The Apostles used the Law (Ten Commandments) and the Prophets’ prophecies when they evangelized (Acts 7:53; 28:23; Romans 3:19,20; 1st Tim 1:8-11; James 2:10), and so did Jesus (Luke 24:27). The Law speaks to the conscience of a sinner, and is best used to convince another of the knowledge of their own personal sin (Ps 19:7). It is good to use this approach if it is used lawfull...y (1Tim 1:8), because the Law wasn’t made for the righteous people (born-again) to try and live up to, it was made for the ungodly and sinners (1Tim 1:9). The Law was given by God to be our tutor to lead sinners to Christ (Gal 3:24). Even Paul did not know that he was a sinner until he was convicted in his heart by the Law (Rom 7:7). Jesus knew that the Law was key to knowledge (Luke 11:52); it is perfect and will convert the soul of sinners (Ps 19:7). The Apostles also used the books of the Prophets, because proven prophecy proves the inspiration of Scripture (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel etc., and MT 24); proven Prophecy speaks to the intellect of a sinner, which produces faith in the Word of God (2Tim 3:16). Only then is a person able to receive the Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ with an open heart (Rom 7:9), realize that he or she is a sinner (Ps 14:3), understand that Jesus paid the price of their personal sin in His death (2Cor 5:21, Phil 3:9), rose from the grave (Matt 28:6, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6, John 20:14) entering into His glory (Luke 24:26) becoming the Door to the Kingdom of God (John 10:9). Jesus holds the only key (Rev 3:7) which was taken away by the lawyers (Luke 11:52) and corrupted by the pharisees (Mark 7:8), but it is now firmly in the hands of Jesus (Isa 42:21, Rev 3:7) and offered to whoever shall call upon His name (Rom 10:13) and be born again (John 3:3) by baptism for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38). Amen.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Also, be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, …after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Christ….unto the uttermost part of the earth. verses used in order: Colossians 3:1-3 Galatians 2:20 Philippians 1:21 Romans 1:16 Titus 3:5 2 Timothy 2:15 James 1:22 Acts 2:38 Acts 1:8 These are some of my memory verses this year. I started to notice that they were telling me a message, so I decided to share. **2 italicized words** "also" is actually "but." changed so the earlier verse/sentence is not reflected as disregarded. "Christ" is actually "me." changed because this verse is Jesus' speaking. "Me" would not reflect who you are supposed to be witnessing to others about. "..." reflects a part of the verse not used. Every person has been elected or chosen by God to believe and trust in Him. God’s “elect” is everyone that has ever lived, because He has chosen to love what He has created: YOU! God has chosen and promised you eternal life, if you would only believe in Him, and follow Jesus, His only begotten Son. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2nd Peter 3:9). You are special to God; He loves you. Not because you loved Him, or because of anything that you have done in the past to gain favor in His eyes, but because God first loved you. He doesn’t want you to perish; God offers you eternal life.
Some hold to a belief that, “with all the sorrow and death on the earth, god is allowing pain and suffering, because he cares for some, more than others, and who wants a god like that.” Nonsense! You are not speaking about the one true God! God doesn’t want anyone to perish, and you won’t, if you believe in Him, by following Jesus to the cross to kill your old sinful nature. Only then will you truly be born again from Heaven. All things work to God’s Glory. Death is the result of our own sin, but God has given all of humanity a way to remain at peace, in the hope of Jesus Christ, by offering eternal life to everyone. It is our own personal choice to turn away from sin, and to have faith in what God has, is, and will do. God is the “Eternal Being” of past, present, and future tense; He is the great, “I AM.” God chooses each one of His elect to be separated from death, at the exact moment that they choose to believe in Him. For those that never choose to believe in God, Jesus says in Matthew 7:23, “…I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.” Iniquity is defined as a “gross injustice,” or a “wicked act.” The iniquity, of the people that are not recognized by God, is choosing not to believe in Him by ignoring what He has done, is doing, and will do, for each and every person that has ever lived. The choice to follow Jesus is a personal choice for each individual; you must each make your faith your own. Believe Him or not, “but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3). God didn’t choose or elect you to die and perish, but to have faith in Him and truly live. God’s gift of eternal life is free; reach out and take what God is offering right now! |
Mission StatementEncouraging those in a world full of "bad news" with the "good news" of Jesus Christ “To do everything I can to advance the Kingdom of God by making the Great Commission my daily mission.”
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