Tags
1 John 1:7-10, Ephesians 2:13, Hebrews 10:19-25, Let This Mind Be In You, Philippians 2:5-11, Renewing or Reviewing, Revelation 1:5, Romans 12:1-2, Saved by the Blood of Jesus!, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, Whose mind is in YOU
Bible Ballistics: BBs #778 Re-Newing Or Just Re-Viewing???
“I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies
a living sacrifice,
holy,
acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove
what is that good,
and acceptable,
and perfect,
will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
I want to share a word of encouragement, warning and hope this morning; one I pray will help us “be” all that God is calling HIS own to “be” and will help us to consider what God is asking of us. Not just what we “do”—which is important—but even more importantly–what we are to “be”! For unless we have been changed by the power of the cross and the blood of Jesus, we aren’t HIS own nor can we “do” what God has called HIS own to “be” and “do”! For ‘being’ must always precede the ‘doing’! It may be the cause of much of our spiritual frustration. (See Colossians 1:14)
“But now
in Christ Jesus
ye who sometimes were far off
are made nigh
by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13
The author of Hebrews paints an amazing picture of what the “blood of Jesus” has done, will do and wants to ‘do’ in us as we draw near to the throne of God through the “blood of Jesus”! And yes, the “blood” is what saves us, no matter how much it has been and is being discounted by many.
“Having therefore, brethren,
boldness to enter into the holiest
by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way,
which he hath consecrated for us,
through the veil,
that is to say,
his flesh;
21 And having an high priest
over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near
with a true heart
in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled
from an evil conscience,
and our bodies washed
with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast
the profession of our faith
without wavering;
(for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another
to provoke unto love
and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together,
as the manner of some is;
but exhorting one another:
and so much the more,
as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:19-25
We can only enter that “holy place”—God’s presence—by Jesus’ blood, which was shed for us—for your sin and mine, and one of my favorite reminders from the book of The Revelation says it so clearly.
“And from Jesus Christ,
who is the faithful witness,
and the first begotten of the dead,
and the prince of the kings of the earth.
Unto him that loved us,
and washed us from our sins
in his own blood.” Revelation 1:5
John reiterates this same truth 1 John.
“But if we walk in the light,
as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just
to forgive us
our sins,
and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned,
we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:7-10
WOW! OUCH! Sin is the issue for both the unbeliever who needs forgiveness unto salvation, and the believer who is to walk in obedience and holiness—being “in the light”!
And in closing, a most amazing passage that we ought to consider regularly to see if we are allowing God to “renew” our hearts and minds through His Word or are we just “reviewing” our own past wins and losses? Whose mind is working in you and me? Is my knee bowed before HIM, or is my nick “bowed” against Him? Renewing? Reviewing?
“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.
9 Wherefore God also
hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name
which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
of things in heaven,
and things in earth,
and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11
Amen and Amen!!!
Bible Ballistics 