Sunday, March 25, 2012
John 1:1-4
1. What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—
Moses wrote in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God……” and in John 1:2-3 we find that Christ the Son of God was with God in the beginning as well. “He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”
John expresses that he is one of the living witnesses of the Christ before the Crucifixion. Most notably is that John had very vivid memory of his relationship with Jesus and calls Him the Word of Life. Jesus is the very expression of life.
I AM the bread of life.
John 6:35: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
I AM the light of the world.
John 8:12: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 9:5: While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
I AM the door.
John 10:7: Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep."
I AM the good shepherd.
John 10:11-14: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me...."
I AM the resurrection and the life.
John 11:25: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies."
I AM the way, the truth and the life.
John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
I AM the true vine.
John 15:1, 5: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Something of importance here is the very fact that NO ONE ELSE on the planet has ever been able to claim support for any one of these statements EXCEPT the Christ.
2. and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—
His presence and foundation remains with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit…..the Three in One aspect of God. This is what John is telling us. God is manisfested to the Believer in the Person of Jesus Christ. How significant is it that the very Person who created all that we know lives in the heart and life of every Believer…..magnificent, awesome, inspiring and absolutely true.
3. what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Fellowship of the Believer with God is incredible. There is no other religion in the world that is able to portray this relationship. There is some sort of connection that is found with a god of sorts, but none provides a personal relationship that results in a daily fellowship with the Creator of Faith. How awesome is this truth?
4. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
Completeness in relationship with the Savior of the world is found in the Cross. What joy and wonder!! From the moment of the conception of the Christ in the womb of Mary to the Resurrection is found the completeness of life in Him. Mary expressed her awe as did Paul on the Road to Damascus. Every person who discovered the truth of Salvation in Christ expressed great joy in that relationship with Him and not one walked away sad except for the Rich Young Ruler who refused Him.
Jesus is Lord
BW
Saturday, January 9, 2010
The Power of One
The idea of ‘the power of one’ is not new. There are films, books, seminars, businesses and the list is almost indefinite. Looking at the message behind most films, books, seminars and businesses, the most obvious is that they are invalid in SOURCE of the power. Very few recognize that the Source of everything is God and without this recognition no validity is established. Without recognition of God as the Source there can be no validity.
On Thursday night as the University of Texas began the ballgame against Alabama there was no doubt in my mind that the Longhorns would win. However, when Colt McCoy left the game with a shoulder injury the validity to my claim was gone. Perhaps the reason that the Longhorns won the invitation to play in that game rested in the abilities of their quarterback. The awesome Power of One was obvious.
What is missing in the equation for most is the Source of that presence of power. Every event that suggests the Power of One without giving substantial recognition of the Source has lost validity no matter the reason.
Sapphira’s husband, Ananias died three hours previously and she enters the room where Peter stood and he says to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well." And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Acts 5:9-10.
This event found in Acts 5 is a small part, would be insignificant if Ananias and Sapphira had not agreed to not tell the truth about what they were giving to the Church. These two had chosen NOT to validate the Source of their existence and were therefore removed from the scene by God. The validity of their gift had been removed when they chose not to recognize Him.
Perhaps the most extraordinary occurrence follows in verses 5-13, “And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things. At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.”
These Apostles consistently validated their Source as being the Holy Spirit. The significance those were fearful of the Apostles is the necessity of honoring God in everything. However, when Believers decide to honor the Lord in everything and follow Him explicitly we must recognize the consequences.
The most notable consequence is personal loss of status recognition by others. By recognition of the Power of the One who lives within us, the Believer must take the second seat…..
“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:7-11.
On Thursday night as the University of Texas began the ballgame against Alabama there was no doubt in my mind that the Longhorns would win. However, when Colt McCoy left the game with a shoulder injury the validity to my claim was gone. Perhaps the reason that the Longhorns won the invitation to play in that game rested in the abilities of their quarterback. The awesome Power of One was obvious.
What is missing in the equation for most is the Source of that presence of power. Every event that suggests the Power of One without giving substantial recognition of the Source has lost validity no matter the reason.
Sapphira’s husband, Ananias died three hours previously and she enters the room where Peter stood and he says to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well." And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Acts 5:9-10.
This event found in Acts 5 is a small part, would be insignificant if Ananias and Sapphira had not agreed to not tell the truth about what they were giving to the Church. These two had chosen NOT to validate the Source of their existence and were therefore removed from the scene by God. The validity of their gift had been removed when they chose not to recognize Him.
Perhaps the most extraordinary occurrence follows in verses 5-13, “And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things. At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.”
These Apostles consistently validated their Source as being the Holy Spirit. The significance those were fearful of the Apostles is the necessity of honoring God in everything. However, when Believers decide to honor the Lord in everything and follow Him explicitly we must recognize the consequences.
The most notable consequence is personal loss of status recognition by others. By recognition of the Power of the One who lives within us, the Believer must take the second seat…..
“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:7-11.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Observing the Word of God
What we teach in the home and in the classroom will be the foundation of government in 30 years, by all means we must teach God's Word.
"Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the LORD has done in the case of Baal-peor, for all the men who followed Baal-peor, the LORD your God has destroyed them from among you. But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you. See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today? Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD said to me, 'Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words so they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.'” Deuteronomy 4:1-10.
Our hearts and minds should be deeply concerned and grieved when elected officials in any town, county, state, Congress or the White House will recognize a god other than Jehovah God of the Bible. Our Nation was founded upon the precepts of God’s Word, the wisdom of Jehovah God, and we now have a government brimming with men and women who no longer observe Him as Creator God. Shame on us as a people for we are beginning to see the results of our foolishness as a Nation. There is but one alternative to avoid the punishment upon this Nation and that is to return to Him.
“See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it.” V.5.
Our Forefathers came to the shores of this Continent searching for freedom from an abusive government and possessed this land in the Name of God. As a people, we have come a very long way and somehow lost our Course that could very well change our Destiny.
“So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’” V.6.
A few years after celebrating 200 years of being “One Nation Under God”, many of us are content with allowing many ‘other gods’ in our tent. Other world nations continuously marveled at our economic, political and military power, but not so today. These same Nations are wondering if we are able to be a world leader any longer. We have become a Debtor Nation in many more ways than economics. No longer are we seen as wise and understanding.
“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.” V.7.
Few of us have kept the Word of God available to our children and fewer schools are reading His Book in the classroom. For this foolishness we have leadership in our Nation’s Capitol who are honoring other gods and other books of wisdom apart from God’s Word and His Wisdom. When leaders uphold the religion of another god as being worthy above the God of Christian Faith, we are no longer heeding truth and power, but rather lies and weakness.
“But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. "It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 8:18-20.
AS Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we must not allow ourselves to forget our God and we MUST not allow our people to forget Him. In doing so our Nation will perish.
"Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the LORD has done in the case of Baal-peor, for all the men who followed Baal-peor, the LORD your God has destroyed them from among you. But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you. See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today? Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD said to me, 'Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words so they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.'” Deuteronomy 4:1-10.
Our hearts and minds should be deeply concerned and grieved when elected officials in any town, county, state, Congress or the White House will recognize a god other than Jehovah God of the Bible. Our Nation was founded upon the precepts of God’s Word, the wisdom of Jehovah God, and we now have a government brimming with men and women who no longer observe Him as Creator God. Shame on us as a people for we are beginning to see the results of our foolishness as a Nation. There is but one alternative to avoid the punishment upon this Nation and that is to return to Him.
“See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it.” V.5.
Our Forefathers came to the shores of this Continent searching for freedom from an abusive government and possessed this land in the Name of God. As a people, we have come a very long way and somehow lost our Course that could very well change our Destiny.
“So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’” V.6.
A few years after celebrating 200 years of being “One Nation Under God”, many of us are content with allowing many ‘other gods’ in our tent. Other world nations continuously marveled at our economic, political and military power, but not so today. These same Nations are wondering if we are able to be a world leader any longer. We have become a Debtor Nation in many more ways than economics. No longer are we seen as wise and understanding.
“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.” V.7.
Few of us have kept the Word of God available to our children and fewer schools are reading His Book in the classroom. For this foolishness we have leadership in our Nation’s Capitol who are honoring other gods and other books of wisdom apart from God’s Word and His Wisdom. When leaders uphold the religion of another god as being worthy above the God of Christian Faith, we are no longer heeding truth and power, but rather lies and weakness.
“But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. "It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 8:18-20.
AS Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we must not allow ourselves to forget our God and we MUST not allow our people to forget Him. In doing so our Nation will perish.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
License to Sin?
Some say that some people give others a ‘license’ to sin. That is not a novel idea because the author of sin is Satan, the father of lies. Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:42-44.
Looking across the pages of Scripture I have not found this idea that anyone gives to another a so-called ‘license’ to sin. However, what I have found is this, “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-15. However, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Man is in a mess, a very real mess and the mess was present before he was given possession of the Garden. At that time Satan has been around for a very long time before he was given opportunity to tempt Adam and Eve. And it is in this context that we can understand Paul’s previous statement, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Recalling the events surrounding Adam and Eve, we know that they did physically escape the place of their sin, but the decision to leave Eden was God’s, not theirs. The scar of the sin was theirs to live with as the lives of their children are played out on the stage of darkness. They escaped the place, but horrors of their decision to follow the temptation of Satan remains to this very moment. The freedom to choose sin over righteousness continues. That is, the license to sin and the license to righteousness, as well. But in the end all is effectively accomplished according to the desires of God’s heart.
The desire of God’s heart is that mankind serve Him and Him only. Just as he instructed Moses and the Hebrews in the Wilderness of Sin,
"Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites.” Joshua 24:14-15.
"And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, The will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil. And he will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full. Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the LORD is giving you.” Deuteronomy 11:13-17.
Reading God’s Word indicates that everyone who loves Him holds in place the license to sin or the license to righteousness. Just because a person possesses a license to drive is not given permission to disobey traffic laws without penalties.
My brother was driving above the speed limit and was stopped by a policeman and given a ticket, or as his son told his mother, “Daddy was stopped by a policeman and the policeman gave Daddy a note.” In other words, the policeman asked him for his license to drive and despite his license to drive, was still presented a ticket because the speed limit was broken. A penalty was paid. The same has happened to me, as well.
The God of Heaven and Earth, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ has presented us with the free gift of Eternal Life in Him, but this is not a license to sin. This is a an opportunity for everyone to go to Heaven despite our sin. Christ wants to live in the heart and direct the life of every person, but because He lives in the hearts of men and women is not permission or a license to sin. There remains no penalty for sin that is already paid for at Calvary 2000 years ago.
Believers in Jesus Christ are free in Him from the penalty of sin that will be committed by them. The freedom is to live in Him, not a license to sin, but the strength to live in freedom from the penalty of sin that has been cancelled. There is not fear for the sin committed, but rather the ability in Christ Jesus not to sin. This does not mean that sin will not be committed, but the ability to live without sin is certainly present. However, we will sin not because we are human, but because we will sometimes make decisions to sin rather than follow Jesus.
But John wrote, “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, you know the Father. write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” 1 John 2:7-14.
A License to Sin? Hardly so. However, to know Christ is freedom from the penalty of sin when sin is committed. And praise the Lord, Jesus paid the price one time and for all time. Not to be repeated over and over again…..remember
.Hebrews 6? If not, read it again…….
Jesus said,, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Looking across the pages of Scripture I have not found this idea that anyone gives to another a so-called ‘license’ to sin. However, what I have found is this, “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-15. However, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Man is in a mess, a very real mess and the mess was present before he was given possession of the Garden. At that time Satan has been around for a very long time before he was given opportunity to tempt Adam and Eve. And it is in this context that we can understand Paul’s previous statement, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Recalling the events surrounding Adam and Eve, we know that they did physically escape the place of their sin, but the decision to leave Eden was God’s, not theirs. The scar of the sin was theirs to live with as the lives of their children are played out on the stage of darkness. They escaped the place, but horrors of their decision to follow the temptation of Satan remains to this very moment. The freedom to choose sin over righteousness continues. That is, the license to sin and the license to righteousness, as well. But in the end all is effectively accomplished according to the desires of God’s heart.
The desire of God’s heart is that mankind serve Him and Him only. Just as he instructed Moses and the Hebrews in the Wilderness of Sin,
"Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites.” Joshua 24:14-15.
"And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, The will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil. And he will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full. Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the LORD is giving you.” Deuteronomy 11:13-17.
Reading God’s Word indicates that everyone who loves Him holds in place the license to sin or the license to righteousness. Just because a person possesses a license to drive is not given permission to disobey traffic laws without penalties.
My brother was driving above the speed limit and was stopped by a policeman and given a ticket, or as his son told his mother, “Daddy was stopped by a policeman and the policeman gave Daddy a note.” In other words, the policeman asked him for his license to drive and despite his license to drive, was still presented a ticket because the speed limit was broken. A penalty was paid. The same has happened to me, as well.
The God of Heaven and Earth, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ has presented us with the free gift of Eternal Life in Him, but this is not a license to sin. This is a an opportunity for everyone to go to Heaven despite our sin. Christ wants to live in the heart and direct the life of every person, but because He lives in the hearts of men and women is not permission or a license to sin. There remains no penalty for sin that is already paid for at Calvary 2000 years ago.
Believers in Jesus Christ are free in Him from the penalty of sin that will be committed by them. The freedom is to live in Him, not a license to sin, but the strength to live in freedom from the penalty of sin that has been cancelled. There is not fear for the sin committed, but rather the ability in Christ Jesus not to sin. This does not mean that sin will not be committed, but the ability to live without sin is certainly present. However, we will sin not because we are human, but because we will sometimes make decisions to sin rather than follow Jesus.
But John wrote, “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, you know the Father. write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” 1 John 2:7-14.
A License to Sin? Hardly so. However, to know Christ is freedom from the penalty of sin when sin is committed. And praise the Lord, Jesus paid the price one time and for all time. Not to be repeated over and over again…..remember
.Hebrews 6? If not, read it again…….
Jesus said,, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Do You Have THE Answer?
“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect”1 Peter 3:15
I have been asked on more than one occasion, “Do you think a Jew without Jesus is going to Heaven? After all, the Jew is the Chosen of God.” I have always answered, “No,” because Jesus Christ died for the sins of all people, but only those who have repented and asked for Him to be their Savior will go to Heaven. You see, we need Jesus and the righteousness of God that comes by believing in the Christ.
Questions about faith seem to come almost every day, from somewhere. And when the question comes about your personal faith in Jesus Christ, will you have The Answer?
Almost each day that I live, I ask someone the question, “How are you going to get to Heaven form where you are?” Would you believe that more than 8 of 10 people that I query have no idea? Amazingly enough, a lady working at a Chic Filet completed John 14:6 as I was quoting this verse to her, but she did not know how to go to Heaven!
My conclusion is that we who are Evangelical Christians are not prepared to share the message of Christ with people whose path crosses ours. As Peter writes, we must always “be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;”
I have been asked on more than one occasion, “Do you think a Jew without Jesus is going to Heaven? After all, the Jew is the Chosen of God.” I have always answered, “No,” because Jesus Christ died for the sins of all people, but only those who have repented and asked for Him to be their Savior will go to Heaven. You see, we need Jesus and the righteousness of God that comes by believing in the Christ.
Questions about faith seem to come almost every day, from somewhere. And when the question comes about your personal faith in Jesus Christ, will you have The Answer?
Almost each day that I live, I ask someone the question, “How are you going to get to Heaven form where you are?” Would you believe that more than 8 of 10 people that I query have no idea? Amazingly enough, a lady working at a Chic Filet completed John 14:6 as I was quoting this verse to her, but she did not know how to go to Heaven!
My conclusion is that we who are Evangelical Christians are not prepared to share the message of Christ with people whose path crosses ours. As Peter writes, we must always “be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;”
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Reality Check
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."" Matthew 12:33-37.
Returning from Peru for our first Stateside Assignment was somewhat startling, but the second trip home in 1990 was even more amazing. Many things had remained the same, but so much had changed. Especially vehicles.
Because I had been witnessing the model changes from year to year, identifying a Chevrolet or a Ford product was easy. In 1990 we had been out of the States for six years and the models had changed so drastically during that time that no longer was it possible for me to look at a vehicle and know what it was. Today, after being in the States for 10 years, I have yet to catch up. They all look alike to me. But one thing is certain, a Chevrolet is just what it is, a Chevrolet and not a Ford, “for the tree is known by its fruit.”
Someone may say many things about character and profession or whatever else, but what we are will eventually be known. Our words and actions will, in time, expose who and what we really are. “How can you speak good, when you are evil?”
For this reason alone, Christians are Christians and those who are not simply are not. People keep company with those that they are most like, no matter who they may claim to be. There is an old saying that I use from time to time that tells the story of who we are, “The birds of a feather flock together.”
I have been a fan of the Texas Tech Red Raiders as long as I can recall. Living in Arkansas and being on staff with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention has not helped me when I preach in Arkansas churches week in and week out. I still cannot ‘Call the Hawgs’. One would have to be from Arkansas to do that.
However, I am not a Texas Tech Red Raider football, baseball or basketball team member only because I say that I am a Red Raider. A fan, yes, for many years. But am I a Red Raider? No. I have not paid my dues in order to be able to say that. I have a cousin who played for the Raiders way back in the 50’s. Jim Henderson is a Red Raider because he ‘paid his dues.’
We are who we are, and nothing can change that. Jesus Christ makes the difference in everything I both say and do. Being a Christian is not an attempt to be something I am not. Being a Christian is because of who He is living in my heart and life. He reveals himself through me, in spite of me. But His presence in my life enables me to be a Christian. I do good because of Him. "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks... for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Returning from Peru for our first Stateside Assignment was somewhat startling, but the second trip home in 1990 was even more amazing. Many things had remained the same, but so much had changed. Especially vehicles.
Because I had been witnessing the model changes from year to year, identifying a Chevrolet or a Ford product was easy. In 1990 we had been out of the States for six years and the models had changed so drastically during that time that no longer was it possible for me to look at a vehicle and know what it was. Today, after being in the States for 10 years, I have yet to catch up. They all look alike to me. But one thing is certain, a Chevrolet is just what it is, a Chevrolet and not a Ford, “for the tree is known by its fruit.”
Someone may say many things about character and profession or whatever else, but what we are will eventually be known. Our words and actions will, in time, expose who and what we really are. “How can you speak good, when you are evil?”
For this reason alone, Christians are Christians and those who are not simply are not. People keep company with those that they are most like, no matter who they may claim to be. There is an old saying that I use from time to time that tells the story of who we are, “The birds of a feather flock together.”
I have been a fan of the Texas Tech Red Raiders as long as I can recall. Living in Arkansas and being on staff with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention has not helped me when I preach in Arkansas churches week in and week out. I still cannot ‘Call the Hawgs’. One would have to be from Arkansas to do that.
However, I am not a Texas Tech Red Raider football, baseball or basketball team member only because I say that I am a Red Raider. A fan, yes, for many years. But am I a Red Raider? No. I have not paid my dues in order to be able to say that. I have a cousin who played for the Raiders way back in the 50’s. Jim Henderson is a Red Raider because he ‘paid his dues.’
We are who we are, and nothing can change that. Jesus Christ makes the difference in everything I both say and do. Being a Christian is not an attempt to be something I am not. Being a Christian is because of who He is living in my heart and life. He reveals himself through me, in spite of me. But His presence in my life enables me to be a Christian. I do good because of Him. "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks... for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Monday, September 8, 2008
Blessings In His Time
” And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.." Galatians 6:9.
In our fast-paced, nanosecond world, patience is waning to say the least. I sometimes find it difficult to wait on my ‘slow’ computer to retrieve data in less than 5 seconds and then I recall that early home PC’s that required 3-5 minutes while loading something from the programmed cassette tapes. Patience.
Imagine living in the 1800’s and waiting for several weeks to receive mail from New York if your residence was in Santa Fe. History tells us that the Civil War did not actually end with the Surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. In fact, skirmishes continued for several months afterwards because of the difficulty in communication. Patience.
My father told the story of sitting around the radio with friends on Friday nights listening to the news on the radio….the room lit with a single light bulb. Not much of a ‘Foot Print; back in the early 1900’s, hmmm. Patience.
Recalling our days in Peru is filled with memories of waiting in untold lines for minutes and sometimes hours to accomplish a task that is taken care of in seconds on the Internet. Patience.
And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:20
For years Hannah desired a child and she labored in prayer and upon the Lord she waited and waited and waited until He decided to provide. And then she literally gave her 3 year old son, Samuel, to the care of Eli. Faith and patience in the Lord always result in His blessings. Blessings beyond our ability to understand.
In our fast-paced, nanosecond world, patience is waning to say the least. I sometimes find it difficult to wait on my ‘slow’ computer to retrieve data in less than 5 seconds and then I recall that early home PC’s that required 3-5 minutes while loading something from the programmed cassette tapes. Patience.
Imagine living in the 1800’s and waiting for several weeks to receive mail from New York if your residence was in Santa Fe. History tells us that the Civil War did not actually end with the Surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. In fact, skirmishes continued for several months afterwards because of the difficulty in communication. Patience.
My father told the story of sitting around the radio with friends on Friday nights listening to the news on the radio….the room lit with a single light bulb. Not much of a ‘Foot Print; back in the early 1900’s, hmmm. Patience.
Recalling our days in Peru is filled with memories of waiting in untold lines for minutes and sometimes hours to accomplish a task that is taken care of in seconds on the Internet. Patience.
And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:20
For years Hannah desired a child and she labored in prayer and upon the Lord she waited and waited and waited until He decided to provide. And then she literally gave her 3 year old son, Samuel, to the care of Eli. Faith and patience in the Lord always result in His blessings. Blessings beyond our ability to understand.
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