Something to Think About

Romans 5:17-19  - (...For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

This “one man’s” offense was the act of disobedience displayed in the garden of Eden. True, Eve was the initial perpetrator, but Adam followed her lead for some reason. He knew the rules. He walked with God and had daily communication with Him. God gave Adam the command and Adam passed the information down to Eve. It’s only speculation at this point but perhaps Eve misunderstood. But the fact that Adam didn’t stop her puts him in the position of blame.

So we live in a sin-sick world today because of these actions of disobedience. They chose to disobey, as do many today. Are any of us perfect? No. Even if we have called on the name of the Lord to be saved, we fail daily. We continue in our sins...yet we are also being perfected. That will continue till we die or the Lord returns.

Sin entered the world, and along with it all the illnesses, diseases, anger, hatred, disputes, through one man. Only one Man can change that. It’s why it is important we know this Man, Jesus. It’s why we must call on the name of the Lord to be saved. It’s why He has told us:

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:3,7,16)

Jesus’ free gift of grace is offered to all. It produces righteousness, not deserved by any, but offered. It is a gift! It must be received. It is not just a given that because we call ourselves Christians (because we are not Jewish or Muslim or Buddhist) one is saved. It is not determined by one’s denomination or how long we have attended church. Jesus was not about a denomination. This salvation is for anyone when one confesses that Jesus is Lord. Then comes the act of baptism, to show that one means business!

We’re talking about life here, eternal life in heaven or hell. The soul lives on after death in one place or the other. It will either be glorious or pure agony...eternally. Life does not just end when death comes. The soul lives on. 

We are living in trying times. While the events of today may pass, they may appear again. Many believe, as do I, that we live in the last days. I heard a message (many actually) which stated these days are like birth pains. They start out small and increase in intensity, like when child is born. There are always reprieves. But after a reprieve the next pain becomes more intense. While we might see a reprieve in this Covid19 crisis, more things may occur and intensify. What if...this does happen? We might get upset with government, even see conspiracy theories, but the main thing is to see how this all fits into God's eternal plan and what His Word tells us these days will be like. I'm seeing things I never thought I'd see. I can be anxious for a moment, but ultimately the peace of God comes again and I thank Him that I see what His Word has told us these days would be like. 

This is the time to seek God for His protection. It’s time to be serious about Him. It’s time to understand what His Word says about these days we live in and recognize the prophetic words spoken thousands of years ago of Jesus’ birth, His death, His resurrection, His ability to save spiritual lives, that death is not a thing to fear, unless one is without Christ.

The things of this world truly have no importance: only one thing is important...a life in Christ. Food, alcohol, entertainment, parties, sports or drugs are all distractions to keep us from focusing on God. It’s only a matter of (short) time before Jesus will put an end to all the nonsense. Those whose focus is not on earthly things but have kept their eyes on Him will reap the benefits. Not so much for others. We all have to make the decision or choice for Christ.....

Maybe I seem like a fanatic or am considered to not know anything about anything, but what if I’m right? Why would God have written such an amazing Book? Why has it not been done away with and not been destroyed? Why does God’s Word continue if it is all a lie? His Word, He says, will not return to Him void but will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it. That's about truth, sin, salvation...and end of time. Something to think about. 

Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9  - But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)... For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Have You?

John 1:29-35 - The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water."

And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."

Have you been touched by Jesus? Have you gone from not knowing Him, like John, to knowing Him through the power of the Holy Spirit?

I love the story about Mary and Elizabeth and how John in his mother's womb leaped when Mary came near with Jesus in her womb. Spiritually there was a connection. It's sort of like John's exclamation when he saw Jesus coming toward him above. He just knew, when he didn't know before, as he said about three times, "I did not know Him." We aren't definitively told whether John and Jesus had ever met before this time, except for that momentary meeting between Mary and Elizabeth. If anyone has any other explanation, please respond!

I did not know Him either for more than half my life even though I had heard of Him and how I am sure He was presenting Himself to me which I either didn't recognize or, most certainly,  rejected. I was well aware of Jesus, who He was, that He died for the sins of all mankind…and that, most amazingly, He rose from the dead, just like He prophesied He would.

But one day He baptized me with the Holy Spirit and I can bear witness myself to this. I suddenly knew Him intimately through this miraculous, personal rebirth, which was very unsuspecting. And out of obedience to the Word, I was baptized, symbolically in water, but of greater importance, in the Holy Spirit.

I also can testify that Jesus is the Son of God, that I have been reborn of the Spirit. Have you been touched by Jesus? Have you gone from not knowing Him to knowing Him through the power of the Holy Spirit?

Ezekiel 36:26-28 - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.