Tag Archives: Romans 3:10-12

As White As Snow??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #316

22 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Self-sufficient or Dependent on Jesus?, Serving God or Using God?, Sharing the blessings, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Though your sins be as scarlet-they shall be white as snow., Thy Kingdom Come, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, Today is the day of Salvation, Who Am I?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's Listening Anyway?, Whom are you trusting?, Whose Side Are You On?

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As White As Snow???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #316

“And when ye spread forth your hands,

I will hide mine eyes from you:

yea, when ye make many prayers,

I will not hear:

your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash you,

make you clean;

put away the evil of your doings

from before mine eyes;

cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well;

seek judgment,

relieve the oppressed,

judge the fatherless,

plead for the widow.

18 Come now,

and let us reason together,

saith the LORD:

though your sins be as scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson,

they shall be as wool.”  Isaiah 1:15-18

God’s call to Israel through the prophet Isaiah, was a difficult word to hear, and just as in our day, most didn’t want to hear it.  God was calling the people to see their own sin, and to turn to Him, not in vain words, empty sacrifices, or feigned worship, but in hearts of repentance, seeking God’s forgiveness, grace and restoration.  So we, in our country—in our world—are blind to the truth in favor of Satan’s lies which sound so much more palatable to our proud and arrogant self-sufficiency and self-righteousness.

But God’s message through Isaiah reminds us that only His grace can cleanse and forgive our sin.  Paul shared a similar message, and I want to call us to consider God’s call.  Where are you?  Has your sin been forgiven.  Do you have any sin?  Until we see our own sin and need for salvation, we will never come to Jesus.  In Paul’s message to the believers at Rome, he makes the case for sin—all sin.  In chapter one, he describes and calls the blatant sinners to repent; in chapter two he calls the self-righteous to repent; and in chapter three he plainly and clearly calls the “none righteous…no not one” to come to Jesus!  We can never be good enough to eradicate our own sin.

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no, not one.”  Romans 3:10-12

Paul goes on to declare:

“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

We can then proceed on to chapter 6:

“What fruit had ye then in those things

whereof ye are now ashamed?

for the end of those things

is death.

22 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 6:21-23

Yet how do we go from sinful, self-righteous, none-righteous to a child of The King?  Paul shares the answer to that question, and I pray that no matter your station or situation in life you will look to Jesus and receive the free gift of His salvation by repentance of your sin, and trusting in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for payment of our sin!  I know this is a lengthy passage but one that we need to hear and heed.

“But what saith it?

The word is nigh thee,

even in thy mouth,

and in thy heart:

that is, the word of faith,

which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth

the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine heart

that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart

man believeth unto righteousness;

and with the mouth confession is made

unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith,

Whosoever believeth on him

shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference

between the Jew and the Greek:

for the same Lord over all

is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him

in whom they have not believed?

and how shall they believe in him

of whom they have not heard?

and how shall they hear

without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach,

except they be sent?

as it is written,

How beautiful are the feet of them

that preach the gospel of peace,

and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

For Esaias saith,

Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing,

and hearing by the word of God.”  Romans 10:8-17

I plead with you to hear The Word?  Don’t miss the master’s gift of salvation.  He’s coming soon, will you be ready?  I pray that if you are not ready—if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior–you will call upon HIM today, for then:

“though your sins be as scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson,

they shall be as wool”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

What Righteousness??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 18

27 Sunday Mar 2022

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Changed Lives, Justified by Jesus, Righteousness, Unrighteous will not inherit

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 18      What Righteousness???

 

Can we be righteous?  How can one be righteous?  We must consider scripture to answer both of these questions, and to do that we must consider what is “un”righteousness?

“Know ye not

that the unrighteous shall not inherit

the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators,

nor idolaters,

nor adulterers,

nor effeminate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves,

nor covetous,

nor drunkards,

nor revilers,

nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you:

but ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified,

but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Romans chapter 1 deals intently with this subject as well, reminding us that (in Blanche’s paraphrase) unrighteousness is contagious.

“And even as they did not like to retain God

in their knowledge,

God gave them over

to a reprobate mind,

to do those things

which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all

unrighteousness,

fornication,

wickedness,

covetousness,

maliciousness;

full of envy,

murder,

debate,

deceit,

malignity;

whisperers,

30 Backbiters,

haters of God,

despiteful,

proud,

boasters,

inventors of evil things,

disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers,

without natural affection,

implacable,

unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God,

that they which commit such things

are worthy of death,

not only do the same,

but have pleasure in them

that do them.”  Romans 1:28-32

For you see, even as Paul also mentions in the book of Romans, we are all sinners/unrighteous:

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;”  Romans 3:23

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no, not one.”  Romans 3:10-12

“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

Even as Isaiah said long before the Apostles:

“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.”  Isaiah 53:6

So, what does all of this have to do with righteousness?  The message is clear– sin IS the issue—we have it, yet we can’t fix it, for only Jesus can provide the “cure”; the cure is HIS blood which HE shed at Calvary for our SIN!  No matter what the world says, no matter how much those around us deny the reality of sin; no matter how popular sin becomes; no matter how much we paint it, fluff it up, disguise it, rename it, or justify it—the rules haven’t changed, for God says that “the wages of sin IS death”!

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you

all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves,

and to all the flock,

over the which the Holy Ghost

hath made you overseers,

to feed the church of God,

which he hath purchased

with his own blood.”  Acts 20:28

“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.”  1 John 1:7-8

Without Jesus we have no hope; but with, in, and through Jesus we can have eternal life.  Eternal life that relieves us of the penalty and condemnation of sin (hell), even as Jesus Himself said!

“And as Moses

lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must

the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

(for=Because– my commentary)

16 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 3:14-19

If you remember the story from Numbers, Moses ‘lifted up’ the brazen serpent and whoever looked unto it for healing lived—so Jesus would be ‘lifted up’(crucified for our sin).  So, when we choose to follow Him, and receive the salvation that HIS death, burial, and resurrection provides, we can walk in the light “as he is in the light”!  Just as Paul gave the Corinthians a list of sins (inclusive but not exhaustive) in contrast to what they now had become (and we can be) through Jesus’ righteousness:

 “…such were some of you:

but ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified,

but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus”

All due to the exchange that God makes when we come to Jesus—the work of salvation that only God can accomplish.

“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

I said earlier that I believe that “sin” is contagious, and I think scripture proves this out, both in Paul’s writings as well as throughout the Proverbs and Psalms. We must be careful of the things and people that we allow to have influence in our lives.  As the author of Proverbs warns:

“Keep thy heart

with all diligence;

for out of it

are the issues of life.”  Proverbs 4:23

And just one from the Psalmist:

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

In closing, a few words of warning from the Apostle Paul, that we ought to take to heart in our own lives and the lives of our little ones.  You can make a difference in the life of a child, but you must choose to be involved, and exercise parental control, by being a real example of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (See Colossians 1:27).   Choose wisely, righteous, or unrighteous—there is a test?

“Be not deceived:

evil communications

corrupt good manners.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

“That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, even Christ:”   Ephesians 4:14-15

Amen and Amen!!!

Revival To “Alive”al??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 24

30 Sunday Aug 2020

Posted by in Be not conformed to this world, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Cross, Encouragement, Every Knee Shall Bow, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, God's Judgment, God's love, God's provision, Good News, Holiness, Holy Spirit, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Only One Way, Salvation, Saved by grace, The Blood Of Jesus, Transformation, Transformed life, Trust God, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 24 Revival To “Alive”al???

 

“Wilt thou not revive us again:

that thy people

may rejoice in thee?

7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD,

and grant us thy salvation.

8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak:

for he will speak peace

unto his people,

and to his saints:

but let them not turn again

to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is nigh them

that fear him;

that glory may dwell

in our land.”   Psalm 85:6-9

The prayer of my heart for many years has been for God to bring revival to HIS people.  I say that for the same reason that I used the title that I did; many seem to think that revival will bring hoards into the church, hence the church would be “revived” but that is far from true.  Revival is the:

“restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength…an awakening, in a church or community, of interest in and care for matters relating to personal religion…”

Revival is the awakening of those who have life, whereas salvation brings “life” to the spiritually dead.  It’s what Paul so aptly describes in Ephesians 2.

“And you hath he quickened, (brought to life)

who were dead in trespasses and sins; (dead)

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.”   Ephesians 2:1-3

Much like the picture that Paul painted in his treatise to the Roman church (and Romans is the foundational essence of the Christian faith in a capsule, howbeit a large capsule) that sin is sin, we all have it, and only Jesus can provide the cure, and how the ‘cure’ is worked out in each believer!

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone

out of the way,

they are together

become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no, not one.”  Romans 3:10-12

“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 3:24-26

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ

our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

Jesus came to “save his people from their sins” and without being “born again” we are dead in sin! But praise God, Jesus came that we could be “born again” and have eternal life with Him, when we come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for us.

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born

when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born

of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:3-7

Jesus came that we might have “life, and that they might have it more abundantly”!

So, if the church’s job isn’t to infuse itself with “new members”, what is it?  Well, that is a question that Jesus answered before He left this world to take His place at The Father’s right hand. Let’s consider the call/commission that HE gave to His own—those who are born again!!!

“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 28:19-20

Jesus also made some observations as He spoke to the churches in The Revelation; some pertinent messages that I think we need to consider and heed today, several seem to be apropos to our focus today.

“These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars;

I know thy works,

that thou hast a name

that thou livest,

and art dead.”  Revelation 3:1b

“I know thy works:

behold, I have set before thee

an open door,

and no man can shut it:

for thou hast a little strength,

and hast kept my word,

and hast not denied my name.”   Revelation 3:8

And what I think is the most important for us to consider:

“Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not that

thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes

with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.”  Revelation 3:17-18

So, what can we take away from all of this?  I think we must do as God told Israel through the prophet Haggai, “consider your ways”, good advice that God still has for us today.  We must consider our ways and measure them by God’s Word rather than the popular buzz of the world.  The church is to lead the world to transforming life in Jesus, NOT to be “transformed” into the image of the world.  God calls us to be changed into the image of our Lord, The Son; and when we will choose to yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit of Jesus, we will find that revival will come to us, spread to other believers and then the lost will be drawn to the Master.  Just the way that Jesus told us in John!

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said, signifying what death

he should die.”  John 12:32-33

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 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.”  John 3:14-16

He was lifted up for our sin, may we ever lift HIM up to draw others to the cross! Like Paul, I believe the church is called to stand on the gospel of Jesus and not the imitation “religion” of the world, entertaining people right into hell.  False security is no security.  May we determine to stand fast in the sufficiency and total provision of the cross.

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony

of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing

among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”  1 Corinthians 2:2

And as Jesus said of Himself:

“…….I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

So, will you join me in truly pursuing Jesus and praying for revival amongst born again believers, so that our transformation into truly holy reflections of our Lord will draw others to the cross—by HIS transforming power!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2

May our lives ever be reflective of Jesus; may we truly be the evidence that God is ever at work around us?  May we be found faithful to HIS WORD; knowing it’s God’s standard that we will be judged by, not man’s!

“For the word of God

is quick,

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 choice is yours, but there will be an accounting before God, and only those who have bowed before the cross will be able to stand by JESUS’ blood.

Amen!

Marginalizing God??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 07

30 Sunday Sep 2018

Posted by in Marginalizing God, Salvation, SIN

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 07     Marginalizing God???

 

There have been deceivers since Eden, and they’re still alive and well in our midst today. Scripture is replete with God’s warnings to keep our hearts set on Him and The Son—but our culture is trying to undermine those who follow the Jesus of the Bible. We must cling to The One who saves and keeps us despite the draw of the world, or the ridicule that we may encounter.

I have watched of late the ugliness of hate, despite and disregard of the truth or the rule of law—we as a country stand on the precipice of anarchy! But why are we here? I’d like to share a few thoughts with you today from my perspective.

“There is a way that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

As we often hear today, “What you see is what you get.” yet we need to consider that much of what we “see” and “hear” is staged, orchestrated and promoted for an agenda—good bad or indifferent, it’s not real. When I think back many years I am reminded of the lies that we who were young in the 60’s bought—we believed and bought into the idea that all things are equal, and it doesn’t matter how you look, or how you act, or what you believe—just “love” everybody! After all, people are inherently good! WRONG! I remember a time when women (as a whole) were raised to be gentle, soft and kind, but now we have raised generations of “liberated” women—women who are liberated from restraint, respect, goodness, kindness, modesty, self-respect, and of course gentility! God created a man and a woman who were equal before Him and He gave them to each other, for companionship, communion and procreation.

We now live in a culture that is satisfied with women (and men) who are crude in their behavior, vulgar in their language, and more often than not, immoral in their ways. Women have won the right to cuss like the men, be as vulgar as the men, drink like the men, smoke like the men, lie and steal and cheat!!! I’d say we’ve lost way more than we supposedly gained. We have allowed the world to convince us that we are at war with one another, forgetting that God’s design was for the husband and the wife to become one–united together for their common good and the good of society.

“And the LORD God said,

It is not good

that the man should be alone;

I will make him an help meet

for him.

19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field;

but for Adam there was not found

an help meet for him.

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep

to fall upon Adam,

and he slept:

and he took one of his ribs,

and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib,

which the LORD God had taken from man,

made he a woman,

and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said,

This is now bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh:

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man leave

his father

and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife:

and they shall be one flesh.

25 And they were both naked,

the man and his wife,

and were not ashamed.” Genesis 2:18-25

This is one of my favorite passages in scripture, and I love teaching the beauty of God’s plan for man and woman—God allowed Adam to name all the creatures—male and female—and see that they were “paired” up. God always brings us to see our need before He meets that need, and when God brought the woman to Adam, he knew God had “completed” him. God brought Eve to be a completer not a competer!

“It is not good

that the man should be alone;

I will make him an help meet

for him.”

We have allowed our culture to convince us (for a great part) that men and women are by nature (of course the world teaches that we just ‘evolved’ from goo—go figure that out) enemies, yet God created “male and female” to compliment each other and bring fulfillment each to the other, to serve God jointly and share in the making and raising of families.

I know personally, I bought the lies from the world, and even in the 60’s and 70’s the church was buying into them also. I accepted the lie that my “happiness” was more important than God’s call to salvation, marriage or holiness, and I made choices that changed my life and the lives of my children, family and loved ones in ways that were beyond devastating ultimately, more than I could have imagined. My choices and their consequences still reverberate through the years. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and just like our first verse said today, just because something “seems” right in the moment, it doesn’t mean it IS right before God. And if it’s not right before God—IT IS NOT RIGHT! No matter what the world, our friends or our “heart” says. God hasn’t changed His mind, His Word or His principles of truth, right and morality.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season

we shall reap,

if we faint not.” Galatians 6:7-9

We live in a culture of “credit”—if you don’t have the money, just charge it. We have oft times chosen to live our lives that way—particularly our spiritual lives (and our lives are spiritual in nature, because we are created in the image of God, see Genesis 1 and Genesis 9:6)—by spending our lives in sin and depravity today and thinking we can fix it later. We aren’t guaranteed a tomorrow, and God makes it clear that if we refuse to humble ourselves before Him, repenting of our sin, trusting in Jesus substitutionary, sacrificial atonement for our sin, we will pay that debt ourselves. And that debt is death and hell—and it will come due for those who refuse to accept Jesus sacrifice for sin.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:”   Hebrews 9:27

We will all die, and we will all give an answer for our choices –no matter if we were deceived or not. The question isn’t “Will you bow?” but when? You can choose to follow Jesus in repentance and faith now and be born again unto eternal life, or you will bow before Jesus at as your judge, with no opportunity for grace and salvation. It’s your choice, but choose wisely, for no matter what the world may say, God is still in charge, and Jesus is coming again (and I believe soon!), and YOU will bow and give and account of your choices!!! Jesus is the same—and so is sin, and God is the judge not you!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

Sin is still sin, even if the legislature renames it and calls it good. There have always been those who try to change God’s ways, but God will judge righteous judgment; and regardless of whether it was my poor, sinful choices years ago, or your poor, sinful choices today, we will reap what we sow. I simply praise God for forgiveness and restoration that He can and will give when we bow before Him and confess our sin, repenting and seeking HIS cleansing.

“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.”    1 John 1:6-9

The world continually tries to marginalize God, His Word and His Ways, particularly the unique substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus for sin, but it can never succeed, and we need to know the truth so we will recognize the lies. Oh, how I wish I had been willing to go God’s way instead of my own those many years ago. But I thank God for a godly daddy who loved me, even when I was at my worst, who prayed and asked God to grant me “crop failure”—and I know his prayers were answered in God’s mercy and grace working in my life, bringing me to my knees at the cross. I know that my poor choices were covered by the blood of Jesus “that cleanseth us from all sin”! Yet I must say, that even when we find personal forgiveness from God for our sin, it doesn’t mean that all the consequences will be erased. I watched those that I love the most, my children, and others go through horrific difficulties because of my sin, some lingering even still today. But at the same time, I know God has heard and answered my prayers for them and others who make wrong choices today. HE still hears and answers prayer today!

I say all this to simply say that we must stop letting the world dictate what we believe and practice in our daily living—God still says that morality is moral—and immorality is NOT! God hates divorce (but He loves those who have made poor choices in marriage and divorce)—God calls immorality, pride and selfish greed sin, and He will judge all sin. Marriage is still what God designed it to be, and parents are to love and care for their children. Yet we live in a culture that saves the trees, and puppies but kills the babies in the womb. There is nothing “right” about that. And just to clear the record, God says “marriage” is honorable, not co-habiting, or perversion, and it doesn’t matter if your 16 or 66! God hasn’t changed His mind (We must decide if we want to trust God, the culture, or the government for our needs!)!!!

“Marriage is honourable

in all,

and the bed undefiled:

but whoremongers

and adulterers

God will judge.

5 Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”   Hebrews 13:4-6

God gives us the ultimate definition of sin and salvation.

“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

Paul goes on to make it clear to all who will hear the truth.

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no, not one.” Romans 3:10-12

“For all have sinned,

and come short 

of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

In closing, I would like to call each one of us to examine ourselves and see if we are walking in the light—His light; to see if we are doing things God’s way or the world’s; if we have accepted sin as ok, joining the crowd who are marginalizing God and His Word. It’s all around us, we must choose—but choose wisely, there is a test at the end!

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

God still saves and changes lives today! He’ll do it for YOU, and His forgiveness and cleansing will free your soul! Amen!