A subject came up today about what keeps us from receiving more than we do from God? This subject also came up recently with my wife and the Lord allowed me to share with her something that could not have come from my knowledge previously because I had so many distractions.
We are living in world that keeps us too clogged up with things that do not enable us to communicate with God or receive wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and discernment from Him. The word ”constipation” comes to mind.
I would like to list a few things that will help us understand how we allow the things of this world to dominate our lives.
Bondages: Addictions, pride, critical spirit, judgmental spirit, coveting, lustfulness, hoarding, taking offense, fear, depression, and worry to name a few.
Let’s take offenses as an example. What people say to us or about us can be very offensive to us. We can take the smallest offense and turn it into a mountain rendering us helpless for days because we mill it over and over in our mind. Do you really think there is time for the Lord under these circumstances?
Time consumers: Work, family functions, sports, TV, any form of entertainment, magazines (People, Oprah, Teen), and especially video games.
I recently allowed my grandson to play video games without restraint. He played for eight straight hours. We have to ask ourselves how can these distractions allow us to develop a relationship with God? How do any of the things listed bring glory to God?
How can we possibly hear from the Lord if we don’t have time for the Lord. We refuse to give up these distractions or change our ways. These distractions have become our gods because we have put our trust in these instead of God. Have we fallen away from God? The Scripture below refers to massive rebellion against God and His authority. Is the world of believers in rebellion?
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (New King James Version)
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Getting back to the point I was originally trying to make in the first paragraph. When we eliminate all these distractions we open ourselves to lead by the Holy Spirit. When we fully surrender to God, we receive God’s wisdom, knowledge, understanding and discernment enabling us to live a righteous life. Without the distractions we can discern without a doubt what is right and what is wrong. We learn not to compromise what God says in His Word. We learn to apply what God says in His Word to our lives. All this can be available to us and along with it a special relationship with God.
We can’t have all that God has promised us because we have too much crude in our minds and lives. We need to do as it says in 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Examine yourself 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. and go before the throne of God and ask Him to forgive you.
Ask God to help you eliminate your distraction issues to enable you to become closer with Him and to hear His voice. Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Come to Him. He is waiting to comfort you.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
You Have Nothing Without God
So the whole world will see,
I have nothing……I have nothing.
I have NOTHING without You God.
You are more than enough.
I need nothing else.
As I was looking at my notes in church today, I thought I would share what has come to my mind in recent past and also notes from others that I have jotted down. Once I put this together I thought I needed to find Scripture to align with each note. I learned that everything you say in the name of Jesus has to be substantiated in the Bible.
Read God’s Word to know His Word so that you are able to interpret His Word for yourself and others. Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Understand that when you leave the Bible for any other doctrine, especially the doctrine of man, you have left God. Mathew 15:9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
My past is not going to control my future. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
My sins have been paid. There is no condemnation. 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit
Open your eyes so that you can truly see the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. Revelation 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war
If we have the heart of Jesus, we want to forgive them. Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
Just as Jesus suffered, we will suffer as well until His coming. 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
We are believers, but unbelieving because we do not apply to our lives what God says in His Word. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Understand this: You can play charades all your life as people try to guess who you are. But in the end you will pay the price at the judgment seat. We need to change our ways and show God we are His children. Folks, the end of the age is drawing near. You don’t want to hope that you will get into the Kingdom. You want to be confident that your place in heaven is secure
Blessings,
Tony
I have nothing……I have nothing.
I have NOTHING without You God.
You are more than enough.
I need nothing else.
As I was looking at my notes in church today, I thought I would share what has come to my mind in recent past and also notes from others that I have jotted down. Once I put this together I thought I needed to find Scripture to align with each note. I learned that everything you say in the name of Jesus has to be substantiated in the Bible.
Read God’s Word to know His Word so that you are able to interpret His Word for yourself and others. Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Understand that when you leave the Bible for any other doctrine, especially the doctrine of man, you have left God. Mathew 15:9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
My past is not going to control my future. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
My sins have been paid. There is no condemnation. 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit
Open your eyes so that you can truly see the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. Revelation 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war
If we have the heart of Jesus, we want to forgive them. Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
Just as Jesus suffered, we will suffer as well until His coming. 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
We are believers, but unbelieving because we do not apply to our lives what God says in His Word. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Understand this: You can play charades all your life as people try to guess who you are. But in the end you will pay the price at the judgment seat. We need to change our ways and show God we are His children. Folks, the end of the age is drawing near. You don’t want to hope that you will get into the Kingdom. You want to be confident that your place in heaven is secure
Blessings,
Tony
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
What We Need To Know And Be Teaching
We know that the Bible, the Word of God that was God-breathed and has survived intact for thousands of years, speaks to all aspects of life and human experience. Its words must not be privately interpreted or "watered down" to suit the agendas of man. We feel the Truth of the Word is mighty and should be the only answer to Christian life. All teachings lean heavily on the scriptures and should reflect the Word of God on every subject addressed and NOT the opinions of men.
It is high time to hold the line drawn by God WITHOUT apology to sinners, WITHOUT hesitation, WITHOUT doubt and WITHOUT a longing to look back at our sinful ways! There is too much compromise with the world by sinful Christians or professing Christians. The waters are being muddied not by the clear and plain teaching of the Word of God, but, by weak Christians who are teaching others while they themselves are ignorant of the Word of God and religious leaders who need to go back to the milk of the Bible and learn the very first things of the Gospel. Far too many well-known church leaders are misrepresenting the Truth of the Gospel by substituting the salt of the Word with the sinful ways of man's compromise with sin. "All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God." All who will be saved must be offended by the Word of God and convicted of their sins by the Holy Law of God. Without conviction of the Holy Spirit, repentance and rejection of sin, no one can be saved from Hell!
The Great Commission as Jesus instructed his disciples in Mathew 28:18-19 and Mark 16:15-18
The Great Commission is one of the most significant passages in the Holy Bible. First, it's the last recorded personal instruction given by Jesus to His disciples. Second, it's a special calling from Jesus Christ to all His followers to take specific action while on this earth.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20).
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[a] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:15-18)
In the Great Commission, Jesus calls every Christian to step out in faith and spread the Good News. In addition, Jesus instructs his disciples to cast out demons, speak in tongues (prayer language to Our Father), and heal people as He did. Jesus’ instructions to the disciples were not an option. This instruction applies to all of us who are the disciples of this age
This is faith in action! People who obey The Great Commission change their spiritual lives forever! Wherever we go, every faithful Christian is compelled through obedience to share the Gospel and to do what Jesus and His disciples did.
Teaching how to operate in the Spirit.
A primary role of the Holy Spirit is that He bears "witness" of Jesus Christ (John 15:26, 16:14). He tells people's hearts about the truth of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also acts as a Christian's teacher (1Cor. 2:9-14). He reveals God's will and God's truth to a Christian. Jesus told His disciples…………
"The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." (John 14:26)
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (John 16:13)
The Holy Spirit was given to live inside those who believe in Jesus, in order to produce God's character in the life of a believer. In a way that we cannot do on our own, the Holy Spirit will build into our lives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). Rather than trying to be loving, patient, kind, God asks us to rely on Him to produce these qualities in our lives. Thus, Christians are told to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25) and be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). And the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to perform ministerial duties that promote spiritual growth among Christians (Rom. 12; 1Cor. 12; Eph. 4).
We must rely on rely on the Holy Spirit in everything that we do. We should ask God for direction for every decision that we make and not rely on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:56)
Understanding spiritual warfare and teaching what authority we have in the name of Jesus.
'Spiritual warfare' is the struggle to have life in this material world reflect as much as possible God's loving governance. It is a 'war' because there are forces working vigorously to thwart what God is doing. God is in charge, but there is an enemy that is in full-scale revolt, and it has powerful influence all around. As with the unseen God, the forces behind the revolt are unseen, non-physical, and supernatural. The struggle against the Devil and all his empty promises is at its heart a 'second Person' matter, a work of Christ Himself. The Holy Spirit leads us in our part of the struggle.
The Scriptures speak of spiritual warfare in several places, but most directly by Paul in Ephesians 6, where he speaks of the full armor of God. Most pointed is verse 12 : "For we struggle not against flesh and blood, but against the kingdoms, against the powers, against the world leaders of this darkness, against spiritual wickedness in the high places".
The Devil has already lost. But the Devil is trying to take as many with him as he can. The good news is we have authority.
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19. We have to stand against the enemy to take back what he has taken from us.
Obeying His commandments
When a young man came to Him asking the way to eternal life, Jesus said: "If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:16–18). The young man asked, "Which?" Jesus answered: "‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery…’" and proceeded to list several of the Ten Commandments. Jesus Christ knew the way to salvation! He said that way was obedience to the law of God the Father and surrender to His will. Jesus declared: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
Far from abolishing the Ten Commandments, Jesus obeyed them (John 15:10). Christ was the "light" that God sent into the world to show men how to live. After His death and resurrection, Christ sent the Apostles out with this command: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19–20).
The Apostles had been there when Christ told the young man: "Keep the commandments." They had heard Him magnify the commandments of God in what is called the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7).
The Apostles had witnessed the obedience of Christ to the Ten Commandments, and knew that His was the perfect example. Therefore, when Jesus Christ sent them out to every nation with the order to teach them all things He had commanded them, there could be no possible doubt in their minds but that this included the Ten Commandments of God.
Obedience to the Ten Commandments, then, was the very basis of the teaching of Christ and of His original Apostles. But what about the "new" commandments of Jesus? Did they not alter or abolish the necessity for literally keeping the Ten Commandments that were revealed in the Old Testament?
Actually, in spite of what many think, there is only one place in all the Bible where Jesus said He was giving a "new" commandment. The other references—by the Apostle John—are to the exact same principles, as we shall see.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34–35).
Jesus gave this "new" commandment during the last night of His physical life on earth. He had—by teaching and example—already shown the disciples that keeping God’s commandments was simply an expression of love.
We show real love toward God when we truly worship and obey, allowing no other "gods," idols, pictures or anything else to come in His place, and always honoring His name and keeping holy His seventh-day Sabbath—which He made holy, and which Jesus and the Apostles always kept! And we show love to those around us when we zealously obey the last six commandments.
Christ had already summarized God’s law into the two great principles: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind… You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37, 39). What, then, was "new" about Jesus’ command to love our neighbors?
The answer is plain. The principle of loving our neighbors was not new, but Jesus’ magnification of that principle in His own perfect life shed a completely new light on the spiritual intent and depth of this commandment. Remember Jesus’ emphasis—"As I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
Jesus’ own perfect example of love and service was the greatest and most meaningful magnification of the love of neighbor as commanded by God. In His life, He demonstrated how that love actually functions in day-to-day life.
How to truly repent.
Repentance is set forth as being universally required. We read: Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17: 30). It is either repent or perish (Luke 13: 3). God desires our repentance and is longsuffering in an effort to afford mankind the opportunity to repent and not perish (2 Pet. 3: 9).
Repentance is, biblically viewed in the setting of salvation, a change of mind or will that is produced by godly sorrow and the goodness of God that results in a change or reformation of life (2 Cor. 7: 10, Rom. 2: 4)
The word of God is the instrument that produces repentance. The reason why we should experience godly sorrow (having sorrow such as God has for sin) and the viewing of God's goodness are seen in the word of God (James. 1: 14-17; John. 3: 16). The word convicts us of our sins.
As we have seen in the complete definition of repentance, repentance involves a change of mind or will (Matt. 21: 29). God wants to influence and control our thinking for the better. (2 Cor. 10: 5)
When one repents, one experiences change regarding sin. They no longer love darkness and error but love light and truth (John. 3: 19-21). They are willing to surrender their will to God and thus view God differently (Heb. 12: 28). They realize their own sinfulness and cease being selfish (Rom. 3: 23; 2 Cor. 5: 15). They respect the word of God and desire to obey it (Acts 2: 37-42). Repentance produces change in how we view Satan, others, money, work, and life in general (I Pet. 5: 8; Matt. 7: 12; I Tim. 6: 10; Col. 3: 22, 23; I Pet. 3: 10, 11).
Repentance will also result in consequential changes today in a person's life. Repentance pervades every fiber of our being and soul and can truly transform us into a mindset that receives and loves the word of God and will obey it at all costs (I John 2:3; 5: 3). Repentance is not just an isolated act that is performed when one initially comes to God. Repentance is ongoing (2 Cor. 7: 8). Learning to identify sin and repenting of sin immediately throughout the day is key. If we don’t repent at the time of sinning, we forget and go to bed with sin that has not been confessed to God. As we learn to indentify sin we become convicted of that sin and learn not to repeat the same sin. In effect, causing us to be less sinful.
Repentance is a condition for salvation (For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death 2 Cor 7:10). The Kingdom of Heaven is available if we repent. (and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:2)
Preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ.
The whole Bible revolves around the coming of Jesus Christ. As Christians, our lives should revolve around His coming, too. Jesus came. He is coming through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit now. Jesus Christ will come again. Jesus will return in all glory to "transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" (Philippians 3:21). Then, "the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Romans 8:21).
Jesus Christ our Savior is coming soon and as believers we can’t just wait for His coming. We must prepare for His coming by obeying His commandments and repenting of our sins until His coming. As Christians, believers in and disciples of Jesus Christ, we all can reply in unison: "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
It is high time to hold the line drawn by God WITHOUT apology to sinners, WITHOUT hesitation, WITHOUT doubt and WITHOUT a longing to look back at our sinful ways! There is too much compromise with the world by sinful Christians or professing Christians. The waters are being muddied not by the clear and plain teaching of the Word of God, but, by weak Christians who are teaching others while they themselves are ignorant of the Word of God and religious leaders who need to go back to the milk of the Bible and learn the very first things of the Gospel. Far too many well-known church leaders are misrepresenting the Truth of the Gospel by substituting the salt of the Word with the sinful ways of man's compromise with sin. "All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God." All who will be saved must be offended by the Word of God and convicted of their sins by the Holy Law of God. Without conviction of the Holy Spirit, repentance and rejection of sin, no one can be saved from Hell!
The Great Commission as Jesus instructed his disciples in Mathew 28:18-19 and Mark 16:15-18
The Great Commission is one of the most significant passages in the Holy Bible. First, it's the last recorded personal instruction given by Jesus to His disciples. Second, it's a special calling from Jesus Christ to all His followers to take specific action while on this earth.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20).
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[a] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:15-18)
In the Great Commission, Jesus calls every Christian to step out in faith and spread the Good News. In addition, Jesus instructs his disciples to cast out demons, speak in tongues (prayer language to Our Father), and heal people as He did. Jesus’ instructions to the disciples were not an option. This instruction applies to all of us who are the disciples of this age
This is faith in action! People who obey The Great Commission change their spiritual lives forever! Wherever we go, every faithful Christian is compelled through obedience to share the Gospel and to do what Jesus and His disciples did.
Teaching how to operate in the Spirit.
A primary role of the Holy Spirit is that He bears "witness" of Jesus Christ (John 15:26, 16:14). He tells people's hearts about the truth of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also acts as a Christian's teacher (1Cor. 2:9-14). He reveals God's will and God's truth to a Christian. Jesus told His disciples…………
"The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." (John 14:26)
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (John 16:13)
The Holy Spirit was given to live inside those who believe in Jesus, in order to produce God's character in the life of a believer. In a way that we cannot do on our own, the Holy Spirit will build into our lives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). Rather than trying to be loving, patient, kind, God asks us to rely on Him to produce these qualities in our lives. Thus, Christians are told to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25) and be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). And the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to perform ministerial duties that promote spiritual growth among Christians (Rom. 12; 1Cor. 12; Eph. 4).
We must rely on rely on the Holy Spirit in everything that we do. We should ask God for direction for every decision that we make and not rely on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:56)
Understanding spiritual warfare and teaching what authority we have in the name of Jesus.
'Spiritual warfare' is the struggle to have life in this material world reflect as much as possible God's loving governance. It is a 'war' because there are forces working vigorously to thwart what God is doing. God is in charge, but there is an enemy that is in full-scale revolt, and it has powerful influence all around. As with the unseen God, the forces behind the revolt are unseen, non-physical, and supernatural. The struggle against the Devil and all his empty promises is at its heart a 'second Person' matter, a work of Christ Himself. The Holy Spirit leads us in our part of the struggle.
The Scriptures speak of spiritual warfare in several places, but most directly by Paul in Ephesians 6, where he speaks of the full armor of God. Most pointed is verse 12 : "For we struggle not against flesh and blood, but against the kingdoms, against the powers, against the world leaders of this darkness, against spiritual wickedness in the high places".
The Devil has already lost. But the Devil is trying to take as many with him as he can. The good news is we have authority.
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19. We have to stand against the enemy to take back what he has taken from us.
Obeying His commandments
When a young man came to Him asking the way to eternal life, Jesus said: "If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:16–18). The young man asked, "Which?" Jesus answered: "‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery…’" and proceeded to list several of the Ten Commandments. Jesus Christ knew the way to salvation! He said that way was obedience to the law of God the Father and surrender to His will. Jesus declared: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
Far from abolishing the Ten Commandments, Jesus obeyed them (John 15:10). Christ was the "light" that God sent into the world to show men how to live. After His death and resurrection, Christ sent the Apostles out with this command: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19–20).
The Apostles had been there when Christ told the young man: "Keep the commandments." They had heard Him magnify the commandments of God in what is called the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7).
The Apostles had witnessed the obedience of Christ to the Ten Commandments, and knew that His was the perfect example. Therefore, when Jesus Christ sent them out to every nation with the order to teach them all things He had commanded them, there could be no possible doubt in their minds but that this included the Ten Commandments of God.
Obedience to the Ten Commandments, then, was the very basis of the teaching of Christ and of His original Apostles. But what about the "new" commandments of Jesus? Did they not alter or abolish the necessity for literally keeping the Ten Commandments that were revealed in the Old Testament?
Actually, in spite of what many think, there is only one place in all the Bible where Jesus said He was giving a "new" commandment. The other references—by the Apostle John—are to the exact same principles, as we shall see.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34–35).
Jesus gave this "new" commandment during the last night of His physical life on earth. He had—by teaching and example—already shown the disciples that keeping God’s commandments was simply an expression of love.
We show real love toward God when we truly worship and obey, allowing no other "gods," idols, pictures or anything else to come in His place, and always honoring His name and keeping holy His seventh-day Sabbath—which He made holy, and which Jesus and the Apostles always kept! And we show love to those around us when we zealously obey the last six commandments.
Christ had already summarized God’s law into the two great principles: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind… You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37, 39). What, then, was "new" about Jesus’ command to love our neighbors?
The answer is plain. The principle of loving our neighbors was not new, but Jesus’ magnification of that principle in His own perfect life shed a completely new light on the spiritual intent and depth of this commandment. Remember Jesus’ emphasis—"As I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
Jesus’ own perfect example of love and service was the greatest and most meaningful magnification of the love of neighbor as commanded by God. In His life, He demonstrated how that love actually functions in day-to-day life.
How to truly repent.
Repentance is set forth as being universally required. We read: Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17: 30). It is either repent or perish (Luke 13: 3). God desires our repentance and is longsuffering in an effort to afford mankind the opportunity to repent and not perish (2 Pet. 3: 9).
Repentance is, biblically viewed in the setting of salvation, a change of mind or will that is produced by godly sorrow and the goodness of God that results in a change or reformation of life (2 Cor. 7: 10, Rom. 2: 4)
The word of God is the instrument that produces repentance. The reason why we should experience godly sorrow (having sorrow such as God has for sin) and the viewing of God's goodness are seen in the word of God (James. 1: 14-17; John. 3: 16). The word convicts us of our sins.
As we have seen in the complete definition of repentance, repentance involves a change of mind or will (Matt. 21: 29). God wants to influence and control our thinking for the better. (2 Cor. 10: 5)
When one repents, one experiences change regarding sin. They no longer love darkness and error but love light and truth (John. 3: 19-21). They are willing to surrender their will to God and thus view God differently (Heb. 12: 28). They realize their own sinfulness and cease being selfish (Rom. 3: 23; 2 Cor. 5: 15). They respect the word of God and desire to obey it (Acts 2: 37-42). Repentance produces change in how we view Satan, others, money, work, and life in general (I Pet. 5: 8; Matt. 7: 12; I Tim. 6: 10; Col. 3: 22, 23; I Pet. 3: 10, 11).
Repentance will also result in consequential changes today in a person's life. Repentance pervades every fiber of our being and soul and can truly transform us into a mindset that receives and loves the word of God and will obey it at all costs (I John 2:3; 5: 3). Repentance is not just an isolated act that is performed when one initially comes to God. Repentance is ongoing (2 Cor. 7: 8). Learning to identify sin and repenting of sin immediately throughout the day is key. If we don’t repent at the time of sinning, we forget and go to bed with sin that has not been confessed to God. As we learn to indentify sin we become convicted of that sin and learn not to repeat the same sin. In effect, causing us to be less sinful.
Repentance is a condition for salvation (For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death 2 Cor 7:10). The Kingdom of Heaven is available if we repent. (and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:2)
Preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ.
The whole Bible revolves around the coming of Jesus Christ. As Christians, our lives should revolve around His coming, too. Jesus came. He is coming through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit now. Jesus Christ will come again. Jesus will return in all glory to "transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" (Philippians 3:21). Then, "the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Romans 8:21).
Jesus Christ our Savior is coming soon and as believers we can’t just wait for His coming. We must prepare for His coming by obeying His commandments and repenting of our sins until His coming. As Christians, believers in and disciples of Jesus Christ, we all can reply in unison: "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Surrender So That We Can Obey
Greetings!
I have been praying and meditating about my place in this world and the world to come. I have been greatly grieved by where we all are in our spiritual walk. So many of us settling for less than what God has for us and what God wants us to do. Few of us have developed a serious relationship with God. We choose instead to develop a relationship with this world and we let this world dictate our lives instead of God.
I want to share with you on what the Lord conveyed to me. I was praying and pleading to God to lift me up to be a leader and warrior as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God had one word for me. "OBEY!" I said to myself "what does that mean?" The answer shot out to me like a cannon. If I am to represent Jesus, I need to act like Jesus. So simple yet so difficult to grasp and apply to my life.
This was two weeks ago and I have since been in transition. Transforming my entire self to align with Jesus. Much repentance has been required as I get rid of the things that were my method of operation. It has been little less difficult than I thought as I've had God guiding me and reminding me of what I need to do along the way. I feel so much better about myself, but I have a long way to go to be able to be consistent and and not fall back into my old ways.
One week ago I read an article titled Full Surrender from Bibleknowledge.com. I understand what surrender is but this article really impacted me more than at any other time in my life. It was a confirmation on what I have to do to "OBEY" so that I can truly represent Jesus all the rest of my time in this world.
Genesis 22:18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
From Genesis to 1 Peter there are 156 references to the word "Obey" in BibleGateway.com. It doesn't say to think about obeying or that we have an option to obey. God says to "obey!" It doesn't do any good to know the Bible inside and out or to be able to recite hundreds of verses if we don't obey what God says in His Word. Obeying is applying what God says in His Word to our lives.
Our instructions are given in Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ and Mark 12:30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. If we love Him we will obey Him.
My prayer for us all is that we will show Jesus how much we love Him by surrendering our lives to Him so that we are able to obey His Word.
AMEN
I have been praying and meditating about my place in this world and the world to come. I have been greatly grieved by where we all are in our spiritual walk. So many of us settling for less than what God has for us and what God wants us to do. Few of us have developed a serious relationship with God. We choose instead to develop a relationship with this world and we let this world dictate our lives instead of God.
I want to share with you on what the Lord conveyed to me. I was praying and pleading to God to lift me up to be a leader and warrior as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God had one word for me. "OBEY!" I said to myself "what does that mean?" The answer shot out to me like a cannon. If I am to represent Jesus, I need to act like Jesus. So simple yet so difficult to grasp and apply to my life.
This was two weeks ago and I have since been in transition. Transforming my entire self to align with Jesus. Much repentance has been required as I get rid of the things that were my method of operation. It has been little less difficult than I thought as I've had God guiding me and reminding me of what I need to do along the way. I feel so much better about myself, but I have a long way to go to be able to be consistent and and not fall back into my old ways.
One week ago I read an article titled Full Surrender from Bibleknowledge.com. I understand what surrender is but this article really impacted me more than at any other time in my life. It was a confirmation on what I have to do to "OBEY" so that I can truly represent Jesus all the rest of my time in this world.
Genesis 22:18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
From Genesis to 1 Peter there are 156 references to the word "Obey" in BibleGateway.com. It doesn't say to think about obeying or that we have an option to obey. God says to "obey!" It doesn't do any good to know the Bible inside and out or to be able to recite hundreds of verses if we don't obey what God says in His Word. Obeying is applying what God says in His Word to our lives.
Our instructions are given in Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ and Mark 12:30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. If we love Him we will obey Him.
My prayer for us all is that we will show Jesus how much we love Him by surrendering our lives to Him so that we are able to obey His Word.
AMEN
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