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What “Form” Of Godliness??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #62

18 Wednesday Jan 2023

Posted by Blanche in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abiding In The Vine, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Following Jesus, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Which form?

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2 Timothy 3:1-5, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding In The Vine, Choosing to follow Jesus, Jesus IS the way, Jesus Saves!, John 1:10-13, John 3:3-7, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:21-23, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, What form do you possess?

What “Form” Of Godliness???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #62

“This know also,

that in the last days

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

Paul was instructing this young pastor in many things, including verse 2:15 where he instructed him to “study to shew yourself approved UNTO GOD” (emphasis mine), and then as he continues in chapter 3, he reminds him of the veracity (look it up!) of scripture, and its power to establish our way.  So what is this “form of godliness”?  I think it is the very thing that Jesus talks about in Matthew chapter 7, those who want to impress, succeed, progress, profit, or fit in–regardless of their reasons– those who want to do it their way, but claim to be working “for God” but “denying the power thereof”!  Those who aren’t willing to come to God and let Him work in or through them, for they are too busy doing it ”my way”!  Just as it was then, it is still the same today.  Let’s see what Jesus said about it.

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 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 15:4-5

I believe that “form of godliness” is the work we do “without” Jesus!  You can talk the talk, and even pretend to walk the walk, but without really knowing and possessing Jesus, and being HIS child, you/I can do little of real value, and virtually of no value to the kingdom of God.  In fact Jesus told Nicodemus something very similar to this– he was a high-placed religious leader– which reminds us that we can have men’s credentials without having Jesus!

“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 3:3-7

The Apostle John also wrote about this in chapter 1.

“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

Remember the “power” that was denied in 2 Timothy 3 is the power that saves; and just as John says above it’s not by blood (birth, relationships), not by flesh (working it up), nor the will of man (passed on by any other person)!  As the old proverb says, “every pot must sit on its own bottom”!  What are you counting on?  Let’s see what Jesus says.

“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

Earlier in this chapter Jesus makes another profound assessment of life choices, which is still true 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.” Matthew 7:13-14

So, my question for us all is, “Do you/I only have a “form of godliness”?” Or have you been “born again” by the blood of the Lamb which cleanses us from all sin, for Jesus is THE ONLY WAY!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

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What’s On Your Tree??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #783

16 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by Blanche in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Evil will not win, Eyes that SEE HIM, Eyes that see not, Faith, Faithful, Faithfulness, Fruit of the Spirit, Full Of what?, GET READY, What's On Your Tree?

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Called To Follow Jesus!, Follow Jesus, Galatians 5:16-26, Galatians 5:19-24, Hebrews 4:15, Isaiah 5:20, Jesus IS Lord, Matthew 11:15, Matthew 4:3-4, Matthew 7:15-20, Matthew 7:21-23, Redemption or Rebellion?, Revelation 3:6, Romans 12:1-2, Savior or Judge?, Soon-Coming-King!, What's On Your Tree?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #783???    What’s On Your Tree???

 

A word for this Wednesday which I pray will encourage you to press on with Jesus; no matter what the world is doing, saying, acting out or pushing in our faces, our Lord is still KING, and I do believe, a ‘soon coming King’!  May we be found faithful and ready!  But the conflict isn’t new, nor is it temporary, so God gives us good instruction to prepare our hearts, lives, and our walk to align to HIS Word not the world’s voice!

“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.”  Romans 12:1-2

And to be transformed by the “renewing of your mind” begins with salvation/redemption and then being grounded in The Word of God; and to do that we must read it, study it, and make it our “daily bread”!  Jesus not only faced the same temptations as we do, but HE answered Satan at every turn with The Word!

“And when the tempter came to him, he said,

If thou be the Son of God, command

that these stones be made bread.

 4 But he answered and said,

It is written,

Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word

that proceedeth

out of the mouth of God.”   Matthew 4:3-4

“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.”  Hebrews 4:15

Oh, what a Savior we have—HE met Satan face-to-face and stood His ground by The Word of God!  Oh, that we would learn to do the same.  I don’t have to rely on my own wisdom, intelligence, and ideas to face temptation but on the very same thing that Jesus prevailed with—by knowing The Word of God!  And to help us with the things that we face continually in this fallen world, let’s look at the principles of discernment that Paul shares with us.  I think we can find them a great help to prepare us for the days in which we live, which matches what Isaiah spoke of long ago (truth and mankind haven’t changed—see Ecclesiastes. 1:9)!

“Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!”  Isaiah 5:20

The “woes” of God are nothing to be disregarded—they have come in the past, and The Word declares that they are coming again—and I can’t help but believe that those final “woes” are very near!  Are you ready?  Are you and I familiar enough with God’s Word that we know what HE has said?  Are your eyes open and your ears attending to the things that God has and is saying?  We need to tune in to God’s station!

“He that hath ears to hear,

let him hear.”  Matthew 11:15

I find it most interesting that not only did Jesus say this to those who were opposing HIM, but He repeated the same call to the seven churches (full of real believers and not so real believers) to heed His call to righteousness for various reasons, but His call to each one was to hear and obey.

“He that hath an ear,

let him hear what the Spirit saith

unto the churches.”  Revelation 3:6

As we continue, Paul gives a great lesson that we need (at least I do) to be reminded of often.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh…

…. 25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous

of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”  Galatians 5:16 & 25-26

In this same chapter, Paul lays out the contrast of the “fruit of the spirit” and the “works of the flesh” (or fruit).  I find it interesting that at this time of year as we prepare for celebrating The Resurrection, as I’ve often shared a good illustration from this time of spring; many of us like to decorate for the seasons, and you will often see yards with “egg trees”; a bare tree with plastic eggs tied on it in lovely colors of spring.  But the truth IS that there is no such thing as an “egg tree”!  And there are many around us today who profess the name of Jesus, but their lives make us wonder if they’re just “egg trees”; they have tied on some religion, some good deeds, some church attendance (maybe) yet there is no love for Jesus or regard for His Word—there is no desire for holiness—and there seems to be a lot of calling “evil good” and “good evil”!  Jesus Himself addressed this issue.  What are we known by—plastic eggs, or the true fruits of the Holy Spirit of God?

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath, strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

 longsuffering,

gentleness,

 goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.”  Galatians 5:19-24

And Jesus’ own warning (and for a most detailed description of ‘false’ teachers/prophets see 2 Peter chapter 2):

“Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them

by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes

of thorns,

or figs

of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

 ye shall know them.”  Matthew 7:15-20

So, the question today is, “What’s on your tree?”  Are you bearing the “fruit of the Spirit” (and that is “fruit” not “fruits”—God’s work is evident in His own in all of our ways, not just ‘one proof at a time’!) or are you trying to fool the world, yourself, and God by hanging plastic eggs (the works of the flesh) on your bare tree?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.  (I encourage you to read all of Matthew 7, and FYI the context is clearly talking about ‘living’ a life of redemption or of rebellion, not an isolated stumble or failure but a “lifestyle” that will reflect the work of God or the work of the devil/world!).

“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

Jesus will be your Savior or your judge; the choice is yours.  I’m praying that you will open your eyes to see truth, and your ears to hear the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart and respond appropriately!  (See Revelation 3:20)

Amen and Amen!!!

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Enter IN Or Depart??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #743

16 Friday Jul 2021

Posted by Blanche in A Father's Love, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Lord, Salvation

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Come to Jesus, John 14:6, Lord, Matthew 25:21, Matthew 7:21-23, Repentance and Faith, Revelation 3:20, Romans 14:11-12, Salvation

Bible Ballistics: BBs #743  Enter IN Or Depart???

 

These are the only two options for all eternity, and your choice in this life will decide which of these responses from Jesus you will hear.  I would like to simply leave you with the words of our Lord and pray that you will ask God to search your heart and let you see where you really are in relation to eternity!

“His lord said unto him,

Well done,

thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful over a few things,

I will make thee ruler over many things:

enter thou

into the joy of thy lord.”  Matthew 25:21

Jesus came that we “might have life and have it more abundantly”!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“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

The choice is truly yours, and the choice is simple, but not easy; will you entrust your life to Jesus in repentance and faith in HIS death on the cross for your sin, making your foundation the ROCK of salvation, JESUS!  If you know HIM, then “stand fast” and if you don’t call on HIM today.

“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

You must be willing to hear that still small voice convicting of sin and respond in faith and trust in Jesus—He came for you and me.  Don’t wait for a better day, there isn’t one!

“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

May God speak to your heart and may you draw near to HIM today.

“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.”   Romans 14:11-12

Amen and Amen!!!

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All About The Cross??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 11

28 Monday Jun 2021

Posted by Blanche in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Cross, Crucified With Christ, If not now? When?, It's All About The Cross, Responding Rightly, REvival, Salvation, The Crucified Life, The Gospel

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1 Corinthians 15:1-5, 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, 2 Timothy 2:19, Born Again, Compromising The Gospel, Crucified With Christ, Galatians 2:20, It's All About The Cross, Jesus Saves!, John 1:29, John 3:16-19, Luke 9:23-26, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 7:21-23, The Cross, The Crucified Life, The Gospel IS Jesus

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 11  All About The Cross???

 

I have a few things to share with you today, and I feel that they are most important in relation to the veracity of the Gospel—the Gospel that is under such attack from compromise, ridicule and the supposed-need to make a Gospel that is  “attractive” to the world; rather than the biblical Gospel that revolves around Jesus substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice—His blood shed for you and me on the CROSS of Calvary!  I beg to differ with those choosing to compromise truth for any reason—success, numbers, popularity– and I think scripture plainly declares the sufficiency of the Gospel of the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord, and the need to trust to the cross and not the modern version of man-made ways to God.  Only Jesus can transform lives and give eternal life!

The Gospel isn’t props or programs or pretense—it is the greatest work of love that has ever been offered to the world—all mankind who will receive it:  Jesus, The God-Man-Savior, came as God in the flesh to redeem fallen man—all mankind (except the God-Man-Savior, Jesus), for “all have sinned”! (See Romans 3:23 and 6:23)

“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.”   John 3:16-19

This is why HE came—to save us from SIN!

“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

John the Baptizer made the same proclamation of Jesus!

“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

I know some of you must get tired of this constant effort to rehearse the Gospel again and again, but it is the message that we bring, and without it we have no hope; it is all about SIN, what have you done with your SIN?  The Gospel of Jesus never grows old to my heart, but as I see so many other “plans” to God offered around us, and proclaimed as truth, I must stand fast in God’s truth!  And like Paul, it is the cross to which I cling, and ever shall.  As a friend once asked me, “You have only one song, don’t you?”; and as I told her ‘Yes’ then, I still hold to HIS CROSS!

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony

of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing

among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-2

There is only ONE WAY to God, to heaven, and HIS name is JESUS CHRIST THE LORD; crucified, risen and sitting at the right hand of God Almighty until HIS return (and I don’t believe it can be very long before HE comes)!  Paul put the Gospel in “a nutshell”, so to speak; may we heed it and be sure that our faith is in The Lord Jesus and not in some gimmick of man—not vain (imitation) faith!

“Moreover, brethren,

I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:”   1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Please be sure that you are born again by The Holy Spirit of Jesus/God!  You may fool others, you may even fool yourself, but you will never fool God.

“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

And one last call to examine ourselves to see if we be “crucified” with Christ, or if we are just playing games with God and man, the words of our Lord are the test.

“And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross

daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life

for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed

of me and of my words,

of him shall the Son of man be ashamed,

when he shall come

in his own glory,

and in his Father’s,

and of the holy angels.”  Lk 9:23-26

More from Jesus, a most stern warning!

“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 put it all in a most concise challenge to us all.  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.  Have you been “crucified with Christ”, or are you “crucifying HIM” daily with your own plan?

“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

May you hear from Jesus today—I pray that we each will!

Amen and Amen!!!

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GOD Needs A__Good__??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 22

09 Sunday Aug 2020

Posted by Blanche in All About Jesus!, Be not conformed to this world, Building on The Rock or The Sand?, Choices And Consequences, Consider Your ways, He Died That We Could Live, IN Jesus!, Salvation, Saved by grace, The Broad or Narrow Way?, True Knowledge, Trusting Jesus, Truth

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1 Timothy 1:14-15, 2 Chronicles 20:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, 2 Peter 2:9, 2 Peter 3:9, A Few Good Men?, Colossians 1:12-14, James 4:6-10, Jesus-The Only Way!, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:21-23, No not one, None Righteous, Proverbs 15:3, Psalm 37:23-24, Romans 12:1-3, Romans 3:10-24, Romans 6:22-23, Salvation, The Battle IS The Lord's, Truth, Who is good?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 22 GOD Needs A ___Good___???

 

Most of us have heard the slogan, “_____needs a few good men…”!  But I’d like us to talk about our God, and while God doesn’t “need” anything, there are some things that God says about what HE desires for His own, for all mankind.

“The Lord knoweth how

to deliver the godly

out of temptations,

and to reserve

the unjust

unto the day of judgment

to be punished:”  2 Peter 2:9

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering

to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come

to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9

God truly desires for all to “come to repentance”, for His desire is that none “should perish” but come to Jesus for salvation.  Yet the thing we need to remember is that God isn’t looking for a “few”, nor is He looking for “good” men, He is calling to all who will hear and heed His message of salvation IN JESUS; recognizing that Jesus came to save sinners, not “good” men, those who think they can save themselves.

Paul talked about this ability to recognize our need of a Savior; and as long as we are “good” enough on our own, why would we need a Savior?  But when we see our sin, and understand that we can’t save ourselves, then we can see our need and come to know the One who can remedy our sin problem.

“And the grace of our Lord

was exceeding abundant

with faith

and love

which is in Christ Jesus.

15 This is a faithful saying,

and worthy of all acceptation,

that Christ Jesus came into the world

to save sinners;

of whom I am chief.”  1 Timothy 1:14-15

Paul talked of this to the Roman believers to remind them of this very thing.

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no, not one…

…. 22 Even the righteousness of God

which is by faith of Jesus Christ

unto all

and upon all them

that believe:

for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:”  Romans 3:10-12 & 22-24

God doesn’t need us, but we need Jesus; and just as Jesus said in Matthew 7, we must choose wisely for there is only one way—Jesus—and while the broad way may be appealing, it is deceptive.  So, we must consider God’s truth and receive His forgiveness for our sin, by choosing HIS path–JESUS!

“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…

…. 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 7:13-14 & 21-23

Forgiveness is found only in Jesus, yet just as the song says, the truth IS “Jesus Saves” still! (Written by Priscilla Jane Owens).

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance

of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”   Colossians 1:12-14

Truly we only find that forgiveness when we humble ourselves before God, seeking His forgiveness in Jesus death, burial and resurrection for our sin!

“But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted,

and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter be turned

to mourning,

and your joy

to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”   James 4:6-10

And as God wants us to know, and choose wisely, He is ever seeking those who will come to HIM!  Remember, as my former pastor says, “Jesus died for our sin, so we don’t have to die IN our sin!”

“The eyes of the LORD

are in every place,

beholding the evil

and the good.”  Proverbs 15:3

So then, who is the “good” one?  No one!  But when Jesus saves and transforms our lives, we are changed into the image of The Son; we are changed from lost sinners to saved saints (and saints aren’t perfect, just forgiven, redeemed and being transformed—see Romans 8:28-29!)!  One of my favorite passages, helps us understand this principle—Jesus saves us “from” our sin, so we won’t have to die “IN” our sin! (See Matthew 1:21)

“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

It’s because of God’s saving work that we can understand with the Psalmist, that the “good” man mentioned by the Psalmist is only “good” by God’s saving grace! (Remember Romans 3!)

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth

in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

So, my question for us today is simply this, “Are you one of those who will respond to God’s call?”  Will you recognize your true condition and come to the Savior in repentance and faith?  Will you allow God to save, redeem and transform you?  Or will you go your own way, choosing to pay for your own sin.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ

our Lord.”   Romans 6:22-23

By HIS salvation we can know the power of a truly transformed life, having a renewed heart and mind by the power of Jesus’ sacrifice, God’s Word, and His Holy Spirit.

“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

I pray that you will find peace, joy and rest in this transforming power of salvation in Jesus.  For Jesus isn’t just seeking a “few good men/women”, but all who will see their sin and know that HE is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”!

Won’t you come to this loving Savior who died for you?  And if you already know Him, won’t you share this truth with those around you who don’t?  May God raise us up—the army of The Lord–remembering that:

“And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat,

Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid

nor dismayed

by reason of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours,

but God’s.”    2 Chronicles 20:15

Blessings on you and yours.  I pray that you will be one of the “few there be that find it”!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

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