Tag Archives: Romans 6:22-23

Foolishness Or Truth??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #437

21 Wednesday Jan 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Good News, Gospel, JESUS, Jesus is able, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, One Day Too Late?, One Foundation, Only One Way

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Foolishness Or Truth??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #437

It seems that we live in a culture (the whole world) that clings to anything they want to call truth, yet Biblical truth seems to be excluded from acceptable conversation—in both interpersonal and public situations.  Well, I want us to consider what scripture says about the Gospel—scripture reminds us that the world will call preaching Jesus foolish!  What do you call it?  Do you know what the gospel is?  I would like to spend some time today sharing the Gospel from a scriptural perspective.  I hope you will find it helpful; and also that you will receive it to your heart, if you haven’t already been born again.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth, and

the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Jesus shared this truth with His disciples as He was about to leave this world, and He assured them that He would return; and while they didn’t understand it as He spoke to them then, for the most part, they later gave their very lives in defense of this truth.  Jesus also shared truth with a religious leader named Nicodemus.

“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 makes it clear—it’s your choice!  You can believe and receive His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that He made on the cross of Calvary, for He died in my place and yours—but only for those who see our sin and turn to Him with a repentant heart and receive His amazing gift of eternal life and forgiveness of our sin. (See Colossians 1;14) For sin, my friend, is the issue.  Will you receive Jesus’ gift of life and forgiveness, or will you pay for your own sin and be condemned to hell?  It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test, and Jesus is coming again soon!  Paul made this most clear in his letter to the believers at Rome.

“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

The truth of the Gospel IS JESUS—His death burial and resurrection to pay for the sin of all who will come to Him.  The check has been written; the choice of belief and receipt is in your hands!  But you must choose!  You are choosing each and every day that you wait to decide, every day that you put it off until a tomorrow that may or may not come.  Will you be saved today?  Peter told a massive gathering in Jerusalem shortly after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, that they had to choose to be saved or stay lost! (the “man” who was standing before the crowd was a man healed in Jesus’ name.)

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man

stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10-12

How amazing that Peter proclaimed the Gospel that Jesus is the only way of salvation—the only way to be saved; and Paul also gives us the Gospel in a nutshell (you might say!)

“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:

6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred

brethren at once;

of whom the greater part remain

unto this present,

but some are fallen asleep.”  1 Corinthians 15:3-6

So, if we sum it up, what is the Gospel?  Simply put, that Jesus (the one born of a virgin that He might “…save His people from their sins…”) lived a sinless life, died a death which He didn’t deserve for your sin and mine, that He was buried and laid in the borrowed tomb for 3 days, then He rose on the third day victorious over sin, death and hell for all who will believe and receive Him.  All of this done “according to the scriptures” which God made known thousands of years before it was fulfilled!  For God always keeps HIS WORD, in His time!

So, how are we to get the message out?  Not entertainment, or catchy phrases, or any way of man!  Paul made it clear—and I still believe God’s way is God’s way!

“For Christ sent me not to baptize,

but to preach the gospel:

not with wisdom of words,

lest the cross of Christ should be

made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and will bring to nothing the understanding

of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.”  1 Corinthians 1:17-21

God chose preaching!  So what is that?  Telling the truth of the Gospel just as Paul shared above—that Jesus died “for our sins…according to the scripture…”; that He “was buried”; and that HE “rose again the third day… according to the scripture”!  Jesus IS the Gospel!  What’s your gospel?  May we go forth sharing the truth of what Jesus did to save sinners—the Gospel shared by “preaching”—that which the world (and oft-times even the church) disdains as ineffective!  But God chose this way!  May we be found to be faithful witnesses of the truth of The Gospel—and preaching means ‘telling forth’.

In closing, a portion of one of my favorite passages about what Jesus did!  I pray that you will be moved to trust God and His salvation which Jesus accomplished for you and me on the cross!

“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…

…5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 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.”                         Portions of Romans 5:1-11

(I encourage you to read this entire chapter—in fact the book of Romans would be a great way to start your year!)

May we be faithful to share God’s truth, God’s way!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Gift/Fruit–Gifts/Fruits??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #347

18 Sunday May 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Fruit of the Spirit, Gifts of the Spirit., Good Citizens, Good Neighbor, Good Samaritan?, Good Stewards, Holy Living, How much goodness is enough?, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spiritual Gifts, Spiritual Warfare, Springs of Living Water, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Love of God, The Name of Jesus?, The Only Name That Matters

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Gift/Fruit—Gifts/Fruits???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #347

You may have noticed that I haven’t been writing much of late, but it has been a bit crazy in our circle with family issues, illness and the issues of just living life.  But hopefully we’re on the road back to normal—whatever that is!!  I’m sure you understand that; so I thought I’d look at something that we all need to be reminded of, and that is God’s gift to us and His gifts to us, and there is a difference.  I want to spend a little time today considering the difference and where you and I stand in regard to the gift and the gifts.  What have you done with each!  Let’s begin with the Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at the well.

“Jesus answered and said unto her,

If thou knewest the gift of God,

and who it is that saith to thee,

Give me to drink;

thou wouldest have asked of him,

and he would have given thee

living water.”  John 4:10

If you recall much about biblical history, the Samaritans weren’t very well-liked, in fact most Jewish people would go far out of their way to avoid Samaria at all costs; in fact there’s an often-unnoticed misnomer in one of Jesus’ parables, the one we call the “Good” Samaritan; but no one listening to Jesus’ teach would have applied the term “good” to any Samaritan!  Yet, here is Jesus talking face to face to not only a Samaritan, but a Samaritan woman, an immoral woman at that!  But Jesus already knew her need, and He found her worthy of being the first one recorded to whom He revealed His true nature!  He identifies Himself as “the gift of God”, the one who could give “living water” which He went on in verse 14 to declare to her that, “the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life”!  This woman of ill repute and of Samaritan heritage found Jesus to be whom He professed to be, and not only believed what He spoke to her, but then proclaimed that truth to those in her village.  And just as Jesus was the gift to this woman and the others who came to believe in Him before the cross, He is still ready to save and give eternal life to all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary atoning sacrifice!  Paul reminds us over and over of this truth of the “gift of God”!

“But not as the offence,

so also is the free gift.

For if through the offence of one

many be dead,

much more the grace of God,

and the gift by grace,

which is by one man,

Jesus Christ,

hath abounded unto many.”  Romans 5:15

And some of the most familiar verses that I use continually:

“For all have sinned,

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

 In other words, there is nothing we can do to be worthy to come into God’s presence—but God, through Jesus, made a way!

“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

And another of those familiar passages reminds us that salvation is God’s gift to all who will come to Him in faith and repentance.  Have you come?  God’s grace gift is still Jesus!

“That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 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 2:7-10

Jesus is the gift of God to us for salvation and eternal life with God; and not only is Jesus “the gift”, but when He saves us, He imparts individual, particular spiritual gifts to each one by The Holy Spirit which Jesus imparts to His own; and these gifts are in God’s purpose for us to minister to those in God’s family and be a witness to those who need Jesus.  What are you doing with your gift/gifts?

“As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same one to another,

as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak,

let him speak as the oracles of God;

if any man minister,

let him do it as of the ability which God giveth:

that God in all things may be glorified

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be praise and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 4:10-11

God gifts us for His work, His service and His glory; what are you doing with your gifts?  Won’t you seek Jesus’ face and pursue the work that He has gifted you to do.  You’ll never regret doing that which God has called you to!  Remember that God doesn’t call the “equipped”, rather He “equips” the called.  If you are called, be true to your calling, and Him who called you!

“But unto every one of us is given grace

according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith,

When he ascended up on high,

he led captivity captive,

and gave gifts unto men…

… 11 And he gave

some, apostles;

and some, prophets;

and some, evangelists;

and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints,

for the work of the ministry,

for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith,

and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

unto a perfect man,

unto the measure of the stature

of the fulness of Christ:

14 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:

16 From whom the whole body

fitly joined together

and compacted by that

which every joint supplieth,

according to the effectual working

in the measure of every part,

maketh increase of the body

unto the edifying of itself in love.”                   Portions of Ephesians 4:7-16

And on a last note in closing, there is also the “fruit of the Spirit”—and note, that is “fruit” (singular) not “fruitS” (plural).  This is God’s work of conforming us into the “image of His Son” (See Romans 8:28-29) as God’s Spirit transforms us day by day in each of these areas of life!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:22-25

When we walk in The Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord, we will reflect His nature, character and righteousness—our behavior reveals what is in our heart.  Yes, we all have moments of weakness or failure, but it is not to be our continual way!  Jesus places His Holy Spirit within us to work in us the glory of God.  Paul gives us a challenge to this kind of living, so in closing I share one of my favorite passages.

“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.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God

hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1-3

May you know the “gift of God” Jesus, as your Lord and Savior, and may you then recognize His touch of grace in your life and exercise the spiritual “gifts” that He will bestow upon you! And because of this, we can boldly come to our Lord when we are in need!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

Amen and Amen!!!

Have You Been To The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #341

18 Friday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Resurrection, Safe Place, The Blood Of Jesus, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Cross or the world?, The Crucified Life

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Have You Been To The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #341

I want to share a few thoughts as we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ The Lord; I hope you take some time to consider the price that Jesus paid for the salvation of all who believe and trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.

“Now is the judgment of this world:

now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32 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 12:31-33

Jesus was preparing his followers for His impending death, for they were all ready for Him to establish the kingdom—not die!   So often we misunderstand this verse and use it out of its context—Jesus wasn’t talking about “us” lifting Him up to draw people to Him, but that HE would be lifted up on that cross to die that all who would believe in His sacrificial, atoning death could have eternal life.  Yes, we are to lift up Jesus, but we are to preach, teach and share that Jesus was “lifted up from the earth” to pay for our sin—yours and mine.  And as Paul said so succinctly, sin is the issue and without bowing before Jesus, there is no salvation.

“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

“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

Jesus was “lifted up from the earth”—He died for me—for you—for “the world”—even as Jesus proclaimed to Nicodemus in John chapter 3 (Read John 3:1-19).  But let’s look at a few reminders that it is the blood of Jesus that bought our salvation.  Have you met Him at the cross?

“How much more shall the blood of Christ,

who through the eternal Spirit offered himself

without spot to God,

purge your conscience

from dead works

to serve the living God?”  Hebrews 9:24

Peter’s reminder is one we desperately need to heed today.  It’s not the bunnies, or the eggs, or the candy or even Sunday dinner—it’s all about the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin”!  May you hear the call of The Holy Spirit today and come to Jesus for salvation; if you are already His, may The Spirit draw you near to the cross to remember the price of our salvation.

“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

May your celebrations include the One who died for you and me—but praise God Almighty HE didn’t stay dead, HE arose!  He’s coming again to take us unto Himself in glory.  Are you ready?  I pray that you are; and if you aren’t Jesus is standing and waiting for you.  If you already know Him, may your walk and talk confirm that you belong to Jesus!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

 Amen and Amen!!!

Have You Been To The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #202

27 Wednesday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abundant Life In Jesus, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Are you ready?, Cleansed from all sin, Come to Jesus, Come To Worship HIM, Consider Your ways, Cross, Crucified With Christ, Every Knee Shall Bow, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus is our peace, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Lifting up Jesus, Peace, Peace of God, Peace Of The Rock, Peace that passeth ALL understanding, Power of The Cross, Seeing Truth, Serving God or Using God?, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Speaking The Truth In Love

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Have You Been To The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #202

As we celebrate this time of the end of Jesus Christ’s earthly life, and the salvation that He provided in His death, burial, and victorious Resurrection this week, may we remember that  He arose victor over sin, death, and hell; He arose to offer eternal life to all who will come to Him in repentance of sin and faith in His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for that sin—for all who sin, and that my friend is all, everyone!

“And when I saw him,

I fell at his feet as dead.

And he laid his right hand upon me,

saying unto me,

Fear not;

I am the first and the last:

18 I am he that liveth,

and was dead;

and, behold, I am alive

for evermore, Amen;

and have the keys

of hell and of death.”  Revelation 1:17-18

John saw the risen Lord and He spoke to Him and assured him that it was He!  I love reading and studying The Revelation, and while it is a difficult book, it is a great comfort to those who will delve into its riches; there’s even a blessing promised to those who will read it.  Yes, a promised a blessing, yet it’s to those who don’t just read it, but more importantly, to those who will heed the messages in it, or as the KJV says the blessing is to those who keep it.

“Blessed is he

that readeth,

and they that hear the words of this prophecy,

and keep those things which are written therein:

for the time is at hand.”  Revelation 1:3

And my dear friends, the time is truly “at hand”!  Yet, the cross is still calling to all who will hear and heed Jesus’ message to “come unto me”!  Have you come to Jesus?  Do you need to come?  Many have convinced themselves that they are fine, productive people, and Satan is purporting that message at every hand.  But Jesus’ message is still the call to “come unto me”.

Who needs to come?   Let’s look to scripture to answer that question, for scripture will be the judge of every man, woman, boy, and girl—and that day is nearing, my friends.

“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

Paul gives us even more clarity in his beautiful message to the believers at Philippi. Jesus paid the price for my sin and yours, if we will but bow before Him and receive the gift of salvation that His blood purchased; will you receive it or reject it, to pay your own debt. (And FYI, “propitiation” means the payment in full…)

“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;” Romans 3:23-25

Jesus’ precious blood shed at Calvary bought salvation for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.  What will you do with The One whose resurrection from the dead we celebrate this week?  He died for you; and God has proclaimed that “every knee shall bow”, so the question isn’t “Will you bow?” for God has declared that all will bow!  The question is, “when will you bow”!  Will you bow before Him as your Lord, Savior, and King, receiving the salvation that He died to provide; or will you bow before Him at His throne of judgment with no recourse for salvation, and pay your own sin debt in hell?  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test, and there is no cheating, for God knows!

“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

And Paul’s mighty message of truth, Jesus did it all for me and you:

“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

I invite you to consider the cross, the peace of God that flows out from it, and the joy of The Lord that Jesus imparts to His own.

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 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.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace shall be with you.”  Philippians 4:6-9

And in closing the most gracious and merciful invitation of The Savior—The One who redeemed my soul, and He is here for you as well.  You will never walk alone when you come to Jesus.  “Today is the day of salvation”, what will you do with it?  I pray that you will hear the call of Jesus and respond in repentance and faith to His invitation to salvation.

“All things are delivered unto me of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever the Son

will reveal him.

28 Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:27-30

And some food for thought as you go about your week thinking about Jesus being lifted up (His death on the cross).  Jesus said He would draw all men to Him by this death on the cross, but He never said He would remove the free will that He imparted to all humans!  It’s your choice but choose wisely there IS a test. (See Numbers 21 if you want to know about the “serpent in the wilderness”!)

“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.

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

May you know the true joy of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!  He is coming again soon.  Are you ready? I pray that you will come to Him.

Amen and Amen!!!

A Call To Look Unto Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #159

29 Wednesday Nov 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Jesus call, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Light In The Dark

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A Call To Look Unto Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #159

“But while he thought on these things,

behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared unto him

in a dream, saying,

Joseph, thou son of David,

fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:

for that which is conceived in her

is of the Holy Ghost.

21 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 1:20-23

One of my sister’s favorite Bible phrases is, “and it came to pass”, and it always does!  Come—to pass—that is; for God is a faithful God, and HE sent Jesus to fulfill His promises of a Messiah who would call His people to salvation, redemption, and eternal life; to restore us to relationship, hope and the life with God that we lost in Eden!  Sin had separated us from God, and Jesus came to save us from that sin and the penalty of it—death!  He came to bring life to those who would come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin!  The babe placed in a manger instead of on a throne, came to be the sacrifice for your sin and mine, and HE is waiting for you to respond to the call to come to HIM today, for today is all that we have, tomorrow may or may not be ours, yet Praise God, HE keeps HIS own and is conforming us into the image of HIS SON!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6 

“In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised before the world began;” Titus 1:2

For our hope of eternal life is IN JESUS and no other.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

John also introduced Jesus, not from a manger bed, but from HIS existence before the foundation of the world!

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness;

and the darkness comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5

To me one of the saddest of all commentary in scripture is, “the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not”!  Jesus came to save us, and we wouldn’t recognize who HE was; yet HE was, is and always has been the only way to God, but the question is a personal one, ‘What will YOU do with Jesus?’

You can receive and believe Jesus’ witness of who HE IS, or you can go your own way, and pay for your own sin, it’s your call!  But remember there is a test, and a soon coming one, I truly believe!  Are you ready.  Jesus’ own words say it better than I can.

“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.

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.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”  John 3:14-21

It’s not just the baby in the manger that we celebrate at this time of year, but it IS the work that HE was born to do—to die for your sin and mine, that we might have eternal life with HIM through that faith in HIS ‘substitutionary, atoning sacrifice’! He paid the price, but it can only be received through repentance and faith in HIS payment for our sin!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14

All this because God loves you and me, but there is a debt due; I owed a debt I couldn’t pay except in death and hell, yet Jesus paid a debt HE didn’t owe so that we could have life and escape hell!  What will you do with HIS gift this Christmas?  Accept it?  Celebrate it?  Rejoice in God’s goodness, love, and peace?  Or reject it and suffer the consequences, for we are free to choose or reject Jesus, but the consequence has already been set.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test (See Revelation 20:11-15)!

“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

“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

So friends, my challenge to you is simply to invite you to answer HIS call to your heart.  If you haven’t been born again by the blood of Jesus, you can be today if you will but call on Jesus to save you in repentance of your sin, and faith in HIS payment for them!  If you are HIS, won’t you reevaluate your walk with HIM and commit anew and afresh to live Jesus before a lost and dying world, as well as those around you at home—they all need to see JESUS IN Christmas IN you and me!

“And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day

in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude

of the heavenly host praising God,

and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will toward men.”  Luke 2:10-14

Amen and Amen!!!