Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No. 03 What Is Real Love???

As we celebrate Father’s Day today, I can’t help but think of my own godly Father, and that makes me smile, even though he’s been gone for 25 years! Love doesn’t have an expiration date! My father was a quiet man, yet one who lived what he believed—he walked the walk, he didn’t just “talk” the talk! One of the biblical Greek words that is translated “love” is ‘agape’, which means benevolent love; it means selfless love, which always acts or behaves in the best interest of the recipient of that love.

My father was one of the best examples of this god-like kind of love. But what does it look like? How does that kind of love act and respond?

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13  (Jesus even laid down His life for His enemies-See Romans 5:1-11)

As Jesus spoke these words, He was about to lay down His life for His disciples, for the world—for you and me! While we know that Jesus laid down His physical life, He shed His blood for our salvation, I’d like to talk about this concept from a different perspective. People can be willing to die for others; our military men and women pledge themselves to give “all” for the defense of our nation; local people make that same kind of commitment to our fire and law-enforcement departments. Yet there is something more. The question that I’d like us to consider is not just, “Are you willing to ‘die’ for someone/something?” but “Are you willing to give yourself to ‘live’ for others?” Are we willing to sacrifice our personal desires, comfort, and convenience for the benevolent good of others.

We often think of this in regard to true Christian living and martyrdom but do we apply it to our living relationships with others? I’ll have to admit, I don’t always make the grade in this area, but my father was an example of selflessness that took me many years to appreciate it fully. While Jesus left us the greatest of all examples in giving His life’s blood for us: He also gave His ‘living’ in often foregoing His own personal desires to meet the needs of those around Him. He kept on going when He was tired, when He was ridiculed, when He was weary and perhaps even frustrated with the unbelief of those around Him. Jesus gave Himself for others, to serve and minister to them that they might see truth and come to salvation in faith, and we are called to follow HIS example. What are we “giving”? How are we “behaving” toward others?

“Let nothing be done through strife

or vainglory;

but in lowliness of mind

let each esteem other

better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things,

but every man also

on the things of others.

5 Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient

unto death,

even the death of the cross.”   Philippians 2:3-8

Jesus laid down His life for us, and we are called to lay down our “self” life, for a life of “selfless” service to Jesus and others; to give of ourselves that others may come to “life” in Jesus. We are also called to humility; to servant-hood; to obedience to our Father God (as well as our earthly father); as we die to our selfish desires and live to God through the power of The Son! When I see the needs of others, my thoughts should go to God, asking ‘What can I do?’ We are living in a culture that has been, and still is, teaching others to focus on “Who will meet my needs?”; rather than “What can I do to help?”! We are to be living unto Jesus and serving others, and we can only do that when we “die” to self!

“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

I watched my father live this out in his life with my mother, with us children, and with others. While he had very strict rules about lending and borrowing (he seldom did either); while he wouldn’t loan you his tools, he would come do whatever repair work you needed to have done. While he wouldn’t loan out his mower, he would come mow your lawn if you needed it. He also had strict rules about others driving his car, but if you needed a ride he would escort you wherever you needed to go. He gave of himself to meet the needs of others as he had opportunity.

In the case of my mother he almost always did what pleased her. Many thought he was a “hen-pecked’ husband, but what they didn’t realize was that my mothers happiness and pleasure meant more to him than anything else. He often gave up his desires to please her even when it cost him financially. My father would serve others because He loved serving Jesus in any way that he could. While he was a man of few words, he was a man of selflessness and kindness in every way, and to everyone. What he taught me about self-sacrifice by his life and actions are a priceless heritage and I thank God for His blessing of a godly, honorable, honest and generous father.

He lived out the “fruit of the Spirit” in his daily walk, and I thank God for the things I learned from him. And one of the things that I learned is that you can do a lot of talking, but if your actions don’t match your words, you haven’t really said much worth listening to. I learned that “laying down your life”, doesn’t mean just “dying”, in an even greater way, it means living a life of selfless love in action. Living a life that gives of ‘self’ to secure the good of others to the glory of God. And one can only do that when we have God’s love within us.

“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.”    Romans 5:1-5

When we come to Jesus by faith and repentance, we receive God’s love via the Holy Spirit—we receive the ability to share God’s love with others from within. We also receive the ability to grow in grace and truth by the Holy Spirit of Jesus. You might want to note that we don’t grow in the “fruits” of The Spirit, but in the “fruit” of The Spirit!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.” Galatians 5:22-26

Sometimes doing what is best may mean that we are misunderstood. Real love, godly, ‘agape’ love does what is best for the other person—not what indulges their sinful flesh, and that isn’t always welcome! But I thank God that I have had a wonderful example from my parents and especially my father. I knew the security of truly “unconditional” love and forgiveness from one of the godliest men I ever knew. I am married to another!

If you still have your parents (Especially your father) with you, take time and let them know what they mean to you. If not, then thank our heavenly Father for all that He is and all that He does in providing for us, especially for Jesus who actually gave HIS all for us; and for the blessing of godly parents.

Happy Father’s Day! May our lives bring honor to our Heavenly Father and to our earthly fathers and mothers.

“Honour thy father and thy mother:

that thy days may be long

upon the land

which the Lord thy God

giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

We are all blessed beyond measure, may our lives reflect our gratitude in all we do!!!

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #283 Repentance Is Unique!!!

I’d like to continue on our topic of “repentance” today, as many don’t understand what real repentance is. First let’s identify what repentance is NOT. Repentance is not being sorry you got caught doing wrong. Repentance is not regretting the consequences that are confronting you because of a particular sin. Repentance is not shedding tears of regret to get your way. Repentance is not seeking an escape from the results and consequences of your sin.

So what is “repentance”? It involves the recognition of wrong doing/sin and turning away from it. It is changing one’s mind about the reality of sin, being sorry to the degree that you no longer desire to continue in the direction that you have been going, and turning to something else-JESUS!

Paul gives us a good picture of repentance. Paul had rebuked the church at Corinth for their acceptance of open, blatant sin within the body of believers. He had called them to deal with the offender that he might come to repentance. The church accepted Paul’s counsel and dealt with the offender, bringing him to repentance. Paul has heard of this result from his previous letter, and defines this issue of genuine repentance in the heart of the saved or the lost.

“For, when we were come into Macedonia,

our flesh had no rest,

but we were troubled on every side;

without were fightings,

within were fears.

6 Nevertheless God,

that comforteth those that are cast down,

comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation

wherewith he was comforted in you,

when he told us your earnest desire,

your mourning, your fervent mind toward me;

so that I rejoiced the more.

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter,

I do not repent,

though I did repent:

for I perceive that the same epistle

hath made you sorry,

though it were but for a season.

9 Now I rejoice,

not that ye were made sorry,

but that ye sorrowed to repentance:

for ye were made sorry

after a godly manner,

that ye might receive damage

by us

in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance

to salvation

not to be repented of:

but the sorrow of the world

worketh death.” 2 Corinthians 7:5-10

There is a “godly sorrow” that brings real, genuine repentance—a repentance “not to be repented of”; but there is a “sorrow of the world” that only leads to “death”! That kind of sorrow is all around us, because we have created and accepted a culture that is free of responsibility—where people take no personal responsibility for their actions and choices. A sorrow that only deals with regret of being exposed or caught; which regrets the loss of material or political influence, but has no shame or sorrow for the actions themselves (And often that doesn’t even follow because sin is so readily accepted by the world)!

“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” Matthew 3:8

John the Baptizer called the religious crowd to produce the evidence of real repentance, not to depend on their heritage or political position. Real repentance will be manifest.

“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:12-13

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:7

In these passages, Jesus reveals that only those who recognize their own sin will see any need for repentance. Those who think they are “righteous” in and of themselves, have no need to repent or to seek a Savior. Jesus came to save those who would hear the voice of His Spirit convicting of sin and respond in repentance and faith. Faith that Jesus has already paid the penalty for our sin, which we could never do. We don’t have to go to hell—we can have eternal life with Jesus in heaven, but only when we see our sin, turn from it and to the Savior who died to give us new life!

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 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.”    John 3:14-19

Jesus came that we might have life (and have it more abundantly, see John 10:10), and He came to purchase our salvation and life with His own blood—HIS sinless blood.

“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

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

Jesus came to earth, took on flesh and blood, lived a sinless life, revealed His Father to us, and voluntarily gave HIS life to pay for our sin, because HE had no sin debt of His own. What have you done with His sacrifice? Have you recognized your own sin and come to Him in repentance and faith? Today is the day of salvation, will you avail yourself of it? Or will you refuse to see sin as sin and go your own way. The choice is yours, but choose wisely—there is a test at the end. (And the test won’t be by man’s standard!!!)

Bible Ballistics: BBs #282 Repentance Is A Must!!!

With all the talk going on around us about the most recent violence in America, I’d like us to examine an important topic; a topic that most don’t want to think about or talk about—that is repentance. While our Lord God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ love with an unconditional love; a love that always does what is best for the recipient; God’s forgiveness is NOT unconditional. And without forgiveness none can enter God’s heaven—but that is why Jesus came! Jesus came to be the sacrifice necessary to provide the way of salvation—the forgiveness of sin, and salvation from the penalty of that sin. Because the penalty of sin is death-and we are all found guilty of SIN!

“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

Scripture is replete with the message of salvation from “sin”, and that all are sinners. And while all sin, and all are offered the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, not all are willing to hear the message and believe it, and to have faith to be saved. And that is the message that is so repulsive to many in our world today—in fact it’s been repulsive to most of the world since the beginning.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

All have sinned, but we don’t have to remain in the throes of sin! We can come to Jesus and have victory over sin, death and hell, by repentance (Turning from our sin—our own way, and turning to God), and faith in God’s grace through His Son’s death for all who will believe and receive His sacrifice!

“But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”    Romans 6:22-23

God is ready and willing to forgive those who will come to Jesus, but it must be in repentance from sin and faith toward Jesus and His sacrifice for sin!

“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answering said unto them,

Suppose ye that these Galilaeans

were sinners above all the Galilaeans,

because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen,

upon whom the tower in Siloam fell,

and slew them,

think ye that they were sinners above all men

that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:1-5

If I might paraphrase this to our culture:

Someone else’s sin isn’t worse than yours—

It doesn’t matter how we “categorize” sin, IT’S SIN—

Just because some die in tragic ways,

that alone doesn’t make them worse than others—

Just because sins are made “popular” or “legal”,

It’s still SIN—

Throwing rocks at other’s sins,

Doesn’t negate our own sin—

As Jesus says clearly twice, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”! Unless we see our sin, we will never see a need for repentance nor a Savior! And without Jesus our future will be death and hell! There is only one way to have eternal life, and that is through Jesus, and we must come to Him in repentance (of our own way) and faith in His substitutionary, redeeming death for sinners on Calvary’s Cross! There is no other way.

“He is despised and rejected of men;

a man of sorrows,

and acquainted with grief:

and we hid as it were our faces from him;

he was despised,

and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs,

and carried our sorrows:

yet we did esteem him stricken,

smitten of God,

and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities:

the chastisement of our peace was upon him;

and with his stripes we are healed.

6 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.” Isaiah 53:3-6

The question isn’t ‘Did Jesus pay the price?’, for He did; the question is, ‘Will you turn from your way to God’s and receive the salvation that Jesus offers?’. There is no other way, regardless of what the popular voices in the world are saying. There will be an accounting; a time when all will answer before God, and bow before Jesus. The question isn’t “will you bow”, but rather “when will you bow”! Will you bow before Him now, as your Savior and Lord God, or will you bow before Him as your judge at the end? Will you experience His forgiveness and redemption unto life, or His wrath unto death? The choice is yours. Choose wisely!

“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:”     Col 1:12-14

So will you “partake” of life with Jesus, or experience His wrath?

“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

And just in case you don’t know, that book of life is the “Lamb’s Book of Life”—and Jesus is the Lamb! Where is your name written? The Lamb died for you, and He wants to write your name in His book, but only by repentance and faith in His sacrificial death for YOU!

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27

So in closing, it’s not any “special” sin that sends you to hell, but “any” sin that isn’t under the blood. And when we come to Jesus, He forgives and cleanses us from sin and makes us new! So count on Jesus, not your “lifestyle” whatever it is!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No. 02  He Will Supply Our Needs!!!

Just a brief word this evening. I’ll be writing a bit shorter articles for the next few weeks due to some health issues, but I do hope to continue to post on my regular schedule. I pray that God will speak to each of us through His Word. After all that is the most important thing that any of us can do any way, to share God’s Word!!!

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Paul encouraged the Philippians to keep their focus on The Lord Jesus and His sufficiency. They were a faithful church who were dear to the heart of Paul, and Paul encouraged them to stand fast in what they knew—that God is faithful in all His ways, and we can trust Him in all things.

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:

7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all,

because I have you in my heart;

inasmuch as both in my bonds,

and in the defence

and confirmation of the gospel,

ye all are partakers of my grace.

8 For God is my record,

how greatly I long after you all

in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

9 And this I pray,

that your love may abound

yet more and more

in knowledge

and in all judgment;

10 That ye may approve things

that are excellent;

that ye may be sincere

and without offence

till the day of Christ.

11 Being filled

with the fruits of righteousness,

which are by Jesus Christ,

unto the glory and praise of God.”    Philippians 1:6-11

We stand in confidence in the fact that our Almighty God is at work in us, even working to make us a glory unto Himself through the blood of Jesus and the work of His Holy Spirit. God is performing His wonderful work of grace, and transforming power to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ. And Paul helps us to recognize what that looks like.

Our love may abound—

More and more—

In knowledge—

In judgment—

That we may pursue and approve excellence—

That we may be sincere—

That we may be without offence—

That we will be filled with righteous fruits—

Our lives are to be lived unto God’s glory and praise!!! A life lived trusting to God sovereign grace, provision and transforming salvation.

“And we know

that all things work together

for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”     Romans 8:28-29

God knows what we need, when we need it and where we need to be to we receive His provision. Jesus came to redeem us to eternal life, and He also promised to make us His friends.

“Henceforth

I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not

what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard

of my Father

I have made known unto you.”    John 15:15

God is able, and I trust Him. Whatever lies ahead, we can know that God is there before us, He has our back and He walks beside us all the way. He promised the precious Holy Spirit would come after His ascension, and HE HAS! His job is to work God’s work in each of our individual hears and lives.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;……But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:16 & 26

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” John 16:7

Do we trust God with all things, or are we depending on ourselves? It’s your choice, but I join with Joshua in proclaiming:

“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 24:15

Our God is in control, but He leaves the choosing up to us!

“Trust in the Lord

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the Lord,

and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7

Just remember, Jesus “shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”! I’m praying that God will lead and direct your steps as you listen and follow Him today and every day.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #281 Take Some Time To Rest???

 

“Rest in the Lord,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalm 37:7

One of my favorite passages in all of scripture is Psalm 37! A wonderful picture of walking with The Lord, trusting Him with my life, delighting in what delights HIM, and committing all my ways to HIM. But the passage reminds us in verse seven that we all must rest—but not just rest—rest “in the Lord”! And I’d just like to give you a little encouragement on this Friday in June, when things get so rushed (in the hustle and bustle of “vacationing”, “recreating” and supposedly “resting”) to remind you to enjoy some real “Rest in the Lord” with some of my favorite “resting” passages from scripture.

“For thus saith the Lord God,

the Holy One of Israel;

In returning

and rest

shall ye be saved;

in quietness

and in confidence

shall be your strength:

and ye would not.” Isaiah 30:15

Don’t be a “ye would not”!!! Take the time to spend quiet, confident, rest time with The Lord (For you will NEVER find it)!!! What ever you think “can’t” wait, can wait if it stands between you and Jesus. Even Jesus told his busy disciples to take time and “rest”!

“And he said unto them,

Come ye yourselves apart

into a desert place,

and rest a while:

for there were many

coming and going,

and they had no leisure

so much as to eat.” Mark 6:31

Our bodies, minds and souls need rest; the rest that only confident dependence on God produces. And only a heart and life right with God can truly know the peace and rest that Jesus alone gives.

“I have set the Lord always before me:

because he is at my right hand,

I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad,

and my glory rejoiceth:

my flesh also shall rest in hope.”    Psalm 16:8-9

Much like what the Psalmist talks about when he reminded us that the Word of God is a “lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”. (See Psalm 119:105)

“Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.” Matthew 11:29

Let the Word of God grow and blossom in your heart and it will bear great fruit of joy, love, peace, contentment and so much more. It will help us to see the need to rest in The Lord and allow His peace to rule in us. And then “the world will know” whose we are. So rest in Him and reflect His peace to a crazy restless world!

“These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send

in my name,

he shall teach you all things,

and bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you,

my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.” John 14:25-27

May God bless you with a joyful and restful day in His peace, love and joy! I’m praying for you to give HIM some time today to rest your soul!!!