Tag Archives: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

What Do I Value??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #321

10 Monday Feb 2025

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Holey, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Victorious Living, Walking With Jesus, Walking Worthy, What are you doing with your TIME?, Worldliness, Worship Him!

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What Do I Value???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #321

Value is temporal, fleeting and transient; so what are we to value?  While it sometimes seems trite and tenuous, value is what makes us what we are.  For what I value, I will pursue.  What I pursue, I will conform to!  What I conform to will determine my life style, my activities and my eternal destiny.  Joshua said it best as he was at the end of his life, having led Israel into the “Promised Land”, he called them to “choose you this day”!  And while there are very few Joshua’s in our day, God is calling us to choose; will I heed to His voice, His Word and His Son, our only way to Salvation?  It’s your choice!  Will you choose Jesus and receive eternal life—real life, or will you yield to the world’s lies and follow them to hell?

“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 had made his choice long before this, he remained strong in his devotion to Jehovah God and His promises; so he called all Israel to follow God—but he made it clear that it was their choice, and you have the same choice today.  You can choose Jesus or reject Him, it is your choice, but remember you have the God-given right to choose, but when you choose the consequences of your choice will follow—and you can’t pick you own consequences!

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

Do you value the Word of God?  Have you heeded the call of Jesus upon your life, or disregarded His love, and sacrifice for you. Are going headlong down the wrong road.  His sacrifice for sin is available to you, if you’ll see your sin and turn to The Cross!

“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.”  John 1:10-13

It’s not religion, or regulations, or even doing good things, You must be “born…of God”, even as Jesus told Nicodemus in John chapter three, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”!  Until we come to God in humble repentance of our own sin, and accept the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made for all who will come to HIM, we will not have real life.  Jesus made it perfectly clear that HE is God, and He came to die for my sin and yours, so HE is the only way to God—to eternal life—to a home in heaven.  Contrary to popular belief, not everyone goes to heaven!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

So, my friends, who are you following?  What path have you valued to the exclusion of Jesus, His Word and His way?  The world says we can have it all, just add Jesus to your list and you’ll be ok.  Even churches are failing to preach repentance and a life of holiness and conformity to Jesus!  How sad it makes me, yet I must proclaim the truth that God has called me to, whether you love it—hate it–accept it—or reject it!  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.  And even now we are called to pay a price for following the biblical Jesus!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new…

… 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.”    Portions of 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

What do you value?  Paul gives us an amazing picture of what ought to be our values, our pursuits, and devotion.  Does your life line up to Jesus’ standard?

“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.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man the measure of faith.”                Romans 12:1-3

If you claim the name of Jesus, are you walking His way or your own way?  Do those around you see Jesus or the same worldliness that they see all around them?  Do you shine for Jesus or just the glitter and bling of the world?  There is a difference.  But we must understand, that when we choose to follow godliness, holiness (not a denomination, but a way of life that conforms to God’s Word) and truth, the world won’t like it, and we will pay a price for living God’s way!  Are you willing?

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers

shall wax worse and worse,

deceiving,

and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things

which thou hast learned

and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation through faith

which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:12-17

“Follow peace with all men,

and holiness,

without which no man shall see the Lord:”  Hebrews 12:14

And in closing, Peter calls us to remember our Lord, the price that He paid for our salvation, and what HE calls us to “be” not just “do”.  Being must precede doing, we must be holy (in Jesus!) before we can (do) behave holily!

“For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it, if,

when ye be buffeted for your faults,

 ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

 that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:19-25

Will you choose Jesus?  Will you join me in pursuing holiness before our Lord?  And just FYI, I know a lot of people claim verse 24 as a promise of all healing, but if you check its context, it is a reference to our healing from the death sentence of sin.  Read Isaiah 53, particularly verse 5 which is what Peter is quoting; you will find that it is a reference to the price that Jesus would pay for our salvation, not our perpetual healing.  It’s a reference to His blood which cleanses us from all sin!  Will you walk with Him today?  Will you forsake the things of the world that are continually calling us away from Jesus (when the world uses Jesus’ name to condone that which God condemns—check it out in His Word don’t trust to your own wisdom.)

“Let no man deceive himself.

If any man among you seemeth to be wise

in this world,

let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world

is foolishness with God.”  1 Corinthians 3:18-19a

Amen and Amen!!!

How Much Time Is Enough??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #273

16 Wednesday Oct 2024

Posted by in Now is the time...., Only Jesus, Only One Way, Open The Door to JESUS, Salvation, Satan's lies., Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, Time, Time Is Grace!, Times and Seasons, TODAY, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Too Late To Call?, Trampling The Blood of Jesus?, Trendy Or Truth

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How Much Time Is Enough???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #273

“And almost all things are by the law

purged with blood;

and without shedding of blood

is no remission.

23 It was therefore necessary

that the patterns of things in the heavens

should be purified with these;

but the heavenly things themselves

with better sacrifices than these.

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places

made with hands,

which are the figures of the true;

but into heaven itself,

now to appear in the presence of God

for us:

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often,

as the high priest entereth into the holy place

every year

with blood of others;

26 For then must he often have suffered

since the foundation of the world:

but now once

in the end of the world

hath he appeared to put away sin

by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered

to bear the sins of many;

and unto them that look for him

shall he appear the second time

without sin

unto salvation.”  Hebrews 9:22-28

Jesus paid the price for our sin, and it cost His precious blood to pay that price.  Scripture is replete with references to our sin and Jesus’ payment for it; so my purpose today is to call us to pay attention to our soul!  Saying I’ve joined a church, or been baptized, or been confirmed, or studied the Bible, or done good deeds isn’t what saves—it’s the blood of Jesus Christ the Lord that cleanses a repentant heart from sin.

“And these things write we unto you,

that your joy may be full.

5 This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 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 1:4-10

If you don’t belong to Jesus (and remember that Jesus IS truth), my friend, then you need to consider that Jesus’ blood, and being born again are the only hope that we have.  Heaven isn’t a myth, nor is hell, and your earthly choice will determine your eternal destiny.  How much time have you wasted?  Are you born again?  Have you given your heart and life to Jesus or are you just living life your way with a little religion tacked on to make God happy!  The time is fleeting—what will you do with your time; for sin is the issue and we will each give an account before God—in time—whether through death or when Jesus returns to planet earth!  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.  And part of the way you can know if you belong to Jesus is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit; have you heard His voice?  Have you repented and trusted in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin and yours?  Paul makes this principle clear.

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”  Romans 8:9

Jesus also makes it clear that only by His Spirit can we come to Him, when Jesus knocks on the door of your heart through the power of His Holy Spirit, you can answer or neglect.  But remember you don’t know how much time you may have!

“Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,

Murmur not among yourselves.

44 No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.

45 It is written in the prophets,

And they shall be all taught of God.

Every man therefore that hath heard,

and hath learned of the Father,

cometh unto me.”  John 6:43-45

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Today is all we have—please don’t miss Jesus by one day!  As the old song says, please don’t come ‘one day too late’ (a song written by Lannie Wolf, look it up, the words are powerful)!

“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

8 Harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation,

in the day of temptation

in the wilderness…

… 15 While it is said, To day

if ye will hear his voice,

harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation…

… 18 And to whom sware he

that they should not enter into his rest,

but to them that believed not?

19 So we see that they could not enter in

because of unbelief.”  Portions of Hebrews 3:7-19

Don’t put Jesus off for another day, we never know what’s coming!

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

Paul also encouraged us to not delay.  Satan is ever busy keeping us distracted, but please don’t let those distractions keep you from Jesus!  Don’t count on your wisdom, goodness or effort—only Jesus can save!

“We then, as workers together with him,

beseech you also

that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 (For he saith,

I have heard thee

in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold, now

is the accepted time;

behold, now

is the day of salvation.)”  2 Corinthians 6:1-2

For sure, God knows your heart!   As Paul told his son in the ministry, Timothy—God knows, and His accounts are accurate!

“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

God knows!  Won’t you come to Him and be saved today!  If you’re His already, won’t you ask God to help you draw near to Him that He may reflect His glory to a lost and dying world!

“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.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

In closing a reminder from Paul, we are all lost and alienated from God by sin; but Jesus paid our sin debt at Calvary.  It’s time to look to Him!  Today!

“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 5:8-11

Amen and Amen!!!

What’s In Your Sights??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #248

11 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, By His Grace, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Confidence, Grace, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Many or Few?, My Grace Is Sufficient, The Word, When Will You Bow?, Where your treasure is--Your heart is!, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Whom are you trusting?

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What’s In Your Sights???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #248

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

While Jesus makes it clear that He is the only way to God, Paul also reminds us that it’s our relationship with God through Jesus that saves, not works of any kind, no matter how hard we try to see ourselves as holy or right before God Almighty!

“But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness

toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”   Ephesians 2:4-10

Let’s look at this backwards, if you would, so we can understand that salvation is all of God, through Jesus; righteous works are a result of Jesus’ righteousness imputed (credited) to us when we come to the cross in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin!  When we were lost in sin, Jesus paid the price, and because that price has been paid, we can have eternal life, but not apart from the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin”!  We are saved by God’s grace, through our faith in Jesus’ payment for our sin. Works don’t bring us to salvation, rather real works of righteousness are the result of God’s work in us because of the blood sacrifice that Jesus became for me and you!

“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

So the question isn’t what have you done, but who are you counting on for your salvation?  Are you trying to do good things, positive things, being kinder, smarter, gentler?  Are you being more religious, philosophical, quoting Bible verses, but not knowing the author?  Are you counting on a childhood profession that has never brought forth any fruit in your life?  Paul says it all in Romans chapter 5, and I simply want to let it speak to each of us.  I pray that you will hear the voice of The Holy Spirit speaking to your heart, and you will respond as He leads.  I played church for years, because I knew all the jargon, but until I met Jesus face-to-face my heart never changed.  Yet just as Jesus says in Matthew 7, He knows those who are born again unto life in HIM; those who are truly transformed into the children of God; born of God, not just saying so!

“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.”  John 1:10-13

Jesus also said:

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

 and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:20-23

What will you say to Jesus?  What will Jesus say to you?  Have you experienced what Paul is describing to the Roman believers?  I pray that if you don’t know Jesus, you will come to Him today!  Please ponder Paul’s message—it’s a boat load of truth.

“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

Have you received the atonement?  Have you bowed before Jesus?  The question isn’t ‘will you bow’, but rather ‘when will you bow’?  Will you bow before Him now in repentance and faith in His sacrifice for your sin and mine, and be born again?  Or will you bow before HIM as your judge with no opportunity for grace or salvation?  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“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 2:10-11

Paul says it better than I could, for God has already done the work at Calvary through His Son Jesus. If there’s no change in. your heart, you may want to re-examine what is in your sights as your salvation.

“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.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Amen and Amen!!!

Lies Are Still Lies??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #246

04 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Father of lies, Father of Lies!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Liars, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Satan, Satan's lies., Saved by Grace Through Faith

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Lies Are Still Lies???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #246

“But now ye seek to kill me,

a man that hath told you the truth,

which I have heard of God:

this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father.

Then said they to him,

We be not born of fornication;

we have one Father,

even God.

42 Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:40-45

Jesus makes it clear that not all who claim to know Him, do!  The Apostle John also said that if we belong to Jesus, we are to walk in the “light” not the dark/flesh, and Paul repeats it over and over again in his writings, as he calls those who claim the name of Jesus to live it.  If we continually choose to walk with the world, we might want to examine what it is that we think has saved us.  The author of the book of Hebrews said it clearly, if we claim to be God’s children and sin with no discipline from God, we are illegitimate—lying to ourselves as well as others.

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 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 1:5-10

“For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.”  Hebrews 12:6-8

Satan is a liar, as Jesus said, and if we believe his lies and refuse to see our sin and confess it as sin, we will die in our sin, and the lie will take us straight to hell.

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

“For all have sinned,

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

What have you done about your sin; not anyone else’s sin, but your sin?  We must deal with our sin in the blood of Jesus or pay for it ourselves; which means death and hell.  As Paul said, to the Corinthians, we are to examine ourselves and determine if we actually belong to Jesus and are living in the power of His Holy Spirit.  We are made new through the blood of Jesus, by the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord as His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—mine and yours!  It’s the price that Jesus paid for sin—the only way to God. (See John 14:6)

“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.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

One of my favorite passages is Paul’s call to the Roman believers to live by the power of Jesus, as a living sacrifice unto our God.  Are you measuring your life by the world or by The Word of God?  Don’t let the lies of the devil lead you astray. As Jesus said above:

“He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it…”

Are you willing to hear Jesus’ truth, or fall for the lies?  It’s your call, but there is a test.  Choose the holy life rather than the conformity to this world.

“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.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man the measure of faith.”              Romans 12:1-3

Jesus also says our life will tell the tale; what is your fruit telling about you and your relationship with Jesus?  Have you entered in by the “blood of Jesus… that cleanseth us from all sin” or are you trying to make it on your own good works, and fooling people.  As my mother used to say, “You can fool some of the people all of the time; and you can fool all of the people some of the time; but you can’t fool God!”  There is a test coming.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.”  Matthew 7:13-17

Jesus is the ‘word’ by which we all shall be judged; what have you done with His payment for sin?  (See Hebrews 4:12-13)

“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 20:14-15

I pray that you will be found in the book.

Amen and Amen!!!

I Love Jesus, But…??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #236

05 Friday Jul 2024

Posted by in A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Believe God?, Believe IN Jesus, Biblical Boundaries Matter!, Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Following Jesus or the World?, Fruit of the Spirit, Full Of what?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, Serving God or Using God?, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spiritual Hacking???, The Word, Who's Listening?, Who's Your Father?, Whose Sheep are You?, Whose Side Are You On?, Wisdom, Wise As Serpents, Wolves in sheep's clothing!

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I Love Jesus, But…??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #236

Sometimes what we say, doesn’t’ match what we live; so today I’d like to challenge us to examine our lives and consider what God’s Word says.  Then decide if we really love Jesus, or someone or something else more than Him?  Are we His child?  His sheep?  Or are we dressed up to look like a sheep?  It’s your call, and I pray we will each hear from Jesus!

“Jesus saith unto them,

Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land

full of great fishes,

an hundred and fifty and three:

and for all there were so many,

yet was not the net broken.

12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.

And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou?

knowing that it was the Lord.

13 Jesus then cometh,

and taketh bread,

and giveth them,

and fish likewise.

14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself

to his disciples,

after that he was risen from the dead.

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me

more than these?       

He saith unto him,

Yea, Lord; thou knowest

 that I love thee.

He saith unto him,

Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

He saith unto him,

Yea, Lord; thou knowest

that I love thee.

He saith unto him,

Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved because he said unto him

the third time,

Lovest thou me?

And he said unto him,

Lord, thou knowest all things;

thou knowest that I love thee.

Jesus saith unto him,

Feed my sheep.”  John 21:10-17

While many Bible scholars, teachers, and preachers comment on what “more than these” might mean, for our purposes we’re going to try to apply it to our lives!  Now, for Peter, Jesus could have been talking about the ‘going fishing’, or the ‘other disciples’, or the ‘weakness’ that he displayed when he denied his master, Lord and Messiah’!  But the important thing is that we let Jesus’ words sink into our hearts and ask God to search us and be sure that we really do belong to Jesus.  Are we one of HIS sheep or are we just wearing a sheep costume and going around saying the right ‘Bah…Bah…Bah”.  Truthfully, I was one of the fake sheep until Jesus came and spoke right to my heart, “You are not mine!”  And after much wrestling and arguing with Jesus, I fell on my face, repented of the sin in my heart and life (even though I had tried so hard to hide my sin and imitate a genuine believer—but Jesus knew, and that day so did I, finally) and asked Jesus to forgive my sin and save me!  And He did—gloriously He did!

The question that we each must hear from God is, are you mine?  And no matter who else we may fool, God knows, and He will save us if we will but face our sin, repent and trust in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice to save!  Yet even when we do that, we may stumble like Peter did, but Jesus will never leave His own in failure, rebellion and self-will for long.  He will discipline His own.  What do you love more than Jesus?  Do you know the pleasure of His sweet presence or are you running as fast as you can to not hear His voice.  Has the hand of discipline fallen into your life?  Stop running and receive the restoration into the sweet fellowship of our Lord; even as Peter was forgiven, restored and in a few weeks, would be filled with The Holy Spirit to preach with a bold power that he had never known.  We can know and walk in that same power—not in the same way as Peter, but in the way that God wants to use us—to HIS glory not our own!

“For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he whom the father

chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.”  Hebrews 12:6-8

Are you a true son?  Are you walking in the power of Jesus’ precious gift of The Holy Spirit?  Or are you loving something else more?  Are you a fake sheep trying to fool God and man? Have you lived your own way, and never known the discipline of Jesus? You can fool man, for a while, but Jesus proclaimed that the tree would bring forth the fruit of its nature in Matthew 7 (check it out, read all of Matthew 7, it may surprise you!). Jesus promised that The Holy Spirit is the evidence that we belong to Him, and His fruit (no ‘s’) will show to one degree or another. Are you hearing His voice?  What’s He saying?  Will you heed and obey?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely there is a test, with eternal consequences.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.”  Romans 8:8-10

How can this be?  Paul makes it clear for us; have you come to Jesus and received His gift of salvation and the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Whose Spirit does your life reflect; Jesus or the world (Satan’s)?

“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.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Are you that “new creature”?  Have you been born again by the power of the cross?  Only you can answer that question; so, rather than making a long list for you to compare your life to, I’ll simply let Paul do that, and ask that each of us will lay our hearts open before God to do the restorative work in us that He did in Peter; or if you’ve never come to Jesus, that He will convict your heart and bring you to the cross.

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139-23-24

Jesus is not only the great physician, He is also the great restorer of His own sheep, even if He has to discipline us to ‘get our attention’, so to speak.  Don’t waste time serving the enemy of not only your soul, but the souls of all those whom you/we love.  Who is watching you?  Will you lead them to Jesus or lead them to the enemies’ bus stop!  What fruit is your tree yielding? Remember that what you sow, you will reap; and as the old saying says, “You’ll reap more than you sowed, later than you sowed, costing you more than you wanted to pay!”  And often that cost in seen in the lives of those we love the most! (And if you don’t know the meaning of some of these words, look them up, you may be alarmed!)

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

 and these are contrary the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit,

ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,      

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.”  Galatians 5:16-22

I pray that you find this post helpful, enlightening and life changing by the power of The Holy Spirit and The Word of God!  I’ll simply close with Jesus’ own words given to His disciples just before His death.  They are still true for us; and we never have to walk alone or in doubt if we will but listen to His voice—it’s all about Jesus, not me/you!

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name,

that will I do,

that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name,

I will do it.

15 If ye love me,

keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.”  John 14:13-18

 Amen and Amen!!!