Christian, Inspirational

Not One Day

A central theme of the Bible is the perfection of man through and with God.

Yet, Dr. David Jeremiah says, only Jesus was perfect. It is impossible to keep all of the law, it is impossible for one month, it can’t be done, not for one day, not for one hour. (Quoted by memory, not exact, but pretty close.)

My immediate thought, you can’t go an hour without sinning, what kind of horrible sinner are you. It is true that none have lived sin free but Jesus, but if you are truly born again you are on your way to perfection – walking in the light with Jesus.

Strive to not sin for an hour, strive for a day. Eventually with Jesus help you will sin less and yes even put aside your sinful past.

1 John 5:18 KJV We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself … .

God living inside you will help you overcome and teach you to walk perfectly before him.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

To borrow loosely from a popular hymn, Not one day will I go without Jesus. No not one. No not one.

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Christian

Being Born Again

In past posts I have attempted to boil being born again down to the moment of water baptism. I think being born again is more complex than just baptism, but as we see in Mark 16:16 it plays a crucial part.

Mark 16:16 tells us, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

What must we believe?

We must believe Jesus is the Messiah. We must believe he laid down his life for us. We must learn and follow his word.

Why must we be baptized?

See Acts 2:37-39 KJV – . . . Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call

Jesus sets the core of being born again as repentance. In Luke 13:3 KJV he said, I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

In Luke 15:7 KJV he added, I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

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Christian, Inspirational

Sons and Daughters

In 2 Kings 19:3 KJV … Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.

I am convinced that many people do not know how to be born again. Jesus said in John 3:3 KJV … Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

What must I do?

Believe in Jesus, that he is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins, that he is the promised Christ and our Messiah. John 3:16-18.

Acknowledge and repent of your sins. Matthew 3:2,6.

Be baptized by immersion in water by another in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost for the forgivess of your sins. Mark 16:16, Acts 22:16.

Knowledge, belief, and strength are all required for salvation. A prayer of salvation is insufficient to save you if you don’t continue in faith to be born again. Persevere, believe, and be baptized.

Baptism is not only a public declaration of faith it is the birthing process. Arise from the water a new man or woman in Christ, Born Again!

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 KJV says, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

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Christian, Inspirational

Lucky

I used to think being born again meant returning to Christ after living in sin for several years. In fact I considered myself a born again Christian because of this very definition. Now, I think a better term for such a return is either lucky or blessed.

Here’s why. Hebrews 6:4-6 KJV says For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, [5] And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, [6] If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

We know with God all things are possible, but Hebrews 6:4-6 is a strong warning against sin. In fact it’s scary for those of us that know the truth. How far do we have to go before God will not take us back? According to these scriptures there is a point where it’s impossible to return or to be renewed again unto repentance. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to find that point.

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Christian, Inspirational

Power in The Blood

There is an old hymn entitled There is Power in the Blood.

There is indeed power in the blood of Jesus, but do you know how to utilize it?

When you are baptized or born again you are immediately under the blood of Jesus, you arise from the surface of the water sin free, cleansed of sins past. Acts 22:16, Roman’s 3:25

Yet, what do you do about future sin? First strive against it, but we are human, and God provides a way to stay under the blood in 1 John 1:9!

Would you be free from the burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood – but you do need to know how to use it!

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