Category Archives: SIN

No More Time??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 11

24 Sunday Sep 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Let You Light So Shine, Living Right, Salvation, Sanctified To Serve!, Sharing Our Faith!, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Time, TODAY

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.11 No More Time???

 

Time is one of those subjects that is very ‘subjective’, it can be a positive thing or a negative thing, or it can be neither. We talk about having “plenty of time”; about having “no time left”; about things being “timeless”; “time” to rumble, or even “time out”! But what I want us to consider today, is the reality that we all must recognize—there is a “time” coming when “time” will be no more. But another important question that we will all have to answer is, “What have you/I done with ‘time’?” There is a time coming when we will all give an account of our use of the time that we have been given—each one will answer for their use of time. For no matter who we are—prosperous, poor, powerful, peon, plunderer or politician—we will all give an account, and we will all stand before God—as Savior or Judge!

“Blessed is he that readeth,

and they that hear the words of this prophecy,

and keep those things

which are written therein:

for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3

When John received the Revelation from Jesus, and recorded it for us, he is clearly reminds us that the “time is at hand”; and while that doesn’t mean that His coming is so eminent that it will happen today, it may! What he is telling us, is that when Jesus comes—it is going to take most people by surprise—whether we meet Him in the sky or He calls us through the veil of death, we need to be sure we are ready before the time comes! Am I ready? That is the question! My desire today, is to draw hearts to God; to be sure we are ready to meet Him when HE comes; be it in the sky or through death. And HE IS coming!

“And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy

of this book:

for the time is at hand.”  Revelation 22:10

Jesus told John that the things that had been revealed to him were not to be sealed up but open to all because “the time is at hand”! And if things were “at hand” then, they are certainly “at hand” now! How much time do we have? Of course no one knows the answer to that question, but we do know that HE is coming, and there will be no second chances for those who reject Him! So there is a two-fold urgency that we need to understand; if you don’t know Jesus, you need to come to Him while you can; and if we do know Jesus, we need to be sharing the Good News of the Gospel with those around us! Today, don’t save it for tomorrow!

“Thus saith the LORD,

the Redeemer of Israel,

and his Holy One,

to him whom man despiseth,

to him whom the nation abhorreth,

to a servant of rulers,

Kings shall see and arise,

princes also shall worship,

because of the LORD that is faithful,

and the Holy One of Israel,

and he shall choose thee.

8 Thus saith the LORD,

In an acceptable time have I heard thee,

and in a day of salvation have I helped thee:

and I will preserve thee,

and give thee for a covenant

of the people,

to establish the earth,

to cause to inherit

the desolate heritages;

9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners,

Go forth;

to them that are in darkness,

Shew yourselves.

They shall feed in the ways,

and their pastures shall be in all

high places.

10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat

nor sun smite them:

for he that hath mercy on them

shall lead them,

even by the springs of water

shall he guide them.” Isaiah 49:7-10

When we come to God through Jesus Christ for salvation, He sends us out with the good news to share with others. Our salvation is a gift that is worth sharing, and there are so many who need to hear the Gospel!

“And he said unto me,

It is done.

I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end.

I will give unto him that is athirst

of the fountain

of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh

shall inherit all things;

and I will be his God,

and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:6-7

Jesus gives “of the fountain of the water of life freely” to all those who will come to Him. But we must come to HIM His way! And the time is now!

“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

8 Harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation,

in the day of temptation

in the wilderness:

9 When your fathers tempted me,

proved me,

and saw my works forty years.

10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation,

and said,

They do alway err in their heart;

and they have not known my ways.

11 So I sware in my wrath,

They shall not enter into my rest.)

12 Take heed, brethren,

lest there be in any of you an evil heart

of unbelief,

in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily,

while it is called To day;

lest any of you be hardened

through the deceitfulness of sin.”    Hebrews 3:7-13

The author of Hebrews warns us to be careful of “departing from the living God” like the children of Israel, and being rejected by God because of our lack of faith, and rejection of HIS salvation.

“(For he saith,

I have heard thee in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold, now is the accepted time;

behold, now is the day of salvation.)”    2 Corinthians 6:2

Today is the only day that we have! God is calling us to Himself, and nothing else is as important as that—both for those who are lost and need salvation, and to those who belong to Jesus and are called to:

“Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them

to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo, I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world. Amen.”    Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus commissioned us to “Go” (or it could be interpreted “as you Go”), and share what He has imparted to us. And when we have received the greatest gift of all, why would we not share it? We have been given eternal life through the precious blood of Jesus our Lord and Savior. Paul even alludes to this very thing, when he calls us to put on the armor of God!

“Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate

of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer

and supplication in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

for all saints;” Ephesians 6:14-18

We are to have our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”! Simply put, we are to leave ‘footprints’ of the Gospel everywhere we go, by a life well lived for Jesus! For we can only have “peace with God” through Jesus, and the time to take care of our relationship with God is “Today”! Consider what Paul told the Romans:

“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

Did you get all that? We have so much in Jesus, how could we keep it secret? How can we not live for HIM before a lost and dying world—a world dying without Jesus? Jesus who grants:

peace with God—the love of God—

the Holy Ghost—the atonement!!!

All because God loves YOU and ME! What will you do with Jesus today? Look up, He could come today! Ready or Not!

Believing A Lie??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #396

22 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, Salvation, Sharing Our Faith!, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, Wasting Time

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #396  Believing A Lie???

 

I usually write on lighter issues on Fridays, but feel really burdened and compelled to write on a more serious topic today. I truly believe that the coming of Jesus Christ is eminently near, and it grieves me to know that there are those who don’t know Him, those who have willfully rejected Him, or even more tragic (if that’s possible), those who have simply chosen to put off following Jesus until another day. Paul also saw people made poor decisions as he shared the truth about the Gospel of Jesus to those he had the opportunity to reach.

“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered,

Go thy way

for this time;

when I have a convenient season,

I will call for thee.”   Acts 24:25

Paul encountered the Governor, Felix, and shared the Gospel as his defense against the accusations for which he had been placed in custody by the Romans. Felix was compelled by the truth of the message he heard, but chose to wait for a “convenient” time. My friends, if you are waiting on a convenient time to come to Jesus, it will never arrive! We can only come to Jesus when His Spirit pricks and convicts our hearts and minds and reveals our personal sin to us, as Jesus knocks on our hearts door! If He is knocking at the door of your heart, you need to respond today—He may not come again.

“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

“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

Contrary to popular opinion, you cannot be saved whenever you want. Only when the Holy Spirit of Jesus convicts your heart of sin, and calls you to repent and be saved, can you come to HIM! We know that God wants all to repent and believe, but the choice belongs to each individual whether they will respond in repentance and faith and receive Jesus, or reject Him, or delay until it’s too late. It’s your choice, but you don’t know how often God will call you.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.”   2 Peter 3:9

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man,

for that he also is flesh….” Genesis 6:3a

Don’t wait to respond to the call of God to your heart—it could be too late. Don’t reject the message of salvation, and the convicting tug of the Holy Spirit. You might come “One Day Too Late” (An old Gospel song written by Lanny Wolfe!)! Don’t be like King Agrippa, another official who heard the Gospel from Paul, and make a poor choice.

“King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a Christian.

29 And Paul said, I would to God,

that not only thou,

but also all that hear me this day,

were both almost,

and altogether such as I am,

except these bonds.” Acts 26:27-29

Another false perception that people have bought into today, is the hope that if they reject Jesus, and the rapture occurs, they will recognize the event and come to Jesus, after rejecting Him and His call to them in the past. Paul told the Thessalonians that this was not the case then, and it isn’t the case now. Let’s see what he had to say about some of the events of those last days.

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him,

whose coming is after the working of Satan

with all power

and signs

and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness

in them

that perish;

because they received not

the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause

God shall send them strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”    2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

Without going into a lot of background, this is a picture of the time of the coming “Anti-Christ”. The one who will come and claim to be God, Messiah and deliverer, but who in reality will be the “imitation” Messiah, the deceiver who will draw almost the whole world to pursue and follow him—including those who have willfully rejected Jesus before that point in time. While there will be many saved during that time, it won’t be anyone who has already heard and rejected the Gospel to the time referred to as “The Great Tribulation”.

Why am I addressing this issue without going into detail about the “end time” events? Because it’s not the timing of the events, or the biblical account of those things that I want to share today; I simply want to urge those of you who don’t know Jesus to respond to His convicting Holy Spirit who may be speaking to your heart today, because you may not have another opportunity to hear His voice. I am so concerned for those who are counting on things other than Jesus to save them, and give them eternal life with The Father and The Son! It’s not church membership that saves, it’s not being baptized that saves, it’s not doing great works in “Jesus’” name that saves, it’s not having parents or grandparents that love God and pray for you that saves (although many of us have come to Jesus because of those who have prayed for us!), and it’s not being a good person. The blood of Jesus, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice, is the only way to salvation and heaven. It is only HIS blood that ‘cleanses us from all sin’! And my friends I don’t want anyone who is reading this post to miss Jesus, and hear the dreaded words that no one wants to hear. What will you hear when HE comes, or when you face HIM in death? Will you hear ‘enter in’ or “Depart”? Today is all we have!! What will you do with Jesus TODAY??

“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 7:21-23

Won’t you come to Him in repentance and faith today, and experience that wonderful loving invitation that He extends to all who are His own?

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21

I pray that you will hear the Spirit’s voice today—and respond accordingly.

“And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”   Mark 4:9

And for those of us who already know Him, may we be faithful to share the good news while we have the opportunity! The time may be shorter than we think!

 

 

 

Why Is Everybody Angry??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #395

20 Wednesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Anger, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #395 Why Is Everybody Angry???

 

Why do we see so much anger around us? Who ever heard of ‘road rage’ 30 years ago? So were people not angry then? Of course we know that anger has been around for a long time, but it seems to be increasing exponentially today—but why? Let’s consider anger, and examine our own hearts to see if we are a part of the problem or a part of the solution? The first account of anger and its worst-case outcome is found in Genesis.

“And in process of time it came to pass,

that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground

an offering unto the LORD.

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings

of his flock and of the fat thereof.

And the LORD had respect

unto Abel and to his offering:

5 But unto Cain and to his offering

he had not respect.

And Cain was very wroth,

and his countenance fell.

6 And the LORD said unto Cain,

Why art thou wroth?

and why is thy countenance fallen?

7 If thou doest well,

shalt thou not be accepted?

and if thou doest not well,

sin lieth at the door.

And unto thee shall be

his desire,

and thou shalt rule over him.

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother:

and it came to pass,

when they were in the field,

that Cain rose up against Abel

his brother,

and slew him.” Genesis 4:3-8

If I might presume to summarize (for the sake of time and space); after Adam and Eve chose to sin and God put them out of Eden, their first two sons grew into adulthood and brought offerings unto The Lord God—Abel brought a blood sacrifice (as Genesis 3 implies that they were instructed to do) to God, and Cain brought of his produce. Simply put, Abel came to God, God’s way, and Cain decided to come his own way—and because of the sin in his heart (self-righteousness) Cain’s offering wasn’t pleasing to God. When God spoke to Cain, He made it clear that Cain had a sin problem, and if he didn’t take care of it, it would take ‘care’ of him. And it did! In rejecting God’s call to repentance and obedience in faith, Cain found himself overcome by sin and his anger boiled over, resulting in the murder of Abel. Why? All because of Cain’s own sin, and refusal to repent—not because of any wrong that Able had done. Jesus addressed this same principle in his conversation with Nicodemus.

“For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”   John 3:16-19

Do you catch it?

“men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil”!

Just as Cain chose to cling to his own sin, men, women, boys and girls are making the same choice today! The only difference is that we have the multiplied affect of generations of continued sin! Sin is rampant, and sin unchecked by Jesus, will increase anger; for sin focuses on “ME”, “SELF” and “Immediacy”– getting what I want when I want it; regardless of the fact that we live and interact with others daily. We can choose to live with patience, courtesy, and kindness or we can live selfishly regarding only self. When we demand our own way and don’t get it immediately, then anger can take over. Unfulfilled expectations (real or imagined) can cause uncontrolled rage. We must recognize the danger in our own lives, and make right choices. We who follow Jesus are to live differently, keeping our eyes on HIM, and walking in submission and obedience to Him!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction

of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.”    Hebrews 12:1-3

The best deterrent to uncontrolled anger, is to trust Jesus in all that we face! By fixing out eyes on Him, keeping our focus on HIM, and not ME, we will be empowered to:

“…..Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16b

The bottom line is this, we must choose to trust God with our lives, or we may find ourselves demanding that things go our own way, now! It isn’t the anger that is the sin, but anger that is out of control. Anger is simply an emotion; we must control our emotions or they will control us.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.”   Ephesians 4:26-27

If we will “walk in the Spirit”, we will find the power to control our emotions—all of them, both the legitimate ones as well as the illegitimate ones; asking God to help us be angry at the right things, at the right time, for the right reasons, and to ever respond in the right way. So let’s check anger? Is it righteous indignation, or are we allowing “rage” to take over and giving glory to “the devil” rather than our Lord. May we ever reflect the character of our Lord, not the angry masses! The bottom line is, “Do I trust God with the ‘now’?” We can have the same confidence that Job had! How about you? Confidence diffuses anger!!!

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15

Salvation-No Sin No Need??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 8

27 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, He That Is Without Sin, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, No Sin No Need?, Sanitized, Sharing Our Faith!, SIN, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.8 Salvation—No Sin No Need???

 

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

Jesus came to save us because sin IS the issue for all mankind. But when we ignore the issue, we loose the urgency and import of real Holy Ghost, Biblical salvation from sin. Salvation that makes a sinner into a saint; that makes a new creature IN Jesus Christ! Jesus came to save lost sinners, to transform hearts and lives and restore men to a relationship of son-ship and peace with God! (Jn. 1:12-13)

“For the Son of man is come

to seek

and to save

that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

“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.”    Romans 5:1-2

Unless we recognize sin in our own lives, we can’t call others to repent from sin. We must share and preach God’s truth, God’s way. What do I mean by that? Well, what I am saying is that we can’t keep compromising and trying to sanitize sin. When we reject the notion of sin, we eliminate the need for a Savior! Jesus came to “seek and to save that which was lost” because all are lost without Him! Scripture proclaims it and we must stop trying to deny the reality of sin, and call the lost to recognize sin, repent from it, and believe in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection for all our sin! If we claim to have no sin, then Jesus came in vain.

“All we

like sheep

have gone astray;

we have turned

every one

to his own way;

and the LORD hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed,

and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth:

he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before her shearers

is dumb,

so he openeth not his mouth.”   Isaiah 53:6-7

Adam brought all men under the curse of sin, making us all guilty of sin by nature (what we call original sin), but we are also guilty of sin because we choose to sin (personal sin).

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:”   Romans 3:23

We have not only sinned, but we also have come short of God’s glory. Just as Paul told us in Romans 5, where he declares that when we are redeemed by The Lamb, Jesus Christ, we have the hope of God’s glory for all eternity: we are justified (made judicially right before God—our sin debt, which we couldn’t pay, has been paid by Jesus) by the blood of Jesus—made right with God, saved from our sin!

“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 5:6-11

We can be reconciled to God (restored to a relationship), and our sins can be covered by the blood of Jesus which atones (satisfaction for a wrong done) for our sin— our choice to go “astray” and turning “every one to his own way”, as Isaiah so clearly describes for us in the beautiful passage that prophesied of what Jesus would do for us. Go over Isaiah 53 in your Bible and read what Jesus did for us, all who have “gone astray”! There has only been one sinless man and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, and because He had no sin, He was the spotless Lamb of God who went to the cross “as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth”! Jesus went to the cross for you and me—because all have sinned!!!

“For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we, being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd

and Bishop

of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:21-25

Peter goes back to Isaiah 53, and shows us that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. Oh the glory of God’s plan—Jesus gave His life for mine/yours, and He did it willingly and all by the foreknowledge of God!

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God

among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him,

being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified and slain:”    Acts 2:22-23

Jesus was the plan before the foundation of the world. He isn’t plan “B”, because the “Law” failed, but He was the plan all along, and the “Law” of God was, as Paul describes it, was a ‘school master’ to show us all our sin!!! It was always about Jesus, who would come as the Lamb of God, to take away the sin of the world. He wouldn’t be a temporary covering for sin, but He would take it out of the equation for all who would repent and believe in His payment for sin, one plan for all time which God revealed at the right time.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as

he hath chosen us

in him

before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy

and without blame

before him in love:” Ephesians 1:3-4

It was, is and ever shall be all IN Jesus, God’s plan before He even created the world! He knew the cost and yet He created us anyway! You talk about amazing grace!!!

“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 1:18-21

It’s our faith in the atoning work of Jesus who died for our sins and was raised from the dead that saves. God did it all for you and me, He raised Jesus up from the dead so that we could have life. Paul gives us a very concise account of the truths of salvation, the Gospel in a nutshell.

“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

Paul makes it clear, just as John The Baptizer did; that the Gospel is that Jesus died, was buried and resurrected to pay for our sin, and all “according to the scriptures”! God promised salvation throughout the Old Testament, and Jesus brought it all to fulfillment in His sacrifice for us. And He will also keep His promises of His return.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.”   John 1:29

Just as we said earlier, Jesus came to die to take “away the sin of the world”!!! He didn’t come to cover it up, but to take it away for all who would come to Him. But without Him there is no remission (removal of or payment of) of sin.

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22

Jesus came to pay for sin—yet without His salvation to pay for sin, all are destined to pay for their own sin.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Even Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to salvation, and without Him there is only condemnation.

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.”    John 3:16-20

Condemnation or ‘eternal life’, that is the question! We can choose to receive the “gift of God” which is “eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”! Oh what grace, mercy and love we have been given in the redemption (Buying back, because God was our creator, but in Adam’s sin we died spiritually and lost our kinship with God, but redemption buys us back—it’s what this is all about!), but we have no hope without Him? But when we recognize our sin, then we can receive life in Jesus. If we refuse to recognize our sin, and don’t repent and trust Jesus for salvation from sin’s penalty, we must pay for our own sin. John had a lot to say about sin in his letter to beleivers!

“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 1:7-10

The choice is clear, we can confess our sins and find salvation and eternal life IN Jesus, or we can deceive ourselves, denying that we have any sin (or calling it something else), and God will hold us accountable for our own sin! Are you deceiving yourself or are you listening to the call of Jesus to repent and believe?

Some of you may be wondering why we spend so much time on the Gospel, but it is what we are called to, as children of God and followers of Jesus. Let’s examine what Jesus commissioned us to as He was about to ascended to The Father. When you face Him, what will you hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant”? Or will you hear a different response, “Depart from me, I never knew you”?

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me

in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo,

I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world.

Amen.”   Matthew 28:18-20

What are you spreading as YOU go, the truth of the Gospel or are you living out the lies of the enemy? Choose wisely!

How Will We Be Saved??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 7

20 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.7 How Will We Be Saved???

 

We were blessed with a thought-provoking message this morning and I’d like to use its inspiration to share an often-neglected subject today!!! There have always been false teachers, preachers and prophets in the past, and they are still with us today! But we must understand truth, so we can recognize the subtlety of their deception. God’s truth ever stands, and we can stand in the power of His might, truth and sovereignty, resting assured in His provision. Peter gives us some great insight into this eternal conflict.

“Knowing this first,

that there shall come

in the last days

scoffers,

walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying,

Where is the promise of his coming?

for since the fathers fell asleep,

all things continue

as they were

from the beginning of the creation.

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of,

that by the word of God

the heavens were of old,

and the earth standing out of the water

and in the water:

6 Whereby the world

that then was,

being overflowed with water,

perished:” 2 Peter 3:3-6

Peter knew that there were those in His day that rejected the creation account of scripture, and they are still among us today, and if we aren’t in the “last days”, I don’t know where we are. Our culture and the world around us, just like those that Peter refers to, have chosen to deny the presence and work of God in our world. They not only deny His creative work, but also His very existence and certainly His presence among us. Believers are ridiculed for trusting in “myths” and “fantasy” or “pie in the sky”, but we can “stand fast in the evil day”, knowing God has saved and redeemed us because He loves us, and has called us to continue to spread the Good News of The Gospel of Jesus Christ! Yet Peter didn’t stop there, He also reminded us that as God judged the world and destroyed all living creatures in the flood of Noah’s time, He is coming again in the final judgment of this world, for sin and unrighteousness! And He will judge the world according to His Son Jesus!

“Because he hath appointed a day,

in the which he will judge the world

in righteousness

by that man

whom he hath ordained;

whereof he hath given assurance

unto all men,

in that he hath raised him

from the dead.” Acts 17:31

One of Paul’s most concise messages was this message to the Athenians, proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus to the them—the point at which they ridiculed him. But the point that Paul makes is that the assurance of the power of God, is the raising of Jesus from the dead– the assurance that HE will judge the world by Jesus! And I can’t help but believe that day is closer than we realize. And as an old gospel song says, “this time it won’t be by water, but by fire!” And only those who are ‘washed in the Blood of The Lamb’ will be delivered from that fire. All because of God’s amazing grace and love, which Jesus accomplished at the cross. He was lifted up in death that we might live and not experience the judgment of God.

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing,

that one day is with the Lord

as a thousand years,

and a thousand years

as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come

as a thief in the night;

in the which the heavens shall pass away

with a great noise,

and the elements shall melt

with fervent heat,

the earth also and the works that are therein

shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things

shall be dissolved,

what manner of persons ought ye to be

in all holy conversation

and godliness,” 2 Peter 3:8-11

Peter reminds us of the coming judgment of God, and encourages us to be bold and faithful in godly living and conversation (our words and deeds!). We must focus on God and living for Him, and to His glory–whether anyone believes us or not. We are called to share The Gospel, knowing that only The Holy Spirit of God can change and transform hearts and lives! And born again, redeemed men, women, boys and girls will not undergo this ‘wrath’ of God.

“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 5:9-11

Praise God it is the Resurrection Power that saves, keeps and delivers us from the wrath of God, and just as it did in the past, it is doing in the present and it will do in the future. To get to the real focus for today, let’s consider at a short passage in 1 Peter 4. First Peter was written to a people who were suffering for their faith, and he encourages them to press on, knowing that God is at work in everything around us, even our suffering. Peter also reminds us that we will give an account of our living and our service to Jesus, but without condemnation!!!

“For the time is come

that judgment must begin

at the house of God:

and if it first begin at us,

what shall the end be

of them that obey not

the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved,

where shall the ungodly

and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer

according to the will of God

commit the keeping of their souls

to him in well doing,

as unto a faithful Creator.”    1 Peter 4:17-19

Peter assures believers that even when we suffer for Our Lord, it is God to whom we can ever “commit the keeping of their souls”! Even as Jesus reminds us:

“And fear not them which kill the body,

but are not able to kill the soul:

but rather fear him

which is able

to destroy both soul and body in hell.”   Matthew 10:28

Only God can destroy the soul in Hell, and those who refuse Jesus will recognize that too late, but they will bow:

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue

should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:8-11

Jesus gave His life for mine/yours, and we can commit our lives, our souls and our future to HIM! He is a worthy God, Savior and Redeemer, and by the blood of The Lamb, we live! But what does Peter mean when he says that judgment must begin “at the house of God”? I’d like to share a few thoughts in response to that question.

Judgment begins “at the house of God” because our sin has been judged at the cross. God saves our lives and souls from sin at the cross! The cross of Jesus brings us to God as His Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, births us into His Kingdom.

“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.”    Romans 5:1-2

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law

of the Spirit of life

in Christ Jesus

hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”     Romans 8:1-2

Praise God we are made free from condemnation and wrath; but we must remember that we are at war with the “prince of the power of the air”, the one who is ever against us in this world, Satan. He hates us, and all that God intends to do in, through and with us; and we will suffer persecution of one sort or another when we choose to live our lives faithfully before God. You can choose to blend in with the world, and loose your ‘saltiness’, and dim your ‘light’ so it won’t shine the light of Jesus, but when we choose to follow The Lord and His Word we will encounter opposition.

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

Not a message that we hear often, but Paul told his son in the ministry, that suffering would be the norm for those who follow Jesus faithfully and “live godly in Christ Jesus”! Just as Peter told those he wrote to, we are to live in light of eternity, not our temporal circumstances! When we march to the beat of a different drummer, others will notice, but they won’t always like it. And in these days of “tolerance”, people seem to expect tolerance to be given to everyone except those who believe in the historical, biblical, Word-of-God Christian faith; those of us who believe that God hasn’t changed His Word or “the rules”!

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

“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

Only One way then! Only One way now–and that way is Jesus! When we are saved by His grace, through His death, which bore our sin, and condemnation, while His righteousness was imparted to us. Judgment is a reality; experience it yourself, if you reject Jesus; or you can receive the gift that God offers in Jesus, “redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”. (See Col. 1:14)

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Judgment begins with us, we who have been to the cross and accepted the substitutionary judgment that Jesus took for us at Calvary! But the rest of Peter’s question is the saddest of all things to me—there are those who will refuse the gift of God. As Peter put it:

“if the righteous scarcely be saved,

where shall the ungodly

and the sinner appear?”

When God offers the gift of salvation, those who reject His gift will face the consequences of their choice. They won’t stand before the cross and receive grace; they will stand before the throne of God and receive the just reward of their own choice!

“For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”     Matthew 16:26-27

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

The believer will give an account of his working out of his salvation, because our sins are under the blood of Jesus; but the unbelieving will stand before God and give an account of every word and deed without the blood of Jesus!

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth

and the heaven fled away;

and there was found no place

for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”    Revelation 20:11-15

“…….I will recompense them

according to their deeds,

and according to the works

of their own hands.”   Jeremiah 25:14b

So Peter’s question isn’t talking about ‘working’ for our salvation, but the difference of having our sin paid for in Jesus, or paying for our own sin our own self—which is eternal death in the Lake of Fire. But we who belong to Jesus will be the recipients of His promises and His eternal presence. All this by God’s grace, and we can walk in the confidence that God is working all things to His glory and our good! We can keep our eyes on eternity, by the power of His Spirit working in us—regardless of our circumstances.

“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.”     Romans 8:14-18

There is no comparison of this life to the eternal life with Jesus in glory! And when we are called to suffer we can have total confidence in our God who is in control of it all.

“Nevertheless I am continually

with thee:

thou hast holden me

by my right hand.

24 Thou shalt guide me

with thy counsel,

and afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee?

and there is none upon earth

that I desire beside thee.

26 My flesh and my heart faileth:

but God is the strength of my heart,

and my portion for ever.

27 For, lo,

they that are far from thee

shall perish:

thou hast destroyed all them

that go a whoring from thee.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God:

I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,

that I may declare all thy works.”   Psalm 73:23-25

We can count on God’s faithfulness regardless of our circumstances. What are you trusting in today? Will you choose forgiveness and redemption through Jesus or will you choose to reject HIM and pay for your own sin. And may we who know Him, “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” May we joyfully and confidently proclaim with the Psalmist!

“But it is good for me to draw near to God:

I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,

that I may declare all thy works.”

Amen and Amen. Won’t you trust HIM and “declare all” HIS works to a lost and dying world. Eternity is ahead!