Tag Archives: Jesus Is Truth

Have You Heard The Latest??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 17

09 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by in Have You Heard?, Nothing New

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 17   Have You Heard The Latest???                                                       (Or There Is Nothing New Under The Sun!)

 

Things seem to always be abuzz with the “latest”—the latest gossip; the latest technology; the latest movie, song or book.  The list could go on and on, but my point is when we really think about it, there is nothing new.  My husband found a couple of (new to him) series on one of the family friendly streaming services, and it’s amazing to find that no matter which one we may be watching they are all basically the same—people interacting with other people; and while the specific plot may change from program to program, the issues are the same—the good-vs-the ever; the lies versus the truth; morality (which is pretty non-moral these days) versus immorality (which is becoming more and more accepted by very subtle means of making it popular, convenient, and a speedy solution to whatever crisis may be at hand).

It grieves my heart to know that most in our culture have adopted their morality, lifestyle and perspective from the media—national, social, movies, music and sadly, often the educational establishment (although I am so thankful for the godly teachers on every level who share the truth of the Gospel in their realm of influence).  Yet this isn’t a new issue, but a very old one, as Solomon reminds us!

“The thing that hath been,

it is that which shall be;

and that which is done

is that which shall be done:

and there is no new thing

under the sun.

10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said,

See,

this is new?

it hath been already of old time,

which was before us.

11 There is no remembrance

of former things;

neither shall there be any remembrance

of things that are to come

with those that shall come after.”   Ecclesiastes 1:9-11

Solomon reminds us that “there is no new thing under the sun”, for that which has been will be again; but the thing that struck me as I was posting this passage, is the last part of verse 11, “neither shall there be any remembrance”! What a true observation; we are a very short-sighted people, and we don’t remember from one election to another, the lies that we heard and the promises that turned into lies!  We forget to hold those accountable who pursue the responsibility of power, authority and prominence.  Yet the saddest thing of all, to me, is that we have forgotten God’s Word and His ways most of all!  We have been so deceived by the enemy that we no longer regard truth as “truth”!  We have come to accept perversion as normal; lies as necessities of business; moral turpitude as diversity; and murder as choice!

But this is not new—although it is a change for most of us who grew up in a different America—for there is nothing new “under the sun” or in God’s eyes!  Paul encountered a culture of similar “open-mindedness” as that which we face today.  His message was as true then as it is now—and the pivotal issue for Paul was the same as it is for us today—the cross of Jesus Christ and the resurrection through which Jesus triumphed over sin, death and hell.  But for most today, there is no such thing as sin, death has no consequence, and Hell is simply a by-word!

“And they that conducted Paul

brought him unto Athens:

and receiving a commandment

unto Silas and Timotheus

for to come to him with all speed,

they departed.

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens,

his spirit was stirred in him,

when he saw the city

wholly given to idolatry.

17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue

with the Jews,

and with the devout persons,

and in the market daily

with them that met with him.

18 Then certain philosophers

of the Epicureans,

and of the Stoicks,

encountered him.

And some said,

What will this babbler say?

other some,

He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods:

because he preached unto them Jesus,

and the resurrection.”  Acts 17:15-18

Paul’s heart was grieved as he encountered a culture totally steeped in idolatry; which Paul later equated with covetousness and greed in his letter to the Colossian church:

“Mortify therefore your members

which are upon the earth;

fornication,

uncleanness,

inordinate affection,

evil concupiscence,

and covetousness,

which is idolatry:”  Colossians 3:5

Paul understood what Jesus had taught, that what is in the heart will come out in our choices—and when greed, self, and lust fill our heart, they will come out in immoral, wicked and idolatrous behavior.  And like the Greeks, we need to hear the same message that Paul shared with the people of Athens; a culture of great sophistication, and wealth; but a culture also steeped in the throes of immorality and idolatry.  The conversation was fine until Paul clearly presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ—crucified, buried and risen for the salvation of sinners!

“And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying,

May we know what this new doctrine,

whereof thou speakest,

is?

20 For thou bringest certain strange things

to our ears:

we would know therefore what these things mean.

21 (For all the Athenians and strangers

which were there

spent their time in nothing else,

but either to tell,

or to hear

some new thing.)

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said,

Ye men of Athens,

I perceive that in all things

ye are too superstitious.

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions,

I found an altar with this inscription,

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Whom therefore

ye ignorantly worship,

him declare I unto you.”   Acts 17:19-23

Paul was willing to speak the truth to any who would hear, which reminds us that, like much of our culture, the Athenians simply wanted to hear or tell “some new thing”!  Yet Paul wanted to share with them the ‘ultimate’ new thing—all the while sharing with them the “Old, Old Story” of Jesus—the Good News! And he continued his message.

“God that made the world and all things therein,

seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth,

dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands,

as though he needed any thing,

seeing he giveth to all

life,

and breath,

and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood

all nations of men

for to dwell on all the face of the earth,

and hath determined the times

before appointed,

and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord,

if haply they might feel after him,

and find him,

though he be not far

from every one of us:

28 For in him we live,

and move,

and have our being;

as certain also of your own poets

have said,

For we are also his offspring.

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God,

we ought not to think that the Godhead

is like unto gold,

or silver,

or stone,

graven by art

and man’s device.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at;

but now commandeth

all men

every where

to repent:

31 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.

32 And when they heard of the resurrection

of the dead,

some mocked:

and others said,

We will hear thee again

of this matter.”  Acts 17:24-32

The Athenians were with Paul until he spoke of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead; then they were skeptical and mocked.  Yet there were those who wanted to hear more.  Our job is to share the Gospel, not to force people to believe.  Like Jesus, Paul didn’t try to force anything on them, and if you go back and check, you’ll find that Jesus never explained Himself (except to those who asked for more understanding in sincerity, like the disciples who often didn’t get it!) or chased after anyone who walked away.  Paul did likewise.

“So Paul departed from among them.”   Acts 17:33

Trust God and remember that there are those who will respond, and we can help them when they do!

“Howbeit certain men clave unto him,

and believed:

among the which was Dionysius

the Areopagite,

and a woman named Damaris,

and others with them.”  Acts 17:34

We are called to be faithful witnesses, to share with those whom God places in our path; even speaking  HIS truth in all things; knowing that as we do, God will be glorified, we will grow, and the body of Christ (the church) will be strengthened.

“But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body

fitly joined together

and compacted

by that which every joint supplieth,

according to the

effectual working

in the measure

of every part,

maketh increase of the body

unto the edifying of itself

 in love.”  Ephesians 4:15-16

So, my friends, we must remember, “there is no new thing under the sun”—and that our God is ever in charge!  He is the sovereign God of all.  He gave HIS own Son to die for our salvation—the ONE way to know God and have abundant life!  It’s all about Him!  Have you heard the latest?  Have you read HIS Word!!!  It never changes (neither have the rules!)!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

Jesus came for YOU and me!  Will you hear and receive the Good News, and walk in its truth?  The choice is yours, but remember, choose wisely—there is a test coming!  So, I’d simply like to close with one of the most beautiful and concise pictures of The Good News!  He loved you then—He loves you now, but you must choose!

“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.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”    John 3:14-21 Amen!

Honoring Or Dishonoring??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #557

22 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Dishonor, Every Knee Shall Bow, God Is In Charge, Honor Or Dishonor?, How much goodness is enough?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Our God Reigns, Sanctified To Serve!, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Transformation, Truth

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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

Putting Asunder??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 10

21 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Cross, Putting Asunder, Trusting Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.10 Putting Asunder???

 

How sad for me on this precious and glorious Resurrection Sunday, to think of how far afield we have come from God’s plan and design for mankind.  The God who created us, made us “male” and “female”—created marriage, and provided for the restoration of our relationship with HIM, which we lost due to sin. Let us consider how far afield we have come.  What have you and I “put asunder”?

“And he answered and said unto them,

Have ye not read,

that he which made them

at the beginning

made them

male

and female,

5 And said, For this cause

shall a man leave father

and mother,

and shall cleave to his wife:

and they twain shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain,

but one flesh.

What therefore

God hath joined together,

let not man put asunder.

7 They say unto him,

Why did Moses then command

to give a writing of divorcement,

and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them,

Moses

because of the hardness

of your hearts

suffered you to put away

your wives:

but from the beginning

it was not so.” Matthew 19:4-8

Jesus responded to those who questioned Him and who wanted to trap Him with God’s truth; He reminded them of God’s original plan for man—for marriage.  Jesus made it clear that not only did God create marriage, He created it for a lifetime!  He also tells us that what “God hath joined together, let not man put asunder”!  Yet we live in a world, especially our American culture, that has not only disregarded God’s plan, but we are totally putting it “asunder”!

Asunder:  into separate parts; in or into pieces; 2: apart or widely separated…

We have allowed ourselves to be led astray—not because we didn’t know truth, but because we are rejecting God’s truth on almost every hand.  We have denied, watered down and diluted the very Word of God at every turn.  God’s plan began in Eden, and it hasn’t changed!

“And the LORD God caused a deep sleep

to fall upon Adam,

and he slept:

and he took one of his ribs,

and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib,

which the LORD God had taken from man,

made he a woman,

and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said,

This is now bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh:

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore

shall a man leave his father

and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife:

and they shall be one flesh.

25 And they were both naked,

the man

and his wife,

and were not ashamed.”  Genesis 2:21-25

God would make the two—male and female—one.  There is to be a “leaving” and a “cleaving”—leaving the ties of our parents’ home, and being totally devoted to our spouse; to be not only ‘one’ in a physical sense, but a oneness of body, mind and spirit.  Soul mates in the sense that when we both keep our eyes on Jesus—there will be a drawing closer and closer to God and drawing closer and more intimate with each other.  It is a picture that God painted in the beginning to show us the beauty and wonder of His love for us—a picture of the ONE who had already created the plan to perfectly restore our relationship to Him, after it would be marred by sin! And that plan was JESUS!  The very One whose resurrection we celebrate today.

Paul gave a most interesting picture of this in his letter to the Ephesians, a passage whose beauty we often miss because we place our focus on the instructions to husbands and wives—and miss the wondrous picture of our Risen Lord and HIS church!

“Husbands, love your wives,

even as Christ also loved the church,

and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify

and cleanse it

with the washing of water

by the word,

27 That he might present it

to himself a glorious church,

not having spot,

or wrinkle,

or any such thing;

but that it should be holy

and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives

as their own bodies.

He that loveth his wife

loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated

his own flesh;

but nourisheth

and cherisheth it,

even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body,

of his flesh,

and of his bones.

31 For this cause

shall a man leave his father and mother,

and shall be joined unto his wife,

and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery:

but I speak concerning Christ

and the church.

33 Nevertheless

let every one of you in particular

so love his wife

even as himself;

and the wife

see that she reverence

her husband.”   Ephesians 5:25-33

How sad that we have cast aside the plan of God for our own lusts, desires and happiness (so-called).  I, like many others, was misled and fell for the lies of the enemy and abandoned God’s plan for my own!  That is one of the reasons for my sadness, another is that it I am so inadequate to warn others of the pitfalls of sin, and the lies of the enemy (and he is a liar, on every hand).  God is much more concerned with our love for Him, and our willingness to surrender to His work of holiness within us by the power of the CROSS!  And there is no comparison with the joy that God can give to the heart that will pursue Him rather than the “lusts of the flesh”!  How grateful I am that God reached down, called my ‘sin’ ‘sin’, and heard the prayer of my heart when I confessed my ‘sin’ and asked Jesus to forgive me and save me—and HE did!  Not that I was perfect after that, but things were different, for I now had the Spirit of the ‘Risen Lord” dwelling within me!  Praise HIS name!

Paul warns us, as he warned the Romans of the dangerous downward spiral of sin.  God’s way is diametrically opposite to the cry of the world, which calls us to go our own way, rather than God’s; but it is a plague that all are afflicted with.

 

“And even as they did not like to retain God

in their knowledge,

God gave them over

to a reprobate mind,

to do those things

which are not convenient;

29 Being filled

with all unrighteousness,

fornication,

wickedness,

covetousness,

maliciousness;

full of envy,

murder,

debate,

deceit,

malignity;

whisperers,

30 Backbiters,

haters of God,

despiteful,

proud,

boasters,

inventors of evil things,

disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers,

without natural affection,

implacable,

unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God,

that they which commit such things

are worthy of death,

not only do the same,

but have pleasure

in them that do them.” Romans 1:28-32.

(And I encourage you to read all of Romans 1 for the whole picture of the degradation and contagion of sin!)

God, through Isaiah, painted the picture of the ONE who would come and deliver us from our sin—the only ONE who could and would—HE did!

“He is despised and rejectedof men;

a man of sorrows,

and acquainted with grief:

and we hid as it were our faces

from him;

he was despised,

and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne

our griefs,

and carried

our sorrows:

yet we did esteem him

stricken,

smitten of God,

and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded

for our transgressions,

he was bruised

for our iniquities:

the chastisement

of our peace

was upon him;

and with his stripes

we are healed.

6 All we like sheep

have gone astray;

we have turned every one

to his own way;

and the LORD hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.”  Isaiah 53:3-6

Jesus—The Lamb of God—came to be the sacrifice for our sin!  His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice paid the price for my redemption and yours!  I, who was so fallen and full of sin, found His redemption totally abundant and adequate to cleanse my soul of sin.  And HE will do the same for YOU if you will but hear His voice, repent, and open the door of your heart to receive His saving grace!  He came to save us from sin—and He is still saving souls and changing lives today—this very day that we celebrate His victory over sin, death and hell.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away

the sin of the world.”   John 1:29

It is why HE came—to live a sinless life, and to pay a sin debt that HE didn’t owe, because we owed a sin debt that we could never pay apart from hell!

“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

HE has given HIS own life for us!  And when we receive HIS salvation, we are made new!

“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

While we were “yet sinners, Christ died for us”; the sinless, Son of God, gave HIS life for my sin!  My sin and yours—I failed—I came short—I rebelled—I sought self, lust, and satisfaction, without regard for the cost to my own soul or the lives of others. Yet, God had already provided for my salvation, forgiveness and redemption.  He has made me whole by the blood of JESUS’ cross, and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit.  Therefore, as HE gave me new life, HE will give you life too! If you know Jesus already, press on in the ‘newness’ of life “in him”, He is totally sufficient for all your need!  And if you don’t know Jesus, you can call upon Him today!

“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

We can be ‘new’!  And when He makes us ‘new’, we are truly new in our hearts, and free from the power of sin, by the blood of The Lamb, who “cleanseth us from all sin”!

“If the Son therefore shall make you free,

ye shall be free indeed.”  John 8:36

Free to love Him, to serve Him, to follow Him by taking up our cross and pursuing Jesus in all our ways.  Paul puts it so beautifully, what better way to praise HIM and close our post for today—challenging each of us to give it all to Jesus—by His grace and power!

“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

May you be blessed on this Resurrection Sunday!

Amen and Amen!

 

Trendy Or Truth??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #494

26 Wednesday Sep 2018

Posted by in Follow Jesus, SIN, The Only Way, Trendy Or Truth, Trials, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #494  Trendy Or Truth???

 

“And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth shall make you free…….

34 Jesus answered them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Whosoever committeth sin

is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not

in the house for ever:

but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore

shall make you free,

ye shall be free

indeed.” John 8:32 & 34-36

This is a portion of the discourse that Jesus had with some of the religious leaders as well as some who believed in Him. It is one of my favorite chapters in John (Along with so many others—John is such an amazing book!). If you read it through, you’ll find that it is a great turning point in the ministry of our Lord Jesus, as He clearly delineates the difference between popular opinion and truth, and Jesus IS truth—in His person, His nature and His words—whether we believe and accept Him or not!

We live in a world that is much more concerned with “trendy” than with “truth”—and my friends we must be on our guard all the time for the lies that abound around us. Jesus clearly tells us that if we “shall know the truth”, and remember HE IS the truth (See John 1:1-14, and John 14:6), that He/Truth “shall make you free”! He didn’t say that we would be “set” free, but that He would “make” us free—in fact, in the change of our heart and relationship with God, that will be seen in our actions and reactions toward the things around us. He even goes on to repeat this principle in verse 36:

“If the Son therefore

shall make you free,

ye shall be free

indeed.”

When Jesus makes us His child (by being born again of His Spirit, See John 3:1-21) we are endued with His Spirit and His power to recognize, resist and reject sin—and while we can’t escape it’s presence, we can overcome its power through the power of His Holy Spirit. Paul gives us a great picture of this in Romans chapter 8, and we’ll peruse some portions of this letter. (Take some time and read the entire chapter for yourself for an amazing blessing!)

“For as many as are led by the Spirit

of God,

they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit

of bondage

again to fear;

but ye have received the Spirit

of adoption,

whereby we cry,

Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory which shall be

revealed in us.

……21 Because the creature itself

also shall be delivered

from the bondage of corruption

into the glorious liberty

of the children of God.”  Portions of Romans 8:14-21

Trendy says if you know Jesus and have enough faith you won’t suffer, you won’t be sick, you won’t have financial needs, your won’t be persecuted for your faith—Truth says:

“the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed

in us”

Jesus Himself gave us the truth that “the servant is not greater than his lord”! (See John 13:16)

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him that sent me.”   John 15:17-21

Jesus reminds us that when we are His, we will experience the same rejection and ridicule that He did, because the world “hates” the things of God—including Jesus and His truth! So we must choose whose praise we are longing for and pursuing. If you want the world’s praise, then simply do the “trendy” new thing that the world promotes; but if we want the praise and approval of God we must live our lives pursuing holiness and truth in the power and provision of our Lord Jesus Christ—HE IS TRUTH!

We must take up our cross and follow Jesus wherever He directs our steps, regardless of the response or consequence. May we ever seek the rewards of heaven rather than the popular trends of the world!

“Lay not up for yourselves

treasures upon earth,

where moth

and rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves break through

and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves

treasures in heaven,

where neither moth

nor rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”   Matthew 6:19-21

Where’s your heart? Fixed on the “trendy” or the “truth”?