A person is saved by grace through faith! It is not of works so that no man, no person is able to boast or brag. When (if) you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, how much of Him did you receive? Many think, or have been taught, that salvation comes in stages or measures. Some think that as they grow and mature in the Word, that then God pours out more of His Spirit. So one has to ask, did you, or did you not become a new creation when you accepted Christ into your heart and life? (2Cor 5:16-17).
With all of the different teachings that go around and about, concerning what it means to be born again, is it any surprise that there is so much confusion within the Church today? (And where exactly do you think confusion comes from?). It seems as if every denomination sets up their own guidelines and standards for what they think, or deem necessary for a person to be born again, or saved. Isn’t it time that people quit listening to what everyone else is saying, (every wind of doctrine that blows through your town), and start being as the Bereans were, that they took the time to see and hear what God’s Word said, rather then taking Paul’s word for it?
It is in Christ that one is able to become that new creation. Old things are past away: the heart of stone is removed, and a new heart replaces it. (Ezek 36:26). With the new heart and a new beginning, one has to learn or train themselves to hear and accept Father’s forgiveness and forgetfulness. (Isa 43:25, Col 1:12-14, Phil 3:13, 1John 1:9). This happens or transpires the moment one will confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus Christ (though at this time, one does not yet have to fully understand all that this does entail), that He did indeed die in your place to pay the price for sin. (John 16:7-11). That by the power of God, He did rise from the dead, and present the keys of hell and death to Father, to bring about reconciliation for us and to us. All things do become new at that very moment. One is born again; they are adopted into His family; a new beginning has started, has taken place.
It is by the Spirit of Christ that one becomes that new creation. Then, it is by starting and then continuing in His Word, that one is able to find out all of that which Father asks and requires of them.(The New Testament is after all, the last will and testament of Jesus Christ, to and for every believer). Taking the time, and making the effort to study His Word each day, seeking only God’s approval, so that one may never have any reason to be ashamed, for you have taken the time to rightly divide the Word of truth. (An example of this would be: At this time of year, many people place three wise men around the manger, because they have seen other people do it. Yet, if they took the time, and put forth the proper effort to rightly divide the Word of truth, would they then continue in this tradition and doctrine presented by man? Reference Matthew 2:11). Are you really seeking to please God, or rather your fellow man?
I had one minister tell me that it was all right to have the three wise men at the manger, because it made for a better story. Also, that it caused people to give more at this time of year. Is this justification to add to or take away from the Word of God?
How has the Church allowed the Word of God to be so twisted and perverted? If they have misrepresented something as obvious as this, how many other scriptures have they twisted and perverted to justify “their” gospel and “their” traditions? After all, you are responsible for your gift of salvation. Aren’t you?
When you accepted Christ into your heart and your life, you received all of Him. Not a part of Him, or bits and pieces as many preachers teach. Paul clearly tells us in his letter to the Colossians, that in Him, Jesus of Nazareth, dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Jesus of Nazareth had within the fullness of Christ. (Rom 8:9) Paul goes on to say, that you are complete in Him. In Ephesians, Paul also tells us that we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ.
Unto everyone of us, is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. We have received the fullness of this gift. God poured out His Spirit upon all flesh. His salvation has appeared to all men. The problem arises in that few have taken the time to hear God and His Word, to receive His instructions on all that His gift entails. (John 3:16-18).
God’s people perish for a lack of knowledge. Not only at times a lack of knowledge, but also in rejecting His knowledge. (Hosea 4:6, 2Tim 3:7,9). Many do indeed have a zeal for God, but not always is according to His knowledge. Rather, they have listened to man’s traditions and doctrines, and rejected the very counsel of God. Many have forgot, and some have not learned, that Christ is the wisdom and power of God; not just a title as many imply. (1Cor 1:24, 1Cor 1:30, Col 2:3).
One can constantly hear preachers saying that in these last times, that God is going to pour out more of His Spirit. My question is this: Did God only do a partial work at the day of Pentecost? Has God become a respecter of persons, by giving more to one part or era of the Church age, then another?
God has dealt to every man, the measure of faith. It all arrived through the gift of Christ, the Son that was given. It is in Christ that one does become the new creation. It is in Christ that are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. One develops this measure of faith by hearing the message delivered by the Word of God, Christ. Then, one must continue in this Word on a daily basis, so that their mind is renewed in His Word, which will cause one then to grow up into Him in all things.
Is it going to be easy? No. Jesus Christ tells us plainly, that if they persecuted Him, then they will persecute us also. The same types of religious people that persecuted Him, will do the same to you. If they believe His sayings, then they will hear what Father wants to say or speak through you. (John 15:20-21).
How much of Christ have you allowed into your life? Have you accepted or sought all that Father has for you? The Bible tells us clearly, that we can do all things through Christ who is our strength. His grace and strength will always see us through, if we abide in Him.
Paul spent his last years here on this earth in Rome. His desire had been to go to Rome and preach the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Little did Paul know, that much of his time there would be spent in prison. Yet there, God opened His Word to him more and more. Paul had the time to sit and listen to God, as God showed him all that the Spirit had been showing him and revealing to him all of these years. So, when to the flesh things appeared so dismal, Paul listened to Father and was then able to pen God’s Word of encouragement, expectation, comfort and hope to you and me. Will you take, make the time to hear this message of love, God’s love for you?
God’s salvation has appeared to all men. His message has been preached to every creature which is under heaven. The word of this gospel message has gone to the ends of the earth. (Titus 2:11, Col 1:23, Col 1:6, Rom 10:18). What will you do with this gift? What will you do with this measure of faith that has been made available to you? Will you make it your winning hand?
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ.
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