Tag Archives: Philippians 2:5-11

Thoughts On The Cross!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #448

28 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Cross, Glory, Resurrection

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #448 Thoughts On The Cross!!!

 

I would like to share a few thoughts for us to ponder this mid-week before Resurrection Sunday—celebrating the victory that our Lord and Savior won at Calvary. For while the cross is where He shed His precious blood for you and me—the empty tomb is still empty—proclaiming HIS victory over sin, death and hell. HE IS ALIVE!!! And that my friend IS our hope, our joy, our confidence, and our reason for celebration! But let’s be sure we are celebrating in ‘spirit and in truth’!

“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

And that my friends is the power of the Gospel!! And Paul calls us to practice the same mindset of our Lord.

Not seeking fame or “reputation”—

Humbling ourselves before God and man—

Being obedient in our living until our death—

Dying to self that God might be seen in us!

So as you go about the rest of your week, whatever you are facing or dealing with, be sure and keep your eyes on Jesus! It’s not about ‘eggs’ and ‘bunnies’—it’s about the Son of God who gave it all for “the world”!

“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 15:3-5

Regardless of what the world or even popular Christian culture says, sin is the issue and Jesus Christ–crucified, buried and raised “for our sins” IS the only salvation!!!

So my friends may we “think on these things” and be:

Humbly grateful that HE died for me–

Sincerely reflective about my being dead to self and alive in, through, for and to HIM—

Rejoicing in HIS resurrection power that manifested HIS power and victory over sin, death and hell—

For all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith!

Amen and Amen!

Fighters Or Faith-ers??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 13

08 Sunday Oct 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Fight or Faith?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Made like Jesus!, Persecution, Perseverance, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, Walking With Jesus, Without a Word?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.13    Fighters Or Faith-ers???

 

Yes, I know ‘faithers’ isn’t a real word, but I chose it to make a point; we live in a culture, even much of our (so called) Christian culture has chosen to “fight” rather than suffer for Jesus in ‘faith’. Let’s observe what Isaiah said about the character of the coming Savior, Messiah and Redeemer.

“He is despised and rejected of men;

a man of sorrows,

and acquainted with grief:

and we hid as it were our faces from him;

he was despised,

and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs,

and carried our sorrows:

yet we did esteem him stricken,

smitten of God,

and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities:

the chastisement of our peace was upon him;

and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned every one

to his own way;

and the LORD hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed,

and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth:

he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb,

so he openeth not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:3-7

Jesus came to be the suffering servant that Isaiah described, to pay for your sin and mine, to suffer the punishment for your sin and mine. Yet what was HIS reaction? He “opened not his mouth”, even when taken to the “slaughter”, and before the “shearers” He “opened not his mouth”! Even Pilate couldn’t understand this kind of humility!

“And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.” Matthew 27:12-14

And in John’s account more of the same:

“And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

11 Jesus answered,

Thou couldest have no power at all

against me,

except it were given thee

from above:

therefore he that delivered me

unto thee

hath the greater sin.”   John 19:8-11

Jesus again and again reminds us that when we follow Him, we will face opposition because “men love darkness rather than light” (See John 3:19)!!! And when we follow Him, He clearly told us that people would often treat us as they treated Him, but that they are, in actuality, rejecting God and His kingdom–The God who will hold them accountable! We will all give an account of our choices and actions. Without focusing on the contextual interpretation of the following passage, I’d like us to simply see that Jesus says that everyone will give an account for their choices, in this account He relates just before He went to the cross!

“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred,

and fed thee?

or thirsty,

and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger,

and took thee in?

or naked,

and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick,

or in prison,

and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them,

Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye have done it

unto one

of the least of these my brethren,

ye have done it unto me….

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand,

Depart from me,

ye cursed,

into everlasting fire,

prepared for the devil

and his angels:………

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying,

Lord, when saw we thee an hungred,

or athirst,

or a stranger,

or naked,

or sick,

or in prison,

and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye did it not

to one of the least of these,

ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away

into everlasting punishment:

but the righteous into life eternal.”    Matthew 25:37-46

Jesus clearly tells us that when people mistreat (or treat kindly) “the least of these my brethren”, it is the same as doing that kindness or unkindness to HIM! (Hopefully we can come back to this passage at a later time, and talk about the “specific” interpretation and application within the total context of these chapters!) I only want us to see from Jesus’ words, that when we are HIS—we can trust HIM to care for us who are HIS brethren! We don’t have to fight for ourselves or take our own vengeance (ever), for truly, “vengeance is mine….saith The Lord”!

“Recompense to no man evil for evil.

Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible,

as much as lieth in you,

live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves,

but rather give place unto wrath:

for it is written,

Vengeance is mine;

I will repay,

saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger,

feed him;

if he thirst,

give him drink:

for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:17-20

We have a higher calling; we march to a different drummer—the commands of our Lord Jesus, not the call of the world! But how do we accomplish this high calling? Only One way, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is given to all who come to Jesus in repentance and faith. (See Romans 8:9)

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged……

13 Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth,

is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath

are mine:

therefore said I,

that he shall take of mine,

and shall shew it unto you…

33 These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”     Portions of John 16:7-33

“I have overcome the world”! Amen and Amen! But there is even more—Jesus has overcome the world in a way that the world doesn’t understand, and we must pursue His ways and not the world’s! Simple but not easy! Jesus went to the cross willingly for us, I just can’t believe that He expects us to follow HIM kicking and screaming all the way. (Please understand, I’m not saying we aren’t to stand up for truth and right, but we are to stand in obedience and compliance with the Word of God, not with the ways of the world!)

“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.”   Luke 9:23

Now taking up our cross isn’t a reference to the daily aches, pains and difficulties of life, it is a reference to “dying” to self while living for Jesus, by His Spirit’s power and grace! Not exalting ourselves but humbling ourselves before the Holy God and His Son Jesus, who has saved us by HIS blood!!! What less could we give?

“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

To continue our consideration of whether we are living as “faithers” or ‘fighters’, let’s look at what I consider to be one of the ultimate passages on “Christ-like” living.

“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

Won’t you join me in seeking the face of Jesus, and pursuing a life that reveals the “mind of Christ” to a lost and dying world in need of a Savior? And may we remember what Jesus Himself said about our attitude:

“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 14:11

And as James calls us to remember about “faithers”! “Saying so” doesn’t make it so! But a transformed life will be evident!

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace,

be ye warmed and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not

those things which are needful

to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith,

and I have works:

shew me thy faith

without thy works,

and I will shew thee my faith

by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God;

thou doest well:

the devils also believe,

and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know,

O vain man,

that faith

without works

is dead?”   James 2:14-20

Do you have real “faith” that is displayed in a Christ-like mind-set as pictured in Philippians 2? Or does your life say you’d “rather fight than switch” (pun intended!)!!! Are we humbling ourselves before God and others, or exalting ourselves because we’re too proud to bow? A question that only you can answer, but don’t wait to long!

“He hath delivered my soul

in peace

from the battle that was against me:

for there were many with me.

19 God shall hear,

and afflict them,

even he that abideth of old. Selah.

Because they have no changes,

therefore they fear not God.” Psalm 55:18-19

Let’s fear God, yield to His Spirit and live by faith, rather than walk (or fight) in the flesh? Blessings on your week!

 

 

 

Check Your Knees??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 9

10 Sunday Sep 2017

Posted by in Check Your Knees???, Choose You This Day!, Every Knee Shall Bow, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, Sharing Our Faith!, The Only Way, The Word, Today and Forever

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.9 Check Your Knees???

 

One of my favorite passages about Jesus is found in Philippians chapter 2, where Paul calls us to have the mind of Christ; and the only way that anyone can have the mind of Christ Jesus, is to be ‘born again” by the Spirit and power of God.

“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 came to impart the “new birth”, just as He told Nicodemus in John 3:

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.”    John 3:3b

“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 3:5b-7

Jesus wants us to understand that salvation isn’t something that we can accomplish for ourselves—no matter how hard we may try. Salvation only come to those who will see their own sin, and come to the Savior for this ‘new birth’ of salvation. Just as we see above, it is being “born… …of God.” It’s not what family you are born in; it’s not by working up the will to change; and it’s not brought by the will of others; it is the supernatural work of God that changes sinners into saints!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Some of you are asking, “What does this have to do with my knees?” Well, that’s a good question and the answer is found in the first passage that we mentioned at the beginning of our post today. Let’s dig in and see what we can learn about out knees, and why they are important to our spiritual welfare.

“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

So what is Paul telling us? Well, let’s start at the end of the passage if you would, for as we’ve already said, without being born again it’s a moot issue, but what must we do to come to Jesus for this new birth. It’s really simple, but it’s never easy, because it’s never easy to give up our own will and bow to Jesus. Jesus came and laid down His life for our sin when He “humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Just as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:21 God sent Him to die as the sinless Lamb of God, to pay for our sin, so that we could receive the “righteousness of God” and be found IN Him!

And because of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, God has given “him a name which is above every name”; and that name requires a response—a response that involves YOUR knees and mine.

“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”!!!

I need to make something clear in all of this, God has declared, “every knee should bow” and believe me (well really you need to believe GOD!) “every knee” will bow, and “every tongue” will confess. But wait, not everyone is confessing Jesus, and certainly not every knee has bowed before Him! Well, what we need to realize is that the time is coming when it will happen! So, if it is going to happen, what is the question? The question isn’t “Will you bow?” But the question is ‘When will you bow?’ What am I talking about? I am talking about the fact that

God has declared His way to the world:

“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

Jesus came because He loves us—He loves the world—and He IS The Way for us to be forgiven of our sin and have eternal life. And while God’s love is unconditional—He loves everyone—His forgiveness is totally conditional on what we do with Jesus, The Son of God, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” It is what Jesus came to do, and unless we bow before Him as Lord and Savior while we have the opportunity, we will bow before Him as the judge of all men, with no opportunity of salvation!

So the question is simply, will we choose to bow before the Lord who died for our sin, and receive His salvation and the ‘new birth’ and be ‘born again’? Or will we refuse Him and His saving sacrifice and grace and bow before the “Great White Throne” to pay for our own sin? What have you done with Jesus? Have you bowed your knee before Him? Jesus won’t ask what church you belong to; He won’t ask how many times or where you were baptized; He won’t ask how much ‘good’ you have done; He won’t even ask what ‘bad’ you have done, for He already knows the answer to all those questions. The only question that will be asked is “What have you done with Jesus, and His sacrifice for your sin?” And regardless of what others may think of you, the only thing that will matter is whether you have bowed before the Lamb of God, for no matter how impressed others are with you, it’s what Jesus knows that will count in the end. His name calls for all to bow the knee and proclaim HIM LORD, and the standard is The Word of God—the written Word, the Bible, and the Living Word, Jesus!

“For the word of God is

quick, (alive)

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

The measuring stick will be The Word of God! How will you stand? What will be your defense—your works, your money, your prominence, your history, your family, your open mind, your position, or something else? It won’t matter, for the only defense in that day will be the “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son” that “cleanseth us from all sin” (See 1 John 1:7)! Will you bow your knees now or then? Your eternity depends on your choice.

“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.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a

wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded

upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a

foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall

of it.”    Matthew 7:21-27

You can choose to be ‘wise’ and have your house built on the rock of salvation; the One before whom you have bowed your heart and mind in repentance (of your sin), and faith (in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for YOU!), or you can choose to be like the ‘foolish man’! It’s your choice. But choose wisely, there is a test at the end.

“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

Praying that you will seek God and His way—Jesus, He’s waiting for YOU!!! And if you know Him—let it shine!!!

“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

 

He That Is Without Sin??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No. 25

25 Sunday Jun 2017

Posted by in Every Knee Shall Bow, He That Is Without Sin, Salvation, SIN, The Word, Throwing Rocks

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.25 He That Is Without Sin???

 

“And early in the morning he came again into the temple,

and all the people came unto him;

and he sat down,

and taught them.

3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him,

Master,

this woman was taken in adultery,

in the very act.

5 Now Moses in the law commanded us,

that such should be stoned:

but what sayest thou?

6 This they said,

tempting him,

that they might have to accuse him.

But Jesus stooped down,

and with his finger wrote on the ground,

as though he heard them not.

7 So when they continued asking him,

he lifted up himself, and said unto them,

He that is without sin

among you,

let him first cast a stone at her.

8 And again he stooped down,

and wrote on the ground.

9 And they which heard it,

being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one,

beginning at the eldest,

even unto the last:

and Jesus was left alone,

and the woman standing in the midst.

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself,

and saw none but the woman,

he said unto her,

Woman, where are those thine accusers?

hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord.

And Jesus said unto her,

Neither do I condemn thee:

go, and sin no more.

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”     John 8:2-12

Jesus in his public ministry encountered all kinds of people, and on this day of ministry and teaching the people, some religious leaders tried to set a trap for Him. They brought a woman before Jesus, and accused her of adultery, which was an offense worthy of death, according to the Law. One of the questions that has always stood out in my mind, is “Where was the man, she was caught in the act with?” These leaders weren’t concerned with justice, but with trapping Jesus and discrediting Him. But Jesus turned the tables on them, and in our vernacular, He told them to “go ahead”—but He pricked their hearts for the wickedness that they held onto. He hit the target of their ‘sinful’ hearts:

“He that is without sin

among you,

let him first cast a stone at her.”

While Jesus didn’t condone her ‘sin’, He did call them to judge their own hearts first! And while we live in a culture that says, “don’t judge” at all, what Jesus is saying is that we must judge ourselves first, before we can judge others. And even then we must judge with the righteous judgment of God. And God says that ‘sin’ is ‘sin’ and Jesus has paid the price for sin for all who believe in Him. I’ve often wondered what Jesus was writing on the ground that day—perhaps dates, or names, or places or ‘sins’, but whatever it was, the hearts of those men couldn’t withstand His silent judgment. When confronted by “God in the flesh”, they hung their heads and left one-by-one until there was just Jesus and the woman. This unnamed woman stood before the creator of the universe, and He simply asked where her accusers were!

“hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord.”

Then Jesus told her to “go, and sin no more”! And that is what Jesus calls us all to do, because sin is the issue. What will we do with it? If we claim that we have no sin, we are lying to ourselves and may never hear the voice of Jesus.

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 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.

2: 1 My little children, these things write I unto you,

that ye sin not.

And if any man sin,

we have an advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation

for our sins:

and not for ours only,

but also for the sins

of the whole world.”     1 John 1:5-2:2

Once again we find the emphasis is on the reality of ‘sin’! We all have it, and denying that we do doesn’t change the fact. John makes it clear that only Jesus can deliver us from the penalty of sin. He alone was, is and ever will be “the propitiation for our sins”! “Propitiation” is the payment in full for a debt. Jesus paid that debt with HIS blood! But we must recognize our own sin, repent and trust in Him. Then we will find the cleansing healing power of cross!

“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:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time

his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth

in Jesus.”   Romans 3:23-26

Jesus’ sacrifice redeems us from our sin, forgives and delivers us from the penalty of our own sin. Only Jesus could provide a life changing, transforming, redeeming work that pays our sin debt.

“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

The payment for sin is death, but Jesus has paid that debt for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith. How about you? Have you come to Jesus? Have you faced your own sin, or are you still blaming someone else for the choices that you have made, or are still making. As the old adage says, ‘Every pot has to sit on its own bottom’? Are you “Washed In The Blood” of Jesus”? Only His blood can save, and He is waiting for you to hear His voice and open the door of your heart to Him.

“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 came that we might have life—He paid the price for our life at the cross, and He wants us to live with Him, both now and forever. Have you heard His voice? Is He knocking at your heart’s door right now? Won’t you respond to His call in faith, knowing that when we come to Him He gives new life, eternal life, abundant life—Jesus’ resurrection power living and working in us!!!

“If ye then be risen with Christ,

seek those things which are above,

where Christ sitteth

on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above,

not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead,

and your life is hid

with Christ

in God.

4 When Christ,

who is our life,

shall appear,

then shall ye also appear

with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

We can not only look forward to His coming in glory, but we can live victoriously for Him in resurrection power each day until He comes (or calls us to Himself). And we can do that by His power, and in living a crucified life!

“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

I can live the “crucified” life in and with Jesus, because He gives His Holy Spirit to dwell within those He saves. When we live “crucified with Christ”, His life will be seen in and through us; and we can do that because “Christ liveth in me”! Then we can say with Paul, that I “live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”! He paid it all, what less could I give to Him? I can live as the “new creature” that I am in HIM!

“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

Have you received Jesus’ righteousness applied to your life? If not, I pray that you will seek Him; and I pray that if you know Him and have been born again, that you will walk in HIS transforming power. May we each be HIS ambassadors, busy for Jesus, knowing that HE “hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation”! And while He hasn’t called us to the “rock throwing” ministry, He has called us to declare salvation through His name to those who will hear the truth, acknowledge their own sin and bow before The Lord and Master, Jesus. We must preach and teach sin as sin, calling people to repentance and faith in Jesus. For the question isn’t, “Will you bow”; for all “will bow” before Him. The real question is when! Will you bow before Him as your Lord and Savior now, or will you bow before Him as your “judge” then—with no opportunity for salvation.

“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

The choice is yours, but choose wisely. There is a test at the end!

“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

The choice is yours, but remember God loves YOU.

“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

Reading Between The Lines??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No. 20

22 Monday May 2017

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.20 Reading Between The Lines???

 

On of my favorite songs lately has been an old song, but one I hadn’t really thought about in a long time, and then God brought it to my mind. It has touched a place in my heart that needed stirring, and I have been singing it to the Lord on a regular basis: “Be Thou My Vision” (By Dallon Forgaill), is the song that has sparked a longing in my heart. It has created in me a longing to truly have eyes (both physical and spiritual), which see as God sees—to see things as God sees them. That sounds rather insignificant, but I am finding that there are adjustments that I need to make in my life when I see things as God sees them. It often calls me to change things in my life, to eliminate things from my life, to add some things to my life, and to refocus my life toward God’s glory and purposes, rather than my own. It also means that I’m to desire to ‘love’ what God loves, and reject the things that God would find offense in—in other words to avoid the things that are not “well pleasing” to my Heavenly Father and my Lord Jesus. While the verses below are words were spoken in regard to Jesus Himself, they are words that we all ought to desire to hear God speak about us.

“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”   Matthew 17:5

Twice God confirmed Jesus as His own Son, the Messiah, by declaring His pleasure in the work that His Son was doing. What less could we desire but to please God The Father, Jesus The Son, and the precious Holy Spirit who dwells within us, and to hear Him say that He is “well pleased” with us, and our service to Him. To do that, we must have His vision, and then we can walk right before God and man, which is what Jesus did in His earthly life and pursuits.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” Luke 2:52

We ought to be pursuing God’s favor, and to do that we must immerse ourselves in His Word and His presence. We must dig into the Word of God, to know the God of the Word. We must seek His face in prayer and grow in intimacy with Him! And that, my friends, doesn’t come cheaply! It will cost us time, effort, energy, passion and devotion to the things of God, rather than being deceived and weighed down by the things of the world. Are we willing to seek the face of God rather than the “bling” and “distractions” that the world offers? Only I can decide that! Only YOU can decide that! And to help us choose wisely, here are a few things to consider in our pursuit of God’s heart and His vision.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto

thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct

thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

We must learn to trust our lives to our Lord and King, The Sovereign Lord of all, who loves us and cares for us. I must die to self and live to, for and through Jesus Christ my Lord.

“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

Jesus gave Himself for me, what else ought I to do but give myself for Him. And when we do that it will be seen in our life—our actions.

“For such as be blessed of him

shall inherit the earth;

and they that be cursed of him

shall be cut off.

23 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

God will direct our steps when we belong to Jesus, and truly trust Him in all our ways. For there is only one way to be a “good man”, and that is by the blood of Jesus, which saves us from the penalty of sin, and forgives our sins unto eternal life.

“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

Jesus offers eternal life to all who will look to Him, and believe in the atoning sacrifice for salvation that He made with His own body on the cross. He died for you and me—so that we could live in, for and through HIS power and Spirit in us!

“For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him

that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”    1 Peter 2:21-25

While Peter is talking to believers who are suffering for their faith, He is also reminding us that because Jesus suffered, we are also called to suffer for Him (see 2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus told us the same thing when He reminded us that following Him has a price. Jesus gave His life for ours, what are we giving to Him? Are we reading between the lines, and seeing the world as Jesus sees it? Are we willing to die to ourselves and live unto Jesus? We can only do that by His power, grace and love, but we can do it, when we walk closely with our Savior. It is there that we will find the joy and reward that the Psalmist refers to.

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel

of the ungodly,

nor standeth in the way

of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat

of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in

the law of the LORD;

and in his law

doth he meditate

day and night.

3 And he shall be

like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation

of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth

the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly

shall perish.” Psalm 1:1-6

A day is coming when it will be too late to “read between the lines”, for the lines will be totally revealed IN the One who searches the hearts and minds of men. And the standard will be The Word of God—both the written Word, which we have before us today; and the Living Word, Jesus Christ The Lord. I’d like us to consider two passages that remind us of His coming and His position. What Position, you might ask? His position as King of Kings, Lord of lords, and judge of the living and the dead! But there are two ways to know Him; you can bow before Him now in repentance and faith, and be born again by the blood of the Lamb, knowing Him as your Savior and Lord; or you can reject Him now and bow before Him ‘then’ as your Judge, with no opportunity for salvation. It’s a choice we all make. Choose wisely, there is a test at the end!

“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

We who know Jesus and have been saved by His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin (And all are sinners—See Romans 3:23 and 6:23), can read between the lines! The lines are heaven and hell—and Jesus is what’s written between those lines, and all who will believe in Him and the sacrifice that He made for sin (Our sin.), can have eternal life instead of eternal death in hell. The choice is yours, but remember there is a consequence to every choice.

“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

There is a ‘broad’ way and a ‘narrow’ way, and you get to choose which one you will take. But know that there is only one end, but not the same end, for each choice. One leads to life—eternal life with God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)—and the other leads to death. One is crowded and large; the other is small and much less crowded. Choosing to follow Jesus will mean not every one will like you; it may mean that you will suffer as He did; it may mean that your situation in life will change; it may mean that your friends may change toward you; it could cost you financially; it could cost your life! But both the present and the eternal reward are beyond our imagination! He is always with us!

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom,

which God ordained before the world

unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 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.” 1 Corinthians 2:7-12

So which way will you choose? Will you choose the way that leads to life, abundant life, and glorious life beyond anything that we can imagine; or will you choose the way to destruction? And when we choose Christ, we must remember that when we “read between the lines”, and follow Jesus it will have a price tag!

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

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

So, keep your eyes on the prize, ask God to “Be Thou My Vision”, and walk on with and for the Savior! May we see with spiritual eyes and follow HIM in all our ways, and someday hear our Master say:

“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……23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:” Matthew 25:21 & 23

No matter how many ‘things’ the Lord has given us to be faithful over, may we one day hear Him acknowledge our ‘faithfulness’ when we see Him. Oh, that is the prayer of my heart. I fall so far short every day, but I’m pressing on for my king. How about you?
May we be like Joshua, who not only read “between the line”, but stood for the Lord and drew a line in the sand for others. May we ever be that light to the world—knowing that many won’t like us or believe our message, but He calls us to follow Him, not take a ‘popularity poll’ before proceeding. As an old song says, “I have decided to follow Jesus…..No turning back….no turning back…” ( ‘I Have Decided To Follow Jesus’, attributed to the Indian missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh). Let’s choose to stand with Joshua and “read between the lines”! May God bless, grow and encourage you in His Word this week, and I pray that His grace and peace will fill your heart as you “choose you this day whom ye will serve”.

“Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him in sincerity and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14-15

Won’t you trust in the One “between the lines”?