Tag Archives: Forgiveness

I Wish I’d Known The Cost??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 11

29 Monday Nov 2021

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 11 I Wish I’d Known The Cost???

 

I would like to share some things that have been on my heart and mind lately.  As most of you know (those who follow my blog) it’s coming up on a year since my daughter was murdered, and while I miss her terribly, my thoughts have gone in a different direction recently, and I’d like to share a few of them with you.  I pray that my insights will bring hope, help and healing to some besides myself.

I was raised in a Christian home, and was blessed to have parents who loved me, taught me and had expectations for my life.  I was a young woman in the 60’s and 70’s and I bought into many of the lies of the enemy—the “me” lies—that my wants and desires were the most important thing in life.  I made some poor—no sinful—choices that followed that mindset; and while I chose to follow my “heart” in a fleshly sense, at the same time I defied the principles of God.  Sadly, many of the people I listened to (even faithful believers and pastors) counseled me unbiblically that “God” wanted me to be “happy”, and if a divorce would make me “happy”, then I should “go for it”.  I chose to pursue my selfish, fleshly lusts and desires dragging my children along for the ride—to their detriment and mine.

Without going into all the gory details, suffice it to say that God’s Word proved true when the counsel that I chose to follow didn’t!  Just like God’s Word said!

“But if ye will not do so,

behold, ye have sinned against the LORD:

and be sure

your sin

will find you out.”  Numbers 32:23

Much like the prodigal son (or daughter), I learned the hard way that while God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also pure and holy, and we must face our sin, repent and come to Jesus, as the song says, “Just As I Am”!  But praise God, HE never leaves us “As” we were!  But there are consequences to our sin; and while we have quoted this verse again and again, it is ever true and apropos in our culture today.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8

My choices caused my children harm that I can’t forget, but by God’s grace I have tried to face them with truthfulness and hope for the future.  But one of the choices I made led to an abuse of my daughter, the effects of which followed her and me into her adulthood and ultimately led to some poor choices that ended in her death.  I can’t describe how I have wrestled with these issues of my past; and maybe you’ve had issues from your past that haunt you as well.  I’m here to tell you that God forgives, heals and restores as we yield to HIM, giving God the opportunity to transform us into the image of our Lord Jesus.  There is a verse in Joel that has brought me such comfort and courage on this journey of life, because as God promised Israel a time of restoration, HE gave that same assurance to me many years ago.  Many have asked through the years, how I can go on serving God so faithfully with a past that was so checkered, and I always reply, “It’s God’s grace!”, and I can go on because of God’s righteousness, power and grace as HE enables me to be and do all that HE saved me to be/do.  I can walk in the light of HIS forgiveness and cleansing, knowing that He forgives and cleanses as I keep the lines open between HIM and me!

“And I will restore to you the years

that the locust hath eaten,

the cankerworm,

and the caterpiller,

and the palmerworm,

my great army which I sent among you.

26 And ye shall eat in plenty,

and be satisfied,

and praise the name of the LORD

your God,

that hath dealt wondrously with you:

and my people shall never be ashamed.”  Joel 2:25

I have a relationship with Jesus based on His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin—and HE has imparted to me HIS righteousness, and called and equipped me to walk in it—in confidence of HIS adequacy not my own!

“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

Do you know Jesus?  Have you made a mess of your past? Is your present questionable?  Well, my friend, when you belong to Jesus, HE is ever working to make you a vessel of honor in HIS kingdom!

“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.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:28-31

If you don’t know Jesus, you can come to HIM today.

“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

When we belong to Jesus, we are called to march to the “Jesus” drumbeat and not the world’s.  So, my friends where ever you are in life—look up—walk forward—and press on for, with and through Jesus.  He has won the battle for our LIFE, and in HIM—we WIN!

“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

In closing, a mighty word from the Apostle Paul!

“Brethren,

I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14

Press on dear ones—yes, I wish I’d known—but God did, and HE has picked me up, dusted me off (by the blood of Jesus) and sent me forth in HIS service.  But the price of choosing poorly can be high.  I wish I’d known, yet I know that HE is still waiting for you, and HE is a forgiving, life-changing God!

I simply remind us all to please choose wisely, so that you won’t have to live with regrets of the past.  If you listen to God today instead of the enemy of your soul, the regrets will be few, and the blessings abundant (and even if you’ve already made those poor choices—God is here to lift you up, restore you to usefulness, and glorify HIMSELF in YOU!). Jesus still saves and changes lives today—

HE is ready to transform your life today—

Because of His sacrifice on the cross!

Open that door—HE will come in!   Amen and Amen!!!

I Wish I’d Known The Cost??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 11

29 Sunday Nov 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Children, Choices And Consequences, Darkness or Light?, Let You Light So Shine, Lies

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 11 I Wish I’d Known The Cost???

 

I would like to share some things that have been on my heart and mind lately.  As most of you know (those who follow my blog) it’s coming up on a year since my daughter was murdered, and while I miss her terribly, my thoughts have gone in a different direction recently, and I’d like to share a few of them with you.  I pray that my insights will bring hope, help and healing to some besides myself.

I was raised in a Christian home, and was blessed to have parents who loved me, taught me and had expectations for my life.  I was a young woman in the 60’s and 70’s and I bought into many of the lies of the enemy—the “me” lies—that my wants and desires were the most important thing in life.  I made some poor—no sinful—choices that followed that mindset; and while I chose to follow my “heart” in a fleshly sense, at the same time I defied the principles of God.  Sadly, many of the people I listened to (even faithful believers and pastors) counseled me unbiblically that “God” wanted me to be “happy”, and if a divorce would make me “happy”, then I should “go for it”.  I chose to pursue my selfish, fleshly lusts and desires dragging my children along for the ride—to their detriment and mine.

Without going into all the gory details, suffice it to say that God’s Word proved true when the counsel that I chose to follow didn’t!  Just like God’s Word said!

“But if ye will not do so,

behold, ye have sinned against the LORD:

and be sure

your sin

will find you out.”  Numbers 32:23

Much like the prodigal son (or daughter), I learned the hard way that while God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also pure and holy, and we must face our sin, repent and come to Jesus, as the song says, “Just As I Am”!  But praise God, HE never leaves us “As” we were!  But there are consequences to our sin; and while we have quoted this verse again and again, it is ever true and apropos in our culture today.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8

My choices caused my children harm that I can’t forget, but by God’s grace I have tried to face them with truthfulness and hope for the future.  But one of the choices I made led to an abuse of my daughter, the effects of which followed her and me into her adulthood and ultimately led to some poor choices that ended in her death.  I can’t describe how I have wrestled with these issues of my past; and maybe you’ve had issues from your past that haunt you as well.  I’m here to tell you that God forgives, heals and restores as we yield to HIM, giving God the opportunity to transform us into the image of our Lord Jesus.  There is a verse in Joel that has brought me such comfort and courage on this journey of life, because as God promised Israel a time of restoration, HE gave that same assurance to me many years ago.  Many have asked through the years, how I can go on serving God so faithfully with a past that was so checkered, and I always reply, “It’s God’s grace!”, and I can go on because of God’s righteousness, power and grace as HE enables me to be and do all that HE saved me to be/do.  I can walk in the light of HIS forgiveness and cleansing, knowing that He forgives and cleanses as I keep the lines open between HIM and me!

“And I will restore to you the years

that the locust hath eaten,

the cankerworm,

and the caterpiller,

and the palmerworm,

my great army which I sent among you.

26 And ye shall eat in plenty,

and be satisfied,

and praise the name of the LORD

your God,

that hath dealt wondrously with you:

and my people shall never be ashamed.”  Joel 2:25

I have a relationship with Jesus based on His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin—and HE has imparted to me HIS righteousness, and called and equipped me to walk in it—in confidence of HIS adequacy not my own!

“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

Do you know Jesus?  Have you made a mess of your past? Is your present questionable?  Well, my friend, when you belong to Jesus, HE is ever working to make you a vessel of honor in HIS kingdom!

“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.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:28-31

If you don’t know Jesus, you can come to HIM today.

“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

When we belong to Jesus, we are called to march to the “Jesus” drumbeat and not the world’s.  So, my friends where ever you are in life—look up—walk forward—and press on for, with and through Jesus.  He has won the battle for our LIFE, and in HIM—we WIN!

“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

In closing, a mighty word from the Apostle Paul!

“Brethren,

I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14

Press on dear ones—yes, I wish I’d known—but God did, and HE has picked me up, dusted me off (by the blood of Jesus) and sent me forth in HIS service.  But the price of choosing poorly can be high.  I wish I’d known, yet I know that HE is still waiting for you, and HE is a forgiving, life-changing God!

I simply remind us all to please choose wisely, so that you won’t have to live with regrets of the past.  If you listen to God today instead of the enemy of your soul, the regrets will be few, and the blessings abundant (and even if you’ve already made those poor choices—God is here to lift you up, restore you to usefulness, and glorify HIMSELF in YOU!). Jesus still saves and changes lives today—

HE is ready to transform your life today—

Because of His sacrifice on the cross!

Open that door—HE will come in!   Amen and Amen!!!

But I Don’t FEEL Like It??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #694

27 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, Walk in the Spirit, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #694  But I Don’t FEEL Like It???

 

As we celebrate our attitude of “gratitude”, reality is ever present with us—we will invariably encounter those people who push our buttons, who are unkind, who say and do hurtful things—what then?  Well, I want you to know, I have those same people in my life and if we’re going to be real here, there are times I just don’t “FEEL” like being nice.  But God calls us to a higher plane, and I just want to remind each of us (especially me) that our feelings are to be kept under control by our heart and mind by the Holy Spirit!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh

reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit

reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”   Galatians 6:7-10

Paul reminds us so clearly, and even as I sit here typing this post, God is reminding me that I have the freedom, and privilege to choose how I will respond to others—even to those who hurt my feelings, wound my heart, or just irritate me seemingly at every turn.  Do you have any of those people in your life?  Well, God gives us the truth that we are called to live by—regardless of how others choose to behave!  We are called to remember—

the principle of sowing and reaping—

the constant conflict of the flesh-vs-the spirit—

the reality of ‘weariness’—

the encouragement to press on—to faint not—

we are called to “do good unto all men”

       –as God gives us opportunity—

       –especially to the family of faith!

So, as we consider these things, God will help us to function in HIS Spirit and not our flesh.  But it is a constant battle, yet a battle that we can prevail in with The Holy Spirit of God within us!  Oh, how I praise His name that we don’t have to do it on our 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

We have a God who cares!  We have a redeemer who walked where we walk, and yet HE overcame sin and bought our salvation!  HE overcame not only death, but the power of sin in our lives; yet we must avail ourselves of the truths of HIS Word that we might fight the good fight of faith.  We can only do that when we walk in the power of The Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus/God The Father and feast on The Word!

“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…

…. 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 5:16-18 & 25-26=

We must choose continually whether we will be filled with The Holy Spirit or the spirit of the world!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely; remember what we learned above, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”!  What are you sowing?  Will you join me in committing to seek God’s ways, by HIS Spirit and remember, with me, a verse that I used to have my children quote when they were at odds with their siblings—it was good for them—and it is good for you and me. (Check out Galatians 5:19-24 too)

“And be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”   Ephesians 4:32

Amen!!!

Daniel Prayed–Will You??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #591

27 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Confessing Sin, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's Prayer, Transgression

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #591  Daniel Prayed–Will You???

 

I would like to paraphrase of a passage of scripture that has grabbed my heart this week as I was reading and studying for a Bible study class.  I pray that it will reach out to your heart and call each of us to be willing to identify with the desperate condition of our land, our culture, and our world!  I will share my paraphrase and at the end Daniel’s actual prayer.  I would encourage you to spend some time in Daniel chapter 9 this week.

“I determined to pray,

fast,

and seek God’s face

in total mourning. 

I prayed unto The Lord, my God;

confessing my own sin

as well as the sin of my people. 

I praised God for His awesome power and might, for His faithfulness to keep His word, His covenants, and His promises—both those for blessings and those for judgment.

O Lord, we have sinned, doing wrong, behaving wickedly, rebelling against YOU, oh Lord, and we have forsaken Your Word, Your will, and Your ways.

We have not heeded or listened to those you sent to preach truth to us all; to our fathers and mothers; to our teachers and professors, to our mayors, governors, congressional leaders, and our judges and presidents; to all the people of our land!

O Lord, you are the righteous Lord of all, and even knowing your truth, we have rejected You, Your word, and Your ways.  We deserve the confusion and chaos that is rampant in our land, for we have turned away from You to go our own way—those who claim Your name as well as those who don’t know you at all—those in the country—those in the city—those who are educated—those who are less educated; all have walked away from Your way!

O Lord, we deserve the consequences of our choices that have come upon us, but by Thy mercy we have not been totally consumed—the small and the great—the rich and the poor—those of every political persuasion!  We have abandoned truth for lies, and now can’t grasp how we could be in the shape that we are in.  We have sinned against You!   

Praise Your name, O Lord, for we have abandoned You, and yet your mercy has been extended to us beyond measure.  You have called us again and again back to Yourself, yet we have continued to refuse to respond in repentance or faith!

You have called again and again, yet we have all refused to hear Your word, and can’t comprehend why we are reaping the harvest that we sowed!

We haven’t heeded Your Word and or responded to your grace and truth, instead we have continued to cling to our sinful and wicked ways, doing our best to relabel all our pet sins and legitimize them.

O Lord, we don’t deserve your mercy because of our great sin, but O Lord, we ask that you restore us to your favor by bringing conviction, grace and truth to those who will heed.  Spare us from your judgment, which we totally deserve, and save us.

 O Lord, hear the prayer of your servants, and save us today?  You are righteous, holy and good—and we need the salvation that Jesus bought for us at Calvary!

O Lord, hear? 

O Lord, forgive? 

Oh Lord, hearken and do

your work of grace and redemption upon our land,

not because we deserve it,

but because of Your great love and mercy!  Amen and Amen”

And here is Daniel’s prayer for his people, made in total identification with his sinful people, may we not exalt ourselves, but identify with our fallen nation and seek God’s face while there is still time.

“And I set my face unto the Lord God,

to seek by prayer and supplications,

with fasting,

and sackcloth,

and ashes:

4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said,

O Lord, the great and dreadful God,

keeping the covenant and mercy

to them

that love him,

and to them

that keep his commandments;

5 We have sinned,

and have committed iniquity,

and have done wickedly,

and have rebelled,

even by departing from thy precepts

and from thy judgments:

6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants

the prophets,

which spake in thy name

to our kings,

our princes,

and our fathers,

and to all the people of the land.

7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee,

but unto us confusion of faces,

as at this day;

to the men of Judah,

and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and unto all Israel,

that are near,

and that are far off,

through all the countries

whither thou hast driven them,

because of their trespass

that they have trespassed against thee.

8 O Lord,

to us belongeth confusion of face,

to our kings,

to our princes,

and to our fathers,

because we have sinned against thee.

9 To the Lord our God belong

mercies

and forgivenesses,

though we have rebelled against him;

10 Neither have we obeyed

the voice of the LORD our God,

to walk in his laws,

which he set before us

by his servants

the prophets.

11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law,

even by departing,

that they might not obey thy voice;

therefore the curse is poured upon us,

and the oath that is written

in the law of Moses the servant of God,

because we have sinned against him.

12 And he hath confirmed his words,

which he spake against us,

and against our judges that judged us,

by bringing upon us a great evil:

for under the whole heaven hath not

been done as hath been done

upon Jerusalem.

13 As it is written in the law of Moses,

all this evil is come upon us:

yet made we not our prayer

before the LORD our God,

that we might turn from our iniquities,

and understand thy truth.

14 Therefore hath the LORD watched

upon the evil,

and brought it upon us:

for the LORD our God is righteous

in all his works which he doeth:

for we obeyed not his voice.

15 And now, O Lord our God,

that hast brought thy people forth

out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand,

and hast gotten thee renown,

as at this day;

we have sinned,

we have done wickedly.

16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness,

I beseech thee,

let thine anger and thy fury

be turned away from thy city Jerusalem,

thy holy mountain:

because for our sins,

and for the iniquities of our fathers,

Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach

to all that are about us.

17 Now therefore, O our God,

hear the prayer of thy servant,

and his supplications,

and cause thy face to shine

upon thy sanctuary that is desolate,

for the Lord’s sake.

18 O my God,

incline thine ear,

and hear;

open thine eyes,

and behold our desolations,

and the city which is called by thy name:

for we do not present our supplications

before thee

for our righteousnesses,

but for thy great mercies.

19 O Lord, hear;

O Lord, forgive;

O Lord, hearken

and do; defer not,

for thine own sake,

O my God:

for thy city

and thy people

are called by thy name.”   Daniel 9:2-19

Even so Lord Jesus!  Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

Who’s Trampling Who??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 04

08 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Church:Dead Or Alive?, Confessing Sin, Discipline, Faith, Forgiveness, Holy Spirit, Repentance, Trampling The Blood of Jesus?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 04   Who’s Trampling Who???

 

“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…

…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…

….29 Of how much sorer punishment,

suppose ye,

shall he be thought worthy,

who hath trodden under foot

the Son of God,

and hath counted the blood of the covenant,

wherewith he was sanctified,

an unholy thing,

 and hath done despite

unto the Spirit of grace?”    Portions of Hebrews 10:19-29

My heart is burdened for a world going to “hell in a hand-basket”, and a church that seems to be caving to the culture, rather than calling believers to live, what C. S. Lewis called, lives of “piety”; a reverence for God, and a devout fulfillment of (what a person sees as) an obligation of love to his/her religious beliefs (Our Lord Jesus and His Word!).  In other words, a complete devotion to being right with God, doing right before God and man, and making an impact on the world, whether they realize it or not!  (For the world is waiting for the Righteous to live Righteously—to be salt and light to draw the lost to a faithful Redeemer!). Yet we live in a time when many who claim the name of Jesus live their lives in complete disregard to the Lord whose name they claim; who spend their time, energy, resources and efforts living it up, drinking it up, lusting it up, shacking up, lying it up, mocking and ridiculing those who continue to hold up the standard of holy  living! Now, I understand that Jesus has given us freedom to exercise our beliefs and convictions as we see fit; but when what many seem to ‘see fit’ is in direct conflict to The Word of God, it’s time to take a stand with grace, firmness and love—but we must take a stand!

The author of Hebrews strongly reminds us that our lives are to be ordered in holiness because a “Holy” price has been paid for our salvation, “by the blood of Jesus”! And earlier in the book, he also tells us that we can have confidence in our access to Him, the One whose blood bought our salvation—our heavenly intercessor (See Hebrews 7:25)!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 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 4:14-16

I love this passage, and I run to it often, yet today I see so many run to other things; they don’t practice spiritual boldness and confidence in the One they profess to love, but arrogantly use His name for their own purposes, to excuse their sin, or saying that “Jesus will forgive me”!  And that is true, but while God’s love is totally unconditional, His forgiveness is not!

“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 1:8-10

Here we find that Jesus can, will and does forgive those who face their own personal sin and failure—AS SIN!  He also says that when we continue to claim that our choices are not sin, we “deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us”…“his word is not in us”!  But John so graciously holds out the scepter of hope—if we will but “confess our sins”, Jesus will faithfully, willingly, lovingly respond to our humble confrontation of our own sin for “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins”—but praise God HE doesn’t stop there; HE goes on to tell us that not only will He extend his forgiveness to the repentant, but HE will also, “cleanse us from all unrighteousness”—He will help us to overcome our selfish, worldly, and holiness-defeating (my own new word!) choices and actions! Hallelujah!  Praise God—Jesus will “cleanse us from all unrighteousness”!  Did you get that—”from all unrighteousness”—Jesus wants to cleanse us from all our SIN and failures!  John is talking to believers!  That’s you/me, we who follow HIM, we who belong to HIM!

But don’t miss that last phrase, for John also warns us that those who continually claim the name of Jesus and live like the devil may have a different problem:

“If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us”!

If we have Jesus we do have “The Word” in us in the form of Jesus’ Holy Spirit, who transforms God’s own (genuine believers) into the image of Jesus!  Paul addresses this issue most clearly!

“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

And back to Hebrews, we also see that “saying so, doesn’t make it so”!

“But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.”   Hebrews 12:8

When we belong to Jesus and we sin, HE, through the power of The Holy Spirit, will discipline us, correcting, convicting, and bringing us to repentance and restoration.  Or there is another option for those who truly belong to Jesus yet refuse to be restored to usefulness and holiness; it’s a seldom mentioned statement, but it is as true as any other scripture.

“If any man see his brother sin a sin

which is not unto death,

he shall ask,

and he shall give him life

for them that sin not unto death.

There is a sin unto death:

I do not say that he shall pray for it.

17 All unrighteousness is sin:

and there is a sin not unto death.”    1 John 5:16-17

It’s as if Jesus is saying to a believer who just won’t learn, if you won’t learn down there, I’ll just bring you home for some remedial classes (and I use this as example not as an assumption on scripture, but remember that GOD is the judge of ‘time limits’, so to speak, not us!).  But there is more that we need to consider, in regard to my phrase about “saying so doesn’t make it so”; Paul mentions it in passing in 1 Corinthians 15, and I think it worth our consideration.  Is your faith real or vain?  What commentary does your/my life make about our faith?  Only you/I can really answer that question, but it’s a question that we all need to ask ourselves; for there is a day coming when Jesus will require an answer!

“Moreover, brethren,

I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

 if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.”    1 Corinthians 15:1-2

Jesus makes it clear, not only for those who claim His name, yet walk in the devil’s way, but also to those who live an imitation Christian life!

“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

Jesus didn’t stop there; He went on to use an example that we often disregard and write-off as a children’s song; but Jesus gives us a clear line of delineation—what foundation you choose to build your house (life) upon is important! There are two options, and while the houses may look alike on the outside (or not), it will become evident when the storms come (and they will come, for HE said they ‘would’ come, not ‘if’ they come!).

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house

upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house

 upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”   Matthew 7:24-27

What we “DO” is all dependent on Jesus, for each believer, every child of God!  That’s a fact!  It’s all about HIM not me!

“I am the vine, ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”   John 15:5. Amen!

And to bring things together, let’s go back to Paul, who reminds us that we can ‘judge’ ourselves by God’s standard and stay on the “narrow” way, or we can excuse, cover-up, justify and lie about our life-choices, and God will judge!  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“For if we would judge ourselves,

we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged,

we are chastened

of the Lord,

that we should not be condemned

with the world.”   1 Corinthians 11:31-32

(And just FYI, this passage is referring to believers living in an unworthy manner, receiving God’s judgment on their sin, not their souls.). I pray that God will convict our hearts and help each of us recognize our sin, repent, be forgiven and restored to the full use to our “vine” and see HIM bring much fruit out of our lives.  May we live as “iron sharpeneth iron” toward each other, not as rotten apples spreading corruption to everyone and everything we touch!   I would simply like to go back to our title today; are you trampling under-foot the blood of Jesus; the prayers and tears of a loved one who is still praying for you; the efforts of a friend who has called you to truth as you walk down that “broad” way to destruction; the call of The Holy Spirit on your heart?   Remember, Jesus gave His all for you/me, and if you go to Hell it will be over all these who have tried to stop you; and if you are a rebellious believer, the same is true for you—remember there is a “sin unto death” for the believer, not hell but a shortened opportunity to serve our LORD JESUS!!!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!