Tag Archives: John 1:10-13

Ready??? So You Say??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #394

06 Monday Oct 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Christ IN YOU, Church:Dead Or Alive?, Clean Water?, Cleansed from all sin, Clothed In His Righteousness, Come And Worship?, Come out of her, Compromise, Confessing Sin, Conformed or Transformed?, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, God Is In Charge, God Knows His Own, God Still Reigns, God's Ability for our Inability!, God's Faithfulness, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Judgment, God's provision, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Just As I Am?

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Ready???  So You Say???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #394

We talked last time about the Word of God, and I want us to continue in that vein of thought but digging even deeper into our relationship to God and His Word.  Do we have a relationship with The Word?  We can’t have a real relationship with The Word until we have a relationship (not a religious experience, or a devotion to religious activity, or even followed any particular set of religious rituals, activities, rules, or even led others to join in religious activity) with The Lord Jesus Christ, by being “born again”!  We must be born again by repentance of our sin, and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

Jesus’ own words to the religious leader, Nicodemus, (a religious man), revealed that he needed the saving power of Jesus!  Are you being religious without Jesus?  Are you trying to work your way to God? To heaven?  It can’t be done; if we could work our way to heaven, Jesus came in vain.  But as Paul told us in Romans, “all have sinned”, and “the wages of sin is death”!  So even if you never sinned again from this day forward, what can you do to pay for your sins already committed? Jesus said of Himself, “I am the way……no man cometh unto the Father but by me…” (See John 14:6); so let’s see what He had to say to this man of station, prominence, and religious authority!

“There was a man of the Pharisees,

named Nicodemus,

a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night,

and said unto him,

Rabbi, we know

that thou art a teacher come from God:

for no man can do these miracles

that thou doest,

except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:1-7

Jesus called Nicodemus to “be born again”!  Read on into verses 16-19 and see that Jesus says that without being born again we are condemned to hell already. But God offers us this new birth through Jesus Christ, the crucified, buried, resurrected and soon coming King!   What are you depending on to get you heaven?  To know God? To have eternal life?  It can’t be earned!  It can’t be worked up!  It can’t even be attained by faithful religious activity.  Jesus makes that clear in Matthew 7, advising people to understand that it’s by God’s Spirit and the new birth that we can see heaven through the Lord who would die for me and you!  You may be impressing others with your good works, but God is only impressed by the blood that Jesus shed for our salvation, and only the precious Holy Spirit can bring you into that relationship with God—Father, Son and the indwelling Holy Spirit.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test coming!

“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 7:21-23

Paul makes it clear to the believers at Corinth, that we can only know God and His Word when we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, after we are born again.  But before we look at his message to the church at Corinth, let’s consider one verse from the message to the Romans believers; it’s clear truth about the presence of The Holy Spirit in God’s own. (See 2 Timothy 2:19)

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 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 8:8-9

Let’s go on to Paul’s message to the church at Corinth.

“But as it is written,

Eye hath not seen,

nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared

for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us

by his Spirit:

for the Spirit searcheth all things,

yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man,

save the spirit of man which is in him?

even so the things of God knoweth no man,

but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received,

not the spirit of the world,

but the spirit which is of God;

that we might know the things

that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak,

not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth,

but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing

spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man

receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness unto him:

neither can he know them,

because they are spiritually discerned.”                             1 Corinthians 2:9-14

Did you get that?  God makes it clear to us that we can only understand His Word, His person, and His ways when we are indwelt by His precious Holy Spirit; and that those who are not born again, cannot understand the Bible, or God’s ways!  Not harsh, my friends, just truth. It’s all about knowing God through His Son, Jesus.  Let’s consider a few things that Jesus made clear in His ministry as well.

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not,

that the spirits are subject unto you;

but rather rejoice,

because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20

Jesus went on to say even more about the fact that it’s our relationship with Him and not mighty works, or impressive activities.  We must get back to the basics of The Gospel!  It’s about Jesus and being born again, not appealing to people’s flesh with entertainment, services that fit people’s fancy, or try to look like the world so they’ll feel ‘at home’!  Well, not to be blunt, my friends, but they can do that without Jesus, and if we don’t tell them that, what favor are we doing.  We’re forgetting that Jesus saves—not us, or our fancy ideas.  God did it in the early days of the church and He’s the one who will do it now, if it gets done.

“And they, continuing daily

with one accord in the temple,

and breaking bread from house to house,

did eat their meat with gladness

and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God,

and having favour with all the people.

And the Lord added to the church daily

such as should be saved.”  Acts 2:46-47

They were living out a “Jesus” life before the world, not putting on a show and inviting the world in!  They were praising God in real life, letting others see Jesus in them outside; they weren’t putting on a show and inviting the outside in!  When we won’t live Jesus outside of the walls of our churches, why would people want what we have, when we’re not living Jesus on the outside.  Why will we not yield to the Spirit and let His work be displayed in us every moment of every day!  Rain or shine!  Good or difficult!  In easy things or hard!  We need to display victory over sin, death and hell by the blood of Jesus to a lost and dying world.  We’re called to be holy before God and the world.  What spews out of your mouth?  Sweet water or bitter water?  (Remember that Jesus said that “out of the heart the mouth speaks”, we may need to check our hearts—would I rather cling to my vocabulary or God’s?)  James says it better than I can.

“But the tongue can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God,

even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth

blessing and cursing.

My brethren,

these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place

sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain both yield

salt water and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation

his works with meekness of wisdom.” James 3:8-13

Have you/I been born again by The Spirit of Jesus?  Is my life displaying godly knowledge, meekness and wisdom?  Or have I allowed the world to color my lifestyle, my speech, my attitudes, my lack of usefulness to our Lord.  As I often say, it’s your choice; but choose wisely there is a test coming, and it may be here sooner than we expect!  God’s in the life-changing business still.  If you hear His voice speaking, don’t turn Him away.

“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

Jesus will forgive, save and cleanse everyone who will come, and He won’t leave us in our sin—He will transform and deliver us from the clutches of the devil!  Truth may not be welcome, but it’s still truth—Jesus IS truth!

“Know ye not that the unrighteous

shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,

nor effeminate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards,

nor revilers, nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you:

but ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified,

but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.”  1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Are you ready to come to salvation in Jesus?  I’m praying for you!

Amen and Amen!!!

What Choice Have You Made??? A Word from THE WORD #386

12 Friday Sep 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Footprints, For Such A Time As This, Sheep amongst Wolves!!!, Shine as lights in the world, Signs of the times?

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What Choice Have You Made??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #386

I am trying a new app to write in, so I hope this comes out well—we’ll see!  I want to share some thoughts from God’s Word, as usual, and I pray that it will encourage us to look up, rather than around!

“Jesus answered them, 

I told you, 

and ye believed not: 

the works that I do in my Father’s name, 

they bear witness of me. 

26 But ye believe not, 

because ye are not of my sheep, 

as I said unto you. 

27 My sheep hear my voice, 

and I know them, 

and they follow me: 

28 And I give unto them eternal life; 

and they shall never perish, 

neither shall any man pluck them 

out of my hand.

29 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.”  John 10:25-30

Jesus tells us that His sheep hear His voice—that He knows His own—and they follow HIM!  Whose sheep are you?  We see and hear so many today, who claim the name of Jesus, yet their lives don’t match what scripture describes as the life that is following Jesus!  Many use cutesy little sayings about being like Jesus, but without being born again, and having received the indwelling Holy Spirit, saying so doesn’t make it so; but doing God’s will and His work HIS way does.  Jesus makes that clear in scripture.

“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. 

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 7:17-23

My question is, are you bringing forth good fruit?  Is your tree grounded in Jesus, or are you a tree that is bringing forth bad fruit, because you don’t belong to the Savior?  As Jesus clearly states above, saying, “Lord, Lord”, doesn’t make you a real sheep.  Being born again by the Holy Spirit, is the only way to become Jesus’ sheep!

“He was in the world, 

and the world was made by him, 

and the world knew him not. 

11 He came unto his own, 

and his own received him not. 

12 But as many as received him, 

to them gave he power 

to become the sons of God, 

even to them that believe 

on his name:

13 Which were born, 

not of blood, 

nor of the will of the flesh, 

nor of the will of man, 

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

Have you been born again by the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin…” (see 1 John1:7)?  If you aren’t sure, then take it before the Lord of all, even as the Psalmist cried.

“Search me, O God, 

and know my heart: 

try me, 

and know my thoughts: 

24 And see if there be 

any wicked way in me, 

and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

And in closing I want to close with a message from Paul to his son in the ministry, he reminds us that God knows.  As my mother used to say, “You can fool some of the people all of the time; and you can fool all of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool God!”  Whom are you trying to fool?  Others or yourself?

“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.”   2 Timothy 2:19.

Amen and Amen !!!

When’s Your Appointment??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #363

11 Friday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Eyes that see not, Faith or Entertainment?, Judgment, Judgment Is Coming, Just As I Am?, Ready or NOT Here Jesus Comes!, Reaping & Sowing, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Redemption or Rehearsal?, Redemption Through HIS Blood, Reflecting HIS glory, Sovereignty, Sowing and Reaping, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?

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When’s Your Appointment???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #363

“And as it is appointed

unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered

to bear the sins of many;

and unto them that look for him

shall he appear the second time

without sin unto salvation.”  Hebrews 9:27

As we look around us at the tragedies going on all over the world, and of late right here at home in the US, it should call us to “consider your ways”! (See Haggai 1:5 & 7). Are we looking to the cross?  Are we blaming God?  Are we questioning God’s sovereign control?  Are we trying to stand in God’s place and judge why these things are happening?  Or are we examining our own heart and life to see if we belong to Jesus; to see if we are pursuing God’s way, God’s Word and God’s Son, Jesus for our salvation by repenting of “my” sin and believing in Jesus’ substitutionary atoning sacrifice to save us!  The sacrifice of the sinless, perfect Lamb of God who came to “taketh away the sin of the world”!  Over and over scripture is replete with the truth of the Gospel—and Jesus is that Gospel, by His blood.  I simply want to spend this time with you, asking you to consider your ways and discern if you are ready to stand before God?  Have you made that life-changing commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ?  Have you made Jesus the king and center of your life, or have you simply gone your own way and tried to tack Jesus on to everything else that you want to have in your life?

It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test?  The test of real faith is found in scripture; not a church roll, not religion, not baptism, not in good works!  I pray that you will join me today as we peruse scripture for truth.

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”  2 Corinthians 13:5

Scripture tells us why Jesus came!

“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

And the Apostle John records these things for us.

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

Jesus himself, spoke truth to Nicodemus, a religious leader who like many today, had no clue of the truth of the Gospel!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God…

…. 5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  Portions of John 3:3-7

Jesus made it clear that we only come to Him by the work of God’s Holy Spirit to convict and draw us to the cross.

“No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:44

Have you heard the voice of God calling you?  Have you put off responding to God’s call?  Have you ignored or rejected the call of God, because you wanted to do it your way and not God’s?  Are you counting on your way to lead you to heaven?  When we hear the call of God and respond by faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for “my sin”, we can be born again into the kingdom of God, and receive the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Can we really do that?  Scripture says we must—it’s the proof that we belong to Jesus; it’s not your name on a church roll, good works, or any other work apart from the completed work of Jesus on the cross; and the indwelling Holy Spirit is the evidence of our spiritual parentage.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 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 8:8-9

God said it through the Apostle Paul, I didn’t!  Just speaking truth!  What will you do with it.  And a reminder that there is a day coming when we will stand and be judged for our choices—for God or against Him.  Some of the scriptures most impactful passages state this clearly.  You decide—it is your choice!  But choose wisely, remember, there is a test!

“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

We are only able to stand by the blood of the Lamb which, “cleanseth us from all sin” (See 1 John 1:7)!  The Apostle John was also given the truth of these things in the Revelation!  Please take heart, for I pray that you will receive truth from God’s Word, and the convicting power of The Holy Spirit.  To use an old adage, “You can be born once and you will die twice, or you can be born twice and die only once!”

“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

Why?  Because we either believe in Jesus and accept the gift of HIS righteousness, or we go about to establish our own righteousness!  In other words you can pay for your own sin, but the price for that is Hell!

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“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

Jesus paid it all!  Are you trusting in His sacrifice for you?  Or are you going your own way?  You have an appointment coming?  Will you be prepared?  I pray that you will come to Jesus while there is time, when you hear the voice of the Master!  It’s all about Jesus and what you do with Him!  Ready or not, here He comes!!!

“This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s All About Sacrifice??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #340

17 Thursday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Speaking The Truth In Love

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It’s All About Sacrifice???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #340

 

We talked last time about fighting like Jesus, and today I would like us to consider the price that Jesus paid for us to be able to be with Him and to reflect His glory as His child!  It means we must be “born again”!  It’s not about bunnies, or eggs, or baskets or even spring!  It is all about the sacrifice that Jesus paid for our sin—and yes, Sin is the issue—and that sacrifice was, is and ever shall supply the payment for sin to all who will come to Jesus in repentance of sin, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.  Yet while the payment was made at Calvary, the victory over sin, death and hell came at the tomb!  That very tomb where Satan thought he had won, came to prove that Jesus not only paid for sin at the cross, but HE rose again to bring forgiveness of sin to all who believe; as well as life, hope, joy and a home in heaven for those who come to HIM, when we leave this life behind.

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

Jesus said of himself that HE came that we might have real 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.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

 Jesus was the sacrifice for sin to all who believe and trust to His amazing sacrifice.  May we be encouraged and equipped to go forward with Jesus, calling the world to salvation in Jesus and nothing less!  We talked earlier about Paul’s great gospel in a nutshell in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, and we can be confident in what Jesus has done knowing that He has finished the work of salvation!

“By the which will we are sanctified

through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ

once for all.

11 And every priest standeth daily

ministering

and offering oftentimes

the same sacrifices,

which can never take away sins:

12 But this man,

after he had offered one sacrifice

for sins

for ever,

sat down on the right hand of God;”  Hebrews 10:10-12

May we remember what the Apostles and disciples preached and shared after Pentecost—may it ever be our motto and our message without compromise!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him

doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10-12

Will you be one who believes or one who puts Jesus to death again and again in vain.  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.

“But ye denied the Holy One and the Just,

and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

15 And killed the Prince of life,

whom God hath raised from the dead;

whereof we are witnesses.”  Acts 3:14-15

The test is coming; are you ready?  Only Jesus can write your name in His book—not your works, not your wealth, not your social standing, not even your religion.  Ready or not, here HE comes:

“And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”   Revelation 20:15

Amen and Amen!!!

When Is Sin Not Sin??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #323

17 Monday Feb 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Lies That Defeat Us, Life, Life or Death?, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Looking Unto Jesus, Looking up Or around?, Lot's Day?, Lovest Thou ME?, Made like Jesus!, Making a difference, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Well Done Thou good and faithful servant!, What are you doing with your TIME?, What are you drinking?, What are you hungry for?, What does worldliness look like?, What's coming out of your heart., What's coming out of YOUR mouth?, What's in your book?, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?, What's The Word?, When Will You Bow?, Where are you leading those following you?, Where your treasure is--Your heart is!

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When Is Sin Not Sin???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #323

“There is a way

which seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

Sin isn’t a very popular subject except when we want to participate in it and call it something else.  As the old adage says about beauty being “in the eye of the beholder”, we have applied that mindset to sin—sin is now “subject to interpretation”!  Now I’ll grant you that there are differences of opinion about when something is a sin or not, yet I’d like us to spend some time today seeing what God says about sin; for God’s Word is given to be the standard in all practice for God’s own; so I’d like to look at the ”heart” of the matter if you would, beginning with Jesus’ own observations.

The context of this portion of scripture is Jesus encountering the religious leaders (again), and I encourage you to read the entire chapter, for Jesus makes it clear that religious activity, in and of itself is insufficient to change the heart.  And as I have often written, laws can’t change hearts—only Jesus can.  It all comes down to the heart—what’s in it will come out—the good, the bad and the ugly.

“Ye hypocrites,

well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me

with their mouth,

and honoureth me

with their lips;

but their heart is far from me.

9 But in vain they do worship me,

teaching for doctrines

the commandments of men…

…17 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.”   Portions of Matthew 15:7-20

And again in chapter 12 of Matthew, Jesus encountered the same kinds of questions:

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,

Master, we would see a sign from thee.

39 But he answered and said unto them,

An evil and adulterous generation

seeketh after a sign;

and there shall no sign be given to it,

but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

40 For as Jonas

was three days and three nights

in the whale’s belly;

so shall the Son of man

be three days and three nights

in the heart of the earth.”  Matthew 12:34-40

Paul had so much to say, and one of the greatest passages that he left to us is his call to us to have the mind of Christ Jesus!  If we are willing to heed his call, we will find a discerning heart, and an ability to look and live beyond the flesh from a heart set on Jesus.  I know these are lengthy passages, but my words are simply to help guide you to them, while my prayer is that God’s Spirit will speak to you through HIS WORD!!!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 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.

12 Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst of a

crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine as lights

in the world;” Philippians 2:5-15

Even as Paul stated, it’s not a list of “dos” and “don’ts” but rather a heart set on pleasing our Lord and King, that others may see His reflection in me (and notice Paul said, “work out” your own salvation, not “work for”!  There’s a big difference!)  For me that means there are places I don’t go for the effect it would have on others, there are things I don’t do, there are things I don’t say, but again Paul said it better than I can.

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?

to his own master he standeth or falleth.

Yea, he shall be holden up:

for God is able to make him stand.

5 One man esteemeth one day above another:

another esteemeth every day alike.

Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

6 He that regardeth the day,

regardeth it unto the Lord;

and he that regardeth not the day,

to the Lord he doth not regard it.

He that eateth,

eateth to the Lord,

for he giveth God thanks;

and he that eateth not,

to the Lord he eateth not,

and giveth God thanks.

7 For none of us liveth to himself,

and no man dieth to himself.

8 For whether we live,

we live unto the Lord;

and whether we die,

we die unto the Lord:

whether we live therefore, or die,

we are the Lord’s.

9 For to this end

Christ both died,

and rose,

and revived,

that he might be Lord

both of the dead and living.

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother?

or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?

for we shall all stand

before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more:

but judge this rather,

that no man put a stumblingblock

or an occasion to fall

in his brother’s way.”  Romans 14:4-13

So the question has a simple answer, yet at the same time not an easy answer, if it pleases Jesus, it will never be sin; if not, you might want to measure it by the preceding passages from God’s Word—not me!  Jesus makes it clear in John 3 that activity, religious or not, can’t get you to heaven, only HE can do that, and HE requires that we come to Him for the new birth.  So I’ll close with three rather important things to consider in our opinion of sin (that which separates us from God, in its simplest form!) and how that appears in your life and mine, as well our choices!  Choices and consequences are a fact of life.  So choose wisely, you are free to do so, but you are not free to pick your consequences!

“3 Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God…

…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.”                       Portions of John 3:3-19

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

And Paul’s great commentary and standard for judging ourselves (not others) to see if we truly be in the faith or making (faking) our own way to heaven, we think.  What’s your standard?  Here’s God’s!

“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

So where is your sin?  Under the blood of Jesus?  Have you received the righteousness of God through Him?  Have the old things “passed away” or are you trying to hold on to Jesus and sin at the same time?  You’ll find it an impossible task to maintain.  Are you “in Christ”?  Is He in You?  I pray that you will hear God’s Holy Spirit speaking to you; that you will hear, heed and be “made the righteousness of God in him”; or even adjust what you have been seeing as sin in your life!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test (and it’s God’s test not mine!)

Amen and Amen!!!