Past, Present and Future

I used to love putting together jigsaw puzzles, but I don’t have the time to work on puzzles any more.  One thing for sure, before beginning to put pieces of the puzzle together I had to have an idea of what the completed puzzle would like and gather outline pieces and similar colors together or it would be pure confusion.

On the surface parts of the Bible can be like that.  As Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:¹⁶ some scripture is hard to understand for those who have not learned by studying the Word of GOD …

It takes time to learn, to know GOD and HIS ways.  GOD teaches us when we go to HIS word. Isaiah 28:⁹ Whom shall HE teach knowledge? and whom shall HE make to understand doctrine? …¹⁰ For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little

We put together a jigsaw puzzle piece by piece and the more pieces we put together the clearer the becomes.  In the same way things become clearer as we continue to study the Bible. 

Paul in Acts 20^:27 declared ^“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of GOD.”  He knew that believers needed teachers to help them understand the hard parts.  So we don’t get stuck/ confused at what GOD means

That is why JESUS gave pastors and teachers to the church (Ephesians 4:11-14) to help us see what GOD is saying not just to know what to believe but to know how to act. (Yet we must always check out what teachers say with the Word of GOD Isaiah 8:20)

A word in the Bible may have many meanings which one can only understand according to the context where it is used. So, when a word’s meaning is confusing sometimes it helps to do a word study to get an overview of that subject.  You can do it by looking up every reference of that word and seeing it fits in its chapter. 

One such concept that could be confusing came to light today as I was writing the study for 1 Peter 1. Feeling that I needed to explain it further so the gals in class could grasp what was being said I rewrote a poem I wrote decades ago. 

The concept is about salvation.  My son liked it so well, I thought I would share it with you.

Salvation Past Present and Future

Past:      JESUS has saved me from the punishment, the punishment of sin Dying for me HE saved me from the punishment of my sin When I called on the LORD JESUS, trusting in HIS word HE washed me and saved me from the punishment of sin.    Ephesians 2:5 Revelation 1:5

JESUS saved me from the punishment, the punishment of sin, HIS death on the cross saved me from the punishment of my sin. And now I’ll share HIS glory, with HIM forever be. For HE has saved me from the punishment of sin.   John 3:16

Present:      Though I’m saved from the punishment, the punishment of sin I found my old sin nature still lurks within But JESUS has promised victory, victory over sin.

Yes, HE helps me and keeps saving me from the power of sin.  Hebrews 7:25 1 Corinthians 1:18 HE is saving me from the power, the power of sin

Praying for me JESUS saves me from the power of sin. If I run to HIM when tempted, giving all my thoughts to HIM GOD saves me from the power of sin.   Hebrews 4:16 James 1:17 1 Peter 1:5

The SPIRIT also is saving me from the power, the power of sin As HE reveals JESUS to me, I become more like HIM    2 Corinthians 3:18 By planting truth within me, HE shows me the evilness of sin And so the SPIRIT is saving me from the power, the power of sin  John 16:8, 13 Philippians 2:13           

Future:    As I’m being saved from the power, the power of sin One day JESUS will call me up and I’ll go be with HIM.  1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 The expectant hope of redemption and adoption is growing within    Romans 8:23 For I’ll be set free from this body and saved from the very presence of sin.  1 Peter 1:5 Romans 5:9, Romans 7:24

That is why we must read the Bible from cover to cover. 

Hugs

Sharon

Do you listen?

Do you pay attention when another is talking?

Yes I agree the way truth is presented makes a difference if the concept is understandable.  But I want to speak about GOD’s teaching us HIMSELF.  Since the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY knows all things no one can explain anything better than HE. For HE alone knows precisely what is necessary for each one to hear to comprehend what HE is telling them.

The key to hearing comes from listening.  Only when we listen can we learn.

In a classroom there are students who pay attention to what is being said and they learn.  Then there are students who do not pay attention to what is being said and they are clueless.

Luke 8:18 Take care then how you hear (listen), for to the one who has (heard), more (understanding) will be given, and from the one who has not (listened), even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” (words in parentheses added).

So, each morning I prayerfully pay close attention to the words as I read the Word of GOD for it is there I meet with my LORD.  This morning these following verses (2 sets of verses taken in context) struck me as giving clarity to a touchy issue by showing both sides of the issue and how they fit together.  

Spurgeon said, “You don’t have to reconcile friends.”

John 6:⁴⁴ No man can come to ME (JESUS), except (GOD) the FATHER which has sent ME draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the prophets, And they shall be ALL taught of GOD. Every man therefore that has heard (listened), and has learned of the FATHER, comes to ME.

So, what do we have?  Without the teaching of GOD through the conviction of the HOLY SPIRIT (John 16:8/ 1 Corinthians 2:11) no one can come to JESUS. Yet it is said that GOD the FATHER draws by teaching ALL people about JESUS and everyone who has heard (chosen to listen) and learned comes to JESUS.  Those who don’t listen to the conviction of the HOLY SPIRIT, don’t learn.   Simple as that.  It’s man’s choice.

Philippians 2:¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is GOD who works in you, both to will and to work for HIS good pleasure.

The context here speaks of obeying GOD not gaining salvation.  For we are clearly told that salvation/ eternal life is the gift of GOD not by (our) works lest any person could boast.  But faith in JESUS motives us to want to please GOD and shows others what salvation does.

Note it is GOD placing a desire in us (to make a phone call or witness anyway HE wants to use us) that we are supposed to be working out.  Doing what HE asks.  GOD promises that if HE asks/ calls us to do something HE will enable/ do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24 and Philippians 2:13).

In both of these sets of verses we see GOD desires for us to co-labor with HIM.  HE speaks and HE wants us to act.  To me that is so amazing that the Creator of the universes wants to use me to do HIS will.

What do you think?

Hugs

Sharon

Something I overlooked

This morning reading about the last hours of JESUS before and during HIS crucifixion, I noticed something I had not picked up on yet, although I have read the account in John countless times.  There are several references that I knew well stating this was to fulfill scripture.  But in John 18:32 I saw something that I had totally overlooked.

John 18:³¹ Then said Pilate unto them, Take HIM, and judge HIM according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: ³² That the saying of JESUS might be fulfilled, which HE spoke, signifying what death HE should die.

Now I knew the Jews could not crucify people, they stoned them to death. But I never saw that the crucifixion was JESUS’ (NOT Old Testament) prophesy being fulfilled.  So, I went to check where JESUS prophesied HIS manner of death.

What I found were verses I knew, could quote to you and had even taught from but I had never seen them as JESUS prophesying how HE would die.  I also saw truth in them I hadn’t been able to grasp.

John 12:³² And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto ME.³³ This HE said, signifying what death HE should die.

I thought instantly of John 3 when early in JESUS ministry HE talked with a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews who came to JESUS by night wanting to know more but not wanting others to know he was seeking.  JESUS told Nicodemus a story he knew well.

Numbers 21:⁹ And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man (because he had sinned), when that man beheld (looked up to) the serpent of brass, he lived.

JESUS said to Nicodemus:

John 3:¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the SON of man be lifted up: ¹⁵ That whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM (JESUS) should not perish but have everlasting life.

JESUS explained in those few verses to the noted Jewish teacher who HE (the SON of man) was, how to be born again, the reason one needed to born again and now I know JESUS also spoke of the manner of HIS death and not just HIS death.

Only those Jews in the wilderness who choose to believe the inconceivable word of GOD spoken by Moses that just looking at a brass snake would heal them and they would live and not die chose to look and were healed.  Any who thought it was crazy and didn’t look died because they refused to believe GOD and accept HIS offer to heal them.

It is the same with JESUS.  Those who will look to HIM receive everlasting life but those who refuse the wrath of GOD remains on them (John 3:36).

Remember IF you are a believer in the LORD JESUS CHRIST and have called on HIS name to save you (Romans 10:9-10, 13) you are saved and are a KING for GOD tells us in Revelation 1:5 from JESUS CHRIST, Who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto HIM that loved us and washed us from our sins in HIS own blood, ⁶ And has made us kings and priests unto GOD and HIS FATHER; to HIM be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

As a KING you can choose to search and find the delights of truth hidden in the Word of GOD for Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of GOD to conceal a thing: but the honor of KINGS (you) is to search out a matter.”

Hugs

Sharon

HIS Purpose

Immutable is a big word we seldom use that means unchanging. Sometimes the word immutable is used by preachers to speak of GOD.   In connection with GOD, immutable does NOT mean that GOD is rigid for HE is far from that. GOD’s unchangeableness speaks of HIS faithfulness to HIS own nature/character and purposes.  For instance, the LORD cannot get better for HE is already the best.  HE cannot lie for HE is the truth.  HE cannot learn anything for HE knows all things.

When the bible speaks about GOD never changing it tells us that we can rely on HIM to do what HE says HE will do. HIS promises speak of HIS eternal purposes.  All of GOD’s ways spring from HIS character and purposes. 

One of GOD’s ways is to hate sin and to punish it, while HE loves it when people do right, and HE will reward that.

“With the pure, YOU (GOD) show YOURSELF pure. With the sinful YOU show YOURSELF to be against them” (Psalm 18:26 NLV).

Christians face discipline when they do wrong (1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Hebrews 12:4-7, 10-11) just as the Jews have and do to this day.

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I do not change.  Therefore, you are not consumed O sons of Jacob.”

The context is the Jews have sinned, but since GOD made a promise HE does not wipe them out. For HE always keeps HIS word.  Instead, the LORD in HIS longsuffering disciplines them until they change their attitude and actions, just like HE does with a Christian. 

A few Jews are accepting JESUS now and are saved. But for the most part the Jews are blinded and will not come to believe in JESUS until the end of the 7-year Tribulation (Zechariah 13:8-9, 12:10, Daniel 9:24, and Hebrews 8:7-12).  Daniel 9:25-26 shows that the Messiah (JESUS CHRIST) must be cut off/ die and other things happen before the Jews come to believe in HIM.  The text in Hebrews 8:7-12 was written in future tense (something yet to occur) several years AFTER JESUS died, was resurrected and went to heaven. Both are yet future and Romans 11:25-27 states clearly that the Jews have been blinded but every one of those Jews (the 1/3 which are purified Zechariah 13:8-9) who are still alive at the end of the Tribulation will come to believe when they see JESUS at HIS return at the end of the 7-year tribulation.

But you may wonder at the few times the Bible says, GOD repented/ was sorry that HE did something (Genesis 6:5-6).  What is that talking about?  It means that for GOD to be faithful to HIS nature and purposes/ for HIM to act in character which is to punish sin and reward doing right, certain things had to be done. (see Ezekiel 33:17-20).

When GOD made mankind in HIS image HE gave us the ability to choose.  GOD does not change that and even though HE does not like many of our choices, HE does not make us robots that must obey HIM. 

GOD does not take back our ability to choose.  Yet the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is Sovereign for HE always sets the stage (determines the times and places with specific intent -Acts 17:26-27) and has complete foreknowledge of what we will do ( Acts 2:23, 1 Peter 1:2).  We in turn determine how to act in those times and places.

Now it is written that GOD is love (1 John 4:7) and that GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only SON (JESUS) that whoever would believe in JESUS would have eternal life (John 3:16).  Then John 3:36 says, He who believes in the SON has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the SON shall not see life, but the wrath of GOD (continues) to abide on him.

You see GOD is love (1 John 4:7) and in HIS love HE sent HIS SON JESUS to offer forgiveness and life (John 3:16).  But GOD’s love is in HIS SON (JESUS) (Romans 8:39).  If you receive the SON you receive GOD’s love and the forgiveness JESUS earned for us on the cross.  But if you reject the SON you reject GOD’s love, and your sins remain on you and must be punished for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

Sinclair Lewis said that GOD’s throwing those who reject JESUS into the lake of fire was GOD’s last act of respect/ for HE ratifies their rejection of HIM. 

In other words, GOD honors the unbelievers right to choose.  GOD acts at that time according to HIS nature to rejects those who already have rejected HIM. 

As it is written: “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2).

Eternal life means being with GOD (John 17:3) and they want no part of GOD. Therefore, GOD turns them over and gives them what they have chosen (Revelation 20:10, 15).

Hugs

Sharon

Wash the windows

LORD willing, I know what is on the top of my to do list when I get home from class!

I glanced up from writing and looked out my window, I was horrified.  The sunlight streaming accentuates how very dirty my windows are.  Though I wash them from time to time, somehow they keep getting dirty.

When a person calls on the name of the LORD JESUS to save him, he is forgiven and cleansed from all sin by the blood of JESUS and forever that one belongs to JESUS and is saved from the wrath of GOD (Hebrews 7:25, John 3:36). 

Even though we are saved we find ourselves turning around and sinning, for all men sin (2 Chronicles 6:36).  When that happens, we don’t need to be saved all over again for we are covered by the cleansing blood of JESUS have eternal life.  Yet to avoid GOD the FATHER taking us to the woodshed /being disciplined of the LORD (1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Hebrews 12:4-7, 10-11), we need to own up/ acknowledge we did wrong- that is confess our sin.  “If we confess our sin, GOD is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us (anew) from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

But we are like my windows, by just being in this world we completely unintentionally get some of the dirt and grime of this world system on us.  It just attaches itself to us, like smoke from a campfire or white cat hair to a black pair of slacks.  And it shows to everyone but us.

One of the pieces of furniture in the Old Testament tabernacle was the bronze laver and it was filled with water.  The priests would often stop at the laver and perform ritualistic cleansing.  Like much of the Old Testament, this laver is a picture for us Christians. 

“How can a young man (anyone) cleanse his way?  By taking heed to YOUR word” (Psalm 119:9).

“as CHRIST also loved the church and gave HIMSELF for it; That HE might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26).

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of GOD is alive, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  

The Word of GOD shows us the things hiding in our heart that should not be there.  When we see them we can take them to GOD and HE will wash them just as I intend to wash my windows.

Hugs,

Sharon