"Never is a man in his right mind till he is converted, or in his right place till he sits by faith at the feet of Jesus, or rightly clothed till he has put on the Lord Jesus Christ."
~ J.C. Ryle
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Forgiveness of Self?
No where in the Word does God tell us to forgive ourselves.
We are to forgive other repentant persons.
If we "cannot forgive ourselves", it really translates into not believing God when He said;
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
It is not a matter of forgiving self, it's a matter of believing God.
We are to forgive other repentant persons.
If we "cannot forgive ourselves", it really translates into not believing God when He said;
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
It is not a matter of forgiving self, it's a matter of believing God.
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Christ Alone is Worthy
Thinking that you are able to keep the salvation you didn't earn by being good enough, is to place yourself on the same level with God.
Christ shed His perfect blood for mankind to pay for our sin, it is ridiculous to think that we can keep that salvation by being good.
Not even our own tainted blood would have done it, why on earth would we think our silly meaningless and self righteous works could do what the Savior did on that cross?
Christ shed His perfect blood for mankind to pay for our sin, it is ridiculous to think that we can keep that salvation by being good.
Not even our own tainted blood would have done it, why on earth would we think our silly meaningless and self righteous works could do what the Savior did on that cross?
Only His Blood Will Do
Jesus Christ did all there was to do, that means that He shed every drop of blood, which was the requirement for the payment of sin. It was only the blood of the Perfect Lamb that could pay the debt we owed.
It makes no sense that anyone would think that they are keeping their salvation by "being good", when being good wasn't enough to gain them that salvation. They could not shed their own blood because their blood was tainted with sin.
Christ was the only One Who could do a work on our behalf and that was through the shedding of His blood. Our blood is nothing, it cannot save, it cannot pay for anything, it is tainted with sin. If the shedding of our blood can do nothing then how much less any other works we would do.
Hebrews 9:22 "22 According to the Law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Ephesians 1:7-8 " 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding."
It makes no sense that anyone would think that they are keeping their salvation by "being good", when being good wasn't enough to gain them that salvation. They could not shed their own blood because their blood was tainted with sin.
Christ was the only One Who could do a work on our behalf and that was through the shedding of His blood. Our blood is nothing, it cannot save, it cannot pay for anything, it is tainted with sin. If the shedding of our blood can do nothing then how much less any other works we would do.
Hebrews 9:22 "22 According to the Law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Ephesians 1:7-8 " 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding."
Matthew 12:24-25
"…24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “Only by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons, does this man drive out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand."
The Devil is the Culprit
Keeping this in mind when people come against us for our walk with Christ, they are merely pawns being used by the father of lies himself.
Ephesians 6:12-13
"12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:12-13
"12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Lack of Leadership is Ruinous
Lack of leadership in families, church and government has been the element that has brought us to the place we are in this country and around the world.
False leaders are concerned with others following them, rather than others following Christ. Their oppressive style manipulates and intimidates those under them, rather than encouraging spiritual growth and acknowledgment of the giftedness in each person.
False leaders love to be served rather than to serve.
Mark 10:42-45
"And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Philippians 2:3-8
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ..."
In the secular world, while the anarchists are pushing over statues and removing plaques, the leaders are winking rather than disciplining. They are more concerned about their own power than they are about the needs and safety of law abiding citizens.
Righteous and wise people are being demeaned, mocked and dismissed as "radical", while the anarchists control the media, the houses of government and the communities as a whole.
And you think things are going to get better, merely by wishing it so?
All this lack of leadership has caused serious division everywhere. Again, in our churches, our families, our country and the world, division reigns supreme.
Individualism and self exaltation have been the most divisive factors of anything in the past few years. Our younger culture is obsessed with personal accomplishment far more than service, to be an asset to the group. No one should be seen as special above another, everyone should work together for the common good, in the case of the believer that good is to serve and glorify Christ.
1 Timothy 3:1-13
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus."
False leaders are concerned with others following them, rather than others following Christ. Their oppressive style manipulates and intimidates those under them, rather than encouraging spiritual growth and acknowledgment of the giftedness in each person.
False leaders love to be served rather than to serve.
Mark 10:42-45
"And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Philippians 2:3-8
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ..."
In the secular world, while the anarchists are pushing over statues and removing plaques, the leaders are winking rather than disciplining. They are more concerned about their own power than they are about the needs and safety of law abiding citizens.
Righteous and wise people are being demeaned, mocked and dismissed as "radical", while the anarchists control the media, the houses of government and the communities as a whole.
And you think things are going to get better, merely by wishing it so?
All this lack of leadership has caused serious division everywhere. Again, in our churches, our families, our country and the world, division reigns supreme.
Individualism and self exaltation have been the most divisive factors of anything in the past few years. Our younger culture is obsessed with personal accomplishment far more than service, to be an asset to the group. No one should be seen as special above another, everyone should work together for the common good, in the case of the believer that good is to serve and glorify Christ.
1 Timothy 3:1-13
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus."
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