Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 15  Blinded To God’s Way???

 

There’s a lot of talk today about being “color-blind” but I think we need to have a different conversation; we need to examine our own hearts, which will reveal our own needs; which will reveal our personal response to God and His Word!  And that my friends is the only thing that will make any significant change in lives, homes, neighborhoods, communities, towns, counties, states and a nation—much less a world!  We can riot, protest, and wreak havoc if we choose, but only Jesus can change a sinner into a saint.  And until we begin to preach the gospel to our world gone amuck, we will not see lasting change!  Jesus said it all!

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things

which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”   Matthew 15:17-20

What we see going on around us is the outflowing of evil hearts; hearts set on satisfying themselves and trying to fill the desires of the heart with things that will never satisfy.  Only Jesus will ever satisfy the heart and give abundant life.  It’s what HE came to be and do—the redeemer of sinners.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

God’s people must learn to heed God’s Word and yield our hearts and lives to the obedience of The Word, and the leadership of The Holy Spirit of Jesus/God! Jesus is the only way to know God or His Word; and when we know we are obligated by love to reflect HIS glory to a lost and dying world.  A world set on going “to hell in a hand-basket”, and in a hurry to get there, it seems.

“There is a way

that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

And while I’ve used this passage a lot in recent weeks, I just feel the need to rehearse it again, for the truth of what our Lord Jesus said is so needed today. The truth is the truth, and regardless of what the world says, only Jesus can change hearts and lives—and only changed hearts and lives can make significant change to social upheaval.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would

that men should do

to you,

do ye even so to them:

for this is the law

and the prophets.”  Matthew 7:12

Oh, that we could all practice this ‘golden rule’!  Yet Jesus made it clear that not everyone is on the same page; not all people are pursuing the good of others, especially in this day of the “me” culture that we have produced by our selfish ways and the abandonment of God and His Word!  Let’s spend some time perusing what Jesus told us about the choices that we are all free to make—but remember while we are free moral agents and God has given us the right to choose, He has not freed us from the consequences of our choices, and we don’t get to choose those consequences.  As Paul reminds us, be careful what you choose—you/I will give an account!

“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

And as Jesus makes perfectly clear, there are two choices—the narrow way or the broad road!  Which have you chosen to follow?  It makes a difference, and we are seeing the result of multitudinous wrong choices!

“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.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.”  Matthew 7:13-19

And Jesus goes on to declare to all that there is a day of reckoning coming.  (And to see what false teachers and prophets look like, read 2 Peter chapter 2!). Are you ready to face that reckoning?  If Jesus came today (and He could appear any day) where would you stand?  Will you be a wise builder or a foolish one—this is truth, not just a simple children’s Sunday School song!

“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.

24 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 7:21-27

I find it interesting, that just at it is today, the people of Jesus’ day were astounded at His teaching!  How about you?  Will you be astounded and follow Him, or stay astonished and reject Him today?  He has the authority for HE IS GOD; what will you do with HIM today.   And remember just “saying so” doesn’t “make it so”!

“And it came to pass,

when Jesus had ended these sayings,

the people were astonished

at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them

as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.”   Matthew 7:28-29

And one final word about the reckoning; it is coming, and there will be no appeal.

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face

the earth and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 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.

14 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 20:11-15

May God open your heart and eyes to see Jesus.  He’s still calling today.  Burn with Satan or reign with Jesus!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“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.

21 To him that overcometh

will I grant to sit with me

in my throne,

even as I also overcame,

and am set down

with my Father

 in his throne.

22 He that hath an ear,

let him hear

what the Spirit saith

unto the churches.”   Revelation 3:20-22

 (And just FYI, being in a church isn’t enough!)

Amen and Amen!!!