Tags
2 Corinthians 5:17-21, 2 Timothy 2:19-21, Acts 17:31, Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 13:4, Hebrews 4:12-13, Honor Or Dishonor?, JESUS, Jesus Is Truth, John 10:29-33, John 14:6, John 8:58, Philippians 2:8-11, Revelation 20:12-13, Trendy Or Truth, Truth
Bible Ballistics: BBs #557 Honoring Or Dishonoring???
As much of our country is enduring difficult weather events, I am reminded of the truth that ‘man’ isn’t in charge! And as we think of the God who is, I’d like to spend some time this morning considering our actions toward the God who Reigns! While the world can often be condescending to people who believe in Jesus, it is important to keep our focus on what God says, not what others, or even we ourselves, may think about Him, but what God says! For truth is still truth no matter what is popular or accepted as ‘politically correct’! God has made clear that HIS standard is HIS Word—not ours!
“For the word of God is
quick,
and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder
of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner
of the thoughts
and intents
of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature
that is not manifest
in his sight:
but all things are naked
and opened
unto the eyes of him
with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:12-13
God is the creator and the judge! And He will judge according to His Word not mine or yours!
“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.” Revelation 20:12-13
God knows who we are, and He knows all “the thoughts and intents of the heart” of every heart and mind—yours and mine; and He has revealed through His Word, what we need for “life and godliness” (See 2 Peter 1:3-4)! The question isn’t the question that Pilate asked of Jesus, “What is truth?” (See John 18:38), but rather what have we done with “truth”? Jesus IS truth—in essence, in reality, in body and in eternity. HE is the standard of judgment.
“Because he hath appointed a day,
in the which he will judge
the world
in righteousness
by that man whom he hath ordained;
whereof he hath given assurance
unto all men,
in that he hath raised him
from the dead.” Acts 17:31
God raised Jesus from the dead to save us, to prove that HE is the only way! Many say today (and have for years) that Jesus isn’t the only way to God, and that He never claimed to be God! Well, my friends, I beg to differ—HE did both!
“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
“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.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them,
Many good works have I shewed you
from my Father;
for which of those works
do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying,
For a good work
we stone thee not;
but for blasphemy;
and because that thou,
being a man,
makest thyself God.” John 10:29-33
The Jewish leaders clearly understood what Jesus was saying, and they were going to stone Him for blasphemy; but because He is truth, He spoke truth and declared to them—and to US—that He was, is and ever shall be God. In fact, in another place He claimed His eternal being.
“Jesus said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Before Abraham was,
I am.” John 8:58
Jesus IS God, and HE is the standard of judgment for all, and all will bow before Him and acknowledge HIM for who HE is.
“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 2:8-11
So, my friends, the question isn’t “What is truth?” but “Who” is truth! And the answer is, JESUS IS truth, and every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess. The real question is “when” will you bow! Will you bow before Him now as Lord and Savior of your life, in repentance and faith–giving your life to Him; or will you reject Him now and bow before Him ‘then’ as your judge, with no recourse for salvation. Yet I want us to consider what you/I are doing with the life that He has given to us, and as believers the “life” that HE purchased for us—HIS abundant life? Scripture is replete with admonitions to holy and faithful living for our Lord, for even believers will give an account of our actions (but at the judgment seat of Christ, not the great white throne, see Revelation 20, and Romans 14:10, and 2 Corinthians 5:10)! Let’s look at a few things for your consideration today:
“Marriage is honourable in all,
and the bed undefiled:
but whoremongers
and adulterers
God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4
Sex outside of God’s design for marriage (one man and one woman becoming one flesh—you get the picture) is sin. Adultery is the umbrella term for all sexual deviance—sex before marriage, outside of your marriage; and whoremongers (a fitting word for our culture) are those who are consumed with sexual activity of every kind and sort (Read Ro. 1:18-32), yet “God will judge”!
“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.
20 But in a great house there are
not only vessels of gold and of silver,
but also of wood and of earth;
and some to honour,
and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these,
he shall be a vessel unto honour,
sanctified,
and meet for the master’s use,
and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:19-21
Is my/your life an “honor” unto our God, or a dishonor? Are we continually purging ourselves of those things which dishonor our God? Are we seeking God’s face and yielding to HIS work of sanctifying us? It’s my choice and it’s yours, what will I/you do? Or are you thinking, “I’m good enough”? When is ‘good enough’ ‘good enough’? Only one ‘goodness’ will do—the goodness or righteousness of GOD—the righteousness which only Jesus provides at the Cross!
“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
It’s all about Jesus! And when we know Him, when we are “in him” by His saving grace, only then can we live that new life!
“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.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Will we bring honor to our King, knowing the price that Jesus paid for our ‘reconciliation’—the forgiveness of sins—treasuring the gift of forgiveness of sin, and sharing this truth through HIS love with the world? I pray that God will speak to our hearts through HIS Word—the written Word and Jesus, the living Word!
“In whom we have redemption
through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:14
Bible Ballistics 