Tag Archives: Repentance

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

 

Salvation-No Sin No Need??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 8

27 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, He That Is Without Sin, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, No Sin No Need?, Sanitized, Sharing Our Faith!, SIN, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.8 Salvation—No Sin No Need???

 

“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

Jesus came to save us because sin IS the issue for all mankind. But when we ignore the issue, we loose the urgency and import of real Holy Ghost, Biblical salvation from sin. Salvation that makes a sinner into a saint; that makes a new creature IN Jesus Christ! Jesus came to save lost sinners, to transform hearts and lives and restore men to a relationship of son-ship and peace with God! (Jn. 1:12-13)

“For the Son of man is come

to seek

and to save

that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope

of the glory of God.”    Romans 5:1-2

Unless we recognize sin in our own lives, we can’t call others to repent from sin. We must share and preach God’s truth, God’s way. What do I mean by that? Well, what I am saying is that we can’t keep compromising and trying to sanitize sin. When we reject the notion of sin, we eliminate the need for a Savior! Jesus came to “seek and to save that which was lost” because all are lost without Him! Scripture proclaims it and we must stop trying to deny the reality of sin, and call the lost to recognize sin, repent from it, and believe in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection for all our sin! If we claim to have no sin, then Jesus came in vain.

“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 53:6-7

Adam brought all men under the curse of sin, making us all guilty of sin by nature (what we call original sin), but we are also guilty of sin because we choose to sin (personal sin).

“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 3:23

We have not only sinned, but we also have come short of God’s glory. Just as Paul told us in Romans 5, where he declares that when we are redeemed by The Lamb, Jesus Christ, we have the hope of God’s glory for all eternity: we are justified (made judicially right before God—our sin debt, which we couldn’t pay, has been paid by Jesus) by the blood of Jesus—made right with God, saved from our sin!

“For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love

toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved

from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.” Romans 5:6-11

We can be reconciled to God (restored to a relationship), and our sins can be covered by the blood of Jesus which atones (satisfaction for a wrong done) for our sin— our choice to go “astray” and turning “every one to his own way”, as Isaiah so clearly describes for us in the beautiful passage that prophesied of what Jesus would do for us. Go over Isaiah 53 in your Bible and read what Jesus did for us, all who have “gone astray”! There has only been one sinless man and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, and because He had no sin, He was the spotless Lamb of God who went to the cross “as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth”! Jesus went to the cross for you and me—because all have sinned!!!

“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

Peter goes back to Isaiah 53, and shows us that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. Oh the glory of God’s plan—Jesus gave His life for mine/yours, and He did it willingly and all by the foreknowledge of God!

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God

among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him,

being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified and slain:”    Acts 2:22-23

Jesus was the plan before the foundation of the world. He isn’t plan “B”, because the “Law” failed, but He was the plan all along, and the “Law” of God was, as Paul describes it, was a ‘school master’ to show us all our sin!!! It was always about Jesus, who would come as the Lamb of God, to take away the sin of the world. He wouldn’t be a temporary covering for sin, but He would take it out of the equation for all who would repent and believe in His payment for sin, one plan for all time which God revealed at the right time.

“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:” Ephesians 1:3-4

It was, is and ever shall be all IN Jesus, God’s plan before He even created the world! He knew the cost and yet He created us anyway! You talk about amazing grace!!!

“Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him

do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith

and hope

might be in God.”1 Peter 1:18-21

It’s our faith in the atoning work of Jesus who died for our sins and was raised from the dead that saves. God did it all for you and me, He raised Jesus up from the dead so that we could have life. Paul gives us a very concise account of the truths of salvation, the Gospel in a nutshell.

“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

Paul makes it clear, just as John The Baptizer did; that the Gospel is that Jesus died, was buried and resurrected to pay for our sin, and all “according to the scriptures”! God promised salvation throughout the Old Testament, and Jesus brought it all to fulfillment in His sacrifice for us. And He will also keep His promises of His return.

“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

Just as we said earlier, Jesus came to die to take “away the sin of the world”!!! He didn’t come to cover it up, but to take it away for all who would come to Him. But without Him there is no remission (removal of or payment of) of sin.

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22

Jesus came to pay for sin—yet without His salvation to pay for sin, all are destined to pay for their own sin.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Even Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to salvation, and without Him there is only condemnation.

“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.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.”    John 3:16-20

Condemnation or ‘eternal life’, that is the question! We can choose to receive the “gift of God” which is “eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”! Oh what grace, mercy and love we have been given in the redemption (Buying back, because God was our creator, but in Adam’s sin we died spiritually and lost our kinship with God, but redemption buys us back—it’s what this is all about!), but we have no hope without Him? But when we recognize our sin, then we can receive life in Jesus. If we refuse to recognize our sin, and don’t repent and trust Jesus for salvation from sin’s penalty, we must pay for our own sin. John had a lot to say about sin in his letter to beleivers!

“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 1:7-10

The choice is clear, we can confess our sins and find salvation and eternal life IN Jesus, or we can deceive ourselves, denying that we have any sin (or calling it something else), and God will hold us accountable for our own sin! Are you deceiving yourself or are you listening to the call of Jesus to repent and believe?

Some of you may be wondering why we spend so much time on the Gospel, but it is what we are called to, as children of God and followers of Jesus. Let’s examine what Jesus commissioned us to as He was about to ascended to The Father. When you face Him, what will you hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant”? Or will you hear a different response, “Depart from me, I never knew you”?

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me

in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo,

I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world.

Amen.”   Matthew 28:18-20

What are you spreading as YOU go, the truth of the Gospel or are you living out the lies of the enemy? Choose wisely!

Sanitized Or Sanctified??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 5

06 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Repentance, Salvation, Sanctified, Sanitized, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.5 Sanitized Or Sanctified???

 

Today I’d like us to consider the doctrine of ‘sanctification’ particularly in light of a culture that seems to be much more interested in ‘sanitizing’ men instead of calling them to sanctification that only comes through the cleansing, life-transforming transaction of salvation—being born again of the Spirit of God! Only God can change the heart of a lost man, woman, boy or girl into the heart of a ‘child of God’!

“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 1:12-13

When someone comes to Jesus through repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for their own ‘individual, personal’ sin, they are transformed by the blood of Jesus into a child of God. They aren’t cleaned up (sanitized) by doing ‘good’ works, but sanctified by the sacrifice that Jesus made for ‘sin’! Paul describes this transaction in his letter to the Colossians, as deliverance and translation—being changed from a worldly, sinful creature to a new birth (See John 3:1-19) child of God.

“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…..

20 And, having made peace

through the blood of his cross,

by him to reconcile all things

unto himself;

by him, I say,

whether they be things in earth,

or things in heaven.

21 And you,

that were sometime alienated

and enemies in your mind

by wicked works,

yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh

through death,

to present you holy

and unblameable

and unreproveable

in his sight:”    Colossians 1:12-14 & 20-22

Do you understand that—

we were in darkness without Jesus–

but we can receive deliverance

from darkness into HIS light?

We were in sin without Jesus—

 but HE translates/changes us into HIS kingdom

 by redemption

 through HIS blood

 even the forgiving our sin/sins?

We were alienated from God—

 but Jesus reconciles us to God,

 and gives us peace with God?

All of this offered to those who will come to Jesus in repentance and faith in His death for ‘my’ sin! But it doesn’t stop there; He doesn’t ask us to ‘sanitize’ our lives but HE does a transforming work of redemption which makes us fit to receive the “inheritance of the saints in light”, and then He is works within our hearts and lives to “present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight”. God clearly says that we can do nothing to save ourselves, but He will save from Hell, and sanctify us!!!

“And you, being dead in your sins

and the uncircumcision of your flesh,

hath he quickened together with him,

having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances

that was against us,

which was contrary to us,

and took it out of the way,

nailing it to his cross;”    Colossians 2:13-14

Jesus paid it all—all for you—and all for me!

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past

ye walked according to the course

of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all

had our conversation in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature the children

of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy,

for his great love

wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:”   Ephesians 2:1-6

All of these passages remind us that Jesus saves and gives ‘new’ life to those who will receive Him—a life that is lived by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, imparted to us because of the completed work of salvation that Jesus accomplished at Calvary!! As the old song says, “The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference”. Yet we live amongst those who are purporting a Gospel that promises to punch your ticket for heaven, but makes no change, and certainly no demands for any evidence of a ‘transformed’ life.

Jesus saves us to be His hands and feet to the world, but even more so, to be a demonstration of His saving power which manifests itself in the transformed life of those truly redeemed, children of God. And regardless of what men may say, God knows those who are really His own. And my friends, saying so, doesn’t’ make it so.

“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

As my mother used to say, “You can fool all of the people, some of the time, and you can fool some of the people all of the time. But you can’t ever fool God!” Yet we have a whole lot of people who are promoting a ‘gospel’ that doesn’t line up with scripture. When we come to Jesus—He makes a change! What Jesus imparts isn’t cheap grace; it is the ‘blood bought’ transforming power of the blood of Jesus that “cleanses us from all sin”.

“Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 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.

7 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of his grace...”    Ephesians 1:2-7

We’re adopted into the family of God, and that new birth transaction will always leave a ‘family resemblance’. No, we aren’t made instantly perfect, but we are ‘being sanctified’ (made holy and set apart) unto God, learning to be a help and encouragement to all those who call upon HIS name.

“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth,

to them that are sanctified

in Christ Jesus,

called to be saints,

with all that in every place

call upon the name of Jesus Christ

our Lord,

both theirs

and ours:

3 Grace be unto you,

and peace,

from God our Father,

and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”     1 Corinthians 1:2-3

So our questions for today are, ‘Are you trying to live a ‘sanitized’ life by your own power?’ Or, ‘Are you born again, yielding to the work of God in your life and reflecting the sanctifying power of God before a lost and dying world; sanctified by the substitutionary, sacrificial atoning death of Jesus Christ?’ Jesus brought in the ‘New Covenant’ by His sacrifice, the indwelling Holy Spirit to “guide you into all truth”! (See John 16:13)

“Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.

He taketh away the first,

that he may establish the second.

10 By the which will we are sanctified

through the offering of the body

of Jesus Christ

once for all.….

14 For by one offering

he hath perfected

for ever

them that are sanctified.

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16 This is the covenant that I will make

with them

after those days,

saith the Lord,

I will put my laws into their hearts,

and in their minds will I write them;

17 And their sins

and iniquities

will I remember no more.……

22 Let us draw near with a true heart

in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled

from an evil conscience,

and our bodies washed

with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith

without wavering;

( for he is faithful that promised; )

24 And let us consider one another

to provoke unto love

and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling

of ourselves

together,

as the manner of some is;

but exhorting one another:

and so much the more,

as ye see the day approaching.”   Hebrews 10:9-25

May we ever provoke one another “unto love and to good works”, especially “them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus”!  Amen and Amen!!!

The Problem With LSD??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 4

30 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Death, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, LSD?, Lust, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.4 The Problem With LSD???

 

Well, for sure that title got some of you to open this page, but it’s not quite what you might expect, we’re going to talk about the danger of “lust”, “sin”, and “death” not the hallucinogenic drug—although they both have a danger that people need to be aware of—death! We’re going to see what James says about this very thing, and hopefully help us all be more aware of the dangers around us.

God sent Jesus to pay the price for sin, for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith. But no one ever comes to Jesus for forgiveness of sin and salvation until they see the reality of sin in their own lives. Why would anyone need a Savior who had no sin? Yet scripture is replete with the truth that we are all in the same boat when it comes to “sin”; we are all drowning in a sea of sin, and Jesus is the Only life-preserver. And while Jesus is the Only way to ‘life’, I think it will be helpful for us to remind ourselves and those around us of the real dangers of sin.

“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

Jesus Christ is the “the gift of God”, coming to be the payment for our sin. But what does sin look like? Is it just a list of ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’, or is it even more basic than that? We all face temptations in this world, because of Adam and Eve’s sin and the curse of death that it brought—that is called original sin. But we also sin because our flesh likes and chooses sin over God’s way? We are all dead in our sin because we are born in sin, and because we choose to sin. We don’t need to teach our children to lie, but they certainly seem to pick it up without instructions. Why? How? Because every person is born with the inclination to sin, and our weak and selfish flesh wants what it wants, when it wants it, and usually right NOW! (See Ephesians 2:1-10)

But God has a better way, He sent Jesus to give us the power to overcome sin by the blood of the Lamb of God.

“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

“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.”   John 16:33

We all have tribulation and temptation in this world, but when we come to Jesus we have the power to overcome the pull and defeat of sin, all because He has overcome sin, death and hell with His own blood which made the sacrifice for our sin; He is the One who came, the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” He paid the price for my sin and yours, and will He give us abundant life and peace with God, all because He loves us and we need a Savior!

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”    Romans 5:1

James also gives us more information that we might know the cure for sin, and how to live out our faith in Him! Knowing Jesus makes a difference, even though many today seem to have forgotten that we are called to holiness !

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”   1Peter 1:13-15

With that in mind, how are you measuring your living? Are you so enamored with the world that you don’t even see sin as sin? Have you listened to that ugly talk so much, that it seems ok now? Are you an example of holiness or ‘un’-holiness? Are you so compromised by the worldly speech, actions and motives that there is not much difference between you and the world? Do people know that you love Jesus by your manners, speech and activities, or is your life a picture of ‘anything’ goes? Have you bought into the lie that Satan has sold the world, that God doesn’t care about sin, and hell isn’t real? Let’s dig into James’ challenge to know and live in the truth of the Gospel—Jesus saves and changes lives still today, and our actions do reveal what we truly love! James 1:12-26

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:

for when he is tried,

he shall receive the crown of life,

which the Lord hath promised

to them that love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted,

I am tempted of God:

for God cannot be tempted with evil,

neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted,

when he is drawn away of his own lust,

and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived,

it bringeth forth sin:

and sin,

when it is finished,

bringeth forth death.”

James makes it clear that sin is not only our ‘birthright’ from Adam, but also our own choice for our own life. Sin comes form the desires of our flesh being illegitimate in respect to the heart, laws and pleasure of God. If God says in His Word that a thing is sin, then it is sin; no matter how much we dress it up, change the terminology, or get used to the darkness around us—sin is still sin, regardless of what the world may say. If my desire is to please God, why would I want to be intimate with sin? I need to be as distant from it as possible, not trying to walk as close to the edge as I can without falling! But James doesn’t stop there; he also encourages us to godly living. Not just a list of ‘don’ts’ but a call to higher ground—holy living!

“16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will begat he us

with the word of truth,

that we should be a kind of firstfruits

of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness

of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.”

James reminds believers that we are to march to a different drum than the world; we are to be followers of Jesus, marching to His drum (so to speak) and reflecting the “righteousness of God” NOT the “wrath of man”! It saddens my heart when I see those who claim the name of Jesus as their own, speaking, posting and sharing things for which they need to apologize. May I simply say; if it needs an apology before you speak/post/share it, then it is probably better left unsaid. Paul asked the Corinthians a question, which I think most aptly, applies to many in our day, some good advice, which we ought to heed.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together

with unbelievers:

for what fellowship hath righteousness

with unrighteousness?

and what communion hath light

with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ

with Belial?

or what part hath he that believeth

with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God

with idols?

for ye are the temple of the living God;

as God hath said,

I will dwell in them,

and walk in them;

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them,

and be ye separate,

saith the Lord,

and touch not the unclean thing;

and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you,

and ye shall be my sons and daughters,

saith the Lord Almighty.”    2 Corinthians 6:14-18

I don’t see a lot of coming “out from among them, and be ye separate”; instead what I see is that often times the church has invited the world in, and changed their convictions to accommodate the world; rather than preaching the Good News that Jesus saves, and allowing God, through the power of His Holy Spirit to save, change and transform lives. May God have mercy on us! James gives us good instruction for our task, and how we ought to behave/look before a lost and unregenerate (unchanged, unsaved) world!

“22 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.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.”    James 1:12-26

God said it (via James) not me—but I do heartily agree. God’s Word is truth and we can believe it, and receive it; or we can defy God and His Word and allow the lust in our hearts to become sin, but that sin will lead to death. Jesus gave this same warning to Nicodemus. The Word hasn’t changed; it will never change nor will its author.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”   Hebrews 13:8

The choice is yours, will you choose ‘lust>sin>death’? Or will you come to Jesus and receive His life instead?

“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

How about you? Will it be lust, sin and death or Jesus? And for those who already belong to Jesus, will we reflect HIS light or be dimmed by the darkness of the world? I implore you dear friends, let’s commit to “walk in the light”!

“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.”     1 John 1:7

“Love not the world,

neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world,

the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 1:15-17

The choice is yours, but remember there is a test at the end!

Where Is Your Cross? Bible Ballistics: BBs #379

26 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by in Every Knee Shall Bow, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Repentance, Salvation, SIN, The Word, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #379 Where Is Your Cross?

 

As we look around at our world it grieves me to see so many who claim the name of Jesus, but just that; they claim His name for their own reasons, without any regard for the One who gave His life on the cross for our salvation. They have no desire for a personal relationship with Jesus, but seem to only desire the benefit that can be gained from the use of HIS Holy name, or from His people. What are we to do? Jesus told us long ago about that question, and it’s one that we won’t be able to answer, except as we trust our lives to Him and follow where He leads. While we are called to stand for truth, and against blatant sin and disregard of the Holy Scriptures, we cannot always tell the real from the fake. But God can!

“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

I have been fooled by some, I’ve been disappointed by some, and I’ve been greatly encouraged by the genuine and living faith of others. Our job is to follow the shepherd and feed the sheep, even the ‘pretenders’. We can’t force-feed those who aren’t hungry because they’ve gorged on the swill of the world, or those who are repulsed by the Word of God that we offer; but our job is the same as Jesus called Peter to before He ascended.

“Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

15 So when they had dined,

Jesus saith to Simon Peter,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me

more than these?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord;

thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him,

Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord;

thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him,

Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved

because he said unto him

the third time,

Lovest thou me?

And he said unto him,

Lord, thou knowest all things;

thou knowest that I love thee.

Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”  John 21:12-17

Without going into the depths of this marvelous encounter that Peter had with our Lord, I want us to focus on the simple way that the Master restored ‘Peter the sheep’! And as He led Peter through this exercise of soul-searching, He gave Him only one command, “Feed my sheep”!! The lambs—the young, inexperienced, head-strong lambs; the older sheep—the head-butting ones, the grumpy ones, the hungry ones, the cast-down ones—Jesus called Peter to “Feed my sheep”! And we are to feed the sheep, but we can only share what we have received, leaving the “herd” selection to the Master. Jesus told us about this, in the parable of the wheat and the tares—He knows it all!!!

“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29 But he said, Nay;

lest while ye gather up the tares,

ye root up also the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,

Gather ye together first the tares,

and bind them in bundles to burn them:

but gather the wheat into my barn.”   Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus knows the wheat (His own sheep) and the tares (The wolves in ‘sheep’s clothing’), and He will render a just verdict of reward. The verdict is based on what you/I do with Jesus, the One who died to save us and give eternal life to all who will come! Only you can decide what you will do with the cross: will yours be only a piece of jewelry, with no love or commitment to the One who died on it; or have you come to Jesus, taking up your cross and following HIM? “Jesus Christ, and him crucified”—He’s MY choice?