention to because genuine believers are often gullible and naïve when it comes to what we hear and see, especially when it claims to be from “people of faith”. What I want to call us to consider today is ‘the counterfeit’: just because it “walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and even have feathers like a duck”, it may not really be a “duck”! Just like Jesus reminded us, not every thing that says, “baa baa” is a real “sheep”!

“Beware of false prophets,

which come to you

in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.”   Matthew 7:15

Counterfeit sheep–Jesus warned us that we must beware of whom we listen to, trust, and believe—especially in regard to faith. The issue with “people of faith” is that some claim one thing but have an agenda that is 180 degrees opposite of what they are ‘selling’ (or giving away!) and their real goal is to lead people away from biblical, authentic, and righteous ‘faith’ in the ‘blood of Jesus Christ…..that cleanseth us from all sin’!

We need to be careful and always aware that there are a lot of claims floating around from so-called ‘people of faith’ who are pushing a ‘faith’ in a ‘gospel’ that is totally foreign to the biblical Gospel that calls sin sin, and calls people to repentance and faith in Jesus alone, as the Only Way to God–the only way to be saved from sin, and its penalty (death and hell) to live a pure and holy life before God and man. These counterfeit ‘people of faith’ promote (in Jesus name) everything from abortion and sexual immorality to a debauched life and almost anything that is the opposite of a holy, righteous lifestyle conformed to biblical standards! Scripture calls us to examine things before we jump into them, for not every ‘spirit’ that speaks to our hearts and minds is from GOD!

“Beloved,

believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits

whether they are of God:

because many false prophets

are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1 

Just because something sounds ‘good’ on the surface, we need to ‘dig a little deeper’ into the source, whether it’s a sign on a billboard, or a cute ‘meme’, or an invitation to something ‘new’ and/or life changing! We must recognize that Satan is extremely busy these days, and we must inform ourselves of the things we encounter, always being ‘ware’ before we join or support anything or anyone who claims to present some new “ministry”. Checking out the “facts” before we contribute our time, money and energy into something that may turn out to be diametrically opposed to the very Savior whom we love and want to serve.

It’s important to know The Word, so that we can recognize the false when it comes along—and my friends, it is coming along in boatloads today—on TV, radio, books, newspapers, billboards and of course on social media. We must be sure we are trying every ‘spirit’ to see if it is “of God”, for not everyone is speaking (or writing) truth!

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself

is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end

shall be according to their works.”    2 Corinthians 11:13-15

I don’t mean to belabor the point, but we must, we simply must know truth to “…withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand…” (See Ephesians 6:10-19) We must keep God’s Word before us and examine the things we see and hear before we buy into what may be lies—as the old adage sums up so aptly, “look before you leap” (or believe, or follow or give!)!

“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 7:20-23

We must “try the spirits” that call to us every day and examine them in light of The Word, not the by the “cutesy”, eye-catching pictures, ads and slogans that they are using to mislead people—even genuine people of faith. We need to take special care as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are coming, beware of who you give your money to—you can check them out online to see how much of their ‘donations’ go to the people or causes they claim to be collecting to support and relieve—you might be surprised. I’ll simply leave you with the words of Jesus:

“Behold,

I send you forth

as sheep

in the midst of wolves:

be ye therefore

wise as serpents,

and harmless as doves.”   Matthew 10:16

Amen and Amen!

 

 

Marginalizing God??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 07

30 Sunday Sep 2018

Posted by in Marginalizing God, Salvation, SIN

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 07     Marginalizing God???

 

There have been deceivers since Eden, and they’re still alive and well in our midst today. Scripture is replete with God’s warnings to keep our hearts set on Him and The Son—but our culture is trying to undermine those who follow the Jesus of the Bible. We must cling to The One who saves and keeps us despite the draw of the world, or the ridicule that we may encounter.

I have watched of late the ugliness of hate, despite and disregard of the truth or the rule of law—we as a country stand on the precipice of anarchy! But why are we here? I’d like to share a few thoughts with you today from my perspective.

“There is a way that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

As we often hear today, “What you see is what you get.” yet we need to consider that much of what we “see” and “hear” is staged, orchestrated and promoted for an agenda—good bad or indifferent, it’s not real. When I think back many years I am reminded of the lies that we who were young in the 60’s bought—we believed and bought into the idea that all things are equal, and it doesn’t matter how you look, or how you act, or what you believe—just “love” everybody! After all, people are inherently good! WRONG! I remember a time when women (as a whole) were raised to be gentle, soft and kind, but now we have raised generations of “liberated” women—women who are liberated from restraint, respect, goodness, kindness, modesty, self-respect, and of course gentility! God created a man and a woman who were equal before Him and He gave them to each other, for companionship, communion and procreation.

We now live in a culture that is satisfied with women (and men) who are crude in their behavior, vulgar in their language, and more often than not, immoral in their ways. Women have won the right to cuss like the men, be as vulgar as the men, drink like the men, smoke like the men, lie and steal and cheat!!! I’d say we’ve lost way more than we supposedly gained. We have allowed the world to convince us that we are at war with one another, forgetting that God’s design was for the husband and the wife to become one–united together for their common good and the good of society.

“And the LORD God said,

It is not good

that the man should be alone;

I will make him an help meet

for him.

19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field;

but for Adam there was not found

an help meet for him.

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep

to fall upon Adam,

and he slept:

and he took one of his ribs,

and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib,

which the LORD God had taken from man,

made he a woman,

and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said,

This is now bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh:

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man leave

his father

and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife:

and they shall be one flesh.

25 And they were both naked,

the man and his wife,

and were not ashamed.” Genesis 2:18-25

This is one of my favorite passages in scripture, and I love teaching the beauty of God’s plan for man and woman—God allowed Adam to name all the creatures—male and female—and see that they were “paired” up. God always brings us to see our need before He meets that need, and when God brought the woman to Adam, he knew God had “completed” him. God brought Eve to be a completer not a competer!

“It is not good

that the man should be alone;

I will make him an help meet

for him.”

We have allowed our culture to convince us (for a great part) that men and women are by nature (of course the world teaches that we just ‘evolved’ from goo—go figure that out) enemies, yet God created “male and female” to compliment each other and bring fulfillment each to the other, to serve God jointly and share in the making and raising of families.

I know personally, I bought the lies from the world, and even in the 60’s and 70’s the church was buying into them also. I accepted the lie that my “happiness” was more important than God’s call to salvation, marriage or holiness, and I made choices that changed my life and the lives of my children, family and loved ones in ways that were beyond devastating ultimately, more than I could have imagined. My choices and their consequences still reverberate through the years. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and just like our first verse said today, just because something “seems” right in the moment, it doesn’t mean it IS right before God. And if it’s not right before God—IT IS NOT RIGHT! No matter what the world, our friends or our “heart” says. God hasn’t changed His mind, His Word or His principles of truth, right and morality.

“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

We live in a culture of “credit”—if you don’t have the money, just charge it. We have oft times chosen to live our lives that way—particularly our spiritual lives (and our lives are spiritual in nature, because we are created in the image of God, see Genesis 1 and Genesis 9:6)—by spending our lives in sin and depravity today and thinking we can fix it later. We aren’t guaranteed a tomorrow, and God makes it clear that if we refuse to humble ourselves before Him, repenting of our sin, trusting in Jesus substitutionary, sacrificial atonement for our sin, we will pay that debt ourselves. And that debt is death and hell—and it will come due for those who refuse to accept Jesus sacrifice for sin.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:”   Hebrews 9:27

We will all die, and we will all give an answer for our choices –no matter if we were deceived or not. The question isn’t “Will you bow?” but when? You can choose to follow Jesus in repentance and faith now and be born again unto eternal life, or you will bow before Jesus at as your judge, with no opportunity for grace and salvation. It’s your choice, but choose wisely, for no matter what the world may say, God is still in charge, and Jesus is coming again (and I believe soon!), and YOU will bow and give and account of your choices!!! Jesus is the same—and so is sin, and God is the judge not you!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

Sin is still sin, even if the legislature renames it and calls it good. There have always been those who try to change God’s ways, but God will judge righteous judgment; and regardless of whether it was my poor, sinful choices years ago, or your poor, sinful choices today, we will reap what we sow. I simply praise God for forgiveness and restoration that He can and will give when we bow before Him and confess our sin, repenting and seeking HIS cleansing.

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 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.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”    1 John 1:6-9

The world continually tries to marginalize God, His Word and His Ways, particularly the unique substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus for sin, but it can never succeed, and we need to know the truth so we will recognize the lies. Oh, how I wish I had been willing to go God’s way instead of my own those many years ago. But I thank God for a godly daddy who loved me, even when I was at my worst, who prayed and asked God to grant me “crop failure”—and I know his prayers were answered in God’s mercy and grace working in my life, bringing me to my knees at the cross. I know that my poor choices were covered by the blood of Jesus “that cleanseth us from all sin”! Yet I must say, that even when we find personal forgiveness from God for our sin, it doesn’t mean that all the consequences will be erased. I watched those that I love the most, my children, and others go through horrific difficulties because of my sin, some lingering even still today. But at the same time, I know God has heard and answered my prayers for them and others who make wrong choices today. HE still hears and answers prayer today!

I say all this to simply say that we must stop letting the world dictate what we believe and practice in our daily living—God still says that morality is moral—and immorality is NOT! God hates divorce (but He loves those who have made poor choices in marriage and divorce)—God calls immorality, pride and selfish greed sin, and He will judge all sin. Marriage is still what God designed it to be, and parents are to love and care for their children. Yet we live in a culture that saves the trees, and puppies but kills the babies in the womb. There is nothing “right” about that. And just to clear the record, God says “marriage” is honorable, not co-habiting, or perversion, and it doesn’t matter if your 16 or 66! God hasn’t changed His mind (We must decide if we want to trust God, the culture, or the government for our needs!)!!!

“Marriage is honourable

in all,

and the bed undefiled:

but whoremongers

and adulterers

God will judge.

5 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 13:4-6

God gives us the ultimate definition of sin and salvation.

“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 goes on to make it clear to all who will hear the truth.

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no, not one.” Romans 3:10-12

“For all have sinned,

and come short 

of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

In closing, I would like to call each one of us to examine ourselves and see if we are walking in the light—His light; to see if we are doing things God’s way or the world’s; if we have accepted sin as ok, joining the crowd who are marginalizing God and His Word. It’s all around us, we must choose—but choose wisely, there is a test at the end!

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

God still saves and changes lives today! He’ll do it for YOU, and His forgiveness and cleansing will free your soul! Amen!

Trendy Or Truth??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #494

26 Wednesday Sep 2018

Posted by in Follow Jesus, SIN, The Only Way, Trendy Or Truth, Trials, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #494  Trendy Or Truth???

 

“And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth shall make you free…….

34 Jesus answered them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Whosoever committeth sin

is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not

in the house for ever:

but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore

shall make you free,

ye shall be free

indeed.” John 8:32 & 34-36

This is a portion of the discourse that Jesus had with some of the religious leaders as well as some who believed in Him. It is one of my favorite chapters in John (Along with so many others—John is such an amazing book!). If you read it through, you’ll find that it is a great turning point in the ministry of our Lord Jesus, as He clearly delineates the difference between popular opinion and truth, and Jesus IS truth—in His person, His nature and His words—whether we believe and accept Him or not!

We live in a world that is much more concerned with “trendy” than with “truth”—and my friends we must be on our guard all the time for the lies that abound around us. Jesus clearly tells us that if we “shall know the truth”, and remember HE IS the truth (See John 1:1-14, and John 14:6), that He/Truth “shall make you free”! He didn’t say that we would be “set” free, but that He would “make” us free—in fact, in the change of our heart and relationship with God, that will be seen in our actions and reactions toward the things around us. He even goes on to repeat this principle in verse 36:

“If the Son therefore

shall make you free,

ye shall be free

indeed.”

When Jesus makes us His child (by being born again of His Spirit, See John 3:1-21) we are endued with His Spirit and His power to recognize, resist and reject sin—and while we can’t escape it’s presence, we can overcome its power through the power of His Holy Spirit. Paul gives us a great picture of this in Romans chapter 8, and we’ll peruse some portions of this letter. (Take some time and read the entire chapter for yourself for an amazing blessing!)

“For as many as are led by the Spirit

of God,

they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit

of bondage

again to fear;

but ye have received the Spirit

of adoption,

whereby we cry,

Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory which shall be

revealed in us.

……21 Because the creature itself

also shall be delivered

from the bondage of corruption

into the glorious liberty

of the children of God.”  Portions of Romans 8:14-21

Trendy says if you know Jesus and have enough faith you won’t suffer, you won’t be sick, you won’t have financial needs, your won’t be persecuted for your faith—Truth says:

“the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed

in us”

Jesus Himself gave us the truth that “the servant is not greater than his lord”! (See John 13:16)

“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.”   John 15:17-21

Jesus reminds us that when we are His, we will experience the same rejection and ridicule that He did, because the world “hates” the things of God—including Jesus and His truth! So we must choose whose praise we are longing for and pursuing. If you want the world’s praise, then simply do the “trendy” new thing that the world promotes; but if we want the praise and approval of God we must live our lives pursuing holiness and truth in the power and provision of our Lord Jesus Christ—HE IS TRUTH!

We must take up our cross and follow Jesus wherever He directs our steps, regardless of the response or consequence. May we ever seek the rewards of heaven rather than the popular trends of the world!

“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

Where’s your heart? Fixed on the “trendy” or the “truth”?

Is Truth Still True??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #488

29 Wednesday Aug 2018

Posted by in Seeing Truth, SIN, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Transformed life, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #488 Is Truth Still True???

 

“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!

21 Woe unto them

that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!”   Isaiah 5:20-21 

Sometimes (in fact much of the time) I hear and see things going on around us—things that touch and affect the hearts and lives of those we care about, and we often wonder “why” are ‘things’ this way. This passage in Isaiah often comes to mind as I ponder the situation that we seem to find ourselves in. How did we get here? How did those that we care about get where they are? I think God gives us the answer to those questions?

We live in a culture that has willfully, if foolishly, chosen to walk in a way (as well as away—pun intended) that has abandoned the moorings to God and The Gospel of Jesus Christ. We live in a culture that has changed what it means to be a believer in Jesus—a Christian, if you would—to something most foreign, in my mind, to biblical Christianity. We have made our own ways, and are now reaping the consequences of going “that way”, rather than the way of The Holy God, who gave us His Holy Word to follow, even with all of His warnings of the consequences of walking “away” from Him, His Son and His Word!

“There is a way that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”   Proverbs 16:25

We have failed to acknowledge the truth and are now reaping the consequences of our choices—of believing the lies of the enemy that we are “entitled” to do our own thing, our own way. There is an old (really old) country song that offended me when it was new and still offends me to this day, but a song that clearly describes the cultural direction that we have chosen; “Me And Jesus” was written by Tom T. Hall, and basically summed up what most people are living today, “Me and Jesus got our own thing going!” Well, I’ll have to beg the pardon of Mr. Hall—Jesus has the only “saving thing” going, and it’s found at the cross—and only at the cross. A cross where we come face to face with our sin, repent in faith, trusting to the cleansing power of Jesus substitutionary (He took my place), atoning (He paid the price of my sin-death), sacrifice (His blood was given for me)!

Scripture clearly tells us that:

“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 

Paul clearly told the Romans what this “new” life looks like and it’s not “our own thing going”—but it’s me going “HIS” way and doing “God’s Work”! (See John 4:34)

“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

I am to be a “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God”, and that my friends doesn’t match the world’s definition of Christianity. Let me mention a few things that have changed, in my humble opinion. We have professing Christian parents and grandparents, (and well-meaning friends) justifying their children’s immoral behavior—funding their illicit behavior, allowing their children to live in sin under their own roof (my momma would have called that ‘shacking up’—it’s not marriage, but adultery for the young or old!). We enable these young ones to continue in their sin—enabling their rebellion against God, never holding them accountable for the consequences of their own choices, often intervening to pay those consequences for them—teaching them what? Teaching them that “SIN” is ok as long as you go to church, pay, or ‘pray’ or impress others! In other words if you have children who have no means of support, and you are enabling them to live immorally, whether it’s in a sexual relationship, smoking, drinking, drugs or anything else that requires money and you provide that money for them—YOU are a part of the problem NOT the solution. And forbid it be, that you allow them to spend time in a jail or other facility for their just crimes!

God has called us to live holy lives, and to impart that holy living to our own offspring—to call them to a higher standard than that of the world. Instead we lower the standard at every turn, so as not to “loose” our children—well, my friend, if you’re not leading them to Jesus for salvation, and the Word of God for the standard of living, your have already lost them, with very little hope of them finding the truth that saves! We must wake up and turn this tide before our entire culture falls to anarchy!!! Look around my dear ones—we are watching our culture fall now, and very few are sounding the alarm. I pray that this message has offered no offense, for there is none intended from my heart, but rather a heartfelt burden for we who claim the name of Jesus to wake up and turn back to The Word of God for our standard not the world’s movies, music, books and anything that brings immorality into our homes and our hearts! May we repent, wake-up and see the signs around us, and make a difference in the lives of those God has placed in our circle of influence. Please, I beg of you—let’s make a difference while we can?

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree;

When his branch is yet tender,

and putteth forth leaves,

ye know that summer is nigh:

33 So likewise ye,

when ye shall see all these things,

know that it is near,

even at the doors.

34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away,

but my words shall not pass away.”   Matthew 24:32-35

Amen and Amen!!! Praying for YOU!!! The time is NEAR!!! Join me in asking God to “deliver us from evil”!!!

What’s In Your Shaker??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 26

05 Sunday Aug 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Changed Lives, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Follow Jesus, He IS Alive!, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 26 What’s In Your Shaker???

 

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 

Jesus was teaching his disciples here, as well as the crowd that had gathered, and also those of us who will receive His words even now. He said that we are “the salt of the earth” as well as the “light of the world”. Salt and light are essentials of life, and when we receive “new life” in Jesus, through faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice, we receive His life and presence to dwell within us, and that is how as well as what we are to share with others. But we can only share with others what we ourselves have received!

“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…..”     1 Corinthians 15:1-3a

This is one of my favorite passages, for when you continue on, it gives us what I call ‘the Gospel in a nutshell’! Paul presents a clear and concise definition of Biblical salvation—only One way—Jesus: The One who saves. Paul clearly writes that ‘sin’ is the issue—and the only cure for sin is the blood of Jesus. But what I don’t want us to miss today is that Paul also reminds us that he isn’t creating this message but he is simply passing on “that which I also received”! We too, can only share what we have “received”! Yet when we have received it, and not “believed in vain”, the proof of our salvation is the manifestation of Jesus’ life in us—we will have HIS ‘salt’ in our shaker—the salt of being ‘born again’ by the Spirit of God!!! Paul also tells us that there is a “vain” faith—as I’ve been known to say, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so!” The proof of our salvation isn’t just our words but our life. Our shaker will have Jesus’ salt coming out of our life, for according to Jesus, without the ‘savor’ salt is impotent.

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not frui

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

We need to be sure we have received Jesus’ redeeming grace and salvation, and that we aren’t depending on a pseudo salvation based on our works, ideas, or self-righteousness.

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”    2 Corinthians 13:5

Even as Paul warns, we need to be sure that we belong to Jesus, that we have been “born again”! Even as Jesus says in John, a branch can do nothing of itself. If you cut a branch off of a tree, it dies because it has no ‘life’ in itself apart from the tree. A tree produces branches and not vice-versa—Jesus gives life to those who are dead in sin (whether natural branches or those grafted in—See Romans 11, a lesson for another time), and that’s everyone, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Ro. 3:23)—“But God”—praise God HE has provided—LIFE!

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also

we all had our conversation in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)”   Ephesians 2:1-5

The truth is we were all “dead in sins”, “But God” brings us to life in Jesus; He has “quickened us together with Christ” (‘quickened’ means to bring to life), and just as He raised Jesus from the dead, He quickens those who come to HIM in repentance and faith in Jesus The Lamb of God!

“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:”    1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Jesus paid the price for sin, and salvation in HIM births us into the family of God, imparting His Holy Spirit to us as our indwelling “comforter” and guide—the One who empowers us to live a victorious life, a shaker full of Jesus’ salt and light! Using the “salt” in our shaker in a way that preserves purifies and provides ‘seasoning’ to those around us in need of The Savior.

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know how

ye ought to answer

every man.” Colossians 4:5-6

We can know “how ye ought to answer every man” by The Holy Spirit who dwells within those who believe—because we not only have salt and light, but we ‘are’ “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”! Therefore we are to spread salt and light around in this dark and corrupted world by our very presence—sharing Jesus everywhere we go by the power of His Spirit, and the love of God, which has been imparted, to us. May we share what we have received—salvation in Jesus, peace with God, forgiveness of our sins–resulting in hope for the present and the future for ourselves and others, all because Jesus “died for the ungodly”—you and me! We ought to live a life that reflects the change that we have experienced by the blood of Jesus, manifesting His work in us, “being” the salt and light that God saves us to “BE” (not just do)! When we get the “being” right, the “doing” will come from Jesus—our source, our ‘savor’ and our ‘power’! All because of HIM!

“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.”   Romans 5:1-6

The Holy Ghost is imparted to each believer so we can live in the victory of these truths—the truth that when we live in the power of the cross, we can be salt and light in any situation and circumstance. Yet we must remember that light is supposed to shine, not be hidden, and salt is supposed to be “salty” not bland. But by the same token we aren’t to blind people with a ‘spot light’, or cause them to choke on brine! We are to live, shine and speak: “alway with grace, seasoned with salt”! And Jesus told us the very best way to reflect His glory and affect others is His love in us—coming out of that shaker!!!

“A new commandment I give unto you,

That ye love one another;

as I have loved you,

that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know

that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love one to another.”    John 13:34-35

So check your ‘shaker’ and be sure your source is Jesus, and then keep your shaker filled with HIS love, grace and truth, and spread it around—our world is in desperate need of Jesus!!!

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ

our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Amen and Amen!!!