We all make choices, and ultimately, we are responsible for the results of our choices. God has given us Scripture to help us to know the difference between a good choice and a bad one, but Satan doesn’t like us to make good choices. He is doing everything he can to make evil look good so our choices will be poor. The Bible is the word of God, and that is our guide in life. It’s been said that BIBLE stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. As Christians, we need to use it as a guide to our way of life.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
What is doctrine? It’s teachings. So, if you attend a Christian church, but the doctrine found there doesn’t align with Scripture, then you need to leave that fellowship. Reproof means conviction. You may hold some idea as to what is right behavior, but when you check that behavior with Scripture, your life choices may be wrong. Scripture is always correct. Correction means that you check your way of living with Scripture, and if your choices don’t line up with God’s word, then you need to change. Instruction in righteousness means that Scripture is our teacher in life. Scripture needs to be our guide in moral decisions and life choices.
What a lovely world this would be if everybody followed God’s instructions. Although God is clear about how we should live, being a “good” person will not bring eternal life. Even the most moral people we know are sinners who need salvation through Christ.
Consider this: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Maybe we should work harder to come up to God’s standards. You know, do good works and earn our way to salvation. The truth is that none of our “good works” will bring salvation.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
God has made salvation very easy, yet many people reject it. We are all sinners, and it is only the grace and love of God that can bring salvation. That doesn’t mean that everybody is saved no matter what they believe or how they act. Faith must be real, and that faith should result in a change in the way you live.
Faith in Jesus is the only means of salvation. Jesus explained this to Nicodemus, a Pharisee who was searching for truth and the way to gain eternal life. Jesus told him that he had to be born again.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Born again? Even Nicodemus was confused about this, so he asked how he could reenter his mother’s womb. Jesus wasn’t talking about becoming an infant again, but He was talking about experiencing a life change.
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5-6).
In these verses, Jesus speaks of two births. The first one is the one we all experience. We grow in our mother’s womb, protected by water. That water breaks, and we are born of the flesh, and our choices are based on selfishness. When we are born again – born of the Spirit – we gain eternal life. Water baptism does not bring salvation but is a symbol of our choice of a new life in Christ. If you were baptized as a baby and think that brought you salvation, think again. You have to make your own choice, and nobody can make it for you. When you were a few days old, did you understand that you are a sinner and need salvation through Jesus? Did you even know what sin is, and could you confess Jesus with your mouth?
Scripture says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).
Once you realize that you are a sinner, you must repent of your sin and place your faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Then you are born again. Salvation is a reality when you confess Christ and believe.
Once you’ve made that decision, it’s time to grow in your faith… that is, start walking the walk. Look to Scripture for “…doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Instead of looking to worldly sources for the standard of living, look to Scripture.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).
When you earnestly confess Christ for salvation and truly mean it, things happen that we aren’t fully aware of. Things on a spiritual level. We are born again and need to live life in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is sealed within us, and He will lead us along the path of righteousness. We need to put our own selfish lusts and desires away and seek the things of God.
“For ye are dead; and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them” (Colossians 3:3-7).
Sometimes the King James’ words are confusing, but this means that we need to live our life in obedience to Christ. Our actions need to reflect our new life in Him. Children grow and usually reflect the attitudes of their parents. As a born-again believer in Christ, you need to grow and reflect Him in your life.
We are to put to death old ways of living, along with our sinful thoughts, and seek a closer walk with our Lord.
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind: and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Today we think of a conversation as people speaking with each other. That’s not what this means. It’s important to study Scripture to find the real meaning by looking up the original words in the original language. The Greek word “anastrophe” is translated in the King James as “conversation,” but it means “the manner of life, conduct, behavior, deportment.” In other words, your way of life. When you’re born again, you need to begin each day as a new person in Christ. Reflect Christ in your conversation – both in speaking with others and in the way you conduct your life. Examine your attitudes and see if they reflect your faith. Are you always upset because you don’t feel you get the respect you deserve? Maybe you’re looking in the wrong place for respect. Be humble and let God work through you.
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).
It can be hard to learn humility, but when we look at Jesus, He never tried to bring glory to Himself. He did display anger, but it was a righteous anger. His anger happened when God was disrespected. Practice humility.
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27).
That’s not always easy, but it is important.
I struggle with all of this, too, so I’m not just pointing fingers at others. We are all in a spiritual battle and must choose which side we serve. I yearn to serve Christ better and to be a stronger soldier in His army.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds:) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).
We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and follow His lead.
Brothers and sisters, we all need to share our faith with others, but if our attitudes and actions don’t reflect our faith, how can we be a good witness for Christ? There are many signs that the end of days is near. Before the final seven years, all believers in Christ will be called Home. Christians are not appointed to face the wrath of God. Live your faith openly and share with friends, family, and even strangers. In all things, be obedient to Christ.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites:
www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com
All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).