Tag Archives: John 14:6

Who Are You Fighting With??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 09

03 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Armor of God, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fighting With God's Weapons, IN Jesus!, Spiritual Warfare, Stand Fast

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 09 Who Are You Fighting With???

 

As we all wrestle with the circumstances surrounding us, we often find ourselves wrestling, even fighting, with others.  No, not usually fisticuffs, but sword-fighting with our words, our emotions, and our fleshly wits.  Let’s take just a few minutes today to remind ourselves of the resources we have, IN Jesus, to overcome our own wrestlings—no matter our “perceived” adversaries!

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong

in the Lord,

and in the power

of his might.”   Ephesians 6:10

Even as Jesus told us so clearly in John 15, our strength, power, wisdom, and ability to follow HIM comes from HIM!  It’s what Paul was reminding the Ephesian Christians of; our strength is IN “the Lord” and IN “the power of his might”!  Just as we talked earlier about the battle being The Lord’s—our strength is from HIM—always!

“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

“O the depth of the riches

both of the wisdom

and knowledge

of God!

how unsearchable

are his judgments,

and his ways

past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord?

or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him,

and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.”   Romans 11:33-36

Paul also continued to tell the Ephesian believers:

“Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not

against flesh and blood,

but

against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.”  Ephesians 6:11-12

And because we are in a battle with unseen forces, Paul tells us that this battle requires heavenly weapons, just as he told the believers at Corinth to be aware and prepared, so must we.

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down

of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience

of Christ;”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

So, as you take on that armor of God, just a quick guide to what that armor represents in our life every day!

Truth:

“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

Righteousness:

“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 15:21

Peace:

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:”  Romans 5:1

“And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 4:7

Faith:

“And be found in him,

not having mine own righteousness,

which is of the law,

but that which is through the faith

of Christ,

the righteousness

which is of God

by faith:”  Philippians 3:9

Salvation:

“Neither is there salvation

in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven.”   Acts 4:12

The Word of God:

The Living Word:

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.”    John 1:1

The written Word:

“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.

14 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.”   Hebrews 4:12-14

Prayer:

“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

(Remember prayer is not “dictation” to God, but rather the “pursuit” of HIM, HIS will, HIS way, and HIS purposes for me!)

So, dear brothers and sisters—hold fast to the one who loves you, gave His life for our salvation, and ever lives to intercede for us.  May you draw near to Him and overcome those battles—no matter who the adversary is!

“Wherefore he is able also

to save them

to the uttermost

that come unto God

by him,

seeing he ever liveth

to make intercession for them.”  Hebrews 7:25

Amen and Amen!!!

A Word Of Encouragement For All!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #625

14 Friday Feb 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, Choose You This Day!, Encouragement, God's Secret Place, Grief, The Secret Place

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #625. A Word Of Encouragement For All!!!

A Repost from the past that touched my heart and I hope it will touch yours!

“Bible Ballistics: BBs  #369    God’s Secret Place !!!

“He that dwelleth in the secret place

of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD,

He is my refuge

and my fortress:

my God;”   Psalm 91:1

I’d just like to share a word of encouragement with you today. As children we all loved “secret” things: secret codes, secret places, just plain secrets–although secrets are seldom kept! But God keeps His secrets until the proper time comes to reveal them. Here the Psalmist mentions the one who “dwelleth in the secret place of the most High”, and tells us that he/she will abide under the “shadow of the Almighty”; a reference to the fact that those who belong to God, are cared for. Just as a sweeping Oak Tree will shade everything under it’s ‘shadow’, God cares for those who are His own. And you can be assured that God knows His own children—we who are His through faith in Jesus Christ The Lord—and we can confidently proclaim with the Psalmist that:

“He is my refuge

and my fortress:

my God;

in him will I trust”

How do we get into that “secret place”? Through faith in Jesus, and His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin.

“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

Jesus is the ONLY way to be in that “secret place” of God! And when we come there, God is truly our refuge, and fortress, the One in whom we can always “trust”! Mary, the sister of Lazarus, had to choose what she would believe.

“Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection, and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him,

Yea, Lord:

I believe

that thou art the Christ,

the Son of God,

which should come into the world.”     John 11:25-27

Mary believed what Jesus said, and she made the decision to trust in HIM. In her specific incident, she believed that Jesus, The Messiah, could take care of her grief in the loss of her brother, and in that belief she saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. And praise God we can all be raised to life with Him, now, as well as after our death, or at His return. And until then we can live victorious lives through His indwelling Holy Spirit.

“Whereof I am made a minister,

according to the dispensation of God

which is given to me

for you,

to fulfil the word of God;

26 Even the mystery

which hath been hid from ages

and from generations,

but now is made manifest

to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:25-27

This wonderful “secret”, this “mystery”, is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”! The promise of the New Covenant is Jesus dwelling within us through His Holy Spirit—He is the evidence that we belong to Jesus. He is the power that keeps us! He is the assurance of the glory to come!!! And we ought to depend on this amazing gift of God to guide, teach and direct our steps. He is the “secret” place where we are safe and secure, but even more importantly; He empowers us to serve our God powerfully in that place—through His indwelling presence, “Christ in you”! Are you in Him? Is He in you? If not won’t you come to Him today? If you are His already, won’t you welcome and embrace His will for you? He longs to have you “abide” in Him, in loving gratitude, devotion and dependence!

“Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father

by him.”   Colossians 3:16-17

Amen and Amen!!!”

What You Wear Matters??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 24

09 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Clothed In His Righteousness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 24 What You Wear Matters???

 

Why would I want to talk about ‘what you wear’ since we have been concentrating on the month of ‘love’?  While this post may seem to be irrelevant today, I think it most relevant today, every day; because when we love God we are to be concerned about our ‘clothing’!  I know that some of you are loaded for bear now, but hear me out, and consider before you jump to conclusions; for I want us to talk about what we wear, but not in the sense that most of you are thinking.  Now, I do believe our “apparel” is important in the sense that we are to dress in a godly, modest and holy way, but I want us to talk about, if you would, our spiritual attire!

“And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

2 The kingdom of heaven

is like unto a certain king,

which made a marriage for his son,

3 And sent forth his servants

to call them that were bidden

to the wedding:

and they would not come.

4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying,

Tell them which are bidden,

Behold, I have prepared my dinner:

my oxen

and my fatlings are killed,

and all things are ready:

come unto the marriage.

5 But they made light of it,

and went their ways,

one to his farm,

another to his merchandise:

6 And the remnant took his servants,

and entreated them spitefully,

and slew them.

7 But when the king heard thereof,

he was wroth:

and he sent forth his armies,

and destroyed those murderers,

and burned up their city.

8 Then saith he to his servants,

The wedding is ready,

but they which were bidden

were not worthy.

9 Go ye therefore into the highways,

and as many as ye shall find,

bid to the marriage.

10 So those servants went out

into the highways,

and gathered together all

as many as they found,

both bad

and good:

and the wedding was furnished

with guests.

11 And when the king came in to see the guests,

he saw there a man

which had not on a wedding garment:

12 And he saith unto him, Friend,

how camest thou in hither

not having a wedding garment?

And he was speechless.

13 Then said the king to the servants,

Bind him hand and foot,

and take him away,

and cast him into outer darkness;

there shall be weeping

and gnashing of teeth.

14 For many are called,

but few are chosen.”  Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus spoke this parable shortly before his passion, He was/is telling us that God (the King) provides the attire for the wedding, and when we are not clothed in Him, His righteousness, His Spirit by the blood of Jesus, we are not entitled to be a part of the wedding—ultimately the ‘marriage supper of The Lamb”—and while I want us to look at some seemingly disjointed passages, I hope to tie them together that we might see what God has called, is calling, and continues to call us to—Holy Living in “His righteousness”!

“These shall make war with the Lamb,

and the Lamb shall overcome them:

for he is Lord of lords,

and King of kings:

and they that are with him

are called,

and chosen,

and faithful.”   Revelation 17:14

He calls us unto Himself; salvation is all of God—He initiates it, provides it, and completes it!  All because of Jesus!

“Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings

in heavenly places

in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us

in him

before the foundation of the world,

that we should be

holy

and without blame

before him

in love:

5 Having predestinated us

unto the adoption

of children

by Jesus Christ

to himself,

according to the good pleasure

of his will,

6 To the praise

of the glory

of his grace,

wherein he hath made us

accepted in the beloved.”   Ephesians 1:3-6

“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 1:11-13

Born into God’s kingdom by the work that Jesus completed at Calvary—for HE is the only way to God, yet it’s also God who draws us unto Jesus!

“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

“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…

.. 65 And he said,

Therefore said I unto you,

that no man can come unto me,

except it were given unto him

of my Father.”   John 6:44 & 65

We don’t hear much about coming to Jesus in response to His call—the convicting power of the Holy Spirit—yet is essential to the work of salvation; and when we respond to His call in repentance and faith, He clothes us in HIS righteousness, without which we can’t have fellowship and life with HIM!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”   Philippians 1:6

“Follow peace

with all men,

and holiness,

without which

no man shall see the Lord:”  Hebrews 12:14

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

my soul shall be joyful in my God;

for he hath clothed me

with the garments of salvation,

he hath covered me

with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decketh himself

with ornaments,

and as a bride adorneth herself

with her jewels.”  Isaiah 61:10

“Let us be glad

and rejoice,

and give honour to him:

for the marriage of the Lamb

is come,

and his wife

hath made herself ready.

8 And to her was granted

that she should be arrayed

in fine linen,

clean and white:

for the fine linen

is the righteousness

of saints.”   Revelation 19:7-8

Our only righteousness is that which Jesus imparts to us, and it is HIS righteousness that is our “attire”, without which we can do nothing.  In fact, Jesus said that without Him we can do nothing of eternal value.

“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

“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

Without His righteousness we are lost—see Romans 3:23 and 6:23—but “in him” we receive the righteousness of Jesus!

“But we are all as an unclean thing,

and all our righteousnesses

are as filthy rags;

and we all do fade

as a leaf;”   Isaiah 64:6

What we ‘wear’ is important, in fact it is of eternal import! I would like to close with the admonition of Jesus to the church of Laodicea in chapter 3 of The Revelation, and a message from James.  Jesus had a sad message to those who thought they were so well “clothed” that they needed nothing (not even HIM!)—so please ponder the contrast between Jesus’ description of this church, compared to their own perception of “who” and “what” they were.  What about you?  What are you wearing?  You will find it worthwhile to read chapters 1-3 of The Revelation and consider Jesus’ messages to all seven churches—and to YOU and ME!  Have you opened the door of your heart to Him?  He will clothe you in HIS grace, mercy and righteousness!

“Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold

tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes

with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.”  Revelation 3:17-18

What do you see when you look at yourself?

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face

in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh

into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed

in his deed.”  James 1:22-25

Blessings on your week and may God speak to our hearts as we pursue HIM!

Amen and Amen!!!

They Saw The Star And Followed!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #611

18 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Believe IN Jesus, Christmas IS?, Follow Jesus, Follow The Star?, From the manger To the Cross, HOPE, If not now? When?, IN Jesus!, Look UP

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #611  They Saw The Star And Followed!!!

 

I love the night sky—the stars, the moon, the wonder of light shining in the dark.  How amazing that God uses truths of the sky to reveal to us the wonder of being light (and salt) in this world of darkness and corruption!  God used a ‘star’ in the night sky to announce to wise men from the east, that the Jewish Messiah—the King of the Jews—had arrived.  So, these men took off on an amazing journey to find this ‘newborn king’; they followed the star, and “rejoiced with exceeding great joy”, presenting their gifts as they had come “to worship him”!  What about you?  What are you following?  Have you set your sights on the sinking sands of the world, or have you set your eyes on Jesus!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run

with patience

the race

that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before

him endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand

of the throne of God.”   Hebrews 12:1-2

Matthew records the strange arrival of these wisemen (and no, we don’t know how many or exactly where they came from) who came to worship the ‘newborn king’)!

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea

in the days of Herod the king,

behold, there came wise men from the east

to Jerusalem,

2 Saying,

Where is he

that is born King of the Jews?

for we have seen his star in the east,

and are come

to worship him.”  Matthew 2:1-2

So, my simple thoughts for us today are, have you seen HIS star?  Have you come to bow down and worship HIM?  Have you bowed your knee before this babe in the manger?  Or are you missing the light that God sent to not only ‘show us the way’, but to BE the way?  Will you follow the ‘star’ from the manger to the cross?

“When they had heard the king,

they departed;

and, lo, the star,

which they saw in the east,

went before them,

till it came and stood

over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star,

they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house,

they saw the young child with Mary his mother,

and fell down,

and worshipped him:

and when they had opened their treasures,

they presented unto him gifts;

gold,

and frankincense,

and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:9-11

I’m so glad Jesus took on flesh and blood and came to be our redeemer; paying our sin debt.  Yet you and I must not only see the star but come to Him in repentance and faith; believing that He is the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”! He is the only “way”—the only “star” that leads to life.  Won’t you make this your best Christmas ever, and come to HIM for salvation, if you haven’t already?  And if you do know Him and His ‘redeeming grace’, won’t you determine to be a reflection of HIS light, love and truth?  Let’s tie this up in a bow with a couple of passages that clearly reveal HIM for who HE is—not just a baby in a manger, but the LORD of ALL!

“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

One of the most wonderful portraits of how to follow our “star”, Jesus, is painted by Paul in Philippians 2!

“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.”  Philippians 2:5-11

Merry Christmas—and may the “mind” of the Redeemer pervade your life!  After all, the question isn’t “will you bow”; for “every knee” will bow; the question is, ‘will you bow before Him as your Lord and Savior now, while you have the opportunity?’; or ‘will you bow before HIM as your judge with no opportunity for salvation?’  The choice is yours but choose wisely—there is a test!

And one last word from the Apostle Peter who put it so concisely:

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

It was true then, it’s still true today!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #604 A Month Of Gratitude??? #8 Truth

20 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Only One Way, Our God Reigns, SIN, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #604    A Month Of Gratitude??? #8 Truth

 

I am grateful for God’s Word (which I already spoke about) and the fact that it is truth—truth, no matter what others may say about it, accept it or deny it—I thank God that HIS truth IS true, and that it never changes.  Times may change, people may change, opinions my change, cultural norms may change but God and His Word never change, and for that I am truly grateful.  I read some things recently that just grieve my soul, for the cultural attacks on our faith in The Word of God, and the God of The Word.  Regardless of whether you or I believe or accept God’s Word, it doesn’t change the fact that HIS Word is set!  It will be our judge—both the spoken/written Word as well as the Living Word, Jesus!

“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

Jesus Himself told us who He was, is and ever shall be—The Living Word—The Truth—The Light—the very hope of the world.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

 no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:65

Jesus was and is truth embodied, and He came that we might have life IN Him!  But we can’t hold to the lies of the culture and still claim to know truth—written or living!  We must stand upon The Word of God or perish!

“There is a way

that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

Jesus is the Only Way—The One Way to God—and His way will never contradict His own Word!  He is that Way, and He is the gate into God’s kingdom, and we can only enter by faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice.  And not to be rude, but “news flash” if you or I have never seen, nor do we now see our “sin” as “sin”, we may have never met the Jesus who died for SIN!  For Jesus saves us from our sin—and cleanses us “from all sin”!  But many claim that their behavior isn’t sin—it’s the way God made them, or it’s my right to choose (and it is but remember there is a consequence for every choice).  But when Jesus saves us, HE not only forgives our sin, but He cleanses us from it.  Jesus talked about this disparity that is so prevalent in our culture—our world—today.

“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.”  Matthew 7:13-19

And the Apostle John spoke to this as well.

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ

his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 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 1:6-10

And just as food for thought today, as we think about The Word of God, and God Himself, one of the Ten Commandments comes to mind.

“Thou shalt not

take the name

of the LORD thy God

in vain;

for the LORD

will not hold him guiltless

that taketh his name

in vain.”  Exodus 20:7

While this is clearly referring to speaking God’s name lightly, in jest, in ridicule or disparagingly, it also means to use God’s name in a vain way!  What do I mean?  I mean this isn’t simply a command to refrain from what we call “cursing” (which is a command that we need reminding of today, for sure) it is a reference to the fact that GOD is GOD, and worthy of worship, and acknowledgment of His authority; yet we hear people on every hand claiming to speak for God—God wouldn’t send someone to hell—God would or wouldn’t do or not do any particular thing—yet their words are contrary to HIS Word.  That is also taking His name in vain!  It’s also laying the fault of our sin at the feet of the Holy God Almighty of the universe!  So many today are making unbiblical claims and charges for and against God that are contrary to His Word, His character and His standard!  God “will not hold him guiltless”!

Jesus said there is one cause for this kind of behavior:

“Then said they unto him,

Where is thy Father?

Jesus answered,

Ye neither know me,

nor my Father:

if ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also…

… 23 And he said unto them,

Ye are from beneath;

I am from above:

ye are of this world;

I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore unto you,

that ye shall die in your sins:

for if ye believe not

that I am he,

ye shall die in your sins…

… 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…

… 38 I speak that

which I have seen with my Father:

and ye do that

which ye have seen with your father…

.. 42 Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth

and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

 ye believe me not.”  Portions of John 8:19-45

I know this is a lengthy passage but one that I thought necessary, and I’d encourage you to read John 6-8 on your own—Jesus’ message wasn’t always well received by the people, in fact they killed Him because HE spoke truth and they didn’t want to hear truth.  I simply want to remind those who are born-again children of God, our job is to live faithfully, speak truthfully and press on in the power of our Lord, knowing that as they rejected our Lord they will often reject us and our message (we are even now being called “haters” for speaking the truth of God!).  Jesus gave us a little jewel of advice and I’ll leave you with it.  And may I kindly remind us all (myself included) social media is a divider—intentionally—and we must not let the enemy trick us into “foolish debate” with those who have no desire to receive truth!

“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 15:19-21

“Give not that which is holy

unto the dogs,

neither cast ye your pearls

before swine,

lest they trample them

under their feet,

and turn again

and rend you.”   Matthew 7:6

‘Nuff said!!!

Amen and Amen!