Tags
1 Peter 2:11-12, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, 2 Corinthians 4:3-11, Born Again, Colossians 1:27, Colossians 3:1-2, Hebrews 11:13-16, John 1:12-13, John 3:3-7, Matthew 5:14-16, Philippians 4:8, Salvation, Unearthed
Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.14 Unearthed Treasure???
“These all died in faith,
not having received the promises,
but having seen them afar off,
and were persuaded of them,
and embraced them,
and confessed
that they were strangers
and pilgrims
on the earth.
14 For they that say such things
declare plainly
that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful
of that country
from whence they came out,
they might have had opportunity
to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country,
that is,
an heavenly:
wherefore God is not ashamed
to be called their God:
for he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:13-16
God reminds us through this great chapter of faith, that those who are God’s and follow Him, are seeking “a better country, that is, an heavenly” kingdom—an eternal one. They have “unearthed” a treasure that this world cannot see or understand apart from Jesus; apart from being “born again” by the blood of The Lamb; “born” of God’s Spirit–having our “place of birth” changed from earth to heaven.
Unearth: means not only ‘to dig or get out of the earth’, but it also can mean ‘to uncover or bring to light by search, inquiry, etc.’. In other words, when we are saved by Jesus and receive His saving grace, we unearth a treasure of unequalled value—a treasure to/for our souls. Our focus is changed from an earthly perspective to a heavenly one. We have not only ‘unearthed’ a treasure but the transforming power of Jesus’ blood “unearth’s” our heart and sets it on things above, not on ‘earthly’ things. But we have to do our part and resist the “wiles of the devil” and keep our heart and mind set on the things of God.
“If ye then be risen with Christ,
seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth
on the right hand
of God.
2 Set your affection on things above,
not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2
How? By dwelling on the things of God, even as Paul reminded the church at Philippi!
“Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
We can succeed in this only by the power of the Holy Spirit, who God’s gives to His own, through the new birth which Jesus’ sacrifice provides—being “born again…..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
“3 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……….
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.” John 3:3 & 5-7
Have you been “un-earthed” by the new birth? Have you been “born…..of the Spirit”? Are you steeped in the “earth” and it’s trappings, or have you discovered the treasure that is only found in Jesus! If you have then don’t get bogged down in the “mud” of the world but pursue the glory of God, by abstaining “from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul”!
“Dearly beloved,
I beseech you
as strangers
and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation
honest among the Gentiles:
that, whereas they speak against you
as evildoers,
they may by your good works,
which they shall behold,
glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:11-12
We must continually and consciously choose to keep our eyes, our heart and our mind on Jesus, and we can do that by God’s wondrous grace, which is continually working in us to change us from glory to glory….
“But if our gospel be hid,
it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world
hath blinded the minds
of them which believe not,
lest the light of the glorious gospel
of Christ,
who is the image of God,
should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves,
but Christ Jesus the Lord;
and ourselves your servants
for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine
out of darkness,
hath shined in our hearts,
to give the light
of the knowledge
of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure
in earthen vessels,
that the excellency of the power
may be of God,
and not of us.
8 We are troubled
on every side,
yet not distressed;
we are perplexed,
but not in despair;
9 Persecuted,
but not forsaken;
cast down,
but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body
the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life also of Jesus
might be made manifest
in our body.
11 For we which live
are alway delivered unto death
for Jesus’ sake,
that the life also of Jesus
might be made manifest
in our mortal flesh.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-11
God’s power—God’s Spirit– all for His glory, and our glory IN Him—all because HE is in us.
“To whom God would make known
what is the riches
of the glory
of this mystery
among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you,
the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27
God’s work to not only grow us, and help us draw closer to Him in intimate fellowship, but also HIS glory shining in and through us before a corrupt world of darkness! May our lives continually pursue that glory—through His Spirit and His Word?
“Now the Lord is that Spirit:
and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is liberty.
18 But we all,
with open face
beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord,
are changed
into the same image
from glory
to glory,
even as by the Spirit
of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Just as Jesus told us, we must choose whether we want to be a “stick in the mud” or if we want to be changed into HIS image “from glory to glory”, letting our “little light shine” with HIS glory—so that others will see Him and come to salvation!
“Ye are the light of the world.
A city that is set on an hill
cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle,
and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick;
and it giveth light unto all
that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine
before men,
that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
Amen and Amen!
Bible Ballistics 