While our faith builds as we study the Bible on a daily basis, I think that at some point in time just about everyone has had a question about their own salvation. I know I went through just such a period of inner turmoil. It was unsettlling for me, as I'm sure it is for others, but God would not want us to live that way (At the time the simplicity of God's grace was so simple a subject that I couldn't fully grasp it. I thought I was surely missing some point). So how do you know you're saved for real? My addressing this question is certainly not original and I would direct you to the excellent book, "How Do I Know I'm Saved" by Norman Bales, from which I stole the title to this post. For those of you who know me personally, if you but ask I will lend you my copy to read.
From what I have studied on the subject, I would lead you to study the following points which answer the question:
1. You must be "in Christ" in order to be saved.
A. 1 Jno. 5:11 - Eternal life is found in Christ the Son;
B. 2 Cor. 5: 17 - When we obey the gospel, we become a "new creature;"
C. Eph. 1: 3-14 - God intended to adopt us as His own all along through His Son. He freely gives us His grace;
D. Col. 1: 12-14 - In Christ, we have redemption of our sins.
2. You must obey Christ.
A. 1 Jno. 2:3-6 - If we say we know him, yet do not do what he says, we're liars;
B. Heb. 5: 8-9 - Jesus, even though he was sinless and deity (God in the flesh), obeyed God the Father;
C. 1 Pet. 1:13-14 - Be pro-active in getting yourself under control. Strive to lead a holy life.
3. You must follow Jesus' example.
A. 1 Jno. 2:6 - Our "walk" (way of life) is evident of our claim to live in him;
B. Jno. 13: 13-17 - Jesus was humble enough to serve others and so should we be. No servant is greater than his master;
C. Jno. 8: 12 - He is light and if we follow him we will stop walking in a state of worldliness.
4. We must let God's Word dwell in us.
A. 1 Jno. 2: 14 - You can overcome evil when his word dwells in you;
B. Col. 3: 16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...."
5. You must love God.
A. 1 Jno. 2:15-17 - We're not to fall in love with the world because it is not of God;
B. 1 Jno. 4: 10 - He loved us enough to sacrifice His only child for our sins. We should love Him because He loved us that much (v. 19);
C. Matt. 22: 37 - We are to love Him with our whole being;
D. 1 Jno. 5: 1-2 - We prove our love for God and that we're His children when we follow through on His commandments.
6. You must practice doing right (righteousness).
A. 1 Jno. 3: 8-10 - If we persist in doing what is evil, we are of the devil. Jesus was sent to destroy the devil's work. Once we are "born of God," we will not continually and willfully sin.
B. 1 Jno. 2: 28-29 - Everyone who is born of Him does what is right.
I am not saying we are, or ever will be sinlessly perfect. That's where Christ's blood comes in--to cover our sins because we've obeyed the gospel and we continually acknowledge when we've wronged God and ask his forgiveness. However, we also don't need to live in constant fear that God's just up there waiting for us to mess up so He can take a big swipe at us. I believe He knows when you're trying to live right and He will reward you for it. Keep on keepin' on.
Love Ya,
God Bless!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Just So Happy To Be Here!
Hi, y'all! Sorry I've been away. It was a long journey back from the "crash." In the words of the late Minnie Pearl, "I'm just so happy to be here!" I couldn't even remember what my last post was about and had to get on here to see. I'll get busy now...
Love Ya,
God Bless!
Love Ya,
God Bless!
Monday, August 25, 2008
I'M HERE!
I'm recovering from a Windows Vista crash which happened Tuesday of last week. Y'all bear with me. I'll be back on here blogging hopefully by end of this week. I've missed you!
Love Ya,
God Bless!
Love Ya,
God Bless!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Proper Love For Each Other
I understand that some people have a natural inclination towards being given to affection, but yet others do not. I also realize that just because one may not seem affectionate towards others does not necessarily mean that they are uncaring or unfeeling. What I cannot understand, however, is a person who is stone-cold and doesn't feel any compassion for anyone else whatsoever.
Have you ever felt lonely and unloved? I have. I generally feel that way when people withhold their companionship and/or fellowship from me. I hate to be cliche', but "no one is an island" fits here. We Christians are each others' support group and we shouldn't desert each other. Some people, for reasons that are a mystery to me, do not want the companionship and fellowship of their fellow Christians. I really don't understand that. Why wouldn't you want someone around who obviously cares for you? My only theory, and it's only that, is that they're being secretive about something that's bothering them. Okay. You don't have to tell all, but spending time with people of like faith will only strengthen you and help you overcome whatever is holding your heart and mind prisoner.
1 John 3:10 says that anyone who does not love his brother is not a child of God. Verses 11-24 of that same chapter go on to illustrate what loving and not loving entail. Verse 15 says that if we hate our brethren we're the same as a murderer and not eligible for eternal life. In fact, verse 16 goes on to state that we ought to lay down our lives for each other. For example, let's say I see that you're about to be hit by a speeding truck. You can't hear me yell and there's no time to spare. I run and shove you towards the curb and the speeding truck hits me instead and I die. That's love in action.
1 John 4:7 says, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God, because God is love." Here's they why and how of Christian love:
1. We're commanded to love each other. It is mandatory (1 Jno. 2:7-11; 3:23; 4:7-11, 16-23; Jno. 13:34-35; 15:12; Heb. 13:1; 1 Pet. 2:17). This is not talking about a "touchy, feely" love, but rather, one that has others' best interests at heart. Honestly, I can love someone and still not like a lot of things about them.
2. Loving our brethren is important because it binds us together (1 Jno. 3:1-3, 10-24; 4:20-5:3; 2 Jno. 4-6).
3. We show our love for each other by:
a. actions and not words (1 Jno. 3:11-18);
b. our unflagging labors (3 Jno. 5-8);
c. wanting what's best for others (3 Jno. 2,9-11); and
d. the show of a pure, genuine, impartial heart (1 Pet. 1:22-23).
Lastly, sometimes love is hard. Sometimes it means you have to say something truthful for an individual's own good rather than allow them to keep feeling good about something they shouldn't. Remember, the devil is the father of all lies (Jno. 8:44-47). While Christians should temper our confrontations with each other with tact, we should also respect each other enough to be truthful with each other. Proverbs 27:6 states, "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."
Go out and show your love for your brothers and sisters by your actions.
Love Ya,
God Bless!
Have you ever felt lonely and unloved? I have. I generally feel that way when people withhold their companionship and/or fellowship from me. I hate to be cliche', but "no one is an island" fits here. We Christians are each others' support group and we shouldn't desert each other. Some people, for reasons that are a mystery to me, do not want the companionship and fellowship of their fellow Christians. I really don't understand that. Why wouldn't you want someone around who obviously cares for you? My only theory, and it's only that, is that they're being secretive about something that's bothering them. Okay. You don't have to tell all, but spending time with people of like faith will only strengthen you and help you overcome whatever is holding your heart and mind prisoner.
1 John 3:10 says that anyone who does not love his brother is not a child of God. Verses 11-24 of that same chapter go on to illustrate what loving and not loving entail. Verse 15 says that if we hate our brethren we're the same as a murderer and not eligible for eternal life. In fact, verse 16 goes on to state that we ought to lay down our lives for each other. For example, let's say I see that you're about to be hit by a speeding truck. You can't hear me yell and there's no time to spare. I run and shove you towards the curb and the speeding truck hits me instead and I die. That's love in action.
1 John 4:7 says, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God, because God is love." Here's they why and how of Christian love:
1. We're commanded to love each other. It is mandatory (1 Jno. 2:7-11; 3:23; 4:7-11, 16-23; Jno. 13:34-35; 15:12; Heb. 13:1; 1 Pet. 2:17). This is not talking about a "touchy, feely" love, but rather, one that has others' best interests at heart. Honestly, I can love someone and still not like a lot of things about them.
2. Loving our brethren is important because it binds us together (1 Jno. 3:1-3, 10-24; 4:20-5:3; 2 Jno. 4-6).
3. We show our love for each other by:
a. actions and not words (1 Jno. 3:11-18);
b. our unflagging labors (3 Jno. 5-8);
c. wanting what's best for others (3 Jno. 2,9-11); and
d. the show of a pure, genuine, impartial heart (1 Pet. 1:22-23).
Lastly, sometimes love is hard. Sometimes it means you have to say something truthful for an individual's own good rather than allow them to keep feeling good about something they shouldn't. Remember, the devil is the father of all lies (Jno. 8:44-47). While Christians should temper our confrontations with each other with tact, we should also respect each other enough to be truthful with each other. Proverbs 27:6 states, "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."
Go out and show your love for your brothers and sisters by your actions.
Love Ya,
God Bless!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
God and Me
I saw a sister in Christ restored this morning. I'm so proud of her and happy for her future. Her example so encouraged me that I asked for the prayers of the church on my own behalf this evening. Sometimes God can't work through you until you clear your own log-jams, and I need all of His help I can get. As I conveyed in my message to the congregation, it would break my heart if I knew I ever caused another of His children to stumble. I want to be a better wife, daughter, and friend in the future than I have been in the past.
God has been so good to me and I never want to take His privileges for granted. I also don't want to be too proud not to own my own sins. I can think of no worse predicament than having my avenue of prayer to Him revoked by my own pride and unrepentance.
God has been so good to me and I never want to take His privileges for granted. I also don't want to be too proud not to own my own sins. I can think of no worse predicament than having my avenue of prayer to Him revoked by my own pride and unrepentance.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Misplaced Love
In the text of 1 John 2:12-17, John is speaking about putting the allure of the world behind us after we commit ourselves to live for Christ. We don't automatically quit sinning just because we become a Christian. However, we have to make a conscious effort not to go back into our formerly destructive and/or sinful ways. In the alternative, the world is not very welcoming to Christians, but in fact, is hostile towards them.
John wanted Christians to know that they were to separate themselves from the world because they had overcome Satan and their sins were forgiven in Christ's name. Jesus died as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 Jno. 4: 7-11). After obeying the gospel, we can further distance ourselves from the world and come to know God by changing our lifestyle, or "walk" to follow Him (1 Jno. 1:5; 2:3,6). Thirdly, by urging us not to love the world, John said we will overcome the evil one (1 Jno. 2:13-14). We can only overcome Satan by giving attention to building our personal spiritual faith (1 Jno. 5:4-5; Eph. 6:16; Rom. 10:17). By way of definition, not to love the world is not to serve both God and man (Mt. 6:24; Eph. 2:1-3; 1 Jno. 2:15). "The world" is this context represents the material things in life, or rather, the worship or coveting of them; the entire human race which needs redemption; and unbelievers who are hostile towards God (1 Jno. 2:15; 5:19; Jas. 1:27; 4:4). "The world" is anything that draws your attention away from God (Rom. 12:2; Col. 3:1-2). Satan never gives up trying to lure us back into the world (1 Pet. 5:8-9). His three chosen avenues are:
1. The lust of the flesh (1 Jno. 2:16). We all possess natural physical desires which God gave us which aren't wrong in and of themselves necessarily, but they can be misused and/or abused. We must maintain control over our bodies so as not to do that which is sinful and/or inappropriate.
2. The lust of the eyes (1 Jno. 2: 16). What we see going on around us in our environment can have an influence on our minds and lead us towards unwholesome thinking. We can sin our minds without our bodies every being involved (Mt. 5:27-29; 18:9; 2 Sam. 11:2-4; Josh. 7:20-21).
3. The pride of life (1 Jno. 2:16). This is an attitude of arrogance and self-sufficiency that says we have no dependence on God. Remember that material wealth is unstable and will decay over time (1 Jno. 2:17; Job 14:1; Psa. 78: 39; 90:1, 10-12; Prov. 27:1; Eccl. 11:10; Jas. 4:13-16).
What is the sort of strong desire (lust) that draws us into the world? It is anything that is inconsistent with God's will (Rom. 13:14; Eph. 2:3; 2 Pet. 2:18) Now, if I may play devil's advocate momentarily: I truly believe that we as Christians can become too strict in our beliefs (not on doctrinal issues, but in matters of opinion) so as to become too judgmental of others and legalistic. That, too, is wrong and not in keeping with a love for our fellow man either. We are told to diligently keep our heart (Prov. 4:23; 23:7; Mt. 15:18-19). Lust, or strong desire, would encompass the following:
1. deceitfulness (Eph. 4:22; 2 Pet. 2:18)
2. anything foolish or harmful (1 Tim. 6:9)
3. worldliness (Titus 2:11-12)
4. a taskmaster (becoming enslaved to the strong desire) (Titus 3:3)
5. an enemy of the soul (1 Pet. 2:11)
6. something that will lead us astray (2 Tim. 3:6)
We all must make the determination for ourselves of life or death (Rom. 6:23). By consciously choosing to do God's will, we forsake the world and are eligible to live eternally with Him (1 Jno. 2:25; Titus 1:2; Mt. 7:21-23).
I know that I have many faults of my own, but that I strive to do God's will on a daily basis. Many times I fail and need forgiveness and I readily ask for it. So should you. Fall down seven times, get up eight.
Love Ya,
God Bless!
John wanted Christians to know that they were to separate themselves from the world because they had overcome Satan and their sins were forgiven in Christ's name. Jesus died as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 Jno. 4: 7-11). After obeying the gospel, we can further distance ourselves from the world and come to know God by changing our lifestyle, or "walk" to follow Him (1 Jno. 1:5; 2:3,6). Thirdly, by urging us not to love the world, John said we will overcome the evil one (1 Jno. 2:13-14). We can only overcome Satan by giving attention to building our personal spiritual faith (1 Jno. 5:4-5; Eph. 6:16; Rom. 10:17). By way of definition, not to love the world is not to serve both God and man (Mt. 6:24; Eph. 2:1-3; 1 Jno. 2:15). "The world" is this context represents the material things in life, or rather, the worship or coveting of them; the entire human race which needs redemption; and unbelievers who are hostile towards God (1 Jno. 2:15; 5:19; Jas. 1:27; 4:4). "The world" is anything that draws your attention away from God (Rom. 12:2; Col. 3:1-2). Satan never gives up trying to lure us back into the world (1 Pet. 5:8-9). His three chosen avenues are:
1. The lust of the flesh (1 Jno. 2:16). We all possess natural physical desires which God gave us which aren't wrong in and of themselves necessarily, but they can be misused and/or abused. We must maintain control over our bodies so as not to do that which is sinful and/or inappropriate.
2. The lust of the eyes (1 Jno. 2: 16). What we see going on around us in our environment can have an influence on our minds and lead us towards unwholesome thinking. We can sin our minds without our bodies every being involved (Mt. 5:27-29; 18:9; 2 Sam. 11:2-4; Josh. 7:20-21).
3. The pride of life (1 Jno. 2:16). This is an attitude of arrogance and self-sufficiency that says we have no dependence on God. Remember that material wealth is unstable and will decay over time (1 Jno. 2:17; Job 14:1; Psa. 78: 39; 90:1, 10-12; Prov. 27:1; Eccl. 11:10; Jas. 4:13-16).
What is the sort of strong desire (lust) that draws us into the world? It is anything that is inconsistent with God's will (Rom. 13:14; Eph. 2:3; 2 Pet. 2:18) Now, if I may play devil's advocate momentarily: I truly believe that we as Christians can become too strict in our beliefs (not on doctrinal issues, but in matters of opinion) so as to become too judgmental of others and legalistic. That, too, is wrong and not in keeping with a love for our fellow man either. We are told to diligently keep our heart (Prov. 4:23; 23:7; Mt. 15:18-19). Lust, or strong desire, would encompass the following:
1. deceitfulness (Eph. 4:22; 2 Pet. 2:18)
2. anything foolish or harmful (1 Tim. 6:9)
3. worldliness (Titus 2:11-12)
4. a taskmaster (becoming enslaved to the strong desire) (Titus 3:3)
5. an enemy of the soul (1 Pet. 2:11)
6. something that will lead us astray (2 Tim. 3:6)
We all must make the determination for ourselves of life or death (Rom. 6:23). By consciously choosing to do God's will, we forsake the world and are eligible to live eternally with Him (1 Jno. 2:25; Titus 1:2; Mt. 7:21-23).
I know that I have many faults of my own, but that I strive to do God's will on a daily basis. Many times I fail and need forgiveness and I readily ask for it. So should you. Fall down seven times, get up eight.
Love Ya,
God Bless!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
DAIN BRAMAGE
Oh, my! Please pardon me for not churning out something every day, but...but...but...awww, nah, I don't like excuses either. Truth be told, my dance card is full up and I AM (I promise) working on a new entry, but right now I'm playing the sympathy card inasmuch as my brain cells are fried--completely fried. It's a wonder I'm not drooling while wearing a crash helmet and a bib at this point. Seriously. My mind is trying to be self-taught on some computer software which I purchased for my court reporting business and I have to get through this self-teaching phase before I can go for a formal workshop on it. Ugga...umm-mmma...ubba....
Your prayers and encouragement would be greatly appreciated. In the meanwhile, you can laugh at and/or with me. I'm just temporarily out of service due to dain bramage.
Your prayers and encouragement would be greatly appreciated. In the meanwhile, you can laugh at and/or with me. I'm just temporarily out of service due to dain bramage.
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