The Manger Leads To The Cross! A Word from THE WORD!!! #51

07 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Cross, Crucified With Christ, Death, Father's Way!, GET READY, Glory To God, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God of all comfort!, God Still Reigns, God's love, God's Presence Not Presents, God's ways are not our ways, Power of The Cross, The manger leads to the cross

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The Manger Leads To The Cross! A Word from THE WORD!!! #51

“For unto you is born this day

in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God,

and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will

toward men.

15 And it came to pass,

as the angels were gone away from them

into heaven,

the shepherds said one to another,

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,

and see this thing which is come to pass,

which the Lord hath made known

unto us.

16 And they came with haste,

and found Mary,

and Joseph,

and the babe

lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:11-16

Just as this amazing news of The Messiah was told to shepherds, they went to see this child and found him “lying in a manger” because “there was no room for them in the inn”; amazed, like the shepherds, we come to the manger during this wonderful season of celebrating Jesus our King!  Yet we must not be distracted from the truth that Jesus didn’t stay in that manger.  He grew to be the man who was nailed to a cruel Roman cross for my sin and yours!  That is why HE came!  This precious baby endured the trials of all flesh without sin, HE was/is the perfect “lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”!  He came to be born that He could be the perfect sacrifice for sin–He was Born to Die–for our sin, to be raised from the dead, and ascend back to heaven where HE ever intercedes for His own!

“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.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:15-16

Yet, there’s more–more that points us to the pain of the cross, so let’s go back to Luke’s account, and while this is a bit lengthy, I think it worth our time and effort!

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem,

whose name was Simeon;

and the same man was just and devout,

waiting for the consolation of Israel:

and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him

by the Holy Ghost,

that he should not see death,

before he had seen

the Lord’s Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit

 into the temple:

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,

to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms,

and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant

depart in peace,

according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared

before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles,

and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled

at those things which were spoken of him.

34 And Simeon blessed them,

and said unto Mary his mother,

Behold, this child is set

for the fall and rising again

of many in Israel;

and for a sign

which shall be spoken against;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through

thy own soul also,)

that the thoughts of many hearts

may be revealed.”  Luke 2:25-35

Then we see this prophecy played out at the foot of the cross!

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus

his mother,

and his mother’s sister,

Mary the wife of Cleophas,

and Mary Magdalene.

26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother,

and the disciple standing by, whom he loved,

he saith unto his mother,

Woman, behold thy son!

27 Then saith he to the disciple,

Behold thy mother!

And from that hour that disciple

took her unto his own home.

28 After this, Jesus knowing

that all things were now accomplished,

that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith,

I thirst.

29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar:

and they filled a spunge with vinegar,

and put it upon hyssop,

and put it to his mouth.

30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar,

he said,

It is finished:

and he bowed his head,

and gave up the ghost.”  John 19:25-30

Like some of you, I have experienced the death of a child, and it is like a sword piercing your heart, leaving a hole that seems to always be there–even when the immediate pain subsides, the hole in your heart is ever-present with you!  I can’t imagine the pain that Mary felt, knowing that this was God’s plan for her own salvation; the wonder and questions that flooded her soul, are the same questions that often come to our hearts!  BUT GOD!  God was working His perfect plan for the redemption of mankind, for all who would repent of their sin and trust in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus offered at Calvary.  It’s all about the cross, so don’t linger at the manger and miss the cross, but trust to the sacrifice that this baby came to BE!  And as Paul so clearly reminds us, and which I try to convey in all I write and teach:

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing

among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-2

And Paul’s words ever resound in my heart as my hope, my goal, and my encouragement! May it ever spark us on to greater hope and victories as we walk in the power of the precious Holy Spirit whom Jesus imparts to each of His own!

“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

May you draw near to the cross, remembering the greatest gift of all, Who was laid in that manger in Bethlehem; enjoy your celebrations but don’t forget the price that baby came to pay for you and me!

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Do You Have THE Christmas Light??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 23

04 Sunday Dec 2022

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Let go...and let God, Light In The Dark, Redemption Through HIS Blood, Reflecting HIS glory, Salvation, The Joy of The Lord!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Light of The World, The Word, The Word Or The World?, There is a test

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 23 Do You Have THE Christmas Light?

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”  John 8:12

I love the lights of Christmas–the shining lights, the twinkling lights, just the lights that shine in the darkness; yet there is THE true Light of the world–and HIS name is JESUS!  And without “this” light, you will ever be walking in darkness, even as John the Apostle wrote in the beginning of his gospel record.

“In the beginning was

the Word,

and the Word

was with God,

and the Word

was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made

by him;

and without him

was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him

was life;

and the life

was the light of men.

5 And the light

shineth in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5

John the Baptizer declared openly and plainly that Jesus was not only the “light” of men, but the one who would take care of the sin problem, just as the angel had spoken to Joseph about taking Mary.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken

of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”  Matthew 1:21-23

And John’s account of his encounter with Jesus.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him,

and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away

the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said,

After me cometh a man

which is preferred before me:

for he was before me.

31 And I knew him not:

but that he should be made manifest to Israel,

therefore am I come baptizing with water.

32 And John bare record, saying,

I saw the Spirit descending from heaven

like a dove,

and it abode upon him.

33 And I knew him not:

but he that sent me to baptize with water,

the same said unto me,

Upon whom thou shalt see

the Spirit descending,

and remaining on him,

the same is he which baptizeth

with the Holy Ghost.

34 And I saw,

and bare record

that this is

the Son of God.”  John 1:29-34

Jesus, this light of the world, made some claims that we need to consider, not only this time of year, but every day. It is one of the things that set God’s children apart from the darkness of this world!

“I must work the works

of him that sent me,

while it is day:

the night cometh,

when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world,

I am the light of the world.”  John 9:5

Jesus went on to make clear His deity; which many claim He never did–but Jesus clearly proclaimed His oneness with God!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them

eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man

pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

So, to make it simple, you must choose the light or reject it.  I don’t care how many “Christmas lights” you hang around your house, if you don’t have the “light of the world”, you are in darkness!

Paul gives us some insight into this truth:

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry,

as we have received mercy,

we faint not;

2 But have renounced the hidden things

of dishonesty,

not walking in craftiness,

nor handling the word of God deceitfully;

but by manifestation of the truth

commending ourselves to every man’s conscience

in the sight of God.

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.”  2 Corinthians 4:1-7

And the beauty of this light is the hope, confidence, and joy that it puts in my heart regardless of the circumstances.

“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.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

 So, the question resounds, do you have the light of Jesus?  We have the freedom to choose “The Light of the world”, or we can refuse His love and sacrifice for us.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.  Do you know “the light of the world”?  If not, I pray that you will call upon HIM today.  If you know Him already, be sure your light is shining!

“That ye may be blameless and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;” Philippians 2:15

And Jesus’ own message:

“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 3:16-19

Amen and Amen!!!

Christmas Reflections #1!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #51

02 Friday Dec 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Behold the Lamb of God, Blessed by God, Bow Before our God, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, JESUS, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, SIN, Sin IS the issue

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Christmas Reflections #1!!!   A Word from THE WORD!!! #51

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord

by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”  Matthew 1:21-23

Jesus came to take care of the sin issue.  We have sinned–born in sin–choosing to sin–living in sin, willfully sinning– for which the penalty and price is death and hell.  Yet Jesus came to pay the penalty for our sin; all because HE came as the Holy Son of God, born without the nature of sin, for HIS father was, is, and ever shall be The Almighty God.  He had no sin, which made HIM the perfect, holy Lamb of God who would pay for MY sin and yours at Calvary if we will but believe in and give our lives to The Lamb of God, Jesus!

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him,

and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said,

After me cometh a man

which is preferred before me:

for he was before me.”  John 1:29-30

John the Baptizer saw Jesus, and proclaimed that HE was, is and ever shall be the “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”, for HE came to deliver you and me from the payment due for sin–HELL with HIS own blood!  He came because HE loves us. John the Apostle, saw this proclaimed in heaven above, and one day (soon I believe) all will see; some in joy and rejoicing, others in sorrow and regret for eternity!

“And I beheld,

and, lo, in the midst of the throne

and of the four beasts,

and in the midst of the elders,

stood a Lamb

as it had been slain,

having seven horns

and seven eyes,

which are the seven Spirits of God

sent forth into all the earth.

7 And he came

and took the book out of the right hand

of him that sat upon the throne.

8 And when he had taken the book,

the four beasts

and four and twenty elders

fell down before the Lamb,

having every one of them harps,

and golden vials full of odours,

which are the prayers of saints.

9 And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy

to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us

to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us

unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign

on the earth…

…. 12 Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb

that was slain

to receive power,

and riches,

and wisdom,

and strength,

and honour,

and glory,

and blessing.”  Revelation 5:6-10 & 12

This IS what we celebrate at this precious CHRISTmas time.  Won’t you honor King Jesus?  If you don’t know HIM, what better time than the season in which we celebrate HIS coming in flesh to pay for your sin and mine!  It’s why HE came, and He is still calling people to Himself today!  Won’t you respond to HIS call.  And may we who know HIM, reflect HIS glory not our selfish flesh?

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”  John 1:10-14

Won’t you bow before the King today?  He loves you!  He gave His life’s blood for your salvation.

“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

The door is yours to open to The King!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Christmas Prayer Guide! A Word from THE WORD!!! #50

30 Wednesday Nov 2022

Posted by in A Christmas Prayer Guide!, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings

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A Christmas Prayer Guide!   A Word from THE WORD!!! #50

Just a few thoughts to hopefully help each of us to direct our hearts upward during this precious celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ taking on flesh to redeem all who will come to HIM!

During December, for our hearts to:

1st— thank God for the gift of JESUS!  Matthew 1:21

2nd– honor God by seeking HIS will & kingdom!  Matt. 6:9-11

3rd— ask God to search our hearts!  Psalm 139:23-24

4th— pursue holiness!  1 Peter 1:14-16

5th— remember THE LORD IS my shepherd!  Psalm 23:1-6

6th— spend time just praising God for being GOD!  Psalm 9:1-2

7th— singing the songs of Jesus!  Eph. 5:19 & Col.3:16

8th— look up and thank God for the star!  Matthew 2:2

9th— remember that God made all creation! Genesis 1:1

10th— praise Jesus as creator also!!  John 1:1-5 & Col. 1:13-16

11th— thank God for obedient servants like Mary!  Luke 1:30-38

12th— strive to be more obedient to our Lord!  John 14:15

13th— pursue love toward the brethren!  John 13:35

14th— remember to keep our words kind!  Matthew 12:36-37

15th— be kind to each other!  Ephesians 4:32

16th— ever speak the truth in love!  Ephesians 4:15

17th— love gives more than money!  2 Corinthians 9:6-8

18th— keep our hearts pure before God and man!  Matt. 12:34-36

19th— pray continually with a pure heart!  1 Thess. 5:16-17

20th— thank God always for all things!    1 Thessalonians 5:18

21st— be prepared for Jesus’ second coming!!  John 14:1-4

22nd— remember to walk in The Spirit!  Galatians 5:16 & 25-26

23rd— remember what pleases God!  Micah 6:7-8

24th— remember God keeps HIS PROMISES!  Isaiah 9:6-7

25th— CELEBRATE JESUS–BORN KING!  Luke 1:31-33

       (And take time to read Luke 1 & 2, and Matthew 1 & 2.)

Amen and Amen!!!  Merry Christmas is every day!!!

The Real Reason For Christmas??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 22

28 Monday Nov 2022

Posted by in Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus said I could come!, Jesus Saves!, The Real Reason For Christmas!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 22 The Real Reason For Christmas???

I heard a most encouraging message on part of Romans chapter 1 from our faithful pastor this morning.  It set me to thinking of how we often miss the connection of all of scripture, so I thought I’d share a bit of a spin on what most of us think about when we consider the reason for Christmas; it may be a connection that you have never considered, and I pray that it will give you some food for thought.  Most of all I hope it helps us all see Jesus, the “light of the world”, in all of our personal celebrations; and that if you’ve never called on HIM to save you, today will be that day!!!

First of all, let’s consider the message that the angel brought to Joseph as he considered what to do about the pregnant Mary, with whom ‘he’ had not had relations.

“But while he thought on these things,

behold, the angel of the Lord appeared

unto him in a dream, saying,

Joseph, thou son of David,

fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:

for that which is conceived in her

is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken

of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name

Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”  Matthew 1:20-23

“God with us”–Jesus IS God with us!  So Why do we need “God with us”?  Because we (humanity in Adam and Eve, and YES, I believe in the Genesis account of creation; for to put it bluntly, if there was no Adam or Eve, there was no garden, there was no sin, and we wouldn’t need a redeemer–to “save us from our sin”!) sinned, yet God had already provided for our sin before we fell for ‘The Lie’ (See Genesis 3).  That is just beyond my comprehension, for I don’t like ‘messes’ and it is beyond amazing to me, that God knew we would make a ‘mess’, yet HE created us anyway; knowing it would cost Jesus His life’s blood.  Romans makes it all clear!

“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

Peter also reminds us that God had this plan in mind before we needed it.

“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.

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls

in obeying the truth through the Spirit

unto unfeigned love of the brethren,

see that ye love one another

with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again,

not of corruptible seed,

but of incorruptible,

by the word of God,

which liveth

and abideth for ever.”  1 Peter 1:18-23

Just FYI, this ‘living word of God’ IS Jesus–the living Word (See John 1:1-5), as well as the breath of the written Word!  How does this all tie into Romans?  To put it simply, “all scripture is inspired by God” (See 2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:16-17) so, let’s look at a few passages from the first three chapters of Romans.

“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.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven

against all ungodliness

and unrighteousness of men,

who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God

is manifest in them;

for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world

are clearly seen,

being understood

by the things that are made,

even his eternal power

and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that,

when they knew God,

they glorified him not as God,

neither were thankful;

but became vain in their imaginations,

and their foolish heart was darkened.”                    Romans 1:16-21

Paul tells us that “the gospel of Christ” IS the “power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth”, and that is truly good–good news! The good news is “the righteousness of God revealed” to us–the same good news that Jesus gave to Nicodemus in John 3–that we must be born again, and when we are, Jesus will give us eternal life–real abundant life now–and life with God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit –in heaven! Paul describes the first group we need to consider, the UNrighteous, who are “without excuse”.  If you would, those who are blatantly, deliberately rejecting God, His ways, and His Word–refusing to worship HIM as GOD!

Now, let’s move on to Romans chapter 2, which describes another group of people.

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man,

whosoever thou art that judgest:

for wherein thou judgest another,

thou condemnest thyself;

for thou that judgest

doest the same things.

2 But we are sure that the judgment of God

is according to truth

against them which commit such things.

3 And thinkest thou this, O man,

that judgest them which do such things,

and doest the same,

that thou shalt escape

the judgment of God?

4 Or despisest thou the riches

of his goodness

and forbearance

and longsuffering;

not knowing that the goodness of God

leadeth thee to repentance?

5 But after thy hardness

and impenitent heart

treasurest up unto thyself wrath

against the day of wrath

and revelation of the righteous

judgment of God;

6 Who will render to every man

according to his deeds…

…11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

12 For as many as have sinned

without law

shall also perish without law:

and as many as have sinned

in the law

shall be judged by the law;”  Romans 2:1-6 & 11

“And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

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

Regardless of what we may think of ourselves, Paul says that we cannot make our own selves righteous; if we measure ourselves by our own judgement, it will not make wrong right or right wrong!  God will “render to every man according to his deeds”, and it doesn’t matter what I “say”, for what I ‘do’ will reflect what I truly believe.  Jesus made that clear in Matthew chapter 7, that just “saying so, doesn’t make it so”!  Are you one who is counting on your own SELFrighteousness?  Or have you been to the cross for the cleansing blood of Jesus’ to save you?

“…be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:20b-21

Just as we saw in Romans 5 above, only Jesus can save us and cleanse us from our sin and pay our sin debt, I hope that our last passage will bring it all together for you.  For it doesn’t matter if you are one of the “Unrighteous”, or the “SELFrighteous”, for we are all what God calls us in Romans chapter 3– “NONErighteous”!

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

This is the message of the first part of Romans chapter 3. (I encourage you to spend some time this week reading and thinking about Romans 1-3, and 5 if you can make the time!)

“What advantage then hath the Jew?

or what profit is there of circumcision?

2 Much every way:

chiefly, because that unto them

were committed the oracles of God.

3 For what if some did not believe?

shall their unbelief make the faith of God

without effect?

4 God forbid:

yea, let God be true,

but every man a liar;

as it is written,

That thou mightest be justified

in thy sayings,

and mightest overcome

when thou art judged.

5 But if our unrighteousness

commend the righteousness of God,

what shall we say?

Is God unrighteous

who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

6 God forbid:

for then how shall God judge the world?

7 For if the truth of God

hath more abounded through my lie

unto his glory;

why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

8 And not rather,

(as we be slanderously reported,

and as some affirm that we say,)

Let us do evil,

that good may come?

whose damnation is just.

9 What then?

are we better than they?

No, in no wise:

for we have before proved

both Jews and Gentiles,

that they are all under sin;

10 As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no, not one.”  Romans 3:1-12

My question for us today is, “Which group are you in?”  The UNrighteous, the SELFrighteous, or the NONErighteous?   For until we see ourselves as one of the “NONErighteous”, or a sinner, we have no need for a Savior/Redeemer who saves and forgives sin!

“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

Finally, God paints another amazing picture for us in chapter 5, so let’s take time to ponder these things and be truly ready to celebrate CHRISTmas!

“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

This is the reason that Jesus came and took on flesh, the reason that HE became Emmanuel–God with us!  He came to forgive us for our sin, to save us and give us eternal life; so we don’t have to be held accountable to pay for our own sin in Hell.  What will you do with the greatest gift of all this Christmas season?  Will you ignore Him, deliberately reject Him, put Him off, or bow before Him seeking His forgiveness and the new life HE can and will impart to all who come to Him in repentance of sin, and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice?  And for we who already know HIM, may we commit ourselves afresh and anew to be more loving, obedient, and devoted children to our soon-coming KING, and as Paul so aptly declared, being a ‘bond-servant’ to Jesus Christ our KING!  From a Manger to a Throne!  Have you crowned HIM KING of your life?  May it ever be so!!!

Amen and Amen!!!