explain

March 4, 2019

Saved? Yes, Completely! Sanctified? Just Beginning!

31 And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message. — Acts 15:31 NLT 

Acts 15:24-32 NLT

“There was great joy” when the people were told that they had done the one necessary thing they needed to do to be saved.  When we are first saved in today’s society, we need to be very careful who we listen to.  As Paul said, “if anyone, including an angel from heaven and/or me, comes to you and gives you some different message, that person should be cursed.”  Gal. 1:6 (my paraphrase}. The letter did go on to give the new converts some guidelines as to what they should or should not do. The letter did not claim that these guidelines had to be followed to complete their salvation.  It is still the same today, when we personally witness to someone who accepts Jesus as their Savior, we need to take a few minutes and give them some encouragement and guidelines as well.  We need to explain to them that satan will waste no time in trying to discourage them and make them doubt their salvation.  We need to encourage them to find a good Bible teaching church and a good mentor to help them along the way.  After the initial acceptance of Jesus as our Savior, we need someone to help us understand that the Holy Spirit will come alongside us and help us learn to “walk in paths of righteousness”.  

“The closer I get to the end of my life, it seems the only question that matters, Is the life I am living pleasing to God?” – Ken Gire In “Sacred”

“The Gospel has come to you because it’s on its way to someone else.” – Anonymous

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June 10, 2014

Training for Godliness

God is waiting to show you the way.

God is waiting to show you the way.

6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. 7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.—1 Timothy 4:6-10 (NLT)
​ Paul had been mentoring Timothy when they spent time together, he continues to mentor him through his letters to him. Paul wanted Timothy and us to understand the importance of passing on those things that we have been taught. As we read and meditate, God’s Spirit opens up the Scriptures to us. As we mature, we should pass on this knowledge and wisdom to those that are younger in the faith. Jesus told us to make disciples, That means to teach them more than just salvation, we should encourage them to lead a holy life. That is the example Paul is setting for us. We should always pass this information on with love. We should never waste our time or anyone’s time in arguing about useless (in the eternal sense) things. We should teach them that the most important things here on earth are the things that will stand the test of fire and be stored up in heaven. Our focus should be set on Jesus and the plan that He has for each of our lives. Then, at the appearance of Jesus in all His glory,, our hope will be turned into reality and we shall spend an eternity with Him!!
Post 06-10-14

February 8, 2014

Jesus Could Do Nothing

God is waiting to show you the way.

God is waiting to show you the way.

​-19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.-John 5:19,20 (NLT)​
​Even though we verbalize the truth that Jesus was all man, do we really understand what that means? Jesus was as human as you and I are. He could do nothing in and of Himself. He had the Father’s authority to do what He saw the Father doing. So do we. We have access to the same power that Jesus had access to. Then why was Jesus more effective in His ministry than we are today? Jesus was the PERFECT man, we are not perfect. That imperfection keeps us from seeing and knowing God completely. Jesus said that the Father shows Him everything He does. But Jesus also tells us that there is at least one thing that only the Father knows and that is the end of time. So, Jesus was perfect but not omniscient. We are neither. But Jesus tell us in John 14:12 that “we will do greater things than these”. How could we do “greater” things than the miracles that Jesus did even raising the dead after 4 days? Surely the “greater” is quantitative, not qualitative.
Post 02-08-14