He who overcomes.

     He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
                                                                                Rev. 21:7 (NIV)


     The true Christian, as portrayed throughout the Bible, is the overcoming Christian. There are numerous passages that attest to this. Jesus said "He who endures to the end", The writer of Hebrews speaks of holding firm our confidence to the end. Paul wrote about continuing in the faith. He said "God always leads us in triumph, in Christ Jesus".  According to John, Christians will not sin because God's seed is in them, they will walk as Christ walked, they will do right and overcome because greater is He who is in them, than he that is in the world, and it is by faith that we overcome. The book of revelation is full of encouragement to those who overcome, and warnings to those who do not.
     Many people fail to overcome. To many the temptations seem to hard, the idea of Holiness seems out of reach, some see this lifestyle of obedience as nothing more than legalism, but the truth still remains, as Paul said to the Romans, let God be true and everyman a liar!
     For every command of scripture to be Holy, to be obedient, to be God's people, there are also promises that God has given us to see these things fulfilled in our lives. Jesus gave of Himself to deliver us from sin. Not just the guilt of sin, but from the commiting of sin. Through Him, not only do we find forgiveness, but also freedom from the power of sin. Through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome. We are told that no temptation is too much for us, but God will enable us to escape it. The Holy Spirit gives us a boldness that we did not have before. We are given everything that we need for life and godliness, but we need to walk in it by faith! That is where the victory lies. When we take God's word for what it is, and stand upon it in obedient faith, we overcome! This coming year let us all walk in newness of life!
    
    

Sanctification.

      I would like to share some excerpts on sanctification, taken from Adam Clarke's Christian Theology. His thoughts can be convicting, but they also can encourage us to take hold of what Christ has called us to.


     This perfection is the restoration of man to the state of holiness from which he fell, by creating him anew in Christ Jesus, and restoring to him that image and likeness of God which he has lost. A higher meaning than this it can not have; a lower meaning it must not have. God made man in that degree of perfection which was pleasing to His own infinite wisdom and goodness. Sin defaced this divine image; Jesus came to restore it. Sin must have no triumph; and the Redeemer of mankind must have His glory. But if man be not perfectly saved from all sin, sin does triumph, and Satan exult, because they have done mischief that Christ either can not or will not remove.


     A man may be said to be perfect who answers to the end for which God made him; and as God requires every man to love Him with all his heart, soul mind, and strength, and his neighbor as himself; then he is a perfect man that does so; he answers the end for which God made him; and this is more evident from the nature of that love that fills his heart; for as love is the principle of obedience, so he that loves his God with all his powers will obey Him with all his powers; and he who loves his neighbor as himself will not only do no injury to him, but on the contrary, labor to promote his best interests.



     The whole design of God was to restore man to His image, and raise him from the ruins of his fall; in a word, to make him perfect; to blot out all his sins, purify his soul, and fill him with holiness; so that no unholy temper, evil desire, or impure affection or passion shall either lodge, or have any being within him; this and this only is true religion, or christian perfection, and a less salvation than this would be dishonorable to the sacrifice of Christ, and the operation of the Holy Ghost.

Waiting for the Lord.

     Be patient, then brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

     At this time of year we are reminded of the coming of Christ into the world. We are told that the Word became flesh and dwelled among men. We read of how Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, and gave birth to the son of God. It is good to remember these things and to reflect upon them, but like Paul, we must forget what lies behind, and press on to what lies ahead. The truth is, Jesus is coming back. This time He will not be born in a manger, will not have to be hidden from Herod, He will not grow up to be crucified, but He is returning as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is coming back as Judge.
     It is of utmost importance that we be ready for His return. Throughout the New Testament we see warnings to be ready, to watch, to stand firm. Like the example of Simeon in the Christmas story, let us live Spirit empowerd lives, standing firm on the word of God as we long for Him. Let us be in the word, in prayer, and in Christ! It is impossible for a Christian to stand still, to remain inactive, to just get by. Christ urges us on. He will not be hidden. The christian life is one of perserverance, of pressing on in the faith, continually growing, while we wait for Him. Will you be ready?
    

Now is the time!

     Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV)

      This is the time of year when the churches are full! Christmas programs, Christmas Eve services, and the like, bring many people into church. This time of year, for many is a reminder of God's grace. We are reminded that Christ came into this world to save sinners. Jesus became flesh and lived among men, for the purpose of giving Himself for us. Many come to worship Jesus with sincere hearts.
     Sadly, however many of the people are there because it is a holiday. Many have not darkened a church door since Easter. Many come just to see their kids, or grandchildren recite a verse or two. a lot of people come because there will be gifts or candy bags passed out after the service. These same individuals will not come to church again until the next big holiday.
      While many pastors are thrilled to see a large turnout, and many give a gospel presentation, yet few people come to Christ in a saving sense, at these events. Their lives go on, caught up in the business of the season. This is just another part of the Christmas tradition.
     What I want to say is this. Now is the time for salvation, today is the day! You might not have another chance. We are not guaranteed the next moment. God's Spirit will not strive with man forever. Today if you feel the drawing of the Spirit do not resist Him. You may never have another chance again. Christmas is a fun time of year, but eternity marches on! What really matters in life is knowing Christ, living for Him, letting Him have complete control of your life! Today is the day!

    

Living with no regrets.

     God has called each one of us who know Him, to be lights in this evil world. He has called some as missionaries, pastors, teachers, those who we would say had a more visible ministry. But even if you are not called to this kind of service, you are still called to be a witness for Christ, wherever you are. Everyone has a sphere of influence, whether it is in the home, or at the workplace, we all have people that we come into contact with every day. These are people who need Christ, they need to hear the message of salvation from sin, and reconciliation with God. God's word tells us that we are light in the Lord (Eph 5:8). We are to live as light, and as we live as light, we will expose the evil around us. Far too often, I'm afraid, we let the darkness around us hide the light. It may be the fear of man, how many times have we listened to filthy language, or a dirty joke at work and said nothing, maybe nervously laughing instead of telling them that that is offensive, not only to us, but to God? The Bible tells us to reprove the deeds of darkness, not for the purpose of jumping all over someone, but to show them their need for a Savior (Eph 5:11-13)!
     This passage goes on to say "Wake up O sleeper, rise from the dead!" We can get so busy with our lives that we neglect to do the things that God has called us to do. I can speak from experience. I have found myself caught up in work, and the daily routine, coming home and sitting in front of the TV, neglecting prayer, the word, and failing to be a light. Sadly, too many of us fill up our spare time with fun things for us and our families, at the expense of the lost souls around us. We do need time with our families, and I would not want to neglect them, however the Bible tells us to make the most of every opportunity that we have to share the gospel with those around us (vs 16). We may never have another chance to share with an individual again. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. Time is passing us by as many of us do nothing. Last night I was thinking about eternity, and living with the regret of failing to shine for Christ. We do not have to experience this! We can confess our sin and be forgiven, and then walk in obedience to our calling, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Today is the day to begin to redeem the time!
    

Longing for Christ.

     The Bible is silent about the four hundred year period between the close of the Old Testament, and the opening of the New. History tells us that it was a dry time spiritually. The love and worship of God had turned into a formal, external system of rituals with no meaning. The Pharisees came into power with the intent of protecting the law of God, but they soon were driven by the love of power, and the praise of men.
     There were Godly individuals at this time, as there always has been, but they were the exception. When Christ came into the world, He came into a world that was lost.
     One individual who stands out, is Simeon, who met Joseph and Mary, as they were bringing Jesus to the temple to offer the sacrifices for purification (Luke 2:25-34). The Bible tells us that he was a devout, upright man, longing for the appearing of the Messiah. In the middle of a lukewarm spiritual climate he stood out as one who loved God with all his heart. He served  God, was hungry for God, and he heard from God. We are told that the Holy Spirit was upon him, and led him to the temple where he saw Christ.
     Jesus said "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God" (Matt 5:8). We are admonished in the scriptures to come out from among them and be separate (2Cor 6:17), not to be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2), to w ke from spiritual slumber (Romans 13:11). Now is the time to cultivate our relationship with Christ. Like Mary we should find the good thing, that is the intimate fellowship with Christ, the longing for Him, and the communion with Him. The Apostle Paul knew this well. His whole life was spent in the pursuit of Christ (Phil 3:8).  This world is not our true home! Can we say with Paul that we truly long for the appearing of our Lord (2Tim 4:8)?

Entire consecration.

     I would like to share an excerpt from the book Sanctification, by B. Carridine D.D. written in 1890. He is writing to Christians, encouraging them to be filled with the Holy Spirit, thus being enabled to live victorious, power filled lives.


     Consecrate yourself entirely to God. This is called the first step. Put everything on the altar. Make an Appomattox surrender of yourself. Become God's man by solemn covenant. Turn over everything to Christ that you are and have, and ever expect to be and have. Give Him your whole self. He will not accept a lesser gift. Christ intends giving Himself in His fullness to you, and He demands the same thing at your hands. Put every faculty on the altar; place your money there, and your reputation and ambition. Place your tongue there, and your time and your influence. If you have wronged anyone, promise God to right that wrong, and do it. If you are at enmity, first be reconciled with thy brother, then come with thy gift unto the altar.


     This is what the apostle Paul is writing of in Romans 12, when he says to present ourselves to God as living sacrifices. It is the total, complete, irrevocable devoting of ourselves to God, to be filled with Him, led by Him, used by Him, submitting to all He brings us through, all for His glory! It is a call to the life hid with Christ in God. A call to intimate fellowship with Christ, dwelling in the secret place of the Most High.

     Is your all on the altar?

Delight in the Lord.

     Delight in God implies a spirit of universal obedience to Him. This obedience creates a state of mind that inquires after what God would have us do with a fixed intention to do all His will without hesitation and to devote ourselves entirely to pleasing Him. It implies in short, that our whole being is given up to it; that we have no purpose or design, but in all things, at all times, in all places, and forever, to live wholly to Him.
-Charles G. Finney

Fire.

     For our God is a consuming fire
                                                           Hebrews 12:29(NIV)

     As I was staring into the fire this morning, watching a new log start to burn, I was struck with the fact that God desires to consume us. I thought about the many logs that had been in that fire already this morning, they were gone, and the ones in there now were slowly being consumed.
     The Bible states in Hebrews 12, that God is a consuming fire. He desires to purify, and refine us. Before salvation we all are filled with impurity. Our lives were lived in rebellion to God, and the fruit of that rebellion was seen in the sinful acts that we commited. Christ came to cleanse our hearts and lives. He not only forgives, but changes our lives from sinful, to holy. Our hearts are brought into loving submission to Him, His love is shed abroad in our hearts, we now live for Him, and the fruits of righteousness are evident in our lives.
     Just as those logs burned up in the fire, so our lives burn up in the presence of the Holy God. Whatever is not pleasing to Him, He will purge out. Everything of self must go. Things that we never thought were wrong, or displeasing to God will go. God desires a life that is a true reflection of Christ our savior. As we remain in His presence, and yield to His work in our lives, we will come forth as pure vessels for His glory.
     I love the closing lines to the hymn "Have Thine Own Way" It goes "fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only always living in me." We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, submitted to His work in our lives, no agenda of our own, only that Christ would live through each of us.

Ahab's itching ears.

     The Bible warns of a time when men will not put up with sound Biblical doctrine. People will only listen to what makes them feel good. They will find pastors and teachers who suit their fancy, nothing hard or convicting, only easy, feel good messages (2Tim 4:3-4).
     It is amazing how the stories of the Old Testament give us examples of New Testament teachings. Consider the story of Ahab, king of Israel, found in 2 Chronicles 18. Ahab wanted to go into battle against the Arameans at Ramoth Gilead. He asked Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah to go with him. Jehoshaphat agreed, but wanted to seek the Lord first. Ahab gathered his prophets and asked them what to do. With one voice they all told him to go and be victorious. Jehoshaphat asked if they could not find a real prophet of the Lord to ask. Ahab said yes, but he did not like him because he never prophesied good about Ahab.
     He was called for, and came, but before he prophesied, he was asked to prophesy the same message as the others! When he told Ahab to go and fight in verse 14, Ahab told him to tell the truth! He did, and the message was not good. Ahab would be defeated, and killed in battle.
     Instead of heeding this word, Ahab persisted and was killed. He knew the truth but did not want it! He wanted his own way, even though he knew that it would cost him his life.
     We need to be so careful that we do not fall into this same trap. The world throws everything it can at us to pull us away from our walk with Christ. We must be careful that we never compromise the message of the cross. As Christians we need to adhere to the standard God has given us in his word. Likewise as pastors, teachers, or witnesess, we must never soften the gospel as we present it to the lost. People might want their ears tickled, but in the end they will only go on to destruction like Ahab. Stand strong on the word of God!