Nothing More Important???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #179

There are many important things in this world, but only one that is of prime importance, and that is knowing and belonging to Jesus, and sharing HIM with those around us, especially those whom we love.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?

and one of them shall not fall on the ground

without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head

are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore,

ye are of more value than many sparrows.

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,

him will I confess also before my Father

which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men,

him will I also deny before my Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 10:29-33

Jesus isn’t simply talking about “words” here, but those who come to Him in repentance and faith and show it by living a life of faithful love and obedience to Him.  Jesus describes those who just “use” His name, whose motives are less than honorable, those who are working for their own benefit not God’s!  Jesus says they are working iniquity not righteousness.  Remember, “saying so, doesn’t make it so”, but a personal relationship with Jesus by being born again by the Holy Spirit of God does.  Paul helps us understand that just our “outward” works aren’t the proof of our salvation, but the “inward” presence and work of the Holy Spirit.

“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.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus

from the dead

dwell in you,

he that raised up Christ

from the dead

shall also quicken your mortal bodies

by his Spirit

that dwelleth in you.”  Romans 8:8-11

Paul went on to explain this even more clearly to the believers at Corinth; where he helps us to know that our righteousness is from JESUS; it is not of ourselves, but of His exchange at Calvary—His life paying for my sin—His righteousness imparted to me as I come to Him in repentance and faith unto salvation!  This transaction is all by God’s grace not of our own will, for it is “Christ in you, the hope of glory…”, not anything of me, but it’s all in, from, for and through Jesus.

“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

And Jesus’ own words remind us again, that as I often say, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so,” but Jesus’ saying so, does make it so! (I encourage you to read all of chapter 7 and take note of the difference between the “many” and the “few”.)

“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 7:19-23

There are so many clear statements that Jesus made which help us know truth.  Will you stand in the popular “buzz words”, “memes”, or The Words of 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

“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

Jude adds insight to the truth that just being in the church isn’t enough; Paul warned the Ephesians that “wolves” would come into their midst, and they are in ours, it’s why we must know The Word of God and share it with those around us. We can give our children, grandchildren, friends and loved ones anything you can name but if we don’t share JESUS with them, what do they have?

“For there are certain men crept in unawares,

who were before of old

ordained to this condemnation,

ungodly men,

turning the grace of our God

into lasciviousness,

and denying the only Lord God,

and our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Jude 1:4

Where will you stand?  Where is your name written?  Your loved ones?  What else matters?

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward every man

according to his works.”   Matthew 16:24-27

And oh my friends, that we would be found faithful when HE comes; and HE is coming, I believe sooner than we can imagine.  And a word of caution to those who think they’ll come to Jesus during the tribulation when they are rejecting Him right now.  It won’t happen—consider what Paul warned us of.

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed,

whom the Lord shall consume

with the spirit of his mouth,

and shall destroy

with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him,

whose coming is after the working of Satan

with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness in them that perish;

because they received not

the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause

God shall send them strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”  2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

May we all be diligent to be found faithful and share Jesus as we have opportunity, living the crucified life by dying to self daily as Jesus said and living by the power and direction of The Holy Spirit.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Amen and Amen!!!