Romans 6: Come as you are, but don't stay that way!

 

Romans 6: Come as you are, but don't stay that way!

The book of Romans is a beautiful book full of descriptions about God's free gifts of salvation and grace.  However, it is also possibly the most misinterpreted book as many verses are left out, especially from Romans 6, 8, and 12 (I will explore more from Romans 8 and 12 soon). 

Romans 6:1-2 is simply written by Paul, but is often overlooked when he says, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"  The best way I would sum up these verses is this: You can come as you are to Jesus, but don't stay that way!

Even the preachers once on-fire for God who took a stand and preached against sin, are now leaving out the message of holiness and just preaching about salvation.  Yes, our walk with God absolutely starts with asking Jesus into our heart, but that is just the beginning.  It does not end with acknowledging Jesus died for your sins.  We need to do more than just realize Jesus loves us, we need to love Him in return by living only for Him, not for ourselves.  

The blog I wrote inspired by the book of John "Jesus, our Good Shepherd" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/02/john-10-jesus-our-good-shepherd.html has to do with being lost and allowing Jesus to find you so you can be saved.  However, once you have surrendered your heart, mind, and soul to Christ, there are Biblical conditions to staying saved forever.  The theory of eternal security is a lie of the devil in order to put Christians to sleep.  When we think there is grace for everything no matter what we do, and that our actions suffer no consequences because our salvation is guaranteed with one simple prayer, we can easily slip into a life of sin and comfortably stay there.

It is very true that Christ accepts us as we are, and He freely gave His life on the cross for our sins so we can have eternal life.  Yet it is also very true that, though we may come just as we are with all our faults, God expects us to change.  Jesus is a loving Father who readily forgives our sins as long as our repentance is sincere, and we do not continue to live in sin. Because He is holy, it is His desire that we live holy lives if we are to follow Him.  That does not mean we have to be perfect, but we must seek out to destroy our sinful nature.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. " That means we are to put away the old creature/old nature of sin.  We don't stay living like the world.  If you are serious about following Christ, you need to give up worldly sins such as pornography, going to bars, getting drunk/high, sexual immorality, glorifying or participating in occult practices which includes wicca, fortune telling, yoga and astrology, watching ungodly movies/television, etc.

(1 Peter 1:13-19) Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;  but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;  knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 

 
If we cry out to God, He will hear our pleas.  He wants to protect us and save us. Man’s desire for independence corrupts him more and more.  The mentality of not wanting to be told what to do is only getting worse. It is up to you to surrender yourself to God as well as your independence.  It is up to you to choose to live right and separate yourself from this world.  

Humble yourself and admit you have done wrong.  Salvation begins with repentance and admittance of sin.  If you died right after you accepted Jesus into your heart, you would go to Heaven.  Although salvation is a free gift, we must treat it with respect in order to keep that gift. Don't use "Christianity" an excuse to live however you want. Have a desire to please your Creator and live a truly Christian lifestyle. Have frequent self-evaluation and repentance.  You cannot rebelliously continue in sin and expect God to turn a blind eye.  Not every sin leads to hell, of course, but refusing to do the right thing may cost your soul.

So do we wait until some crazy gunman is at our door (so to speak) before we choose to make the decision to live a holy life?  Of course not.  "There are no atheists in foxholes," so the saying goes.  And it is also true that God will have mercy on your soul if you wait until you are on your deathbed to call upon God and repent of your sins.  Yet, why would you wait until then?  If everyone died at the age of 99, most would wait until they were 98 ¾ to start living right.  But no one ever knows when their time on this world is coming to an end.  Nobody is invincible.  Age, race, wealth, none of it matters when you’re on a highway full of reckless drivers or the day you decide to go to the courthouse to renew your driver’s license just happens to be the same day a man with bombs storms in and blows the place up.    

(2 Corinthians 6:2 ) For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 

Jesus longs to hold each of us in His arms.  It is why He endured a horrible death on the cross for you and for me.

(2 Peter 8:10) But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

(John 3:16.) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

I'll end with more from Romans chapter 6.

(Romans 6:1-7, 11-16, & 18-23) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead [to his sinful nature] is freed from sin.

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 2:4: The Goodness of God

Romans 2:4: The Goodness of God

I often quote Romans 2:4, "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." Yet as I was thinking about that verse today, I realized that when people believe God has not been good to them, it is often why they refuse to change their ways and repent of their sins. They turn this verse upside-down by justifying their actions believing God is not good, so why repent.

People who believe God will prevent all bad things from happening to them or their loved ones end up hating God. They cannot find joy in the midst of suffering or trust in their hearts God is always good. They have difficulty trusting in the love of God. 

(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that  whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Not only does God grieve with us, He intercedes for us.

 (Hebrews 7:25) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 

(Romans 8:26) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

God is fighting for us, but we tend to sabotage our own lives by living in rebellion.

Yes, sometimes God uses negative circumstances to test our love for Him, but in general, God does not intend for bad things to happen to His children. Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God wants only the best for us. Does that mean God does not have any control? No, this means we will never fully know why bad things are allowed to happen because there is a war going on we cannot comprehend. 

(Ephesians 6:12) We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

My favorite verse, 1 Corinthians 13:12 (For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.) reminds us that we cannot understand why things happen as they do because we cannot see the big, eternal picture, but when we get to heaven, it will all be crystal clear. This senseless world will make sense.

If we cry out to God, He will hear our pleas. He wants to protect us and save us. It may seem like evil is winning, and I do not believe that this world will ever improve. In fact, I know it will only get worse. Man’s desire for independence corrupts him more and more. The mentality of not wanting to be told what to do is only getting worse. It is up to you to surrender yourself to God as well as your independence. It is up to you to choose to live right and separate yourself from this world.

 
People love to quote Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Yet they fail to pay attention to the part that says "to those who love God." Do you really love God or are you just demanding He fulfill your every prayer request and then pout like a spoiled child when you do not get your way? Jesus said in John 14:15," If ye love me, keep my commandments." If you refuse to turn off your ungodly entertainment, give up drinking, cheating, stealing, backbiting, etc. then why do you say you love Jesus? Just so you can use the title of "Christian" to try to get what you want and then turn you back on God when things do not turn out according to your demands? Remember, you can fool people, but you can never fool God; you cannot manipulate the Holy of Holies to bend to your will!

 
1 Peter 1:16 says, "Be holy, for I am holy." Besides this being an excellent verse to remind us to live righteous lives, it also reminds us that a holy God cannot tolerate sin. If you are asking God to bless you in any way, be it a health, spiritual, financial, emotional, or mental issue, you cannot be wallowing in sin and expect Him to answer your prayers. If you feel your prayers are being blocked, it may be that God wants to help you, but your ungodly actions are hindering His blessings.

 
If we are honest, we can all admit that there have been numerous times in our lives we purposely chose to disobey God’s voice. Myself included. In essence, we are making an active choice to separate ourselves from God and hinder our prayer life. Would you expect a boss to keep you on the job if you kept stealing or refusing to show up? No; nor should you expect a holy God to turn the other way when you willfully choose to do the wrong thing.

(Psalm 34:18) The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. 

Humble yourself and admit you have done wrong. The free gift of salvation begins with repentance and admittance of sin. Then you must begin to and continually walk in holiness to please God

(Romans 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 


Romans 6:1-2 tells us God's free gift of grace is not to be manipulated and abused for our own selfish will, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Grace is not an excuse to live however you want because you are a “Christian.” The opposite is true. We need to have a holy desire to please our Creator and live a truly Christian lifestyle. We need daily self-evaluation and repentance.


(Luke 9:23) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 

(1 Corinthians 15:31) I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Daily very simply means we must crucify our flesh every day not just once. Psalm 139: 23-24 should be a daily prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.


Bottom line here is to quit using the difficult circumstances of life as an excuse to refuse to do what you know goes against the Word of God. First evaluate your heart and actions to see if you are going against His will so He cannot help you. Then learn to focus on the eternal picture and see how much God loves you and allow "The goodness of God" to "leadeth thee to repentance."

Acts 28:27: Are you plugging your ears and closing your eyes?

 

Acts 28:27: Are you plugging your ears and closing your eyes?

 (Acts 28:27) For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

This passage from Acts makes me think of the Old Testament.  The books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, & Ezekiel are pretty intense and sometimes difficult to read because of all the horrible things that are precited to come to the rebellious people to which the prophets are speaking (as well as prophesies for our own time). I am not going to dwell on those prophesies today; my focus is on those who willingly approached the prophets and asked for signs.  There are multiple instances, and I am not going to list one specific one but group them together in general because they all follow the same pattern.

Men of the city, usually the leaders, would seek out one of the prophets and beg for a prophecy from God. They would promise to obey to do whatever the Lord asked of them.  They claim they will not be rebellious or angry but promise to do the Lord's will.  What they do not consider is that God knows their hearts and if one asks for a word from the Lord, he had better be prepared for an honest answer.  God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). The prophets of God were willing vessels and bravely obeyed the Lord in saying all they were instructed to say.  Therefore, when asked for a prophecy, the answers were usually along the same lines (and rings true for us as well): repent of your sins, give up your idols, your false theologies, your immoral lifestyles, and God will bless you.  Just as the verse in Acts above tells us God wants to heal those who repent.  Did the seekers get on their knees and obey?  No!  They got angry and found another "religious" man to give them a new prophecy that tickled their ears and made them happy. Sometimes they even imprisoned, tortured, and/or murdered the prophets that spoke the Truth. They stubbornly held onto their wicked ways until the Lord did as He promised and punished them.  You see, God always, always, always, gives us a chance to surrender our will and give up our sins. God does not desire any of us to be punished now or in death but wants all to live for Him so we can have a joyful life now and spend forever with Him in heaven.  

(2 Peter 3:9) The Lord... is longsuffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  

Aren't we just like the men of old? We beg God to speak to us and promise we will obey.  Yet when we read the Bible and see that God commands us to be separate from the world and the Lord says to "come out from among them, and be ye separate... and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. " (2 Corinthians 6:17:18-7:1), we shut the Bible and put it back on the shelf.  We do not want to be told to give up alcohol, drugs, sex outside of marriage, the occult/witchcraft, lying, cheating, pornography, etc.  We plug our ears and shut our eyes to the Truth and go to a happy little church that will willingly tell us there is grace for all our sins, so we do not need to repent because God loves us no matter what we do.  

(2 Timothy 4:3-4) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

Today's pastors are not ignorant of what the Bible really says about holiness, they choose to scripture pick the verses that make it seem as if God winks at sin.  They know if they were honest to their listeners like the prophets of old were, their offering plates would be empty. They are counting on you to be lazy and just take them at face value and not read the Bible on your own. Most are just like those men that sought out Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel and don't want to be told to change their rebellious ways.  

People who preach holiness are called judgmental because we refuse to lie to you.  The truth is, we are not judging you; we care about you and want you to have an abundant, joyful life in Christ. What we say is out of a heart of love, not criticism. If we hated you, we would not care where you spent eternity. 

My writings are not from a critical heart, but a compassionate one.  I am not judging any person; I am merely pointing out what the Bible has to say about sin. Those of us who preach holiness love you more than those that lie to you just so you will put money in the offering to help them buy a new car. We don't want your money; we want you to be set free from sin so you can live in peace and have eternal joy in heaven.  Freedom in Christ is repenting of and not repeating habitual sins.  God's grace does not mean you are free to sin.

(Romans 6:1-2 & 6) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 

My point is, do not turn away from the Truths of the Bible just because you don't like what it asks you to give up.  If you are seeking answers from the Lord, that is an excellent place to start.  But don't just say you love the Lord, follow it up with action.  You need to choose to love the Lord more than you love the world. Are you willing to listen to the Truths in the Bible?  Will you give up what God asks you to?  Will you unplug your eyes, open your eyes, repent and obey? 

Acts 26:18 & 20: Turn from Darkness to Light

 

Acts 26:18 & 20: Turn from Darkness to Light

(Acts 26:18 & 20) "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me... that they should repent and turn to God,and do works meet for repentance."

This is from a speech by Paul as he speaks about his conversion to King Agrippa.  One of the messages that he was called to preach was to encourage all of us to "turn... from darkness to light."  To give up the evil ways of the world by fleeing from the "power of Satan unto God."  The best way to achieve this is to repent to receive God's forgiveness of sins.  When you study your Bible apart from what others try to teach you, then you will learn the difference between the dark and light.  The more you love God and realize how much He loves you, the more you will crave His light and hate the dark.

Paul once again makes it very clear that we must turn to God with a penitent heart, and our works should bring about repentance.  Confessing our sins and asking God to forgive us is what brings us closer to God.  Continuing to strive to stay away from ungodly behaviors and vises are the works we must practice keeping our relationship with Christ strong.  Bearing good fruit and striving to live right will keep God close and the world at bay.  

Acts 15:18: There are no Surprises for God

 

 

Acts 15:18: There are no Surprises for God

Acts 15:18 says, "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world."  I see that to mean that God is aware of all that has and will happen. There are no surprises for Him. He has it all under control.  This includes your life and mine.  

God knows all my works, good and bad.  But I also want to focus on the fact that God knows my story past, present, and future.  Through divine dreams, God sometimes gives me a hint of what may happen, but usually I just have to live each day one second at a time.  However, it gives me great peace that God knows what will happen in the next second and the next long before they occur.  I know He is already holding my hand before the hard times hit and is also cheering me on for even small successes.  He knows when I will struggle physically and spiritually, and He goes before me to prepare my heart and soul to be ready to face the fears and doubts with hope and grace.  He even sees how much I love Him and want to bring His name glory.  

I praise God I serve One who holds all my days in the palms of His hands.  I may change (hopefully for the better), but God is never changing.  His love endures and His love for me will never fade.

The late singer George Younce once said (I am paraphrasing) that having God direct his paths was worth more than winning millions in lottery.  I agree; God's guidance and correction are priceless.  

Good has numbered all of our steps and has known each of us from our mother's womb (see Psalm 139).  Lt's praise God for choosing us and directing our paths for His glory! 

Acts 10:9-17 & 34-36: Lord of All

 

 

Acts 10:9-17 & 34-36: Lord of All

Acts 10:34-36 says so much.  It shows that God does not favor one race over another.  "He is Lord of all."  It shows us also that we are His children when we "feareth him, and worketh righteousness."  Again, Peter reminds us that we are to fear the Lord and show Him reverence.  And, yes, we must work to be righteous.  Then we can be called God's children if we follow the ways of holy living and live a life of fear and awe of God.

A few verses before these scriptures (Acts 10:9-17), Peter has a vision of God offering him different kinds of animals to eat.  As a Jew, Peter refused to eat anything he considered "unclean."  God tells Peter, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." 

Although the dietary laws are no longer relevant for today (see Matthew 15:10-11 & 16-18), in this case, God was not referring to animals, but to people.  He was telling Peter to quit being a spiritual bigot and to preach to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews.  God reminded Peter that He loves all souls and wants everyone to have an opportunity to hear the gospel message and be saved.

Peter humbly listened and obeyed God.  It is safe to say this message stayed with him the rest of his days for he later writes in 2 Peter 3:9 that "The Lord is... longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance."  

May we also see receive this message from God and never refuse to teach God's Truths to anyone.

(Acts 10:9-17) On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

And there came a voice to him, "Rise, Peter; kill, and eat."

But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean."

And the voice spake unto him again the second time, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common."

This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

(Acts 10:34-35) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)."

Acts 9:31 & 10:2: What does it mean to fear the Lord?

 

 

Acts 9:31 & 10:2: What does it mean to fear the Lord?

Acts 9:31 refers to the disciples that were teaching as "walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost."

Again, in Acts 10:2 it refers to a man named Cornelius as being "a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house."  

What does it mean to fear the Lord?

A popular spiritual leader once posted that the fear of the Lord "means having a devoted and loving heart toward Him." Although this is true, according to the Bible, this is an over-simplified interpretation. Yes, we should absolutely love the Lord. it is why we became Christians and what drives our faith.  When we love the Holy Trinity and realize how kind, gracious, and forging God is, "the goodness of God leadeth [us] to repentance" (Romans 2:4). Which of course leads to, 2 Corinthians 7:10 that reminds us, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."

However, fearing the Lord is not simply loving God. It is acknowledging that He holds our eternal fates in His hands.  Hebrews 10:30-31 should be the basis for all decisions we make. 

(Hebrews 10:30-31) The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

Fearing the Lord means respecting His rules and realizing His love for us is why He put those rules in place to keep us safe, not because He is a cruel bully.  We are not to fear Him as an abusive family member or cruel boss, but because He is the only one who will make the decision on whether or not we will go to Heaven or Hell.  He wishes that none would ever go to Hell ([God] is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9) which is why He requires us to do as He (not man) commands.

When we think of all our choices as being observed by a Holy God, we should be in awe and fear.  It should make us think twice before we pick up a piece of literature or watch a program full of witchcraft, violence, sexual perversions, and outright mock God and all the Bible stands for.   

One of my favorite late preachers, Leonard Ravenhill used to put it this way (I am paraphrasing.), "When we stand before God on judgement day we won't simply say, 'Hey, buddy, thanks for the cross,' we will bow on our faces in fear and trembling."  No matter how defiantly you choose to live your life, or arrogantly claim you don't need God, if you truly picture what Heaven will be like the moment you arrive (I am not speaking of all eternity full of bliss and joy, but your initial encounter with God) you will realize it will be very frightening as you relive all the sins you refused to repent of and all the rules you intentionally broke.  Because God is unfathomably gracious and merciful, He will not remember those sins you asked His forgiveness for (notice how David uses the same theme of fearing the Lord):

(Psalm 103:11-13) For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 

At some point you have probably heard or read from the book of Proverbs that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Proverbs makes it clear that those who refuse to fear God and hate "wisdom and instruction" are "fools" (Proverbs 1:7).  It goes on to say in Proverbs 8:13 "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward [not willing to yield or comply with what is required of God] mouth, do I hate. " That one verse alone sums up all I am trying to say.    

Proverbs also goes on to describe the fear of the Lord as finding "the knowledge of God" (2:5), "the knowledge of... holy understanding" (9:10), "a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death" (14:27). "tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil"(19:23).  It also reminds us that we should not "envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long" (23:17). 

God is very loving, gracious, merciful, and forgiving. "We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19). Yes, we can have a close walk and friendship with God, but we must never treat God as casual as a human friend but respect Him as our Creator and Judge.

Next time you think of God as a casual buddy, please consider these verses:

(Revelation 20:12-13) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 

(2 Timothy 4:4) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.  

(1 Peter 1:14-17) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.

(Revelation 21:7-8) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

Acts 2:41-47 & 4:32-35: In One Accord

 

Acts 2:45 & 4:32-37: In One Accord

Several times during the book of Acts, it is mentioned that the Christians living in one community were all in "one accord," which in this case basically means they were like-minded in spiritual matters.  They worshiped the one true God and one true gospel of Jesus Christ and were not ripped apart by false teachings.  It also mentions several times that many of them sold their possessions and divided the money among the group.  No one was in need because they shared with one another and looked out for one another.

Today's Christians are at each other's throats over denominational, theological, and political divisions.  Seldom can they agree to disagree but insult and ostracize one another. If we could all live by what the Bible says rather than by what man inaccurately teaches, and instead of trying to make our own false religions to fit unbiblical lifestyles, we could find true harmony as they had among the believers in Peter's community.

We need to learn to love all races equally, no matter what any xenophobic political leader tries to get you to believe.

I believe there will one day soon be a time when Christians of many different backgrounds will be forced to live together in hiding during the Tribulation.  We will band together in secret places and live in small and large communities for protection.  The Truths of God's scriptures will be revealed, and false religions will be exposed to those who are willing to read and obey the True gospel of Jesus Christ.  We will take care of one another as God's children.  The hard times will bring us all together in one accord, and we will learn to again to love and support one another the way God intended Christians to live.

(Acts 2:41-47) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

(Acts 4:31-37) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Acts 2:38 & 3:19: Wonderful Gifts

 

 

Acts 2:38 & 3:19: Wonderful Gifts

(Acts 2:28) Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Notice what Peter's first command is: repent.

(Acts 3:19) "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."

Again, what is Peter's first command? Repent.  

God's salvation is indeed a free gift and when we accept it through repenting of our old ways, He will clean us up. However, if we want to take our relationship with God to the next level and receive the precious gifts from the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 12:1-11), we must maintain a hungry heart for the pure things of God and repent of any new sins.  It is up to us to allow the Holy Spirit to help us stay clean.  We must keep our vessels clean so the Holy presence of God can dwell within us.  He will continue to clean us up if we stay willing and allow ourselves to be set apart from ungodly ways.

But, oh, what wonderful gifts He will bless us with!  A penitent heart will bring us the empowering of the Holy Spirit as well as grant us with a comforter and moral guide. 

When you are struggling to be set free from a habitual sin you are trying but failing to overcome, the Holy Spirit will enable you to be set free from those sins and find the victory you cannot achieve by your own strength!  He can miraculously set you free from addictions, hateful attitudes, and a rebellious stubborn will that struggles with going against what you know the Bible teaches.

When you are facing an illness, homelessness, joblessness, abuse, or other difficulties, the Holy Spirit will give you supernatural peace, strength, and joy to endure.  Even if your circumstances do not change, through the Holy Spirit, you can still find the spiritual and mental strength to face another day.  You can learn to find hope in knowing that in Heaven all negative circumstances will disappear, and God will be your eternal joy! 

Repentance will allow God to "blot out" our sins and (I love this verse) bless us with "times of refreshing in the presence of the Lord!"  Sounds pretty amazing to me!  

John 17:6-19: Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples

 

John 17:6-20: Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples

In John 17, Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and for all believers. Today, I will explore the middle prayer for the disciples. 

This is such a beautiful prayer, and there is nothing I can add to it.  How can anyone add to the words of Jesus?  Well, no one can, but this is merely my commentary.  

(John 17:6-8) “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me."

Notice first that Jesus acknowledges that the disciples were picked by His Father, God.  I take the phrase "out of the world" to be mean just as 2 Corinthians 6:17 states, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”  His disciples were to be separate from the world; to live pure and clean lives as an example to those they taught. 

Next, it states that the disciples "kept Your word."  They received the words for Jesus as Truth from God.  Their beliefs remained steadfast and their conduct honorable; a goal I pray to emulate.  

(John 17: 9-11) "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are."

Here, Jesus acknowledges again that God chose the disciples for Jesus' mission and again reminds us that He and God are one.   

While Jesus is praying this heartfelt prayer, He knows He will soon be crucified.  In fact, right after this prayer, Jesus is arrested in Gethsemane.  Yet, in the midst of His fear, knowing what torture He was about to face, He takes the time to pray for His faithful followers.  He knows He is about to die when He says, "I am no longer in the world."

When Jesus asks God to "keep through Your name" the disciples, I believe He was asking God to bestow strength upon the mortal men to endure to the end.  Matthew 10:22 & 24:13, Mark 13:13 all state that "he who endures to the end shall be saved."  In fact, when you finish reading this blog, look up the word "endure" on Bible Gateway or some other search engine and see how many scriptures remind us that we must endure, or as Jesus also puts it, be kept in God so that we can become one with Jesus after we die.   

(John 17:12) "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled."

This section here is, of course, about Judas Iscariot, the man who betrayed Jesus.  Yes, Judas' betrayal was predicted (through God) by David in Psalm 41:9 "Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me."

(John 17: 13-19) "And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."

These last sentences of Jesus' prayer are so rich and beautiful!  Jesus (as well as other writers of the Bible) reminds us many times over that we will be hated when we choose to follow Him.  However, Jesus did not pray that the disciples be removed to a separatist colony to live in safe little bubbles (although at the end of this age that will be necessary).  No, instead He prayed for protection, more so spiritually than physically, which is why He asks His disciples to be kept away from "the evil one" (Satan), so they would not fall away from their salvation.  Again, we are reminded that the disciples are to be an example of sanctification (or holy living) while they are a part of the world.  I am sure you have heard the saying, "be in the world but not a part of the world."  

Consider also this profound quote from the late Pastor Leonard Ravenhill, "The greatest miracle that God can do today is to take an unholy man out of an unholy world and make him holy, then put him back into that unholy world and keep him holy in it.”  

The disciples were called to minister and set up churches after Jesus died and rose again.  They had missions that went on after Jesus ascended back into heaven.  One cannot be called to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15) if one stays hidden away from those in need of the gospel!

We should all try to imitate Jesus' disciples.  As a Christian, being a part of the world does not mean we act and dress like the world, it means we have the courage to be separate in our lifestyles and actions.  We stand out because we do not fit in. (Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.) Then we can be like the disciples and, most importantly, like Jesus Christ, and "be sanctified by the Truth" and be a light unto those walking in the darkness. 

John 15:1-13: Abiding in Jesus the Vine, Written by my Husband

 

John 15:1-13: Abiding in Jesus the Vine

Written by my Husband (Mel)

To abide in Christ is to walk by faith and allow the Holy Spirit to make us into a new creation. We must surrender all to Christ and let his love shine forth to others. To know Christ, is to know and show love. Christ is the vine, and we are the branches. Apart from Christ no one can bear fruit. The fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-25) is the evidence of a transformed life. We come to Christ as we are, salvation is a free gift that can never be earned through holiness or works. We are saved by grace alone following true repentance. God gives us grace to grow in him. We take baby steps at first and require milk. However, we need to grow spiritually and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us, guide us, as well as transform us from the inside out. What Christ is looking for in his bride is faith and love. There are nine fruits of the Spirit, the greatest is love, and the other eight revolve around love (see 1 Corinthians 13:1-8). 

It is truly as the days of Noah (see Matthew 24), and the attributes of Satan are visible in most people’s lives. As Christians, we must go against the grain of our cold society and let the love and light of our Lord Jesus Christ shine through us. If you have bitterness in your heart toward others, I urge you to let the love of Christ melt away the ice on your heart. Even the roots of bitterness are an open door for the devil to have a stronghold in your life. If you have animosity toward someone, let it go, and let the peace of God rule in your heart and mind.

We have all heard of the golden rule, but did you know that it was coined by Jesus? (Luke6:31) "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." How many of us truly obey it? Would you want someone to cheat you out of your money or lie to you? Would you want someone to deny you a warm place to stay, or a hot meal if you were in need? Do you desire to have someone give you the cold shoulder in your home or workplace? The answer of course is no. We all want to be loved and showed kindness from those around us. Regardless, of how others treat you, as Christians, we are to show unconditional love toward all, including the unlovely. 

You may think all of this is impossible, but with Christ all things are possible. If God's Holy Spirit dwells within you, you have the power to overcome the evil society and show forth God's attributes. If the church would reflect Christ to the world, we could save many from Hell. 

Hypocrisy will destroy your testimony, and push people away from Christ. Be authentic and let the good fruit of God's Spirit shine forth in your life.

(James 2:14-17) What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

(Luke 6:27-36) “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful."

(John 15:1-13) "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."