Tag Archives: Romans 3:23

Who’s The Children’s Sermon For??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 03

12 Sunday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, God's Judgment, God's love, God's measure isn't ours, God's Wisdom, Godly Wisdom, NOT the world's wisdom, Wisdom

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 03 Who’s The Children’s Sermon For?

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers,

ye have need that one teach you again

which be the first principles

of the oracles of God;

and are become such

as have need of milk,

and not of strong meat.

13 For every one that useth milk

is unskilful in the word of righteousness:

for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat

belongeth to them that are of full age,

even those who by reason of use

have their senses exercised

to discern both good and evil.

6:1 Therefore leaving the principles

of the doctrine of Christ,

let us go on unto perfection;

not laying again the foundation

of repentance from dead works,

and of faith toward God,

2 Of the doctrine of baptisms,

and of laying on of hands,

and of resurrection of the dead,

and of eternal judgment.”  Hebrews 5:12-6:2

The author of Hebrews was dealing with a group of believers who, to paraphrase some of the verses above, were needing the “children’s sermon” rather that the full, meaty, sermon; and I am convinced that we have churches full of “children’s sermon” believers— “unskilled in the word of righteousness (the Bible)….a babe” — rather than those who are, “of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”!  The thing I’d like us to consider today is, which one are you and I?  Are you ready for steak?  Or are you still drinking milk?

Are you/I one of those who are skilled in using the Word of God, or are we “unskilled…babes”?  Are we so distracted and focused on self and the things of this world that we have not “done our homework” in knowing God through HIS WORD.  It is vital to our spiritual wellbeing to know God and His Word; that we will be able to discern between that which is good and that which is evil—not good!

“Give therefore thy servant

an understanding heart

to judge thy people,

that I may discern

between good and bad:

for who is able to judge

this thy so great a people?”  1 Kings 3:9

King Solomon pleased God with his request for wisdom, a request that he made on more than one occasion; and yet we forget that without God’s provision, our wisdom is of very little value.  Paul gives us some great insight into this need for wisdom, and wisdom is almost always grounded in The Word of God!

“For our rejoicing is this,

the testimony of our conscience,

that in simplicity

and godly sincerity,

not with fleshly wisdom,

but by the grace of God,

we have had our conversation

in the world,

and more abundantly

to you-ward.”  2 Corinthians 1:12

 It is important and interesting to note that this is not the first time that Paul had approached this subject of wisdom to the Corinthian believers; so, they should have been aware of Paul’s opinion regarding wisdom.  We can settle for the world’s wisdom, or we can pursue God’s holiness, wisdom, and grace (in HIS WORD) which are the only things that will help us “discern between good and bad”!  And oh, how our world needs followers of Jesus who are truly committed to the pursuit of spiritual maturity and excellence (and I know this is a lengthy passage, but I think it gives great insight into the Hebrews passage above), so let’s dig in!

“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.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 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.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-15

Let’s see what we can discern from Paul’s message to these believers in Corinth.

Paul gives all the credit of his “success” among the people of Corinth to the ‘cross’ and “the crucified Christ”!

Then, in verse 4 he attributes all the glory to the “spirit and power of God” rather than the “wisdom” of man!  Oh, how our culture is impressed with the wisdom of men; sadly that “admiration” has bled over into the church—where it never belongs!  Because our faith must reside IN JESUS not any wisdom of man.

Verses 7-8 are so packed full of truth, and sadly, truth that is often ignored or negated by men.

“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.”

In other words, if men were so “wise” they would have seen and believed the truth that Jesus was, is and ever shall be The Son of God!  But they missed it, even as most do today.  And then, for those of you who aren’t familiar with it, one of the verses that is often quoted out of this context.

“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.”

Then Paul goes on to be sure that we understand that we can only know these “things” by the revealing of the Holy Spirit to those who are God’s own, and verse 13 says it so concisely:

“Which things also we speak,

not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth,

but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;

comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

Paul sums it up nicely when he reminds us that the things of God are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, who indwells each born-again believer; reminding us that our dependence is to be on the Holy Spirit’s direction, grace, and wisdom, not the wisdom of man!  We are to grow into mature believers by pursuing the wisdom, holiness, and grace of God rather than the justification and wisdom of man/the world!

But as Peter told us in the book of Acts, God KNEW what men would do, and HE had already set “in stone”, if you would, the plan of salvation that would be accomplished in the blood of Jesus, The One who would lay down HIS life for you and me, for all who will repent of their sin, and believe and receive this ‘gift 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:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.” Acts 2:22-24

So, my friends, the question is, will you tune in to God’s wisdom and be transformed by “the renewing of your mind” (see Romans 12:1-3) that we may “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”; rather than enjoying the ‘children’s sermon’! (Which is a great thing for children, but not for mature believers in and followers of Jesus!)!  Which group do you fall into?

“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

All this because the plan of God was made in Jesus Christ our Lord!  God’s wisdom not man’s!

“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 3:16

Amen and Amen!!!

Useful Or Love-Worthy??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 02

05 Sunday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Servanthood, Service, Serving God or Using God?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 02   Useful Or Love-Worthy???

While this may seem like a bit of a strange topic, the thing I want us to consider is our attitude towards God—not just our relationship with God—but our attitude toward The God Almighty of the universe.  The God who loves us, who gave “His only begotten Son” for our sin, and yet who tells us clearly that our sin IS the issue, and HE clearly reminds us repeatedly that there is only One Way to be reconciled to HIM!  Jesus!  Yet our modern  culture is more concerned with having a “useful” God, rather than loving The God who has provided for their redemption; to come to salvation by the substitutionary (Jesus took our place), atoning (paying for our sin so we won’t have to pay for it in hell) sacrifice ( the cost for this atonement—the death of The Sinless Son of God for sinful men, women, boys and girls who will accept His life for mine/yours!)!

If Jesus has paid for your sin, why would you not recognize how much we owe HIM—mostly our love, gratitude, and willingness to serve HIM instead of our own selves!

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

After all, our salvation is why Jesus came—to pay for sin—yours and mine.

“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

He came in selfless love; we must choose what our response will be.  And while it’s my/your choice, there is a consequence to every choice, good or bad, so choose wisely!

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;”  Romans 3:23

“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

What does your fruitfulness look like?  All Paul talks about here is the end of God’s amazing grace toward us; and our “fruit” ought to give glory to God, not line our own pockets!  Paul describes how our response ought to look in his letter to the Colossian believers.  How are you and I responding to this amazing prayer?  I often rehearse this prayer for myself, for others whom I love, for those who need to know Jesus, or just in general when I don’t know how else to pray.

“For this cause we also,

since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire

that ye might be filled

with the knowledge of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy

of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 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 1:9-14

Have you been forgiven?  Let’s continue to read what Paul goes on to say; we will find that it is ALL about Jesus—from before the foundation of the world, to HIS eternal kingdom.  What’s your focus?  Getting from God or giving for HIS Kingdom?

“In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

or powers:

all things were created

by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body,

the church:

who is the beginning,

the firstborn from the dead;

that in all things

he might have the preeminence.”  Colossians 1: 14-18

Who has “the preeminence” in your life?  Jesus or someone or something else? (like ‘self’?). This is what we need to determine’ are we devoted to God’s will or our own?  It’s as simple as what Jesus said:

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

And in closing, a passage that I use again and again:

“…but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15b

Use God or serve God?  The choice is yours!  Remember there is a test!

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!!!

Christmas Ponderings!!! #5 Bible Ballistics: BBs #770

10 Friday Dec 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, The Babe born KING

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #770   Christmas Ponderings!!! #5

 

Christmas!  I love this season of lights, joy, smiles, tots, and toys, but most of all I love what it means—and that’s not about any of the frills and bells, but the celebration of the arrival of a Savior, a Redeemer, a Deliverer, A KING!  But mostly I rejoice that HE came to DIE for you and me, if we will but trust to HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN; and contrary to popular opinion, SIN IS the issue, and it is why Jesus came to BE the payment for sin.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken

of the Lord

by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name

Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”    Matthew 1:21-23

God came down to deliver us!  It doesn’t get any better than that; if you will but receive this amazing gift of love, salvation and deliverance given to all who will believe.  The King stooped down in love to deliver us from our sin, that we could be HIS children, not just HIS creation—and yes, there is a difference.

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ

our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

Have you received the gift from the KING?  You can truly come to this KING for life, “abundant life”!  How?  By being “born again”, “born…of God” by grace through faith!

“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.”

(All because HE came as a babe, to die for you and me!)    

“14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”  John 1:10-14

This King who came for us—let’s celebrate HIM– for as He told Pilate, as HE faced the cross, it’s why HE was born!

“Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again,

and called Jesus,

and said unto him,

Art thou the King of the Jews?

34 Jesus answered him,

 Sayest thou this thing of thyself,

or did others tell it thee of me?

35 Pilate answered,

Am I a Jew?

 Thine own nation and the chief priests

have delivered thee

unto me:

what hast thou done?

36 Jesus answered,

My kingdom is not of this world:

 if my kingdom were of this world,

 then would my servants fight,

that I should not be delivered

to the Jews:

but now is my kingdom not from hence.

37 Pilate therefore said unto him,

Art thou a king then?

Jesus answered,

Thou sayest that I am a king.

To this end was I born,

and for this cause came I into the world,

that I should bear witness

 unto the truth.

Every one that is of the truth

 heareth my voice.”  John 18:33-37

What is truth?

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;”  Romans 3:23

WHO IS TRUTH?  The BABE born to be KING, that’s WHO!

“I am the way,

 the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”   John 14:6

Amen!!!