Without Excuse?? What’s Yours? A Word from THE WORD!!! #357

As we look around us today, we find chaos, confusion, catastrophes in weather, wind, ocean and skies, but what are thinking about “these things”, much less doing?  Is there anything we can do?  I think so, but mostly we don’t want to change “me”, my outlook or my lifestyle (not only how I view the world but am I influencing the world around me for Jesus or just sliding by like everyone around me?).

“What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?…

…35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation,

or distress,

or persecution,

or famine,

or nakedness,

or peril,

or sword?

36 As it is written,

For thy sake we are killed all the day long;

we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay,

in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.”   Portions of Romans 8:31-37

Notice that Paul didn’t say these things wouldn’t come, but he clearly reminds us that “in all these things“ we can be “more than conquerors”, but notice we don’t conquer in our flesh but “through him that loved us” enough to die in our place! Paul’s great message of Romans chapter 8 reminds us that our hope, victory and power come from the saving grace of Jesus, His resurrection power, and the indwelling Holy Spirit (God’s confirming and conforming work to remind us that we are His, and that HE is working in all things to conform us into the “image of Jesus”! See verses 28-29) which Jesus imparts to all who are born again!  So, are you walking in victory or have you allowed the enemy to distract you, discourage you, and displace you?  Just get your eyes realigned on the prize—JESUS—not the world!  Are you His?  Are you living by His power or your own?  Do you rely on the Holy Spirit or your own wisdom and the twisted ideas of the world?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, remember there is a test!  Do you have “the Spirit of Christ”?

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”  Romans 8:9

We must continue to walk in The Spirit to truly be all that God desires for us to be—not just “do” but to be walking in The Spirit not the flesh.  And oh, my friends, that is a continual battle and even as Jesus did, we can only succeed consistently as we bathe ourselves in His Word!  Look at Matthew chapter 4 and see how Jesus responded to the provocation of the enemy—with The Word!  It’s our only assurance of victory.  Remember we are to think thoughts of truth!

“Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.”  Philippians 4:8

What’s your excuse?  Do you have one?  God is ever, has always, and will continue to speak to mankind, but will we heed?  God says we are without excuse.  Are you pleading an empty cause or are you running to the cross—to the throne of grace?

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven

against all ungodliness

and unrighteousness of men,

who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God

is manifest in them;

for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world

are clearly seen,

being understood by the things

that are made,

even his eternal power and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that,

when they knew God,

they glorified him not as God,

neither were thankful;

but became vain in their imaginations,

and their foolish heart was darkened.”  Romans 1:18-21

Will you stand before God as one of those who are “without excuse”, or one who has received “the Spirit of Christ”, by repentance and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice?  I stand with Paul and proclaim the verses just preceding this somber warning—Jesus died for me, and you!  Will you heed the call?  Justified by the blood of the Lamb of God, not human effort, no excuses, but Jesus’ blood which cleanses “from all sin”!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”  Romans 1:16-17

Amen and Amen!!!