Salvation is putting faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. He died for the sins of mankind and was resurrected three days later. Putting faith in these facts saves a person for eternity. But what about after salvation? What about the Christian life/walk for the time we have left before physical death? Do we rely on ourselves and our ability to be good? Is this how we "walk by faith"? Is this how we make Jesus Lord of our lives?
Back to the phrase above "Jesus Christ and His work on the cross". Understanding what that "work" entails is vital to understanding the Christian life/walk. Paul tells us in Romans 6.6 that our old sin nature, the old man, the flesh, was crucified with Christ on the cross so that it (the old man) might be "done away".
Oh, wait a minute, you mean the cross can help me after salvation? The answer is yes...most definitely.
The phrase "done away" in the Greek literally means, "rendered powerless". Accordingly, the flesh, the old sin nature became inactive on the cross with Christ. But here is the kicker...YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE EVERY MOMENT TO CONSIDER IT SO. God nailed your sin nature and mine to the cross but we MUST believe it to be so, (Romans 6.11), and then yield our nature to the control of the Holy Spirit, (Romans 6.13).
You see, not only is salvation "faith alone in Christ alone" but the Christian life/walk is still "faith alone in Christ alone". It is the Holy Spirit who supplies all the power to save us and to grow us into the likeness of the humanity of Jesus Christ.
By this means and this means only will Jesus Christ become Lord of my life or your life.
Consider also:
Ephesians 4.21-24
Romans 13.14
Colossians 2.11
2 Corinthians 10.3-5
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
The Warrior-King
Watching people protest at the funerals of fallen soldiers is a despicable thing. But what is worse is discovering that the protesters are members of a Christian (Baptist) church in Kansas. I have not taken the time to investigate the motivation of these people and frankly, I don't care. Anyone who protests deceased soldiers, for any reason, needs to be examined for a mental illness.
I would love to know what the Biblical reasons are for their protest. I would love to debate them on whatever passage of Scripture they use as the basis for their insanity; maybe that will happen one day.
I am a Christian. I am a believer in Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him. Jesus is the Son of God and is presently seated at the right hand of God in that vast and incredible realm we know as heaven.
In the Bible, Jesus has many titles attributed to Him. In Revelation 22.16, He is, "the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star". In Revelation 5.5, He is, "The Lion of the tribe of Judah". In Daniel 2.35, He is, "the Stone cut out without hands".
I could go on and on but I want to zero in on one Title found in the Old Testament that fly's in the face of the protesters of fallen soldiers. Joshua 5.15 states, "The Captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so." In context, Joshua and the armies of Israel are about to take the city of Jericho. Joshua looks up and sees a man standing opposite him holding a sword. A study of the passage reveals that man to be not an angel, but what is called a "Christophany" (the pre-incarnate Christ).
The literal translation of "the Captain of the Lord's host" is "Lord of the Angelic armies". Jesus Christ, in this passage is the Commander of a vast host of angels all drawn up for war. Excuse me, but does that not sound like soldiers drawn up for battle.
My point is this. Throughout His word God, draws parallels between the realms of humanity and angelic creation. Many times those parallels speak of soldiers, battle, war, commanders, etc..things that we understand in military terms.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul uses military terms and pictures to make his point about spiritual truth (Ephesians 6.10-17 is one example). When Christ returns at His second advent there will be literally millions of people who have refused His mercy who will fall dead at His word (Revelation 19.15).
The U.S. military has long stood on the foundation of freedom. It is not oppressive it does not seek to enslave anyone only help to provide a better way of life. World War 2 would have been lost without the intervention of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Westboro Baptist Church, when you protest a soldier at a funeral remember that the very One you claim to represent, Jesus Christ; is known as the Greatest Soldier, Warrior, Commander and King in the created universe.
I would love to know what the Biblical reasons are for their protest. I would love to debate them on whatever passage of Scripture they use as the basis for their insanity; maybe that will happen one day.
I am a Christian. I am a believer in Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him. Jesus is the Son of God and is presently seated at the right hand of God in that vast and incredible realm we know as heaven.
In the Bible, Jesus has many titles attributed to Him. In Revelation 22.16, He is, "the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star". In Revelation 5.5, He is, "The Lion of the tribe of Judah". In Daniel 2.35, He is, "the Stone cut out without hands".
I could go on and on but I want to zero in on one Title found in the Old Testament that fly's in the face of the protesters of fallen soldiers. Joshua 5.15 states, "The Captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so." In context, Joshua and the armies of Israel are about to take the city of Jericho. Joshua looks up and sees a man standing opposite him holding a sword. A study of the passage reveals that man to be not an angel, but what is called a "Christophany" (the pre-incarnate Christ).
The literal translation of "the Captain of the Lord's host" is "Lord of the Angelic armies". Jesus Christ, in this passage is the Commander of a vast host of angels all drawn up for war. Excuse me, but does that not sound like soldiers drawn up for battle.
My point is this. Throughout His word God, draws parallels between the realms of humanity and angelic creation. Many times those parallels speak of soldiers, battle, war, commanders, etc..things that we understand in military terms.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul uses military terms and pictures to make his point about spiritual truth (Ephesians 6.10-17 is one example). When Christ returns at His second advent there will be literally millions of people who have refused His mercy who will fall dead at His word (Revelation 19.15).
The U.S. military has long stood on the foundation of freedom. It is not oppressive it does not seek to enslave anyone only help to provide a better way of life. World War 2 would have been lost without the intervention of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Westboro Baptist Church, when you protest a soldier at a funeral remember that the very One you claim to represent, Jesus Christ; is known as the Greatest Soldier, Warrior, Commander and King in the created universe.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Friendship
The saying goes that, "a friend sticks closer than a brother". What is it that makes a friend so special? What is it that makes friendship something that every human wants and needs? I think it is acceptance. A true friend takes you for who you are and nothing more. If you have problems, addictions, oddities, or some kind of weirdness about you; a friend does not care. If you are not perfect or if your job is nothing special a friend pays it no mind. I can say without a doubt that I have had a handful of true friends in my life. People who "accept" me in spite of my many oddities.
Now consider this. If I can accept a person for who they are and that person can accept me for who I am, how much more can Jesus Christ accept us for who we are? Jesus is truly the friend who sticks closer than a brother. He "accepts" us right where we are. All our weirdness's, problems, addictions, oddities and obfuscations (to be evasive, unclear, confusing; and yes, I had to look it up); He even accepts us when we mess up, fall off the apple cart, go off in the toolies, hit rock bottom... Through it all, He is present and ready to meet us right where we are. Never forget that Jesus is not only God, but He is God in the flesh. He became intimately familiar with all our infirmities and troubles for He endured them Himself. He can honestly say; been there, done that, defeated it.
And that is a very good thing.
Now consider this. If I can accept a person for who they are and that person can accept me for who I am, how much more can Jesus Christ accept us for who we are? Jesus is truly the friend who sticks closer than a brother. He "accepts" us right where we are. All our weirdness's, problems, addictions, oddities and obfuscations (to be evasive, unclear, confusing; and yes, I had to look it up); He even accepts us when we mess up, fall off the apple cart, go off in the toolies, hit rock bottom... Through it all, He is present and ready to meet us right where we are. Never forget that Jesus is not only God, but He is God in the flesh. He became intimately familiar with all our infirmities and troubles for He endured them Himself. He can honestly say; been there, done that, defeated it.
And that is a very good thing.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Absolutes.
Guess I may end up in jail one day.
Since I believe in absolutes I will most likely be labeled a nutjob, old fashioned, bigot, narrow minded, a homophobic and a racist. Since I believe that the God of the Bible is the One true God, and since I believe the only way to spend eternity with Him is by way of His Son, Jesus Christ, I will become a religious right wing nut. Since I believe that Jesus Christ will one day return and defeat the enemies of the Cross by shedding the blood of millions (see Revelation 14.20), I will probably be labeled a member of a right wing extremist group.
Since I am not progressive, since I believe that history repeats itself, since I think "enlightened men" are in the dark, then I will be considered old fashioned and "behind the times". Since I believe that God created all nations to be sovereign from one another and that the promotion of a one world government is against His principles, I will be considered dangerous and probably put on some watch list somewhere.
Since I like guns, like to shoot guns, buy guns, teach people how to shoot guns, and support the death penalty; I will be labeled, again, a right wing extremist.
Since, when it comes to my faith, I am not afraid to "rock the boat" and speak what I know to be facts from Scripture, I will be looked upon with contempt and may become the target of a jihad.
Since I think the whole "prosperity gospel" movement is a sham from hell, I will be labeled unloving, unforgiving, and unenlightened. The "progressive pastors of prosperity" can go right on deceiving the masses but I know their message for what it is, like I said, a sham from hell.
There is no one I need or want to impress. I could care less what people think about me. I DO care what Jesus Christ thinks of me. He is the one I must one day stand before. So join me if you will and become a member of the body of Christ. Persecution is guaranteed but the eternal benefits are beyond comprehension.
Since I believe in absolutes I will most likely be labeled a nutjob, old fashioned, bigot, narrow minded, a homophobic and a racist. Since I believe that the God of the Bible is the One true God, and since I believe the only way to spend eternity with Him is by way of His Son, Jesus Christ, I will become a religious right wing nut. Since I believe that Jesus Christ will one day return and defeat the enemies of the Cross by shedding the blood of millions (see Revelation 14.20), I will probably be labeled a member of a right wing extremist group.
Since I am not progressive, since I believe that history repeats itself, since I think "enlightened men" are in the dark, then I will be considered old fashioned and "behind the times". Since I believe that God created all nations to be sovereign from one another and that the promotion of a one world government is against His principles, I will be considered dangerous and probably put on some watch list somewhere.
Since I like guns, like to shoot guns, buy guns, teach people how to shoot guns, and support the death penalty; I will be labeled, again, a right wing extremist.
Since, when it comes to my faith, I am not afraid to "rock the boat" and speak what I know to be facts from Scripture, I will be looked upon with contempt and may become the target of a jihad.
Since I think the whole "prosperity gospel" movement is a sham from hell, I will be labeled unloving, unforgiving, and unenlightened. The "progressive pastors of prosperity" can go right on deceiving the masses but I know their message for what it is, like I said, a sham from hell.
There is no one I need or want to impress. I could care less what people think about me. I DO care what Jesus Christ thinks of me. He is the one I must one day stand before. So join me if you will and become a member of the body of Christ. Persecution is guaranteed but the eternal benefits are beyond comprehension.
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