With God all things are possible.
The easiest thing to do at times, is to work at our salvation, or at our relationship with God. And the hardest thing to do is rest, and trust that Jesus has done all the work for us. I continue to struggle with this. I find myself slipping back into a relationship with God, that is performance oriented. I stumble, and have to pick myself back up, and remind myself that, of myself I can do nothing.
1 Peter 2:7-9 7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Jesus was a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence to the Pharisees, because they believed they kept the law of Moses, and were a light to the blind. It is the same for us today. When we think we can measure up to God’s standards, or that God’s love toward us is based upon our performance.When we do this, Jesus becomes a stumbling stone for us also. God loves us based upon Jesus performance not ours. Philippians 3:9
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
God looks at our imperfections and sees Jesus perfection. It at times seems too easy, or too simple, to think this way. There must be something I need to do to get God’s approval, or blessings in my life.
2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
It really is that simple. It is Satan that tries to complicate everything, subtly through deceptive means. When we become Christians, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we do not join a religion, we become part of a family. God is our Father, Jesus becomes an older brother, who has gone before us. This is good news, The Good News ! What about all the Religions out there? So many denominations to choose from.
James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
I am sure there are many good Church’s that teach the word of God, but James describes true religion. Lets not get religion mixed up with our relationship with God. It is true that God loves the sinner and hates the sin. God is never angry at His children. He hates sin in us, because it is harmful to us. As human parents, we would hate cancer in any of our children, but we would love our children no less. Perhaps we would even feel a stronger love or connection toward them, if we were to see them suffer.
Romans 5:20
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Paul said, the more sin there is, the more grace there is to cover it. This of course does not mean that we sin to receive grace.
Romans 6:15
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
God the Father and Jesus love us, because we have accepted Jesus sacrifice for us, and made him our Lord and Savior. Nothing can add to that, or take away from it. When we begin to realize this, and accept it fully, then we will begin to use more of the faith that we already have inside of us. We will not only expect to receive those things we ask of God, but we will begin to see that our entire life is blessed. That God is answering our prayers, before we have a chance to ask him to. Jesus was asked once, by someone in a crowd, what they must do to obtain eternal life. Lets look at that story and see what Jesus response was. Math. 19: 16-26
16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Jesus told the man what He must do, to obtain eternal life. The same thing that had always been required of man. Keep the commandments! This has always been God’s requirement, since Adam’s first sin in the garden. Obey God. The Old Testament is a complete history of mans inability to do just that. When Jesus disciples heard his answer, it says they were exceedingly amazed! And asked Jesus, who then can be saved? Notice what Jesus response was to them. With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
It is impossible for man to perfectly keep the ten commandments. But Jesus was God in the flesh. For Him it was possible. He kept them perfectly, and yet received the punishment of all sinners. We cannot keep them perfectly, yet have received the reward of the righteous!
The power of the spoken word.
Words are an immensely important weapon a Christian has, at his or her disposal, to create the Kingdom of God around us. God spoke the entire universe into existence. Psalm 33:9″ For he spake and it was done, he commanded and it stood fast.” God wants us, as His children, to also speak things into existence. God has given us power, Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” But power that is unused, or untapped is worthless. Also in Paul’s letter to Timothy he writes, 2 Tim 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” How then, can we put this power to use, to the glory of God the Father and his son Jesus? We put this power to use with our words. We have to speak the world around us to look like, and become, the kingdom of God.
Jesus will return to establish His kingdom on this Earth. Until that time, we should be creating the universe around us to look like His kingdom. Jesus stated that His kingdom was within us. Luke 17:20-2220And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:21Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” The kingdom of God is within us, and we need to release it with our words! Part of the Lord’s prayer states, Math 6:10″ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” God wants His will to be done on Earth, by His children, as it is in heaven. How can we use the power that is in us to accomplish this? When we see something in our lives, or in the lives of the people around us, that does not look like God’s kingdom, God’s will is for it to change. He wants it to look like His kingdom, on Earth, as it is in heaven. Jesus told his disciples Mark 11:23 “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” As children of God, our Father has given us authority, through his son Jesus, to command any mountain, or anything that is not His will, or does not look like His kingdom, to be cast into the sea. Every thing in the entire universe was created by our Lord Jesus, and everything is subject to Him. Colossians 1:16-17 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Jesus sits on the throne of the universe. His will is for things on Earth, to be as they are in heaven, and he has given us authority to make it so. We have to believe we have this power, and authority, and begin using it. Paul wrote this in his letter to the Phillipians. Phil.2: 9-10 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” Every knee must bow to the name of Jesus. We need to command those things around us, in the name of Jesus, to get in line with God’s will. Jesus stated in the gospel of John. John 17:22 “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” We have the glory and power of Jesus living inside of us. We are ambassadors of his kingdom, and have been given the authority to use His power, and His name, to the furtherance of that kingdom. Lets begin to release that power, to the glory of Jesus, and the Father, by our words, spoken in the name of Jesus.
Working out our salvation.
We have been experiencing record hot temperatures recently. This has made for very uncomfortable days, but very pleasant nights, here in the finger lakes. I was walking around our back yard the other night, gazing up at the stars and talking with God our Father and Jesus, also contemplating a bit about my life. I was thanking God for being a part of his family. The millions of stars I was gazing at are part of our inheritance, and they will all burn out and fade away, but we will dwell in the house of our Lord forever. This is awesome to think about. I began to remember a time in my life, when I thought that salvation was something I had to try and earn, by my good works. The harder I tried to live up to God’s standards, the more sin conscious I became. Jesus stated that his work on earth was finished. He did everything he was sent to do, and he needed to do, for our salvation. In the gospel of John, Jesus stated, John 17:4 “ I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” And also in John, as Jesus hung on the cross his final words were , It is finished. John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Jesus finished all he was sent to do, in regards to our salvation. There is nothing we can do to add to it, or take away from it. This is part of the Good News. Paul put it this way in his letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 2:7-9 7″That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Paul said that in the ages to come, God would show his grace and kindness toward us. Perhaps, to those who did not accept his kindness. Trying to be good, to earn God’s favor, leads to self examination. But resting in Jesus finished work, and God’s goodness, leads to examining and contemplating on God’s goodness, and mercy, toward us. Again, Paul wrote to the church at Rome. Romans 2:4 “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” So we see, that thinking and meditating on God’s goodness toward us, leads to a change in attitude, and not trying to work out our own salvation. As I was thinking about all this, a scripture came to mind, that had always been a bit puzzling. Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Nowhere else in the New Testament, does it talk about working out our own salvation. Christ has worked it out for us. In Hebrews, it is said, we can approach God boldly. Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” In Philippians 2:11, one verse before he mentions working out our own salvation, Paul writes, “11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” It is God’s will, for everyone to accept the finished work of our Lord Jesus. This brings glory to God the Father, and to Jesus. Jesus sacrifice paid for all our sins, past, present and future. Paul put it beautifully, when he wrote this to the church at Rome. Romans 4:5 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Faith in Jesus makes us righteous, and nothing else. I believe what Paul was saying in Philippians is, if anyone try’s to work out there own salvation, then they need to fear and tremble. Lets never try and work out our own salvation. If we do, we are not covered by the blood of Jesus, and we have every reason to Fear and Tremble!
God is not angry.
A survey I read recently, indicated that most Americans see God as angry. Ready to deliver swift punishment, to people, or nations, if they sin and disobey him. Or they see God as distant and uninvolved.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2010-10-07-1Agod07_CV_N.htm
God communicates to us through his word, The Holy Bible. Not through surveys and opinion polls. How does God really feel toward mankind? As far as God being distant, and uninvolved, we read ;
Psalm 139. 17-19 17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!18If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
And in the gospel of John,
John 3:16
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.
God would not send his only begotten Son, to suffer and die, if he was angry with us. He so loved the world. God loves the world. When Jesus was traveling with his disciples, and came to a town in Samaria that did not welcome him, what was his response?
Luke 9. 52-56
52And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
53And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
54And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
55But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
56For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Jesus came to save, not to destroy. Even his birth, gave witness to God being at peace with mankind. Shortly after Jesus was born, we read this, in the gospel of Luke.
Luke 2. 13-15
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Notice it does not say good will among men, but good will toward men. God was again proclaiming his love for mankind, at Jesus birth. But what about sin? God, you would think, certainly wants to punish sinners. Lets see what Jesus did when confronted with sin. In John 8. 3-11,
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Jesus said to the woman , neither do I condemn thee. Jesus followed this by saying, go and sin no more. God knows that sin brings us pain and suffering. Because Jesus loved this woman, he did not want to see her suffer in any way, for her sin. Also perhaps, if she was caught again, he might not be around to intervene . God loves us. Paul wrote to the church in Rome,
Romans 2:4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
It should be the goodness of God that leads us to a life of change, not cowering in fear. When we come to a revelation of the love of God, we will be lead to serve him with a heart of joy, and also want to be like our Lord Jesus, and serve others as well.
Men of God
It’s inspiring to read the Old Testament word of God. It contains so many great stories of God intervening for his people, and those individuals he was working with, and through. Noah was instructed to build an arc, and saved mankind from extinction. Abraham and Sarah were promised a child well after their childbearing years, and Abraham was told he would become the father of many nations. Moses was told he would lead his people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and posses the land promised to Abraham their father. Gideon defeated the Midianites, whose host was as the sand by the sea in number, with three hundred men. David when he was still a young man, rescued his sheep from the mouth of a bear and a lion, and defeated the mighty Goliath in battle.
All these stories, and many more, are recorded in the Bible to inspire us. But if we read them as mighty tales of old, and think that they are not meant as examples for us today, then they are just dead words on a page. Could God possibly work such mighty miracles through anyone today? As a Christian we have the mighty power of God that raised Jesus from the dead, living inside of us. Jesus spoke these words concerning John the Baptist,
Matthew 11:11
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Jesus states here, that John the Baptist was greater then any of the old testament prophets or heroes, and that we as Christians, are greater still. You might be wondering, how God could see you this way? Perhaps you don’t feel as holy, or as worthy, as these great men of God. We see what is on the outside, but God sees what is inside of us. By believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, God looks at us, and sees Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
We are a new creature. In Gen. 1.26 God said let us make man in our image. We were created in the image of God. Then sin came into the world, and man was no longer in Gods image. But now, through the blood of Jesus, by simply believing that Jesus was God, and died for our sins, we are this new creature.
1 John 4:17
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
We are greater then the old testament prophets and heroes of old, because we are as Jesus is now, seated at the right hand of God the father.
1 Peter 1:10
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
The old testament prophets enquired, and searched diligently, of the grace we have received through our faith in Jesus. Satan wants to steal from us our inheritance, that we received when Jesus died for us on the cross. Satan knows he has no power to actually take anything from us, that was purchased for us, by Jesus. So the only thing he can do to rob us of our inheritance, is to make us believe that we never received it in the first place. Satan is the father of lies. He lied to Eve in the Garden of Eden, and he has been lying to man ever since. Whatever limits keep us from working the mighty works of God, are not placed on us by God, but by ourselves because we don’t believe.
Mark 11:23
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
If we keep our hearts and minds fixed on the finished work of our Lord Jesus, and not on the lies of Satan, then nothing is impossible for us.
Matthew 19:26
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Finally anything we do, any success we have in life, any great thing that is done by us, is done through us by God, and not by ourselves. To God the Father, and the Lord Jesus, be all the glory.
John 14:13
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Trust in God.
God, gold and guns.
God’s ways are not man’s ways.
I studied the Bible in the past and thought, much of what I was reading could never be applied in daily life, it was not meant to be taken literally. But I have changed my mind on this subject. As children, we take literally what our parents tell us. As we grow older we learn to become more skeptical. God wants us to remain as children when it comes to his word. Jesus speaking to his disciples said,
” Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Math. 18.4.
God wants us to enter now, into his kingdom, but first, we must become as little children. Jesus knew that as full grown adults, much of what he was explaining to his disciples, would seem strange or down right crazy. He knew if they would stop thinking as men, and start thinking as God, they could get past their prejudices, and start living a new way. As Christians, we are not to go on living as we did, before we knew Christ.
Jesus instructed us to be generous in our giving , but not to make a show of it, let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing. But man’s way is to boast of it, the thanks they receive is the reward they have earned. God sees what we do in secret and rewards us openly. A small deed done for someone in private is worth more, in God’s sight, then millions given for a wing of a new building that display the name of the giver on the front facade.
Man’s way is to hold a grudge if someone has done us wrong. Countless movies are based on vengeance and payback. But Jesus said,
” Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Math.5.44
It goes on to say,” God is kind to the evil and unthankful.” Luke.6.35 . God also states, “Vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord.” Rom.12.19. , as children we are to place all our problems in God, our Fathers hands.
Another way of man is to be first. We want to finish first, be first in line, and the first one out of the gate. But Jesus teaches us,
“But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” Math. 19.30
Trying to be first is man’s nature, but letting someone go ahead of us is God’s nature. Let us be the first to hear and the last to speak. If we yield to others we are beginning to display the characteristics of God. Jesus disciples argued among themselves who was the greatest. Jesus told them,
” But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Math. 23.11
The person that is quietly serving others, is greater than the individuals we see on TV, or in the presence of the rich and famous. No one is running to get an autograph of someone who mowed the lawn for his elderly neighbor.
I could go on giving endless examples of ways that seem backward to man, but to God, it is man that is turned around. Finally though, I will point out that it is man’s way to pull himself up by his boot straps. To earn through the sweat of his brow every thing he has, and to point and say, look what I have done. But the Bible says,
” Every good gift, and every perfect gift comes from above…” Jam.1.17
All we have comes from God, most importantly our very salvation. We can never say to anyone, look what I have done to earn my way into heaven.
” For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourself: It is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2. 8-9
God and healing.
Does God still heal? Or did healing pass with the early church and the time of the Apostles? Is modern medicine and technology God’s gift to mankind, to heal the sick and afflicted? The prophet Isaiah, looking centuries into the future wrote this of Jesus.
“As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man,and his form more than the sons of men.”Isa.52.14 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isa. 53.5
The Roman soldiers beat and abused Jesus before his crucifixion. Normally, it was Roman policy to whip a criminal with a cat of nine tails. This was a whip with shards of metal and glass embedded into it, that tore open the flesh of the person being whipped. After this, the person was released, and this was the punishment for their crime. But when this was done to Jesus, and Pilate urged the crowd to have him released, they demanded that Pilate have him crucified. Jesus went through the terrible beating before his crucifixion, in part, that we would be healed.
Why did Jesus travel throughout the land healing the sick? It’s recorded time and again in the four gospels, how Jesus healed the sick that came to him. Did Jesus heal the sick, to prove as a sign to people that he was the Messiah?
“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” Math.14.14
Jesus healed the sick, because he had compassion on them. Not as a sign to anyone. The scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign that he was the Messiah, and he answered them,
“An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas”
Jesus did not heal people as a sign, he simply had compassion on them. Jesus has the same compassion on people today. It is God’s will for us to be forgiven of our sins and healed of our sicknesses. What must we do to be healed by God? We simply have to believe. Anything more than that, would be taking away from the glory, and honor, that is due God the Father and the Lord Jesus, and his finished work on the cross. Paul wrote this, in his letter to the church in Corinth.
” But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve, through his subtilty , so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2Corn.11.3
God does not heal us based on how good we are, or what we have done for him lately. If this were the case, then we could in part, take credit for our healing. God heals us, because Jesus paid the price for our healing, by his beating and crucifixion.
” Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law?of works? Nay; but by the law of faith.” Rom.3.27
There is therefore no boasting, when it comes to any gift from God. And all good things come from our heavenly Father. We simply believe, and give thanks.
How to become righteous.
Saved By Faith In Christ 