Category Archives: SIN

Is It Laundry Day??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 10

08 Sunday Apr 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Follow Me, Forgiveness, Growing in Jesus!, He That Is Without Sin, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Knowing God's Word, Let You Light So Shine, Made like Jesus!, No Sin No Need?, Prayer, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Transformation, Transformed life, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 10 Is It Laundry Day???

 

For most reading this post today, the memories of “laundry day” may not conjure up what it does for some of us who are older. While I don’t remember having to wash in a ‘tub’ in the yard, with water heated over a fire, I do remember helping my mother use an old wringer washer—where you have to wash the clothes in the tub, agitate them and then wash another load; after you were finished with the “dirties”, then you drained the water and filled it with clean rinse water and did the process again, running the rinsed clothes through the “wringer” which removed most of the water from the clothes and then you hung them on the clothesline to dry. Most of us today have automatic washers and dryers, and laundry day is when you run out of clean clothes and decide to do the ‘laundry’ inside! While those are precious memories, I was thinking more in the vein of cleansing our souls—not just the soul cleansing that saves us, but the responsibility of keeping our lives clean before our Lord and Master—a spiritual laundry day—every day!

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

When we come to know Jesus, He saves us from sin, but we remain in a body of flesh, and in a broken, sinful world; which means we must be on our guard all the time to keep ourselves free from the dust and the dirt of walking through this life! The Apostle John gives us great insight in his first letter to the believers of his day—it’s still true today!

“That which we have seen and heard

declare we unto you,

that ye also may have fellowship

with us:

and truly our fellowship is with the Father,

and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And these things write we unto you,

that your joy may be full.

5 This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 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.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:3-10

Simply put, John is telling us that until we face our sin we can never be saved—we wouldn’t need to be saved if we had no sin (or we think we have no sin!) —yet when we are saved we are still going to face and struggle with sin in this world, and only Jesus can give us victory over either situation. But we must see sin as sin—seeing our own sin as sin; and when we do that we must come to God for forgiveness and cleansing. But those who completely deny the reality of sin, in general or in their own lives, are calling God “a liar” and “his word is not in” them! Sin is the issue, and only Jesus is the cure! Only the “blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”, and that is our state of “being” when we are “born again”!

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace be unto you,

and peace,

from him which is,

and which was,

and which is to come;

and from the seven Spirits

which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings

of the earth.

Unto him

that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests

unto God

and his Father;

to him be glory

and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:4-6

Jesus loves us so much that He gave Himself to pay for our sin, and to make us “kings and priests unto God”! Only because He cleanses us from our sin to save us, and continually makes us clean as we regularly recognize our sin, failures and shortcomings and:

“confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins

We are forgiven by the blood of Jesus which “cleanseth us from all sin”, and that is our only hope. But when we have that hope we are to share it and not refuse to share what we have received—either the Gospel itself, or the forgiveness that Jesus has extended to us. And that is a big order—a command of our Lord, “freely ye have received, freely give” (See Matthew 10:5-25 for the entire message and context!)

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”    Colossians 1:12-14

Amen and Amen—that’s all I can say—we have been:

Made partakers

Delivered

Translated (changed)

Redeemed

And FORGIVEN!!!

And since we have been forgiven, we must forgive!

“And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:12

“And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Because I am forgiven—I am to forgive! How can I refuse to forgive others when I have been forgiven? Yet there is another side of this I’d like us to consider, we are to forgive because we all have those from whom we need to ask forgiveness, and just as importantly, we are to forgive and respond to them with grace and truth whether they forgive us or not. So often we have a box that we want to put relationships into, and often times the things that we are expecting from others are foreign to what God has given to us. God didn’t forgive me because I did ‘back-flips’ to deserve it; He forgave me because He loves me and had already made provision for my forgiveness.

Are there those in your life who you think have withheld forgiveness from you? (Based on what you expect that forgiveness to look like?) Are we willing to offer ourselves to those who repel our expressions of reconciliation, and maintain a spirit of grace and openness? Do we often “choke” on that request which we avoid as long as possible, “Please forgive me, no strings attached?” Or do we admit guilt, but then demand that others do “back-flips” to express their acceptance of our apology? Are we arrogant in our repentance rather than humble and conciliatory? God forgives us and makes perfect provision for us to draw near to Him! Christ’s love and forgiveness are to be reflected in all our ways toward others (even the difficult and painful).

“Let us draw near

with a true heart

in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled

from an evil conscience,

and our bodies washed

with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast

the profession of our faith

without wavering;

(for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another

to provoke unto love

and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling

of ourselves together,

as the manner of some is;

but exhorting one another:

and so much the more,

as ye see the day approaching.”    Hebrews 10:22-25

Because I’ve been washed, I ought to respond to others with a pure and true heart, reflecting the glory of my King; the One who has forgiven me. And in closing, I’d like us to consider what Paul reveals about the transformed life! God saves sinners, but HE doesn’t leave us in our sin! If you think you can be saved and remain in the same state of sinfulness as you lived in before, you might want to check out what you think saved you? This is a bit lengthy, but I challenge you to spend some time pondering the truths that Paul lays out for us—truth doesn’t change!

“Know ye not

that the unrighteous shall not inherit

the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators,

nor idolaters,

nor adulterers,

nor effeminate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves,

nor covetous,

nor drunkards,

nor revilers,

nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you:

but ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified,

but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.

12 All things are lawful unto me,

but all things are not expedient:

all things are lawful for me,

but I will not be brought under the power

of any.

13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them.

Now the body is not for fornication,

but for the Lord;

and the Lord for the body.

14 And God hath both raised up the Lord,

and will also raise up us

by his own power.

15 Know ye not that your bodies

are the members of Christ?

shall I then take the members of Christ,

and make them the members

of an harlot?

God forbid.

16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body?

for two, saith he,

shall be one flesh.

17 But he that is joined unto the Lord

is one spirit.

18 Flee fornication.

Every sin that a man doeth

is without the body;

but he that committeth fornication

sinneth against his own body.

19 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 6:9-20

We are “bought with a price”, by the blood of Jesus, and we are to “glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s”! As we have been “forgiven”, we are to forgive, as the transformed, changed, cleansed and redeemed—“such were some of you: BUT”! Are you living like the transformed — forgiven and forgiving, regardless of what you “were”? By God’s power we can!

Jesus reiterates the transformation that will appear in the lives of His own as He closes the Revelation that He gave to John.

“He that overcometh

shall inherit all things;

and I will be his God,

and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful,

and unbelieving,

and the abominable,

and murderers,

and whoremongers,

and sorcerers,

and idolaters,

and all liars,

shall have their part

in the lake which burneth

with fire

and brimstone:

which is the second death.”  Revelation 20:7-8

So as we bring our thoughts together this evening, I’d just like to call us all to remember the verse that we started with today, and pray “without ceasing” that God would ever work in our hearts and lives to conform us into “the image of His Son”! Day by day, moment by moment, and in each and every situation—remembering that ‘such were some of you‘ we are forgiven!

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

Is it your “laundry day”? May God do His cleansing work in us that ‘our laundry’ will shine for Jesus?

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Dan 12:5

Holey?? Holy?? Or Wholly?? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 08

18 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by in Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Compromise, Confidence, Follow Me, For Such A Time As This, Growing in Jesus!, Holiness, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, My Grace Is Sufficient, Or Wholly?, Sanctified, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Transformation, Transformed life, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 08 Holey?? Holy?? Or Wholly??

 

I’d like to share a few brief thoughts with you today. My pastor recently used a ‘visual aid’ that has stuck in my mind, and I’d like to share some of my thoughts about it with you today.

The subject he was teaching about was regarding ‘holiness’, ‘heresy’, and ‘truth’. The thing I want to focus on today is holiness. The aid that our pastor used was a large card (poster board), on one side it had holes like a piece of Swiss cheese, to remind us of “holiness”, which the dictionary says is, “the quality or state of being holy, sanctity…”.

The word used for ‘holy’ in the New Testament is “hagios”: “holy, set apart, sanctified, consecrated”, and comes from a root that means “chaste, pure…..with a fundamental idea of, separation, consecration, and devotion to God, and sharing in God’s purity and abstaining from earth’s defilement” (From Spiros Zodihates Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament.). Now that’s a mouth-full, much less a heart and mind full! But full of what? Our own ways? Or God’s ways?

“Holey” means ‘having holes’. Are we living a life with “holes” in it? Do we continually have gaps in judgment, speech or behavior? Are we conforming to the world instead of God and His Word? Are we continually striving for ‘holiness’ before God and man, as HE has called and enabled us to be/do?

“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 1:15-16

Conversation, as mentioned here is a reference to “life style” not just our speech, but also our way of living, and God calls us to live a holy life.

“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.” Romans 12:1

Many today have come far afield of Paul’s call to live godly lives of sacrifice and holiness. Let’s examine this passage and then look at the rest of the call in verse 2. Paul says that our call (I beseech you) is so important that he begs the Romans, and us, to stand up, not on our own power, but by “the mercies of God”. Even as Paul reminded the Philippians:

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”    Philippians 4:13

We can’t be “holy” apart from the power of God—the power that makes us the “sons of God” (children of God). Jesus saves and gives us abundant life—life “in HIM”—life that can rise above the world’s drain, by the God’s power that supplies that “all things through Christ” power! Paul implores us to live godly lives by God’s mercy extended to them/us, as we present our “bodies a living sacrifice” unto God! Our lives yielded to God for HIS service—to sacrifice our lives by our ‘living’ so that HIS holiness will be seen in us in all we do and say! He goes on to help us know how to accomplish this.

“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.

3 For I say,

through the grace

given unto me,

to every man

that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”    Romans 12:2-3

I love this passage, and just as Paul called us to sacrifice our living unto God, he helps us understand that it involves not just “holy” living, but a determination to “be not conformed to this world”, but to renew our minds by the Word of God, which is part of the transforming power of God! What does transformation look like? We can gain a lot of insight by understanding the word “transformed”; it is from a Greek word, “metamorphoo”. It may look familiar to you, for it is the root from which we get our English word “metamorphosis”—the transformation that takes place when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly! That is what God does in us—HE transforms us from sinners to saints. He makes us “fit” for HIS kingdom by the blood of Jesus and the work of The Holy Spirit.

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet (fit)

to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom

of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”    Colossians 1:12-14

It’s all about Jesus, His work within us, and His transforming power, which enables us to NOT conform to the world, but to yield ourselves to His transforming work from within. A transformation, which will be evident to prove:

“what is that good,

 and acceptable,

 and perfect,

 will of God”

God’s transforming power manifested through our behavior-a testimony of grace to the world. We are delivered and changed to be His witnesses, by His power and truth. And as we see in Romans 3:12, this transformation will always be evidenced by humility and not arrogance—servants of God not self-promoters. Paul gives us a wonderful picture of ‘holiness’ and “wholly”ness in his letter to the Thessalonians. For when we are living “holy” lives, we will be “whole” in our testimony before God and the world. “Holy” believers, living “wholly” holy lives of witness for our Lord, to a lost and dying world!

“See that none render evil for evil

unto any man;

but ever follow that which is good,

both among yourselves,

and to all men.

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things;

hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23 And the very God of peace

sanctify you wholly;

and I pray God

your whole spirit

and soul

and body

be preserved blameless unto the coming

of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you,

who also will do it.”   1 Thessalonians 5:15-24

And one of Paul’s last messages to his son-in-the-faith, Timothy, is a word that we ought to heed and take to heart. It’s as true for us now as it was for Timothy then!

“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” 1 Timothy 4:1

It’s your choice: Holey? Or Wholly Holy? Chose wisely, there is a test at the end!

God’s Grace In God’s Own??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #444

14 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Follow Me, Grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Repentance, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #444 God’s Grace In God’s Own???

 

We talked last time about the grace of God that offers salvation to those who will come to Jesus; grace that saves, transforms, and supplies all we need for living. God knows His own and we can know Him, and grow in grace and intimacy as we feast on His Word. Then we are enabled and equipped to be a reflection of HIS glory, grace and love to a world in desperate need. But remember our message won’t always be welcomed, but we are to respond with the grace and dignity of the Spirit of Jesus that dwells within us!

“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

Words and actions that are “seasoned with salt”; and salt makes things palatable! But don’t miss “seasoned”—not brined, but “seasoned”. We are to be a preserving agent—preserving the good and godly things and drawing people to the “Good Shepherd”, not drowning them in brine! YUK! Our life and our words should express “wisdom”, as we are “redeeming the time” by God’s grace; and when we are walking in His ways, He will help us to “know how ye ought to answer” anyone who asks. Peter says the same thing in a different way.

“But sanctify the Lord God

in your hearts:

and be ready

always to give an answer

to every man that asketh you

a reason of the hope

that is in you

with meekness and fear:

16 Having a good conscience;

that, whereas they speak evil of you,

as of evildoers,

they may be ashamed

that falsely accuse

your good conversation in Christ.”    1 Peter 3:15-16

And to give an answer we must know the answer—JESUS—who gives us all we need to succeed in our walk with 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

He has given us to all we need do HIS work—right where you are! Remember God knows who you are, and where you are—He hasn’t said “oops”! So let’s pursue the things of God so that the world will see Jesus in us—God’s grace lived out day by day as we walk through this world of darkness and corruption. We are to be spreading the grace of God everywhere we go, leaving the harvest to the Father! He knows those who are His, and He is at work in us!

“Nevertheless the foundation of God

standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them

that are his.

And, Let every one that nameth

the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”   2 Timothy 2:19

Even as Jesus said:

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:” John 10:27

And if you don’t know Jesus, my friend, you can. If you hear His voice speaking to your heart, simply recognize that you have sinned—and can’t fix it; that Jesus died for that very sin—and He will fix it; repent and believe in His substitutionary (He took your place), atoning (He paid the penalty for your sin with His own blood), sacrifice (He paid the debt He didn’t owe, so we could have life that we didn’t deserve)! That my friend IS God’s grace. Amen and Amen!

“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

How Much Good Is Enough??? Bible Ballistics: Vol.11 No. 07

11 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Follow Me, Grace, He That Is Without Sin, How much goodness is enough?, I Can Do All Things?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, My Grace Is Sufficient, No Sin No Need?, Repentance, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Time Is Grace!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.07 How Much Good Is Enough???

 

I was most encouraged by the message I heard this morning, as it reminded me of the awesome wonder of “Grace”—God’s “Amazing Grace” for sure! But what is grace? We’ve all heard the definition of grace, “underserved and unmerited favor”! But grace goes so much farther than this simple idea. What is it that saves us? It is God’s grace for sure, but what does that look like?

Let’s peruse some familiar passages in scripture and see what we can conclude. Is it our goodness that saves, or is it God’s goodness? Goodness which according to Paul’s letter to the Romans is totally underserved! But I praise God that HE has saved me anyway!!! That HE is willing to save all who will come to HIM through Jesus!

“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

We are “justified” by faith in Jesus; made right with God—we who were “without strength”, who were “the ungodly”; and yet God loved us “while we were yet sinners”—all who are apart from Jesus!!!

“while we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God

by the death of his Son“

There is “none righteous, (good before God) no, not one” –apart from Jesus’ righteousness, we are all lost! And that’s what we must come to understand! It’s all about the sacrifice that Jesus made, not how “good” we can be! We can’t be good enough to cover the sin we’ve already, committed, much less the sins that we fall to each and every day! Paul has even more to say to the Ephesians, which reiterates the truth that we are all “sinners”, in need of a Savior—and only God’s grace provides the solution to our need—Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for our salvation (See 1 Corinthians 15:3-6)!!!

“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;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew

the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness

toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 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 2:1-10

Did you get that?

“we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God

hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them”

It’s all about HIM—not about us! We “are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus”! There aren’t enough good works that we can do to ‘save’ ourselves, and because of that—sin– GOD sent us Jesus to do what we could never do—save ourselves! There aren’t enough good works to make up for the sin that we have done, are doing and will do—never enough!

“Therefore

if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us

to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then

we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you

in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled

to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

God accepts Christ Jesus’ sacrifice—our sin placed on HIM–and credits to our account Jesus’ perfect righteousness! He who “knew no sin” took on my sin, because He loves me, and you; all so that you and I might be made “the righteousness of God in him”! And it’s only “in him”! Only One Way—Jesus! And as Paul also said in another of his letters, when we know Jesus:

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

As Jesus himself reminds us, when we “abide” in Him, He will supply everything that we need to live, grow and be of service to HIM!

“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

So, my question for us today is, how much goodness are you depending on? How much goodness must one have to be right with God? Whose goodness? How much grace must God show to you before you will believe that He has made provision for YOU?

“But God

commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us”

Until we see ourselves as “sinners” we will never need a Savior! There is not enough ‘goodness’ in the world to save—but there is a ‘good’ God who has already paid the price to all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.

“Testifying both to the Jews,

and also to the Greeks,

repentance toward God,

and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”    Acts 20:21

Amen and Amen!!! Grace at it’s best—IN Jesus!!!

Bullets And Bible-Thumpers!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 04

18 Sunday Feb 2018

Posted by in Approved Unto God, Bullets Or Bible-Thumpers, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Follow Me, For Such A Time As This, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, No Sin No Need?, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Walking With Jesus, When Will You Bow?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.04 Bullets And Bible-Thumpers!!!

 

We have experienced another recent tragedy here in our country, and it seems to have stirred up more strife than unity, and I’d like to offer some thoughts in regard to that conflict. It seems that everyone has an opinion, and I’d like to simply examine the current climate in light of biblical truth. We Christians sometimes seem to think that we ought to be in the spotlight—popular and accepted as purveyors of truth without question—no matter how we live.

My mind goes to a couple of devoted believers that have passed on from this life into eternity, one with not much fanfare, except from his friends and family; the other was a man of some influence whose absence will be lauded by people near and far. And each of them lived a life of faith—two men who prayed for healing (as well as those who loved and cared for them) and didn’t receive the healing that they each expected, but they both stood fast in their trust in Jesus and His perfect will for them and left a testimony of faith that has inspired and affected hosts of people—saved and unsaved, because they held to God’s Truth, God’s Word!

So what does this have to do with the recent tragic school shootings? I think it is the very heart of the tragedies around us! We have failed to recognize the conflict between sin and faith in God. As always, we want to examine the scriptures to see what we can discover. The scriptures are our guide for living. One of my favorite passages that speaks to the differences between light and dark is Psalm 1.

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel

of the ungodly,

nor standeth in the way

of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat

of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law doth he meditate

day and night.

3 And he shall be

like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth

shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners

in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth

the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly

shall perish.” Psalm 1:1-6

The Psalmist makes the contrast between those who are “blessed” and the “ungodly”—there are two forces at work in this world and we must choose who we will follow and believe—the enemy of our soul or The God of all creation, who sent His Son to die for our sin! And only those who accept Jesus and follow Him are the “righteous”!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us

to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors

for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.” 2 Corinthians 5 17-21 

Jesus, the sinless Son of God came to give new life to lost and dying humanity. With Him we can have life, but without Him we will answer for our own sin. And what we must see and understand is that while God is calling men to reconciliation, they enemy of our souls is leading men, women, boys and girls straight to Hell—and deceiving them into believing that it won’t be a bad place to be!

“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;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 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 2:1-10

We are all born into a sinful world, in a sinful body with a sinful nature and mind—but Jesus came to give “new birth” to all who are “born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” by faith in His substitutionary, atoning, death for our salvation. Jesus saves us out of the clutches of the devil and gives us new life—for which we rejoice! But not all people believe, and we must expect the conflict that we will encounter—and we will encounter opposition. And SIN is opposition! As long as sin is rampant in this world, we will have tragic happenings and wicked tragedies interrupt our world! And no matter what we may say or do, people will not be willing to hear or believe that God IS the only answer. Only redeemed and changed lives will produce a changed world

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers

of the inheritance

of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom

of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”    Colossians 1:12-14

Since sin is the issue, until people are ready to deal with sin, we will never see a change in our culture, our nation or our world! But we are living in a world that makes light of God, faith, and the value of life based in Biblical principles—then we are surprised when tragedy comes, and people blame everything under the sun but SIN! It’s the bullets, it’s the guns, it’s the drugs, it’d the liquor, it’s the economy, it’s the president, anything but SIN! Until we recognize that people don’t want to hear our message, we will keep scratching our heads and letting ourselves be pulled into useless debates rather than the proclamation of the truth!

One of scriptures clear examples of this is the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah was called to preach to a rebellious people, going there own way instead of God’s way, and they expected to reap good things not the consequences of their sin! An amazing parallel to today, so let’s look at a message from Paul before we look at Jeremiah. It’s a passage that reminds us of a culture that is “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

“This know also,

that in the last days

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which

creep into houses,

and lead captive silly women

laden with sins,

led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning,

and never able

to come

to the knowledge

of the truth.”    2 Timothy 3:1-7

Jeremiah also dealt with a people who didn’t want to “learn“; and God even warned Him that this would be his mission.

“Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me,

Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms,

to root out,

and to pull down,

and to destroy,

and to throw down,

to build,

and to plant…….

17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins,

and arise,

and speak unto them

all that I command thee:

be not dismayed at their faces,

lest I confound thee before them.

18 For, behold,

I have made thee this day

a defenced city,

and an iron pillar,

and brasen walls

against the whole land,

against the kings of Judah,

against the princes thereof,

against the priests thereof,

and against the people of the land.

19 And they shall fight against thee;

but they shall not prevail against thee;

for I am with thee,

saith the LORD,

to deliver thee.”   Jeremiah 1:9-10 & 17-19

God told Jeremiah that the people would not heed his message! And Jesus told us the same thing:

“And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy;

and there abide till ye go thence.

12 And when ye come into an house,

salute it.

13 And if the house be worthy,

let your peace come upon it:

but if it be not worthy,

let your peace return to you.

14 And whosoever shall not receive you,

nor hear your words,

when ye depart out of that house or city,

shake off the dust of your feet.

15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment,

than for that city.

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep

in the midst of wolves:

be ye therefore wise as serpents,

and harmless as doves.

17 But beware of men:

for they will deliver you up

to the councils,

and they will scourge you

in their synagogues;

18 And ye shall be brought before

governors and kings

for my sake,

for a testimony

against them

and the Gentiles.”     Matthew 10:11-18

Paul gave us a very similar warning, one we don’t hear much about today. Today we are surrounded with a Christian culture that is often so consumed with ‘acceptance’ that they change the message of the Gospel to be accepted, popular, big and successful in the world’s eyes rather than God’s. Jeremiah’s message wasn’t received or followed by the masses, but he was God’s faithful servant to the end—and even though he wasn’t popular or heeded most of the time—he never changed the message that GOD had given Him. What about us? If we stand fast we will be opposed, just like those who opposed Jeremiah—and we can expect the same kind of thing when we follow Jesus and His Word.

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

Jeremiah, as well as Paul suffered for holding to the truth—the truth that sin will never bring us into right relationship with God!!! Never! And sin will never lift us up, but it will drag us down. It’s why we blame everything for our nations woes except sin–“for all have sinned”! Read Romans 3!

“Go and tell Hananiah, saying,

Thus saith the LORD;

Thou hast broken the yokes of wood;

but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.

14 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel;

I have put a yoke of iron

upon the neck of all these nations,

that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar

king of Babylon;

and they shall serve him:

and I have given him the beasts of the field also.

15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah;

The LORD hath not sent thee;

but thou makest this people

to trust in a lie.

16 Therefore thus saith the LORD;

Behold, I will cast thee from off

the face of the earth:

this year thou shalt die,

because thou hast taught rebellion

against the LORD.

17 So Hananiah the prophet died

the same year in the seventh month.”  Jeremiah 28:12-17

Believers are called to be light shinning in the dark—not to join the darkness to be accepted! As an old gospel song says, “We’re not trying to change any hearts, we’re just getting used to the dark”! What about you and me? Are we walking in the light–or getting used to the dark? Are we debating bullets or sharing God’s Word—the truth about SIN!!! Acknowledging “sin” is the only road to salvation!!!

I’d much rather be called a “Bible-Thumper” and stand on God’s truth, than receive the laud and praise from a world gone amuck! How about you? The truth is seldom popular, and remember there are two gates—wide or narrow—many or few! What will you choose?

“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