Month: April 2021

21.g. Failed, but not finished!

Many people will experience this in their life.  Failures, errors, accidents are events and not the person.

 

  Luke 22:61-62 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

It doesn’t happen often, thankfully, but it does happen: An employee makes a serious mistake that costs the company a large amount of money—and the employee is let go from his job. Whatever the reason for the mistake—negligence, poor judgment, or an honest error—the employer can’t risk it happening again.

Aren’t you thankful God has a different perspective on our failures? Granted, most of our failures may be small. But the principle of holiness is that to fail in one thing is like to fail in everything (James 2:10). If God judged us on our works, none of us could be saved. Before he came to understand grace, the apostle Peter probably thought he was finished when he denied knowing Christ three times. Yet Jesus, after the resurrection, reached out to Peter and embraced him, recommissioning Peter in His service (John 21).

Never forget: We are saved by grace through faith, not by works. Our salvation, and our ministry, is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-10).  (David Jeremiah)

21.f. “Cast off and cast away your cloak of filthy rags”

 

 

 

Romans 13:12   The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

 Ezekiel 18:31-32   Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.”

 John 3:19-21   And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

 1 John 1:5-7   This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

 Galatians 5:16   But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

 1 Thessalonians 2:12   we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

We must cast off before we can put on. “The rags of sin must come off if we put on the robe of Christ. There must be a taking away of the love of sin, there must be a renouncing of the practices and habits of sin, or else a man cannot be a Christian. It will be an idle attempt to try and wear religion as a sort of celestial overall over the top of old sins.” (Spurgeon)

The flesh will be as active as we allow it to be. We have a work to do in walking properly, as in the day – it isn’t as if Jesus does it for us as we sit back; instead, He does it through us as we willingly and actively partner with Him. (Guzik)

Spurgeon makes the point of the idle attempt to think it is possible to wear the cloak of religion over the top of unrepentant, unchanged, self-reliant, self-worthy, and self-serving heart, and expect it to, by some means, make you right before God’s eyes.  There are those who spit on the garment of salvation.  They want no part of it.  They see this garment as a filthy rag.  They deny it has any beauty or purpose. 

There are people that may recognize the need for Christ but they continue to wear the cloak of self-reliance to cover their sin rather than an intentional choice to cast off the cloak of all hope in anything they can do and put on the garment of salvation.  They are quick-change artists.  They are able to slap an off-market garment that gives the appearance of being a Christian but under that garment still remains the filthy rags of un-repented sin and self-reliance.  They never want to take off their filthy rags only cover them up.  

The Word of God exposes the stench and ugliness of these filthy rags we cling to so tightly. In His Word, we are able to see them for what they are.  We smell the stench and see the ugliness.  We become aware and are able to cast them off.  It is in this “casting off” that we are able to put on the pure clean garment of salvation.  Casting off requires us to recognize the stench and ugliness of what cloaks our hearts, minds, and souls.  Without this recognition, the need for the garment of salvation will never be put on.  Jesus Christ paid the price (bought our new garment) and when we recognize the filthy rags clothing us and humbly take them off and lay them at His feet, He places this new garment of salvation on us.  The stench and ugliness garments are removed forever.  

The stench and ugliness of our filthy rags is sin.  The garment of salvation is believing in, clinging to, trusting in, and relying on and in Jesus Christ.  Recognition, confession, repentance, turning away, from the cloak of sin to the garment of salvation is an intentional choice.  We can never buy the garment of salvation, it can only be given to us by Jesus Christ as we cast off our cloak of filthy rags.

21.e. “What does it mean that Jesus died for our sins?”

 

 

The quick answer is that Jesus died on the cross to provide the way for us to receive forgiveness from our sins. (Not that we have received it but rather providing the way) The Bible provides many details regarding this sacrifice of Jesus. As we study the Bible, we understand more and more of salvation and forgiveness.

When we say “Jesus died for our sins,” we are saying that He died because of our sins. Sin leads to death (Romans 6:23). We were sinners consigned to death, and we had no way to stop sinning. (for all have sinned,  are sinning, do sin) Jesus came into our world and lived a perfect life, so death had no hold on Him. Yet, in His grace, Jesus chose to die on our behalf. He took our punishment for us. As He died “for our sins,” as our substitute, He prayed that we would be forgiven. Since our penalty has already been paid, God will forgive all who put their trust (believing in, clinging to, relying on) in Jesus.

Jesus’ death means that we have access to God. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Sin had separated us from God, (and assigned us to death/hell) but, at the moment of Christ’s death, the veil in the temple, separating the priests from the presence of God, was ripped in two (Mark 15:38). (so that we might go boldly before the throne of God in Jesus Christ)

Jesus’ death means that the sacrifices of the Old Testament Law are no longer needed. In previous times, various offerings were required by the Law as atonements for sin. Yet these sacrifices were only temporary. With the sacrifice of Jesus, we were provided a perfect, one-time atonement from sin (Hebrews 10:10).

Christ’s death means that we are guaranteed forgiveness of sin when we accept (believe in, cling to, rely on, trust, follow, obey) Jesus as Lord. Galatians 3:22 says, “the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Jesus purchased our salvation on the cross by becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) (so that by believing and having faith in Him we will be saved). That is, He became the guilty one on our behalf.

Salvation is by God’s grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is made possible through the cross of Christ. “Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).  (Compelling Truth)

21.d. “And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

 

 

 

Romans 13:11  Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.  

Matthew 16:3   And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

 Matthew 24:42-44    Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.  But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3    Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

 Revelation 22:12   “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.

 Revelation 22:20   He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

 Matthew 25:5-7   As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

 Mark 13:35-37   Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—  lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.  And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

 1 Corinthians 15:34  Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

 1 Corinthians 7:29-31   This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short.

 2 Peter 3:13-15   But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

Because we know the danger of the times and we anticipate the soon return of Jesus, we should be all the more energetic and committed to a right walk with God instead of a sleep-walk with God.  People talk in their sleep, walk in their sleep, hear things in their sleep, and even think in their sleep (dreaming). We can do many religious or things that seem right in our own eyes and still be asleep toward God, it is important for every Christian to make sure they are truly awake and active in their life before God. (Guzik)

It is a very dangerous state of mind to be in, seemingly being awake.  People who see you might even think you are awake.  You do things that would give the appearance that you are awake.  You say things that sound like you are awake. But in all truth and reality, you are asleep in and to things of God.  When we sleep we are resting our bodies and mind. While we sleep we are not aware of things that happen or that have happened.  We can wake to find a severe storm has come and gone in the night.  How many times have you heard, “I slept right through it”?  “Didn’t hear a thing.”  We may even say that it was a good night’s sleep.  We may say that we slept like a baby.  Though our mortal minds and bodies need sleep and rest, our spiritual should never be in that state.  From the morning to evening our spiritual awareness should never be found asleep.  “Study God’s Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night…”, “but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night.” “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” 

What are the signs of being asleep?  Neglect, complacency, paying little to no attention, disregard, ignore, set aside, lazy, self-worth, self-reliance, pride, contentment, carelessness, self-contentment.  When we are asleep to things of God and the Word of God we become more and more spiritually unaware.  What we do, what we say, and what we think looks like those who, for all practical application, are in a comma concerning things of God and His Word.  Though our fleshly bodies and minds need sleep our spiritual lives do not and should not ever be in the state of sleep.  Jesus gave warnings about being found asleep when He returns. Paul gave warnings about being found asleep and gave encouraging words to stand fast, remain true, every grown in our knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ, keeping our eyes focused on Jesus, continually be looking and anticipating Christ’s return.  The day is coming.  Jesus is returning. Will He find you asleep?

21.c. “I have learned to be content”

 

 

 

Philippians 4:11  I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

 Matthew 6:31-34   Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 1 Timothy 6:6-9   But godliness with contentment is great gain,  for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

 Hebrews 13:5-6   Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Would you say that you are reasonably happy? If so, then obviously you are not aware of some very alarming statistics. For example, have you ever eaten a pickle before? Then consider this: 99.9 percent of cancer victims have eaten a pickle sometime in their life. Not only that, 98.3 percent of people involved in car and air fatalities have also eaten a pickle. Most alarming of all: 100 percent of the people born in 1839 who ate a pickle are now dead.

The fact is, if you tie your happiness to circumstances, you are always going to find something to be unhappy about. People who tie their joy to circumstances will always find something to rob of them of their joy in life. That something may be a dysfunctional relationship. It may be pressure at your work. It may be a problem in your finances. It might be a concern about your health or the health of a loved one.

Warren Wiersbe wrote that when it comes to joy, there are thermometers and thermostats. Do you know what the difference is? A thermometer is controlled by the environment which it is in. The mercury rises or falls depending upon its environment. There are a lot of people today who are thermometers–they are up, they are down, depending on what happened at work that day, what happened in their family, or the balance in their checkbook. But there is another group of people who have learned how to live above their circumstances. They are like a thermostat, which regulates its surroundings. It has an internal mechanism that determines whether everything else is hot or cold. People like that do not allow their environment to regulate their sense of well-being; instead, they have this internal relationship with God that allows them to experience joy no matter what is happening around them. (Jeffress)

21.b. “I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the mason’s level”

 

 

Isaiah 28:17   “I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the mason’s level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge and hope of lies. And waters will flood over the secret [hiding] place.

Measuring things has always been important. Through the years, there have been various standards of measure. There has to be a standard by which to measure.  It does not matter if it is measuring volume, temperature, speed, distance, weight, etc…. Standards allow us to measure, compare, and know with accuracy that which is being determined.  We also use standards by which to establish a society and cultural rules, morals, and laws.  In measuring there are international standards that are published and used to keep international accuracy.

Take the Kilogram, As originally defined, the kilogram was represented in the late 18th century by a solid cylinder of platinum. Measurements of the mass of a volume of water proved to be imprecise and inconvenient to make, however, and the platinum artifact itself became the standard. It was superseded in 1889 by a standard kilogram, also a solid cylinder, of height equal to its diameter, made of the same platinum-iridium alloy as the bar then in use as the standard for defining the metre. The standard kilogram was kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures laboratory at Sèvres, France. However, in 1989 it was discovered that the prototype kept at Sèvres was 50 micrograms lighter than other copies of the standard kilogram. To avoid the problem of having the kilogram defined by an object with a changing mass, the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) agreed in 2011 to a proposal to begin to redefine the kilogram not by a physical artifact but by a fundamental physical constant. The constant chosen was Planck’s constant, which was to be defined as equal to 6.62607015 × 10−34 joule second. One joule is equal to one kilogram times meter squared per second squared. Since the second and the meter were already defined in terms of the frequency of a spectral line of cesium and the speed of light, respectively, the kilogram would then be determined by accurate measurements of Planck’s constant. The proposal was accepted at the 2018 CGPM and, effective from May 20, 2019, the kilogram would be defined by Planck’s constant.  To scientists and physicists, this makes sense but to the rest of us, it is words on a page that has no practical application for us other than to know there is a standard and when used there is accuracy and application for everyone to use across the globe.

There are standards that are defined in the bible too.  They have accuracy and application for everyone to use across the globe but each of them has one more aspect that has eternity woven into it.  There is one God. Standard.   God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. Standard.  God is the Creator of all there is.  Standard. God is holy, righteous, and absolutely just and true.  Standard. God, the creator of all there is, made Himself known to man.  Man sinned by disobedience and fall short of God’s expectation and is separated from God. Standard. God searches the hearts and tests the mind of everyone.  Standard.  God weighs the motives and intents of man.  Standard. None have done good, no not one.  Standard. God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Standard. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to God but through Him.  Standard.  Whoever believes in Him is not condemned.  Standard.  Whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. Standard. Everyone will face the judgment seat of Christ.  Standard.  The results of these standards will determine eternal heaven or hell. 

It is when we mess with standards that we get into trouble.  We dilute the absolute standard into something that it is not.  Sometimes we apply our standards to make it easier for us to meet God’s standards. In essence, we change God’s holy, righteous, true, and perfect standards to somehow make us right before Him in our own eyes, in our own minds, in our own effort.  God does not change.  His standards do not change. Everything thing He has made known has not, will not, and does not change no matter what we think, say, or do.  

People say there is no God. False standard.  People will say there is more than one way to eternal heaven. False standard. People will try to earn their way to eternal life. False standard. People will try to perform their way to eternal life. False standard.  People will pick and choose what they believe out of God’s Word. False standard. People will deny Jesus Christ was the Son of God. False standard. People do not believe there is a heaven or hell. False standard. People don’t believe in eternity. False standard. People don’t believe there will be a final judgment. False standard. All of these man-made standards fall short. 

Why is it so easy to believe man-made absolute standards and not those of God, the Creator of all there is???