Bible Ballistics: Are You Resurrected???    Vol. 5 #22

As we are in the mind of celebration that Christ Jesus was raised from the dead on the First Day of the Week, I’d like to call us to consider our own ‘resurrection’. How you might ask? Well, only in being “resurrected” with Christ can we have eternal life with Him—after sharing His crucifixion.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” Romans 6:4-12

Well said. When we die to self in repentance and faith, we receive new life in Christ Jesus—that eternal life that Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about in John 3. Have you found this life of Jesus!!! (See John 3:1-21)

Only one way to God—

to life—

to eternal life—

to eternity with God!!!

The power of God can be within us, if Jesus lives within us. It is the New Covenant promised by God, and accomplished by Jesus at Calvary, through His burial and HIS glorious “Resurrection”!!! Victorious over sin, death and hell! And because of HIS sacrifice and victory we can declare with Paul:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:20-21

When I live the “crucified” life with Jesus, by His Spirit within me, I can ‘walk in the Spirit’ and ‘not fulfill the lusts of the flesh’. The Promise of God—

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34

Jesus bought our forgiveness and salvation and only by trusting in Him and receiving the ‘Promise’ can we walk in that “newness of life”, all by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

“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

Forgiveness and salvation is in Jesus alone. And the “Promise” is our assurance and power—His Spirit within us. Have you received the ‘resurrection’ power of the Lord and Savior? Have you been empowered by Jesus to “walk in newness of life”? It’s found only in HIM!!!

1 Corinthians 11:23-26, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” Jesus body and blood were broken and poured out for YOU!! Won’t you look to Him and receive eternal life and the promise of His Spirit.

Acts 1:4-5 & 8, “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.……. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

So one simple question, have you bowed before the Savior and found life at His Cross? If not, HE is still calling and awaits your response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:1-6, “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:

6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once;

of whom the greater part remain unto this present,but some are fallen asleep.”

Just be sure you have real faith, not ‘vain’ faith!!! The question is of eternal import. Jesus still saves. You can have ‘resurrection’ life today.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #149 To Dye or To Die???

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Jesus and Jesus alone died, was buried and resurrected for our salvation—according to the scripture (see 1 Cor. 15:3-5). Jesus alone, not anyone or anything else is worthy of our devotion and worship. To belong to Jesus Christ means we have died to ourselves and walk in the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit, who enables us to do that by God’s power, not our own. Empowered and expected to:

“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:12-13

Only by the blood of Jesus can I do any thing that God calls me to do in. ONLY through Jesus Christ and His Father, and ours, can we accomplish anything godly, or of eternal value. We are called to serve Him–not ourselves or the lusts of this world. The pull of this world is strong and we live in a culture that ridicules and rejects the call to holiness and separation from the world. While we are to live in the world we are not to be of it.

Jesus prayed for us just before He went to Calvary, will you heed His words?

“And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”  John 17:13-15

Are we choosing evil over good? Are we more concerned with fitting in, than being fit for HIS service? These are hard questions, and only you can answer them. I simply ask that you examine the things you do and practice and measure them by the Word of God and the let His Spirit direct you. The choice is yours; just check whose glasses you’re looking through:

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” 1 John 2:15-18

What does all this have to do with “dye” or “die”? A lot really, because as we look at the activities of this weekend of celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ my Lord, I notice that we have often become so entwined in the world that we look more like them than the ‘body of Jesus Christ’. More people are ‘dying’ eggs, than ‘dying’ to self for HIM!!!

James was very clear to the people of his day, how much more do we need to heed his words and consider the choices we are faced with?

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:4-10

So??? Here’s our shot for today. Are you dyeing (being crucified) to self and living for Jesus, or are you so busy dying (coloring) eggs that you’ve missed the Savior who calls us to be holy and separate from the world. Are we so busy with the “holiday” that we’ve forgotten the “HOLYday”? It’s a question that only YOU can answer. Let’s celebrate and worship HIM EVERY DAY!!! To God be the glory—great things HE HAS DONE!!! What will you do?

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”  2 Corinthians 6:16-18

Bible Ballistics:  Is Faith Enough???    Vol. 5 #21

 

I’m sure that seems like a strange question but it’s one that was brought to my heart and mind recently. I attended a funeral for someone, and it was a somber time, more than most, for I’m not certain the deceased knew the Lord, I am certain that many if not most of the people in attendance did not know the Lord. And the thing that grieved my heart to the quick, was that while the pastor shared some scriptures, his only encouragement was that those there had to have “faith”, “hope” and “love”. He even quoted from 1 Corinthians 13:13:

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” (charity=love)

While this is as sure as all scripture, it left a picture of some abstract, unsubstantiated ‘ideal’ that will give faith, hope and love (charity). How can we have faith, hope and love if we don’t understand what they really are and where they come from? I am still grieved for the lost souls that left that service thinking all they had to do was ‘have hope’, ‘have faith’, and remember the ‘love’. Well that’s just simply not adequate. There was a failure to bring people who needed real hope, to hear the good news of the only one who could give them ‘faith’, ‘hope’ or real ‘love’. God tells us:

“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

We come to God through faith—but not just an abstract idea or way of thinking or supposing, but a total confidence in God—the God of creation and salvation.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

And faith must be in the blood of Jesus, that “cleanses us from all sin”. (See 1 John 1:7,9) Not faith that is pie in the sky! It’s the absolute substance of the things of God—all that He is, all that He does, and all that He provides for us, including salvation, especially salvation. It is seeing the evidence of God’s hand in everything around us—our very existence and life. So what is faith? It is the absolute confidence and trust in the power of God who gave His Son to be our salvation. Paul, speaking of Abraham, gives us a beautiful picture of real faith:

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:20-25

Unbelief (lack of faith)—staggers at God’s promises

 has not strength to believe

 is not persuaded that God is true

 has no righteousness

 glorifies self not God

Belief/Faith—                staggers NOT

 is strong in trusting God

 gives God glory

 is fully persuaded of God’s truth

receives God’s righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21, “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.” He gives it to us to SHARE!!! Reconcilers!!!

Faith is not an abstract idea, but trust in the sovereignty and provision of salvation through Jesus Christ, and reliance upon it for salvation and life. Faith in the God who sent HIS only Son to die for ME!!! It places me “in Christ”—because I am ‘born again’ of God.

John 3:3-7, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

Jesus didn’t come to give men an abstract ‘faith’ in just anything, to give them abstract ‘hope’ as an idea to cling to in blind abandon, or to teach them to ‘love’ as the world does. We come to Him to receive new life—to be “born again”. Not born of religion, tradition or abstract ideals, but to be born ‘OF GOD’.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13

Without this new birth from God we have no hope, and will never experience or know the love of God. But when we come to Him – to the Cross and trust in the blood of Jesus Christ, we can experience the heart of God:

“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.” Romans 5:1-10

I know this is a bit lengthy but it helps us understand what we receive from God through faith in Jesus. He gives us salvation by faith, access to Himself (see Hebrews 4:14-16) and His grace, in which we can rejoice in “hope of the glory of God”. And with HIM, we can glory in all our circumstances, no matter how tragic, how difficult, or how life changing—we can glory with God in all things. How? Because we are assured that God is working in it all and

“we glory in tribulations ….

      knowing that tribulation worketh patience…

             patience, experience…

             and experience, hope…

      hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us”.

And how can we have this kind of confidence? We can only have this kind of confidence, based on the assurance of what God has done for us through Jesus at Calvary!!! Confidence that when we are ‘born again’ we can know we have life, power and confidence that only God can give. Knowing that we are not saved and delivered because of our own merit, but because of God’s amazing provision, and grace that saves our souls and lives, for “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. Salvation is initiated by God, and delivered by God through the blood of Jesus Christ, and given to us when we repent of our sin and place our trust and faith in HIS substitutionary death (simply meaning that Jesus died in my place and yours).

“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 5:21

Only one way—Jesus.

Only one salvation—the blood of Jesus.

I am grieved that we have come to the place in our culture, in modern ‘Christendom’ that we offer

hope without Jesus—

faith without the cross—

peace without the blood of Jesus.

My dear friends, there is nothing farther from the truth, as Peter declares:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

I must stand with Paul:

 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed

from faith to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:16-17

 

The choice is yours, will you stand on the truth of God’s Word, or will you fall for the compromise of the world. Your eternal destiny depends on your choice. I pray that you will choose well. And if you belong to Jesus, you are called by God to speak HIS truth to the world. Their only HOPE is FAITH in Jesus, and then they can receive His LOVE “shed abroad in our hearts”.  Nothing ‘abstract’ about it!!!

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #148 Truth or Tradition???

After a recent conversation I have been brought to ponder God’s call on us? What does He call His followers to be, to do, to live and to believe? It brings me this morning to a passage of great decision. A passage that calls us to examine our selves, our lives, our belief and make a choice! You will make a willful choice, or a choice of consequence? What do I mean by a choice of consequence? I simply mean that to claim to make no choice in regard to God and His Son Jesus Christ, is to ‘make a choice’—the worst choice. To choose not to choose is choosing your own demise.

“Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15

Joshua, at the end of his life calls all of Israel to come to him and issues this challenge. A challenge to “deliberately”, “intentionally” make a choice to follow God and serve HIM. He called them to forsake the failures of their parents, to reject the failures of their culture and choose God. If you would, to get ‘all in or all out’!!!

What does this have to do with my earlier conversation? Well, almost all of us will come to some crises in life and have to choose whether we will believe God and HIS Word or the traditions that we have practiced in the past, maybe even our whole lives. It doesn’t matter if it’s traditions of our parents, a religious order, or an intellectual agenda. Jesus himself reminds us of this same principle in Matthew 6:24:

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

While we often restrict this passage to money or financial principles, and it does include ‘money’, it is also a general principle of life—You can’t have two “first loves” in your life. Jesus said you will make a choice—consciously or unconsciously!!! Our behavior will reveal our choice!

So??? Here’s our shot for today!!! What have you chosen? What are you choosing right now? Are you wrestling with whether to cling to God and HIS Word regardless of what you will have to let go of? Or are you clinging to that which is a “comfort food” to your life and soul?   We must take Paul advise and seek to be “approved unto God” not man—including our own fleshly comforts and habits.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Study GOD’s WORD!!!

Trust GOD’s WORD!!!  

Obey GOD’s WORD!!!

So, “choose you this day whom ye will serve”, but “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”!!! Check your choice–Tradition or Truth??? It’s your choice!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #147 Near In Word??? Or Heart???

I just want to share a brief thought with you this morning. For most of you who follow Bible Ballistics, I’ll be “preaching to the choir”. But I felt the need to share a call to repentance and righteousness before the God whose name we claim.

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”   Matthew 15:8

We live in a culture where it’s acceptable to do and say almost anything, except the truth of God’s Word. People who claim the name of Jesus with their words-sometimes-also curse and swear with the same mouth. God calls us to better. But is there a deeper problem?

“Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” James 3:10-12

And why does the ‘mouth’ cause us so much trouble? Jesus himself answers that question.

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” Matthew 15:18-19

So??? Here’s our shot for today.  Check your heart!

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

“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.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

And our greatest confidence can be in God!!! He knows and HE will reveal your true condition to you, if you’ll but bow before Him and diligently ‘seek Him while He may be found’!

“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

Is your faith vain or genuine??? Examine your life by God’s standard NOT the world’s. May God open the eyes of those willing to see? You are prayed for…….   When you ‘talk the talk’—make sure you ‘walk the walk’ by the power of Jesus, because:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Remember, if you belong to HIM you CAN walk in HIS newness, righteousness and power.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

 

He is here for YOU!!!