Bible Ballistics: BBs #719  He’s Alive!!!  Are You???

 

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead

in trespasses

and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course

of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others. 4

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.”  Ephesians 2:1-7

God’s amazing grace brings life to the “dead in sins”, and Paul reminds us that we are all born in sin, as well as the fact that we choose to sin!  “But God” loved us so much that He sent Jesus to give us life—that’s what “quicken” means—to give life to those “dead in trespasses and sins”; and because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too can be raised to “walk in newness of life”!

“Therefore we are buried with him

by baptism

into death:

that like as Christ was raised up

from the dead

by the glory of the Father,

even so we also

should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together

in the likeness of his death,

we shall be also

in the likeness of his resurrection:”   Romans 6:4-5

I would encourage you to read all of Romans 6 to get a real picture of the life victorious over sin and death that Jesus will grant to those who come to HIM in repentance and faith. It’s the crucified life—I choose to follow The Christ who died for me, receiving HIS life and living by HIS power and grace through His Holy Spirit dwelling within me!

“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

So, my simple question for us today is this:  Have you been crucified with Christ?  Has the Holy Spirit confronted you with your sin?  Have you heard the voice of Jesus calling you to repent and believe in His substitutionary (in your place), atoning (paying your cost), sacrifice (being the very payment for sin by HIS precious blood)?

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;”  Romans 3:23

That means you and me!  But God didn’t stop there—praise be to HIS name!

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Romans 6:23

So, in conclusion, I pray that the words of Jesus HIMSELF will speak to your heart and cause you to examine yourself and see if you have “resurrection life” from THE ONE who can give you eternal life, if you will but hear and receive, because HE IS ALIVE!

“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

God is waiting for you today—don’t put it off!

“Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a Christian.”  Acts 26:28

I implore you, don’t be like Agrippa and the old gospel hymn, “almost–but lost”!  (From Almost Persuaded, by Philip Bliss).  Won’t you come to Jesus today.

“How shall we escape,

if we neglect so great salvation…”  Hebrews 2:3a

Don’t let the enemy of your soul lie to you and cause you to miss Jesus and the LIFE that He gives!  Choose LIFE!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.”  John 10:9-10

Amen and Amen!!!