Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2020 18:07:50 GMT -5
THE JOURNEY
Life is a journey in which we can make decisions which improve or destroy concerning success or failure. Many times the wisest decisions come as we mature from the experience of making wrong choices in our immaturity. This spiritual trek called Christianity is much the same as we have become new creations yet still have knowledge of the old person and those carnal inclinations. However there is one great advantage that we how as Christians; we have a guide book and a personal guide in the books of the bible and in the counsel of the Holy Spirit. God has promised to guide us into all truth because we worship him in spirit and truth when we are born from above.
Before I repented and received Christ into my heart I was a rank sinner bent on serving myself in every fashion to satisfy my selfish desires. I was hate filled and had a violent heart that was filled with prejudice and pride. I will be the first to tell that I’ve failed the Lord a few times since I came to him and decided to make him Lord of my life. This journey doesn’t guarantee that we will not lose some of the battles we contend in; it does guarantee that when we realize what we’ve done with a whole heart and repent for it; God’s grace is provided for us and pardon is granted.
Our sojourn here in this corporeal realm is temporary and therefore we must look past where we are to where we are heading. Decisions matter concerning how we will succeed in the present place or station of life and how it affects the journey before us. I believe God is a God who rewards those that diligently seek him. Those of us; who have unwavering faith in him for every essential of life starting with our relationship with him; will make decisions based upon the word of God and the unction of the Lord. Our journey is filled with knowing the voice of God greater as we grow into maturity concerning our faith.
I think about my life often and the past injustices and injuries I’ve done and it boggles my spiritual mind. Even after accepting Christ the many times I’ve failed him morally ruminates my conscious and I often repent of them even though I’ve been forgiven and washed in the blood of Christ because he died and shed his blood once and for all. My point is that when we fail and we stay in that state of mind it hinders our ability to successfully go forward in the fullness of the will of God.
We’re not all called to pulpit ministry; but we are all called to witness. We live in a fallen world and mankind is in a carnal estate, they are destitute of the Spirit of God, and all saving knowledge of His will. The world at large is in rebellion against the light that is in the word of God.
13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. Job 24:13 (KJV)
To be revived is to revile sin through reproof and live by example not exemption
We must have no fellowship with them in evil. To understand that, we must consider how many ways we have fellowship with them. Brethren if we do the same things as sinners do, if we become accessories with them in sin; if we counsel, persuade, allure, or entice others into sin. We then become Satan’s decoys, who being ensnared ourselves, draw others into the net. If we’re in a position of authority and command others do evil; or even if we consent to sin while not being a principal player in the sin; we are advocating sin and in fellowship with sin and will find the judgment of God will be at the threshold of our lives. By being silent we are in fact abetting, aiding, and assisting in the conveyance of the sin; and by applauding, approving, or praising the sin, which is the guise of flattering!
32: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Rom1:32)
And by carelessness to prevent the sin: if we have the power to expose and prevent abominations against God we should therefore speak out against it! The world is tolerant and acceptable of abominations; Christians while being non-violent should be intolerant and unacceptable of abominations against the Most Holy One.
Brethren our Christian walk is a process of daily sanctification! Many in the Christian world believe that we have no real free choice and that we are doomed to our own devices because God preordained it. They call it “Determinism” and that we do not really have free will or free choice. They preach sanctification from the platform that whom God predestines he will sanctify accordingly to be saved; yet those who are not predestinated to heaven are predestinated to hell without any choice in the matter. Yet we are presented with teachings concerning whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Yes; they must repent of their sins and begin the journey of holiness unto the Lord; they’re not able to live just anyway they want to; the must be transformed by the renewing of their minds and conformed to the image of Christ as the sojourn through this corporeal realm. Brethren the bible is written for those who have left the world to follow Christ. To follow Christ is to forsake the world; pick up our cross and walk in the will and word of God. We determined our choice when we repented of ours sin to continue to forsake sin and be sanctified in the Spirit.
Unless one considers repentance when hearing the gospel as “good works” we are saved by grace when we hear and heed the message of the gospel to repent of our sins. That is unequivocally our choice! If the angels who rebelled in heaven after being with God for untold time could change their minds and follow Lucifer in rebellion; surely man who is made a little lower than the angels can surely make a free will choice to receive salvation or reject it without God controlling that decision.
Why would Jesus say to the Church “be either hot or cold for if you are lukewarm I will spew you out of my mouth”? Isn’t he giving them a choice; if determinism is true his statement would be absurd. Why give a choice if you have no choice?
It is my exhortation to you today to pick up your cross and follow Christ; it is the symbol of your sacrifice. The word in Romans chapter 12 verses one & two:
1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
Paul entreats us and invites us to present our bodies as living sacrifices; having put them upon the altar of God to be presented as holy having died to the old man and his nature and putting on the new man created in the image of Christ. We reckon our bodies dead to sin and alive to Christ. We cast down and cast off everything which exalts itself against the new man and strive to prove what is good, what is acceptable to God, what is within the confines of his perfect will to his glory, honor, and praise.
We are free from sin when we walk in obedience to the word of God; it is liberating to quench the fiery darts of guilt that the enemy shoots constantly at us. Our conscious is free to pursue the will of God and not be drug down by the accusations of past sins; our slate is clean in the eyes of God regardless of what those around us think or insinuate against us. It is our choice to continue in the righteousness of Christ which is not our own or in the raunchiness of our own sins. If the choice is not my own then I am not free; but if the choice is fully mine I am free indeed.
Brethren I exhort you to continue in the way, the truth, and the life of Christ. This journey is leading us to heavenly places and spiritual truths that are able to transform our lives and bring the light and life of Christ to those around us as we become living letters of God’s love. We can have perfect peace in the midst of the greatest turmoil when we adhere to the simple guidance of the word of God.
5. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Brethren I truly exhort you today to stay on the journey of the spiritual discipline that keeps your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!
Bishop D. Ray Ritchie (Faith Evangelistic Ministries Int.)
Life is a journey in which we can make decisions which improve or destroy concerning success or failure. Many times the wisest decisions come as we mature from the experience of making wrong choices in our immaturity. This spiritual trek called Christianity is much the same as we have become new creations yet still have knowledge of the old person and those carnal inclinations. However there is one great advantage that we how as Christians; we have a guide book and a personal guide in the books of the bible and in the counsel of the Holy Spirit. God has promised to guide us into all truth because we worship him in spirit and truth when we are born from above.
Before I repented and received Christ into my heart I was a rank sinner bent on serving myself in every fashion to satisfy my selfish desires. I was hate filled and had a violent heart that was filled with prejudice and pride. I will be the first to tell that I’ve failed the Lord a few times since I came to him and decided to make him Lord of my life. This journey doesn’t guarantee that we will not lose some of the battles we contend in; it does guarantee that when we realize what we’ve done with a whole heart and repent for it; God’s grace is provided for us and pardon is granted.
Our sojourn here in this corporeal realm is temporary and therefore we must look past where we are to where we are heading. Decisions matter concerning how we will succeed in the present place or station of life and how it affects the journey before us. I believe God is a God who rewards those that diligently seek him. Those of us; who have unwavering faith in him for every essential of life starting with our relationship with him; will make decisions based upon the word of God and the unction of the Lord. Our journey is filled with knowing the voice of God greater as we grow into maturity concerning our faith.
I think about my life often and the past injustices and injuries I’ve done and it boggles my spiritual mind. Even after accepting Christ the many times I’ve failed him morally ruminates my conscious and I often repent of them even though I’ve been forgiven and washed in the blood of Christ because he died and shed his blood once and for all. My point is that when we fail and we stay in that state of mind it hinders our ability to successfully go forward in the fullness of the will of God.
We’re not all called to pulpit ministry; but we are all called to witness. We live in a fallen world and mankind is in a carnal estate, they are destitute of the Spirit of God, and all saving knowledge of His will. The world at large is in rebellion against the light that is in the word of God.
13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. Job 24:13 (KJV)
To be revived is to revile sin through reproof and live by example not exemption
We must have no fellowship with them in evil. To understand that, we must consider how many ways we have fellowship with them. Brethren if we do the same things as sinners do, if we become accessories with them in sin; if we counsel, persuade, allure, or entice others into sin. We then become Satan’s decoys, who being ensnared ourselves, draw others into the net. If we’re in a position of authority and command others do evil; or even if we consent to sin while not being a principal player in the sin; we are advocating sin and in fellowship with sin and will find the judgment of God will be at the threshold of our lives. By being silent we are in fact abetting, aiding, and assisting in the conveyance of the sin; and by applauding, approving, or praising the sin, which is the guise of flattering!
32: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Rom1:32)
And by carelessness to prevent the sin: if we have the power to expose and prevent abominations against God we should therefore speak out against it! The world is tolerant and acceptable of abominations; Christians while being non-violent should be intolerant and unacceptable of abominations against the Most Holy One.
Brethren our Christian walk is a process of daily sanctification! Many in the Christian world believe that we have no real free choice and that we are doomed to our own devices because God preordained it. They call it “Determinism” and that we do not really have free will or free choice. They preach sanctification from the platform that whom God predestines he will sanctify accordingly to be saved; yet those who are not predestinated to heaven are predestinated to hell without any choice in the matter. Yet we are presented with teachings concerning whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Yes; they must repent of their sins and begin the journey of holiness unto the Lord; they’re not able to live just anyway they want to; the must be transformed by the renewing of their minds and conformed to the image of Christ as the sojourn through this corporeal realm. Brethren the bible is written for those who have left the world to follow Christ. To follow Christ is to forsake the world; pick up our cross and walk in the will and word of God. We determined our choice when we repented of ours sin to continue to forsake sin and be sanctified in the Spirit.
Unless one considers repentance when hearing the gospel as “good works” we are saved by grace when we hear and heed the message of the gospel to repent of our sins. That is unequivocally our choice! If the angels who rebelled in heaven after being with God for untold time could change their minds and follow Lucifer in rebellion; surely man who is made a little lower than the angels can surely make a free will choice to receive salvation or reject it without God controlling that decision.
Why would Jesus say to the Church “be either hot or cold for if you are lukewarm I will spew you out of my mouth”? Isn’t he giving them a choice; if determinism is true his statement would be absurd. Why give a choice if you have no choice?
It is my exhortation to you today to pick up your cross and follow Christ; it is the symbol of your sacrifice. The word in Romans chapter 12 verses one & two:
1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
Paul entreats us and invites us to present our bodies as living sacrifices; having put them upon the altar of God to be presented as holy having died to the old man and his nature and putting on the new man created in the image of Christ. We reckon our bodies dead to sin and alive to Christ. We cast down and cast off everything which exalts itself against the new man and strive to prove what is good, what is acceptable to God, what is within the confines of his perfect will to his glory, honor, and praise.
We are free from sin when we walk in obedience to the word of God; it is liberating to quench the fiery darts of guilt that the enemy shoots constantly at us. Our conscious is free to pursue the will of God and not be drug down by the accusations of past sins; our slate is clean in the eyes of God regardless of what those around us think or insinuate against us. It is our choice to continue in the righteousness of Christ which is not our own or in the raunchiness of our own sins. If the choice is not my own then I am not free; but if the choice is fully mine I am free indeed.
Brethren I exhort you to continue in the way, the truth, and the life of Christ. This journey is leading us to heavenly places and spiritual truths that are able to transform our lives and bring the light and life of Christ to those around us as we become living letters of God’s love. We can have perfect peace in the midst of the greatest turmoil when we adhere to the simple guidance of the word of God.
5. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Brethren I truly exhort you today to stay on the journey of the spiritual discipline that keeps your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!
Bishop D. Ray Ritchie (Faith Evangelistic Ministries Int.)