He Who Overcomes

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me

you may have peace. In the world you will have 

 tribulation: but be of good cheer, 

I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NKJV)

     The bible is filled with admonitions to overcome. As followers of Christ, we face perils of all kinds. There is the world and all of its temptations, the lust of the eyes, of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). The Christian will face hatred and persecution for their faith in Jesus (John 15:18-21). Just as the world did to Jesus, they will do to His followers as well. We understand from the scriptures that perilous days will come (2 Tim 3:1-5). False teachers and deception has, and will continue to abound (Matt 24:4, 24; Acts 20:29-30; 2 Peter 2:1). Ultimately, Satan prowls around as a lion, seeking someone to devour (2 Peter 5:8; Rev 12:7-12).

     In the seven letters to the churches found in the book of Revelation we see a variety of pitfalls that have been prevalent for the last two thousand years of church history. We see the cold formal church, doing the right things, but lacking love (Rev 2:1-7).

     Then there is the church undergoing persecution, found in Revelation 2:8-11. Compromise with sin and doctrinal error have persisted as well, as we see in the letters to the church in Pergamos (Rev 2:12-17), and Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29). One thing that is worth noting here is the fact that several of these churches were doing right things, they had those who were faithful, yet the fact that error and compromise was allowed, was in effect destroying their spiritual life, and consequently their witness before the world. 

     We go on to read of a church that was busy, they had a reputation of being an alive, perhaps vibrant church, but the reality was, they were dead (Rev 3:1-6)! Then there was a faithful church, in spite of everything they faced, they persevered in standing true to Christ (Rev 3:7-13). 

     Perhaps the church everyone is the most familiar with is the "lukewarm church" of Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22). This church thought they were in great shape, but they did not realize their spiritual poverty. they were self sufficient and proud, and did not realize that God was about to spit them out of His mouth.

     The common theme found in each of these letters is the call to overcome.  The lack of love, compromise with sin, doctrinal error, persecution, spiritual deadness, and lukewarmness, had to be overcome. The simple truth is that we are overcome by the things we do not overcome! We read in closing chapters of Revelation, who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son (Rev 21:7 NKJV).

     I would like to stress here that I am not advocating a works salvation where we earn God's favor. However, Jesus came to set us free from our sin, and how saved are we, if we willingly remain in it? Once again, we are overcome by what we do not overcome!

     Peter warns of those who once escaped the bondage of this world, through the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and then were once again entangled and overcome  (2 Peter 2:19-20). You are overcome by what bring you into bondage!

     Jesus has the answer for us. We read that we overcome by the blood of the lamb, the word of our testimony, and our willingness to stand firm, even in the face of death (Rev 12:11). Thousands of Christians have faced persecution and death and remained faithful to the end. It has been said that the blood of the saints is the seed of the church, and I believe it. 

     John tells us, For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:4-5)? Just as Jesus overcame the world (John 16:33), we too can overcome the world. By faith in Christ, a faith that goes beyond believing right things about Jesus, to a faith that ruthlessly follows Him, trusting Him to guide, give courage, and empower. Real biblical faith adheres to Christ through all circumstances, shunning error and compromise, and boldly standing firm to the very end. If we truly believe who Jesus says He is, then will He not remain faithful to His word? In His word we find promises to bring us through all manners of temptations and trials. He has made it possible for us to become partakers of His divine nature, granting us all that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:2-4). 

     As His followers it is time to draw a line in the sand, to make that irrevocable choice to stand firm to the end. Be an overcomer.

     

 

Diligence.

Diligence is a word that somehow seems to be forgotten. It is seldom mentioned from the pulpit, overlooked by the best selling "Christian" authors of the day, and has been replaced with a more passive type of "faith" by modern Bible teachers. It is far more comfortable to be passive, easier to just sit back and "trust" Jesus. After all, the work of the cross is a finished work.

 It is true that the work of Christ is a finished work in the sense that there is nothing we can do or add to it, it is equally true that we must actively participate in our salvation. As Paul states in Philippians 2:12, we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Faith is an active faith, and salvation in its true sense is a life to be lived out in the power of the Holy Spirit (Gal 2:20, Romans 8:13-14).

Diligence means to give wholehearted effort to something. A diligent person is one who takes great care, goes to great length, and perseveres against all odds, to accomplish a purpose. They accomplish what they set out to do, because it is of utmost importance to them.

Contrary to those who claim that this amounts to mere works done in a legalistic spirit, the Bible sets forth plainly that we are to be diligent in our Christianity. There are two passages in 2 Peter that we will look at. 

Grace and peace be multiplied to you, in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or shortsighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. (2 Peter 1:2-11 NASB)

This is working out our salvation with fear and trembling! We are not working for our salvation as if it were something we could earn or accomplish on our own, but working out what God is working in our lives (Phil 2:12-13). We have God given faith, we have God's promises to us as found in His word, and we are made partakers of His divine nature. We now must yield to Him, submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in obedience to His word. We, like Paul the Apostle, are to press on to maturity (Phil 3:7-17). The Christian life is a life of continual growth. It is impossible to remain stationary, and yet be alive as a Christian. We must be diligent in this or we risk drifting away from the hope of our salvation (Hebrews 2:1-3). This passages ends with the exhortation to make our calling and election sure. Again, this is not self effort, not a call to salvation by works, but an admonition to persevere in our life in Christ. If we are not following Jesus, if we are not walking in the Spirit, we are falling away from Christ, and risk our very souls. Salvation is a radical transformation of heart and life. It must be lived out in our daily lives if it is real.

The Apostle peter, in speaking of the return of Christ and the end of the age, has this to say,

But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless. (2 Peter 3:13-14 NASB)

Those who are longing for the return of Christ are to be diligent in their conduct today! John admonishes us to abide in Him so that we will not be ashamed at His coming (1 John 2:28-29). This involves living righteously. Again he writes that those who are looking for the appearance of Christ will purify themselves just as Christ is pure. Once again, this is speaking of the purity of our heart and actions (1 John 3:3-6). We are told that no one who abides in Him sins, as He has come to take away sins. We must be ever so diligent in our daily lives, each and every moment, that we are not led away from Christ through complacency or allowing sin in our lives. This takes effort, diligence. 

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23 NASB) 

Work Out Your Salvation.

     So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
     for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
                                  Philippians 2:12-13 NASB

     Many people become confused when they read the words of the Apostle Paul in this passage of scripture. They view salvation as something that cannot be earned or worked for, which is true. Paul states in Ephesians, that salvation is the gift of God and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). He states in Romans that one who works earns his wage. It is not a favor, but what is due. However, the one who believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, is made righteous by faith (Romans 4:4-5). Salvation is the gift of God received by faith.
     To understand what it means to work out your salvation, it is helpful to have a good understanding of salvation; what it means and what it entails. Many of us understand the aspect of salvation that deals with the guilt of sin. We understand and believe that Christ has paid the penalty for our sin, and canceled the debt against us. We understand that we are justified in His sight, and freely forgiven, for Christ's sake.
     There is more to salvation however. The concept of salvation is that of deliverance. It includes deliverance from the guilt of sin, but goes beyond that to the deliverance from sin itself. Paul writes that Christ "Gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil age" (Gal 1:4).  He also writes that we were dead in trespasses and sins, walking according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, and the spirit that is at work in the sons of disobedience. We indulged in the desires of the flesh and mind, and were by nature children of wrath. God who is rich in mercy, in love, has made us alive in Christ; raising us up, and seating us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ (Eph 2:1-7).  In Colossians He proclaims that we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness, to the kingdom of His Son (Col 1:13-14).  This is salvation; to be delivered from our sinful, rebellious lives. It is to be delivered from the lusts and desires that at one time controlled us, and to be set free to live for Christ. We were at one time slaves of sin, but we are now to present ourselves to God as slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:12-13, 15-18). Our lives will be filled with works and deeds of some kind. Either we will live selfishly, fulfilling the lusts of our flesh and mind, or we will live soberly and righteously. We are controlled by our nature; the old man with his deeds, or the new man with his deeds (Eph 4:22-24). 
     The new birth is a change of nature. It is referred to as the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). The man who is born again is a new creation. The old is gone, and all things are made new (2 Cor 5:17). Again, this means that we no longer live the way we once did. We now have a new set of principles written upon our hearts by the Holy Spirit. This is the promise made under the new covenant (Hebrews 8:10). We are His workmanship, prepared to do good works (Eph 2:10). We read above that it is God who is at work in us to will and to do His good pleasure. This is what we must work out. We are to walk in this deliverance by faith. We are to follow Christ. We are to be led by the Spirit. This is what it means to work out our salvation. It is nothing less than living for the glory of God, surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
     We are admonished to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. The idea of fear seems foreign to many of us. It is easy to focus on God's love and mercy, which is central to our salvation. If God did not love us, why would He show us mercy? We are also concerned that we do not slip into legalism; driven by a slavish fear of punishment. Many people live motivated by this kind of fear. They do things to earn God's favor; they avoid other things to escape His wrath. These individuals are only motivated by self preservation. They have no real regard for the will of God. This is not the fear of the Lord that we are called to by the scriptures.
     The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy one is understanding (Proverbs 9:10 NASB). To properly fear God, we must have a right understanding of Him. If we focus only on wrath and judgment, we will be driven by slavish fear. The opposite of this is to view God as love, while neglecting the fact that He is holy and just as well. The danger here is that we begin to presume upon grace, and fail to live in obedience to His word. "After all", we think, "God is love, and understands our weakness."
     We need to understand, deep within our hearts, that not only is God love, but He is also righteous and just in all His ways. As the Holy God, He cannot tolerate sin. We do not always like to hear this, but His wrath flows from His justice. It is misrepresenting the character of God to declare that a loving God would never send anyone to hell. His holiness, righteousness, and justice, are just as real as His grace and mercy.
     When we look at God, and ponder the fact that He has existed from eternity, that He is everywhere present, that He is all knowing, we should be overcome by a sense of awe. There is not a thought in our minds that God does not know. He sees all; nothing is done in secret, that He is not aware of. In fact, from eternity past, God all ready knows the end from the beginning. The thought of this should make us feel very small in comparison to God, the maker of heaven and earth. When you look at the creation, you cannot help but know that there is a God who made all of this. In fact the Bible records that His invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature, are clearly seen in His creation (Romans 1:20).
     To fear the Lord is to understand who we are in relation to Him. We are His creation, made for His purpose and pleasure. We are not our own, but owe our lives in allegiance to God. It is only right and fitting that we yield ourselves to Him for His use. The proper fear of the Lord requires that we would stand in a holy awe of Him, to be deeply struck by His majesty and splendor; to understand that while this God loves us, and desires our love in return, yet in His holiness, He cannot look upon our sin. It is the dark stain of sin that separates us from this majestic God, and places us under His just wrath.
     Knowing this, we should have a dread, even a hatred for sin itself. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth I hate (Proverbs 8:13 NASB). This hatred goes beyond the fear of punishment, to actually hate sin for what it is: rebellion against God. Sin grieves the heart of God, and breaks our fellowship with Him, and one who fears the Lord, will learn to hate sin, even dread it, lest they grieve the Savior who gave Himself for them. By the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil (Prov 16:6)!
     Working out our salvation is to walk in the ways of the Lord. Psalm 128:1 declares that those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways are blessed. We are to offer God an acceptable service with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:28-29).
     
    

Convictions Worth Dying For.

     It seems that a majority of "Christians" today do not hold too tightly to their convictions. They may hold to various beliefs and convictions, but are easily persuaded to compromise, lay these beliefs aside, or just remain silent. 
     I understand that there are some things that are personal, and we are not to judge another on these things (Romans 14:1-13). This is not what I am referring to. I am writing here about Jesus Christ, and our unwavering commitment to follow Him as Lord of our lives, no matter where it leads us, and how much it costs us.
     The Anabaptists of the sixteenth century are a little known group of people who grew out of the reformation. They followed Christ with an all out passion. Their property was confiscated, they were imprisoned, tortured, and put to death for their beliefs.
     What were these beliefs that meant so much to them? They believed that the scriptures were for them, that they were to be believed and lived out. They believed that the kingdom of God was within them, Christ was the head of the Church, not a city council or other form of human government. They rejected the notion that the consecrated bread became the body of Christ during communion. They saw the communion elements as symbolic of Jesus body and blood. They saw that infant baptism was not biblical. They believed that one was to be baptized upon a true confession of faith. They took the words of Jesus to love ones enemies quite literally. They went out as missionaries throughout Europe preaching repentance from sin and faith towards God, baptizing all who truly believed. Revival followed them. Multitudes embraced the message of the gospel and were baptized as a seal of their surrender to Christ.
     They were at odds not only with the Roman Catholic Church, but were also branded as rebels and heretics by the leaders of the reformation as well. It was Martin Luther himself who declared that they must be put to death for their rebellion against church authority. This did not discourage or stop them. They picked up their cross and followed Christ all the way, many of them to the death.
     We need the boldness and conviction that these Christians, and many others throughout history had. Many today are suffering untold horrors in other lands while we waffle and waver and remain silent, afraid to ruffle feathers and go against the current. We see so much worldliness in the church and do nothing. We follow along as we see a church fighting spiritual battles in the political arena. We have become materialistic, storing up treasures on earth instead of heaven. We know nothing of true cross bearing for the sake of Christ. The modern message of Christ has become so watered down and distorted, but most of us say nothing, sadly many of us do not even realize this is happening. 
     God, grant us the grace to stand for you! Wake us up and give us courage! May we hold firmly to Godly convictions, and change this world for you.
    

The Nature of Unbelief.

      A biblical concept often misunderstood and misrepresented is that of belief and unbelief. For too many, belief involves nothing more than head knowledge, knowing the historical facts about Christ, and agreeing that they are true. Unbelief therefore is nothing more than failing to know these facts, or disagreeing with them.
     It is true that one must know and understand the truth of Christ and the gospel in order to believe it, but to be content with a mere assent to biblical facts, and nothing more, is still unbelief. Likewise, unbelief goes much deeper than what we mentally agree to or disagree with.
    
     Consider these definitions of unbelief taken from Thayers Greek Lexicon of the New Testament.

     1) 543 Apeitheia.   Obstinancy, obstinant, opposition to the Divine will.

     2) 544 Apeitheo.  1)  Not to allow one's self to be persuaded.
                                       1a) To refuse or withhold belief.
                                       1b) To refuse belief and obedience.
                                  2) Not to comply with.

      3) 545 Apeithes.   Impersuasible, not compliant, disobedient, contumacious.

     4) 570 Apistia.  Unfaithfulness, faithless
                              Want of faith, unbelief
                               Weakness of faith

     Now consider these definitions taken from Strong's concordance
 of the New Testament. 

     1) 543 Apeitheia. Disbelief (obstinant and rebellious):- disobedience unbelief.

     2) 544  Apeitheo.  To disbelieve (willfully and perversely):- not to believe, disobedient, obey not, unbelieving.

     3) 545 Apeithes. Unpersuadable, that is contumacious:- disobedient.

     4) 570  Apistia. Faithlessness, that is (negatively) disbelief (want of Christian faith), or (positively) unfaithfulness (disobedience):- unbelief.   

     While the idea of not believing something, is there, notice the traits that characterize unbelief. Obstinant, rebellious, not compliant to God's will, disobedient unfaithful. An unbelieving heart is dug in and hardened against spiritual truth. It refuses to submit to God's authority. By the way, contumacious means stubbornly rebellious.
     Read these verses from Hebrews. Strong's numbers are used where the words unbelief and unbelieving are used. The first few verses are found in Chapter 3.

     Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief (570), in turning from the living God. vs 12.

     And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not (544)?  vs 18.

     So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief (570). vs 19.

     Now look at a few verses found in chapter 4.

     Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter there in, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief (543). vs 6.

     Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief (543). vs 11.

     The context of these verses concerns ancient Israel as they left Egypt and headed to the promised land. They failed to trust God time and time again, even though they saw the signs,wonders, and mighty miracles He performed on their behalf. They grumbled, complained, and rebelled against God in spite of the fact that His presence was with them in the cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night.
     Their final failure comes as they are about to cross the Jordan to enter the promised land. They listen to the evil report of eight of the ten spies, and refuse to trust God enough to enter and take possession of the promised land.
     The verses quoted from Hebrews 3, and 4 were taken from the King James version. They consistently translated the Greek as unbelief, or believed not, in these verses. Later translators more accurately use disobedience in some of these instances, which gives a better understanding of what unbelief truly is. Consider these same verses taken from the NASB.

     Take care brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. Heb 3:12
     This is speaking of unfaithfulness. A weak, lacking faith that erodes into a turning away from God.

     And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. Heb 3:18-19
     Here we see the refusal to obey, or believe (544). Vincent's word studies in the New Testament puts it this way.

     (Apeitheia) disobedience is the active manifestation of (Apistia) lack of faith.

     Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter in because of disobedience. Heb 4:6
     This is apeitheia, the word for obstinant and rebellious behavior. This was how their unbelief manifested itself.

     Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. Heb 4:11
     We are warned to avoid falling into the same attitude of rebellion and disobedience that the Israelites did in the days of Moses.

     We can draw several conclusions from these scriptures.
1) Without a proper trust in God, we will not obey Him. If we do not believe He will provide for us, give us strength, believe in His promises to us, we will not obey, just as Israel did not believe He would give them victory over the inhabitants of the promised land, and they chose not to go in.
2) Individuals chose not to believe, because to believe requires obedience, and as lost, selfish individuals we do not want to give up our sin.
3)  We can say we believe in Christ, but it is our actions that prove our belief or unbelief. It is like the man pushing a cart on a tightrope high above a gorge. He has a volunteer get in and goes back and forth several times. He asks if those witnessing this feat, believe that he could get them across safely in the cart as well. Everyone is in hearty agreement until he asks for the next volunteer to get into the cart.

     Do you believe?

    
    

    
    

Freedom.

       Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of The Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
                                      Romans 8:1-4 NASB

     The Apostle Paul has just finished describing the battle that one faces apart from Christ. The battle to be free from sin, to do the things that one knows are right, instead of the things that one knows are evil. All the good intentions in the world are not enough to overcome the selfish desires that are rooted in the heart of an individual who is striving in the flesh to please God. Paul raises the cry of anguish and despair, "Who will deliver me from this body of  death (Romans 7:24)?" 
      Indeed everyone reading this can relate to a time when they were made aware of their sinful state, and desired to be free, to be accepted by God, but found that their efforts were like those of the individual described by Paul in this seventh Chapter of Romans.
      Many Christians have begun in the Spirit, only to try to be perfected in the flesh (Galatians 3:3). This is just as futile, as Jesus states "Apart from Me You can do nothing" (John 15:5).  They find that the willing is present in them, but the doing is quite another thing (Romans 7:18).
       He now turns to the answer. Victory from the bondage to sin is found in Jesus Christ (Romans 7:25). All of the struggle with the sin nature, all of the guilt, all of the condemnation can be overcome in Christ.
     There is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). We are free from the condemnation of our conscience. We are freed from the law's pronouncement of GUILTY. We are set free from the penalty of spiritual death and eternal separation from God. And as we will see, we are freed from the power that sin holds over us.
     This verse is often quoted by individuals who are still living a lifestyle of sin. They are trying to feel good about themselves and still cling to their sinful habits. It is often used to silence well meaning Christians who are concerned about the souls of  fellow believers who have lapsed into sin. This however, is a refuge that will not stand on the day of Christ!
     This promise of no condemnation is for those who are in Christ. To be in Christ is quite a different thing from what many people believe it to be! It is also qualified by the statement " Those who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4). I like how this verse reads in the King James version. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Most of our modern translations do not translate it this way, but verse 4 still carries this idea.
     So what does it mean to be in Christ Jesus? It is a joining to Him by faith, a living faith that goes beyond head knowledge, to acting out our belief. It is a submission to His lordship of our lives. This is the surrender Jesus sets before all who would be His disciples (Matthew 10:37-39, Mark 8:34-35, Luke 14:33).
     To be found in Christ is to make Jesus your life (Colossians 3:3-4). It is not about us. Our lives are to revolve around Him. We are to make His kingdom and righteousness our highest priorities (Matthew 6:33). Paul was crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20, 6:14). This was in a spiritual sense meaning he was dead to everything but the life of Christ in him.
     Those who are in Christ understand the concept of the vine and branches in John 15. They lean upon Him for the grace to overcome in every situation. They bear fruit because they are united to Him with a faith that obeys as well as depends upon Him for strength. They understand that the life sap flows as long as they stay connected, but to be severed through disobedience, or self reliance is fatal (John 15:4-6). It is as natural as the metaphor Jesus uses to describe this union with Himself.
     The one found in Christ will be like Him (1John 4:16-17). The one who abides in Christ will keep His commandments(1 John 5:3). The one who abides in Christ will walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6). This is a walk of love, a walk of obedience, and a walk of self sacrifice.
     The one found abiding in Christ will have the witness of the Spirit (1John 3:24, Romans 8:16). This inner witness of The Spirit bearing witness with our spirit, is sadly overlooked too often. Many individuals claim to be born again but are always filled with guilt and doubts. The witness of the Spirit is a vital biblical truth, an experience that is tangible. Those who have experienced it know it beyond a shadow of a doubt.
     There are many more things I could put down here, but these will suffice to make the point.
      The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
     The freedom to overcome sin is found when we are surrendered to Christ. When we have renounced sin and self, and put on Christ, then His power flows through us. God did for us what the law could never do. All the law could do was show us what God requires of us. It condemns us when we break it, but it cannot empower us to obey it. That is true of any law. It tells you what to do, but it does not enable you to do it. We may agree that it is good, we may obey some of it, or obey it some of the time, but as long as we are selfish individuals we will never give it the whole hearted obedience that is required of us.
     Christ came to earth as a man. While here he was tempted in every way we are, yet He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). His obedience to the law was perfect, making Him the only possible sacrifice for sin.  He broke the power of sin by His death on the cross (Hebrews 2:14-15) making it possible for us to live free from its power (Romans 6:6-7). 
     In Christ we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). It is up to us to walk in the power available to us. We must make an irrevocable decision to die to sin, and to live for Christ in righteousness (Romans 6:11,19). We must walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16,25). This means that we diligently obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit as He directs us by the Word of God, and guides us through our conscience. We must always remember that all we need to follow Christ will be abundantly supplied.
     Why not trust Him today?

    
    

God's Property.

     Christian, you are not your own. You no longer belong to yourself. You have been purchased by God, the price being the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (1Cor 6:19-20). You have given up the right to yourself in surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
     As bond slaves of Christ (1Cor 7:22) your life is no longer yours to do with as you please. As Temples of the Holy Spirit we must have pure hearts and clean hands (Psalm 24:3-4; 1 Cor 6:19). He will not dwell in an unclean vessel, a heart that is bent on sinful behavior.
     We have an obligation to live for Christ alone. Our lives are to be lived as a sacrifice, poured out on the altar of service to Christ our Redeemer and King (Romans 12:1). We have no right to do anything for ourselves, but ALL must be done for His glory (1Cor 10:31) and in His name (Col 3:17). This is our only reasonable response in view of what Christ has done for us. This is where we find our true freedom, our God ordained purpose, as we are swallowed up into the sweet will of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!

A coveting spirit.

We live in a society given to instant gratification. Whatever we desire, we obtain. We don't always crave what want, we just go get it. Because of this, we don't consider that we may have a problem with covetousness. Try going without something that you want. Try foregoing a habit. Do you begin to desire that thing? Does it grow into an obsessive desire? We can easily see by this if we have a problem or not. When we do not gratify our desires, we can see how strong they are. To covet, is to be an idolater. It is a very dangerous thing spiritually. We must be on guard at all times, keeping our eyes on Jesus, who is worthy of our worship.

Pay attention!

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
     Hebrews 2:1 NASB

     It is vital that we take God and His word seriously. We live in an age where the truth is compromised. People live as if the Bible is irrevelant, as if what it teaches does not matter in the long run. Pastors and bible teachers present a washed down version of what the Bible really teaches, in an effort to please men instead of God.
     Pay attention to the truth! This means that we hold God in a reverent fear! He means what He says. It is important that we hear, and then go and do what He says! It is not enough to know what God says, we must let it have its way in our lives. It must become part of us. If we truly believe in a cause, we will be moved to act on behalf of that cause. If we believe God's word, then we will take it seriously, and live it out.

In Christ.

     To be in Christ is a theme repeated throughout the writings of Paul the Apostle. In Christ we find life and salvation. It is vital that we understand what it means to be in Christ.
     Picture yourself standing next to a lake. You now put one foot in, but you are not in the lake until you are standing in it with both feet. But this is only the beginning. To really be in, you go out into deeper water and dive in, fully submerged. Now you are properly in the lake.
     To be in Christ is to be fully submerged in Him. It involves the full surrender of your life to Him. It means He is your life, you live for nothing else but Him ( Col 3:4). Many people add Christ to their lives, they want Him around for what He can do for them. as long as it is convenient. They still retain control over their lives. Such people are deceived. They have no more of Christ as an atheist does. It is all or nothing. We take all of Christ, and He gets all of us. There can be no holding back.
     I think baptism illustrates this well. You go down into the water completely, fully submerged, and then are brought up again. We are completely immersed in Christ, and then raised up to newness of life in Him!
     This is where we find everything we need, in Christ.
   

A means to an end?

     "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seekining me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.
     John 6:26,27 ESV.

     Jesus had miraculously fed five thousand individuals with two fish, and five loaves of bread. The next day, the people were searching for Jesus, wanting more. They had an encounter with God Himself, but were only interested in what He could give them. He was only a means to an end for them. They cared nothing about knowing Him, loving Him, and serving Him.
     Many today have this same attitude. People are seeking God for things: even necessary things. People are encouraged to come to Christ for happiness, a better life, finances, and a host of many other things.
       It is true that God will provide. He cares for us and desires the best for us. He encourages us to come to Him with our needs and burdens. However He is not a means for our ends! He is the end! We are called to live for His glory, His plans, His purposes. We come to Him for salvation, not so we can be happy, or bettered, but so we can be reconciled to Him, so we can know Him and fellowship with Him. It is about Him!
     Jesus said if we seek His kingdom and righteousness first, that is to make it our consuming priority, He will provide all that we truly need (Matt 6:25-33). We are called to abandon our lives, to live for Him. He is our purpose, not the other way around.

Full surrender.

     Here is a quote to ponder, dealing with the full consecration of one's self to God.

     In every consecration the soul reaches a point where it must either go through to the death, or else go back and lose the grace of God entirely. The Holy Spirit will make it plain what this death implies, and at last the dying soul goes through its last struggle and yields up its last treasure. When this point is reached and passed, the Holy Spirit will bear witness that the demands of God are now fully met.
Byers, J. W. (2009-10-04). Sanctification (p. 59). Public Domain Books. Kindle Edition.

Where is your heart?

     Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also......
                                                                                              Matt 6:21

     Here are a few questions to get us thinking about what we treasure in our hearts.

     What consumes our thoughts? what do we think about all day? Is it our jobs, families, the cares and worries of life, friends, hobbies? Are our thoughts taken up with Christ, longing for Him, desiring to know Him better, thinking of how we can please Him? Is His kingdom always on our minds?

     What takes up our time? Jobs, hobbies, entertainment, even families? Or is our time spent pursuing Christ, spent in prayer and the word, spent serving Him? Are we spending our time promoting His kingdom?

     How about money? What are we spending it on? Do we spend it on frivolous things, things that we don't really need? Do we use it in the best way to promote His kingdom?

     These are just some things to make us think about what we really hold dear. We all need to make ends meet, and we all have families that we love and care for, but if we pursue Christ with all of our heart, we will find that everything is taken care of.

Simplicity

     The Bible portrays the Christian life as one of simplicity. Simply put, Jesus is all we need. We are to be content because He is all we desire. We are to rejoice because no matter what we face, we have Him. Our lives can be lived free from uneccessary stress and clutter, because they are to be lived for His glory alone. If this rule was truly followed, I think most of what we do could be eliminated, and we would find life was a lot easier.
     It comes down to this. Are we really in love with Christ? He wants us to be consumed by Him. He wants to be our portion. He wants to be the object of our deepest affection.

Holiness.

     The concept of holiness can be confusing to people. To many it is one of those terms that we use as christians without ever considering what it truly means. To many, it means that somehow God sees us as okay no matter how we are living our lives. A sinful lifestyle can be justified by people who think that they are holy in God's eyes.
     The true concept behind holiness is one of separation. It involves being separated from sin, and self. It is a separation from the way the world lives and operates. "Come out from among them and be separate" (2 Cor 6:17) is a call to holiness, a call to the church to remain pure and separated from idolatry. Holiness requires devotion to God. We are separated from the world for the purpose of serving God. We are exhorted to present ourselves to God as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1). This act of devotion is considered holy, acceptable to God. Paul goes on to say " Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds". We are called to be different from those around us. We are to prove the will of God in our lives, by putting it into practice. In 1 Peter 1:15, we are told that we are to be holy in all of our conduct. Holiness is a way of life. It is a life lived for the glory of God. Sin is put away, self is put aside, all that matters is God.
     Holiness is vital to our walk with Christ. Without holiness, being separated out for God's use, we cannot see the Lord (Heb 12:14). Holiness begins in the heart and from there it finds its way into our actions. It is the pure in heart who will see God (Matt 5:8), those who come to Christ with an insincere, divided heart will find no peace. Jesus asks for our all. The cost of following Christ is great. "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself" (Mark 8:34). "Come out from among them and be separate" say the Lord, "and do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters" (2 Cor 6:17-18).
     The intent of salvation is to transform sinners into holy people. A salvation that leaves an individual still in his or her sins, a salvation that does not radically change the life of one who believes, is no salvation. This is a hard saying, but true. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:1-10, deals with this fact. Far too often we underestimate the actual power of God exhibited in Christ.The atonement is a powerful thing. The one set free by the Son is free indeed! We can live victorious, we can walk in purity and holiness before the Lord. It is all grace, it was all purchased for us by Jesus Christ on the cross. Salvation is a complete package. Forgiveness as well as a new life. A saved individual is a new creation. In one respect, the possibility of sin exists, and often is fallen into. However one who truly knows Christ will go to Him in repentance and faith, and find forgiveness and grace to go on with the Lord. That is different from one who claims to know Christ, and believes he is forgiven and saved, but has no real desire to turn from sin, makes no effort to obey Christ. Such a one is not holy, is not separated from the world, is not devoted to God, and is still dead in trespasses and sins.
     God is holy, and commands us to be holy as He is holy. The good news is that the same God who calls us to holiness is also faithful to produce this purity in our hearts and lives (1 Thess 5:23-24).

Shalom.

     I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace
                                                                        -John 16:33 (RSV)


     The complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stern defines the Hebrew word Shalom as follows:
      Peace, tranquillity, safety, well-being, welfare, health, contentment, success, comfort, wholeness and 
      integrity. "Shalom!" is a common greeting.

     The Jewish people in Jesus' day would greet one another with "Shalom." In doing this they wished others to be blessed, much as we would say "God bless you" or " I wish you well".  We all desire to be at peace, to be blessed with good health, to be successful, to be content, and to walk in integrity.
      In the natural, we believe that we need to be successful, we need to be healthy, safe, things have to be going well, before we are at peace. We feel incomplete, so we pursue what we believe will make us whole, all the while contentment stays just out of reach.
     True peace is realized in Christ alone. True contentment is found in our satisfaction with Christ, finding Him as our all in all. Nothing else matters but knowing Him. All of our desires pale in comparison to the desire we have for Him. This was Paul's secret. Wealth, or poverty, hardships, or easy going, made no difference to Him. The end he lived for was Christ.
     Tranquillity, even joy, is the result of an unwavering faith in Christ that perserveres even in the middle of the severest trials. Knowing that God is in control, that all things work out for our good, can keep us in peace even though lifes storms blow all around us. Paul and Silas could sing at midnight deep in a dungeon, The Apostles could rejoice after a beating, because they lived for no other purpose than to glorify God, and trusted Him with a faith that could not be shaken!
     Shalom!

Walk by the Spirit.

      In the seventh chapter of Romans, we are shown the futility of self effort, trying to do right in our own strength. Many people will try to reform their conduct in an effort to please God. They know what they ought to do, and out of fear they attempt to change, but being selfish at heart they soon fail and revert back to sinful behavior.  Even Christians can begin in the Spirit, but find themselves struggling in the flesh, trying to live an overcoming life in their own strength. A battle rages within us. The flesh opposes the Spirit, and the Spirit the flesh (Gal 5:17).  Left to ourselves we find  that we know what is right, we want to do what is right, we try to do what is right, but our flesh wins out. Apart from Christ we can do nothing!
     Paul asked the painful question "Who will deliver me from this body of sin and death?", and then answers it "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord" . Romans 8 is the chapter of the victorious Christian. In it we see that the key to victory is to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. The requirements of the law are fulfilled in those who walk by the Spirit. The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, the mind set on the flesh is death. The mind set on the flesh is in oposition to God. It will not and cannot submit to Him because it is in rebellion to Him.
     Those who walk in the Spirit (order their lives by, live in submission to) will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal 5:16,18,25). In fact the opposite will be true. Their lives will be filled with the fruit of the Spirit,(vs 22,23), the moral requirements of the law will be lived out in those who follow the Spirit's leading (Romans 8:4). It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are to put to death sin in our lives (vs 13). Those who are led by the Spirit, are the sons of God (vs 14).
     This is not to say we will never fall, we will never face temptation, the battle is over. The scriptures warn us to take heed that we do not fall. When we get comfortable and begin to feel safe, we are in danger (1 Cor 10:12). throughout the scriptures we are told to be alert, stand guard, watch, pray, resist, stand firm, etc. Paul watched himself lest after he preached the gospel to others he would be found castaway! We face the battle everyday. Temptations are very real. The possibility of sin, and falling remain, but our strength is found in Christ. We must make the choice to follow the Spirit. We must walk His way, in His strength, setting our minds on things above, not on the things of this earth. We have died, and our lives are hid with Christ in God (Col 3:1-3). Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its desires (Gal 5:24). Count yourselves as dead to sin and alive to God (Rom 6:11). In Christ we have everything we need to live in victory!
    
   

The Lordship of Christ.

     If You confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord"
                                               Romans 10:9


     To confess Jesus as Lord implies much more than a mere mental assent to the fact that He is Lord. Many people will agree with this, they believe in the deity of Christ, and  in their minds they agree that He is Lord. However they lack a full understanding of what Lord means. For many Lord is just a term, another word used to refer to God. It is used in a casual manner when people speak of God, with no more respect than the term " The man upstairs."
     However Jesus is Lord! He is soveriegn over all. All thing were created by Him and for Him. We exist because of Him. He became flesh and gave Himself for us, that we might be reconciled to God1 He has a claim on each and everyone of our lives. He has full right to and demands our full allegiance to Him and His cause. To confess Him as Lord means that we agree to this! We give up the right to ourself and place ourselves under His authority! Our lives are not our own! We gladly give them to Him. To confess Him as Lord means that we will forsake all to follow Him. Anything that stands in the way of pursuing Him must go! we will obey Him with a heartfelt loyalty that spring out of love for the one that gave Himself for us. We willingly abandon sin! We now want to please Jesus!
     The Christians in Paul's day often paid for this commitment with their lives. To make a public confession of Jesus meant persecution and death To name Jesus as Lord was to deny Ceasar, who declared that he was Lord. It was no small thing to the early Christians to make this bold declaration.of Christ.  These words of Paul still carry grave weight today. What does it mean to you to declare "Jesus is Lord"?