Tag Archives: Salvation

What Are You Passing On??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 20

24 Sunday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Crucified With Christ, Follow Jesus, Gospel, Heaven or Hell, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, Salvation, Sanctified To Serve!, Testify, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Transformation, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 20 What Are You Passing On???

 

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served                                that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

Joshua knew that his life was nearing the end, so he called the people together to call them to remember the goodness of God, and to serve Him from a heart of love, gratitude and devotion. He reminded them of all that God had done, challenging them to choose wisely, and declaring his choice before all, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”! Joshua made the choice consistent with his life—he had followed God with Moses, and then God called him to step into Moses place as the leader of Israel. Now at the end of his life, he is still calling people to follow God. And that always requires a personal choice and commitment.

Jesus called people to choose Him recognizing the cost is more than many people expect.

“Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected

of the elders

and chief priests

and scribes,

and be slain,

and be raised the third day.

23 And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life

for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?” Luke 9:22-25

To follow Jesus we must recognize our own inability to deal with our sin, and come to HIM in repentance and faith. We must “deny” (abandon our self-reliance) self, “take up” our “cross daily” (identify with the sacrifice of Jesus), and “follow” Jesus. Paul gives us a clear picture of following:

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”    Galatians 2:20

We are to live unto Jesus, yielding ourselves to the work of the precious Holy Spirit of Jesus, which He imparts to all who come to Him. When we will walk with Him, in the power of His Spirit, God will work in and through us to make a difference in this world.

“So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach the gospel

to you that are at Rome also.

16 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 1:15-17

Jesus is the Gospel! And knowing Jesus through the power of His blood, we are saved and transformed into His servants, being enabled as His witness to a lost and dying world. We can pass on the ‘good news’ and lead others to Jesus, or we can live our own way and lead others to the same “hell” that all will face without Jesus. Even as Jesus shared with Nicodemus:

“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.

8 The wind bloweth

where it listeth,

and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh,

and whither it goeth:

so is every one that is born

of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8

When we are ‘born again’, we are able to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, living a life devoted to God according to the faith, gifts and abilities that He gives to His own.

“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

Those who come to Jesus receive all we need to serve Him faithfully and lead others to the cross—to pass on life, not death; all by Him and His Holy Spirit at work within us.

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus

our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us

to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great

and precious promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world

through lust.” 2 Peter 1:1-4 

HE gives us “all things” that we need to serve Him—Jesus and His indwelling Holy Spirit. We are born of The Spirit who then dwells within us and is the manifestation of the genuineness of our salvation.

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:12-13

Born of God so that we can live by HIS power!!!

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”   Romans 8:9

Only The Spirit of Jesus within makes us usable in God’s kingdom! We can choose to walk in The Spirit or the flesh—but there are consequences to each choice. We can pass on the truth and freedom of the Gospel or we can cause others to miss heaven by missing Jesus! What am I passing on? What about you?

“For, brethren,

ye have been called unto liberty;

only use not liberty

for an occasion to the flesh,

but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word,

even in this;

Thou shalt love thy neighbour

as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another,

take heed

that ye be not consumed

one of another.

16 This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh………

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 5:13-16 & 24-25

Are you alive in God’s Spirit? Have you been born again? Do you have peace with God? As Paul said so clearly, we can only “pass on” what we have received—the Gospel of Jesus!

“For I delivered unto you

first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

What are you ‘passing on’?

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

Amen & Amen!!!

How Shall They Hear??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #469

15 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Confidence, Follow Me, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Let You Light So Shine, Salvation, Testify, The Only Way, Witness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #469 How Shall They Hear???

 

As I sit here this Friday morning, I’ve been thinking about sharing the Good News—it what we all called to be and do.

“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!” Romans 10:13-15 

Many of us say, “Well, I’m not a preacher!” Well…….we may not be a ‘preacher’, but we are called to preach/tell what Jesus has done for us in word and deed. Spreading the “gospel of peace” is what we do—we are a witness whether we act like it or not—a ‘good’ witness or a ‘poor’ witness– we are ‘preaching’ by our lives! Jesus, the one who gives us ‘peace with God’ calls us to be a reflection of His truth and grace to a lost and dying world! As the old adage says, “You may be the only ‘Bible’ that some people read!” What are others reading in your life and mine?

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

Jesus gives us ‘peace with God’ because He paid the price of our sin, the sin that costs eternity in hell, so we have a story to share/preach. Jesus makes us right with God—He reconciles, redeems and restores us to ‘son-ship’ with God—and that is good news that we can ‘preach’ everywhere we go!

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:12-13

“Born…of God” by the work of His Holy Spirit, and made new—the good news that makes our lives a testimony to reflect JESUS to the world! Not with arrogance or a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, but with a humble love and devotion to Jesus. His life and love shining through us to a lost and dying world, so that they “hear/see” Him IN us!

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

and be ready always to give an answer

to every man that asketh you

a reason of the hope

that is in you

with meekness and fear:”   1 Peter 3:15

Where’s Your Sin??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 18

11 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Cross, Every Knee Shall Bow, Gospel, He That Is Without Sin, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Repentance, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 18 Where’s Your Sin???

 

We talk a lot about sin, and what it is, but we haven’t talked about where it is, and scripture talks a lot about “where” sin is. The first thing that we must recognize is that sin is the issue and we all have it!

“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

Righteousness is the opposite of sin—doing right in God’s eyes, meeting His standard, and being able to receive His glory!

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

All—that’s you and me—that’s every person born into this world, with the exception of the God Man, Jesus Christ the Lord, who came into this world to pay for our sin, so we wouldn’t have to pay for our own sin (for the only what that we could pay for our own sin is death and hell!).

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”    Romans 6:23

All because Jesus is the only One who had the cure for sin—Himself, the sinless, perfect, Lamb of God—which was His life for yours and mine at Calvary. This sinless Son of God who came that we might live!

“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 4:15-16 

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we can have life, and an advocate—on who stands on our side—who bought our salvation and gives us ‘abundant life’ in this life and in the life to come with Him in heaven! All because HE cares for you! He cared enough to die that we might have life. He is the “Good Shepherd” who gives His life for the sheep, and for those who come to Him in repentance and faith, He gives His life ‘to’ to the sheep. That presence of His Holy Spirit within is us why we are can “come boldly unto the throne of grace”, and oh what a privilege it is to be welcomed into His presence and know that we can always find “grace to help in time of need”! I can never praise Him enough for His faithful provision that I have seen with my own eyes, and know in my own heart and life! Jesus cares for sinners, even though He had no sin, and lived a perfect life to be that sacrifice for us!

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin

of the world……

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith,

Behold the Lamb of God!

37 And the two disciples heard him speak,

and they followed Jesus.” John 1:29 & 35-37

Jesus came to be the One who “taketh away the sin of the world”, and the only One who could and would!

While the world had waited for God’s long-awaited Messiah, God had given His Law to Moses to point people to see that they could never save themselves! For, as my pastor says so aptly, the Law is good but it was ‘Partial, Preliminary, and Pointed to the coming Messiah’ this very “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”!!! Jesus takes our sin away, but where does He take it!

“Who is a God like unto thee,

that pardoneth iniquity,

and passeth by the transgression

of the remnant of his heritage?

he retaineth not his anger for ever,

because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again,

he will have compassion upon us;

he will subdue our iniquities;

and thou wilt cast all their sins

into the depths of the sea.”    Micah 7:18-19

Jesus is the only One who can forgive and pardon our sin, and He casts them “into the depths of the sea”! Jesus does away with our sin!

“And you,

being dead in your sins

and the uncircumcision of your flesh,

hath he quickened

together with him,

having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances

that was against us,

which was contrary to us,

and took it out of the way,

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

Jesus blotted out our sin with His own blood—I praise HIS name that out of HIS great love HE took “MY” sin “out of the way, nailing it to his cross”!! Amen and Amen! What love is this? How can your refuse His call to you? He willingly, lovingly gave that which only His love could give:

“And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,” Revelation 1:5

All this because He loves us and wants us to spend eternity with HIM, not to spend eternity in Hell paying for our own sin, when HE has already paid the price.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.”    2 Peter 3:9

What have you done with your sin? Have you come to Jesus in repentance and faith, and let Him take your sin away—to forgive your sin and give you new life in HIM? Do you hear His voice calling to YOU? The price has already been paid—what have you done with that gift?

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”   1 John 2:2

Jesus is the “payment in full” for our sin, and “propitiation for our sins” simply means that Jesus has paid for sin in full, for all who will come to HIM. But HE is the Only Way to receive forgiveness of sin; there is no other way! Even as the Apostle John recorded the words of our Lord:

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

And the Apostle Peter reiterated this same truth as He shared the Gospel after healing the impotent man!

“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

Only One Way then—only One Way now! No matter how men may try to water down the Gospel, it’s still about Jesus and Him alone. And unless you come to Jesus for salvation, you are carrying the debt of your own sin. And there is coming a day when that debt will be due! So my question for today is simple, “Where is your sin?” Is it under the blood, or will you have to pay for your own sin? It is a choice that you can make only in this life, for after we leave this world it is too late….

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

but after this

the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

The question is not “will you bow”, because all will recognize Jesus as the Only Way when He comes, but then it will be too late for those who have refused to bow in life. The question isn’t “will you bow”, but “when will you bow”? Will you bow now before the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and receive His gift of eternal life, forgiveness of your sin, and have Jesus “cast them into the sea” (And as Corrie Ten Boom often said, “He casts them into the sea, and puts up a ‘no fishing’ sign!”) never to be considered again, or will you bow before Him then as your judge?

“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 2:8-11

Jesus paid your debt—will you receive it?

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”    Revelation 20:11-15

Where is your sin? Is it on you or on Jesus? The choice is yours, but choose wisely there is a test/judgment coming! Don’t wait and find that you come to Him “One Day Too Late!” (The title of an old Lanny Wolfe song!)! May you look to Jesus today—for salvation if you don’t know Him, and in total provision for your every need if you do know Him! For remember:

“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 4:15-16

I’m praying for you! Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gospel According To___? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 17

04 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Cross, Follow Me, Gospel, Holiness, Holy Spirit, Knowing God's Word, Repentance, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, What Voice are You Listening to?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 17 The Gospel According To___?

 

We live in a culture that wants to make the “Gospel” something that “appeals” to the masses, and makes everyone “feel” good. There is no mention of sin, no call to the God’s holiness, nor any call for repentance in this worldly gospel—rather has a message that says God will take everyone to heaven, no matter how they live or what they believe about Him, His Son, His holiness or His Word! God says different!

I used to quote an old adage that said, “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it!” but I’ve changed it to more aptly fit the truth of God’s Word, “God said it, and that settles it—whether I believe it or not!” Whether we ‘believe it or not’, God says there is only “one way” to salvation, and that way is HIS way—His name is Jesus!

As we’ve learned from Daniel’s example, knowing God and His Word makes a difference in our lives that the world can see—in word and deed! What does the world see in me/in you?

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”   Daniel 6:16

Who am I serving? Is my service to God reflecting a true picture of my Lord and His Gospel—the Gospel of God’s Word—much different from the one promoted by the world.

“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

Jesus is the only way of salvation—our salvation is why HE came—to save us from our sin, and only when we are willing to recognize our own sin, repent and believe in His substitutionary (He took my place), atoning (He paid my debt), sacrifice (the paying of a debt He didn’t owe, because I had a debt I couldn’t pay, apart from His death for me) believing and receiving the new birth in His saving work at Calvary, in other words, being born again! There is no other way to God.

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”   John 1:12-13

Being “born…. of God”, having real life, eternal life in HIM!

“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

“Ye must be born again”! Apart from being born again, no one can even “see the kingdom of God”; in fact Jesus goes on to say that unless we are born “of the Spirit” we cannot “enter into the kingdom of God”. And that my friend is important—because not every one who claims to know Jesus knows Him. Not everyone who attends church, or does good deeds, or is right in their own eyes, will “enter into the kingdom of God”, but those who are “born again”—they are the only ones who will “see God”! And the verses we looked at in John 1 remind us that it is the Spirit of God—The Holy Spirit—that works the new birth in those who respond to God’s call to repentance and faith.

I know I have belabored this point, but it has been on my heart of late, and after attending a service recently, I was grief stricken to hear the things that I heard, and I must call us all to consider the “Gospel” according to The Word of God—not according to men!

As I was in attendance at this service there was a bit of scripture read, and even a reference or two to Jesus, but never once was there any reference to salvation being in Jesus. There was lots of talk about the works of men, and the goodness of men, but no mention of salvation by grace. In fact there was no music about God, Jesus, grace or salvation, just worldly music that broke my heart—not because it was bad, but because it was so “not” the gospel. In fact, afterwards I thought how sad, that we just went through a service that presented the “Gospel According to Nashville” not the Gospel of Jesus. Why would anyone want to go to heaven and spend eternity with God, when they have no use for Him in this life? Jesus said that we must repent—stop going our way, and turn to HIM? What happened to that Gospel?

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all

likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5

We must repent of our way, and go God’s way. And Jesus knows the difference, and will reveal it! In HIS time!

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that

doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded

upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”   Matthew 7:21-28 (Because it was NOT founded/built upon a rock!)

The question is, “Are you building on the ‘rock’ or the ‘sand’?” Have you believed in the true Gospel of Jesus, or the lies of the world, the watered-down Gospel of ‘Nashville’, or ‘Hollywood’, or ‘Detroit’ or ‘New York’? If it is any Gospel other than the biblical one, you need to reconsider what you are trusting in. And if your life isn’t reflecting the truth and Spirit of Jesus in what you ‘do’ (not just what you ‘say’!) you might want to examine what you are counting on to save you!

“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

It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in us that is the evidence that we belong to Jesus, that we have truly believed the Gospel of the Cross of Jesus and been born again. Paul gives us the “Gospel in a nutshell”!

“Moreover, brethren,

I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed

in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:”

1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Jesus paid it all—the only price that God will accept for sin:

“Christ died for our sins…

that he was buried…

that he rose again the third day…

that he was seen…”

All of this “according to the scriptures”—just as God had promised from Eden to the Cross!

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”   Genesis 3:15

The “seed” would be the victor—the eternal victor over sin, death and hell. And Jesus is that seed, and died for all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith! Only Jesus!

“For this corruptible

must put on incorruption,

and this mortal

must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible

shall have put on incorruption,

and this mortal

shall have put on immortality,

then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,

Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work

of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”   1 Corinthians 15:53-58

Jesus is our victory, regardless of what the world says. God isn’t impressed by men’s works and deeds, but by the blood of the Lamb that cleanses from sin. And only Jesus’ blood will do! Anything else will fail at the end!

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”    Revelation 20:14-15

There is a time of accounting coming, and just as Jesus spoke in Matthew 7, saying so won’t make it so! Only being born again by the Spirit of God will make you a child of God! And that is only found at the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and soon coming KING!!!

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us

to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign

on the earth.”    Revelation 5:9-10

Regardless of what our culture says about Jesus, only salvation by repentance from sin, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice will save. And when we are born again, we can follow Him by the power of The Holy Spirit, The Spirit others ought to see at work in us! All because His Spirit dwells in His own, and writes our names in “the Lamb’s book of life”! The Spirit of God working in us—saving us—changing us—all to point others to the cross!

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.” Romans 8:8-9

Jesus’ righteousness imparted to us, to be displayed before a lost and dying world in need of a Savior! What about you? What Spirit is working in YOU? In me? Are we ready to see Him? Do others see Jesus in us!

“And there shall in no wise enter into it

any thing that defileth,

neither whatsoever worketh abomination,

or maketh a lie:

but they which are written

in the Lamb’s book of life.”    Revelation 21:27

I pray that you are relying on Jesus and not the message being preached by popular culture, music, movies, and TV! Only Jesus saves, and when He does, He makes new creatures out of sinners, and writes our name in “the Lamb’s book of life”. Where is your name written? Are you a “new creature”? Not perfect yet, but redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ alone! The Gospel according to Jesus—not Nashville!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17

Have you called on Jesus to make you a new creature? Are you relying on something other than Jesus? Please consider what you are trusting in!!! It’s your choice, but choose wisely there is a test at the end?

No matter how many times we read or quote the 23rd Psalm (which is the most popular passage of scripture mentioned at Funeral services), no on can truly say “The Lord is ‘my’ shepherd” (emphasis mine) unless we are born again by the blood of the Lamb—just as we read above—the Gospel is Jesus work of salvation, not man’s empty efforts to look good to a world with skewed vision. And if Jesus is not your “shepherd”, then you will come up wanting. Please look to Jesus while there is still time!

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness

which we have done,

but according to his mercy

he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly

through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace,

we should be made heirs

according to the hope of eternal life.”   Titus 3:4-7

Don’t put it off too long, or you may hear the same message that Daniel had to deliver to Belshazzar:

“…Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Daniel 5:27b

I pray that you will hear the voice of Jesus today and judge with ‘righteous judgment’ and respond in repentance and faith. And if you are already HIS, renew your devotion to His person and His Word—to follow with courage and wisdom!

“As we said before, so say I now again,

If any man preach any other gospel

unto you

than that ye have received,

let him be accursed.”    Galatians 1:9

Amen and Amen.

 

 

 

There Is Only ONE Way!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #464

30 Wednesday May 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Choices And Consequences, Salvation, SIN

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #464   There Is Only ONE Way!!!

 

I have been thinking lately about all the distortions that people have come to believe about the “Gospel” of Jesus. It seems that the “Gospel” for many today has little relationship to the truth of Jesus—the rock of our salvation.

“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 4:11-12

Jesus is that “name”, and only by His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice can we receive salvation—eternal life with God, now and forever! Sin is the issue, my friend, not opinion, or popularity, not good deeds or religion, not wealth or culture, it is sin that separates us from God, and only the blood of Jesus can forgive and cleanse from sin! Only HIM!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ……

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.”    Romans 5:1 & 6-11

Jesus died in our place because sin made us enemies of God—separating us from HIM— and without Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary, we would have no hope of reconciliation to God.

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities

have separated between you and your God,

and your sins

have hid his face from you,

that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-2

But we aren’t hopeless—Jesus has come, lived a sinless life, and died for my/your sin—for all who will repent and receive His sacrifice for sin. But we must recognize our sin as sin. If we have no sin, why would we need a Savior? God wants all to come to salvation–but He has given us the free will to choose—what have you chosen to follow?

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.”   2 Peter 3:9

Jesus also told us that we must recognize sin as sin, and if we refuse to see our sin–rename it, justify it, try to rectify it, or just plain deny it—we will be required to pay for our own sin. And it will cost us our lives for eternity, just as Peter proclaimed in our first verse, there is only ONE way—and Jesus is His name.

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5

Repent means to turn around—to see that I am going the wrong way, and to turn from sin to Jesus. Repentance and faith are flip-sides of the same coin; just turning over a new leaf doesn’t save, and saying we believe without seeing our own sin negates the truth that only the blood of Jesus saves and cleanses us from sin! What Gospel do you believe?

“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

I’ll simply close with some scriptural truth about Jesus:

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:14

“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

“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

No matter what the world says, Jesus said it all:

“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

Amen!!!