Tag Archives: Righteousness

Self Righteous Trap

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Two scriptures:

 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”   “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.    Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”   “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.

And the other scripture:

“. . . Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”

How can men know truth when it is God Himself who has set the limit of man’s understanding?  His purpose in this is that man might consider his limitations and seek the One who has no limit.  So many I’ve seen speak of how they are working toward eternity trying to do good.  And how many have I confronted with the fact that It’s Jesus who will be glorified, not man?  Yet what is their reply?  “Well, what you say is good.  But I’ll take my chances.  Thanks.” 

What is it with human pride?  How curious that even when presented with hell people won’t let go of their own “righteousness”.  It’s kind of like the trap set for monkeys.  A cage or container is set up with an inticing bait inside.  The slats or hole will allow a monkey to reach the hand in and grab the stick.  But they can’t bring a closed fist back out.  They will scream and dance around when approached for harvest.  But they won’t let go.  Death is the next experience these monkeys deal with.  How it will be on that day when we are presented with God’s plan of salvation, Jesus’ sacrifice.  Billions will stand there and expect to be received because they were such good people.  But billions will be horribly saddened when they are shown their selfish intentions.

Accept Jesus’ sacrifice and stop relying on your own ability to please God. 

By His Grace.

Scarlet is the Color of Extreme Sin.

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I posted a passage from Isaiah this morning regarding the nature of God’s expectations for men.  In the passage, God speaks of our sins.  He says, “Though your sins are as scarlet . . . “.  So why is God referring to extreme sins as a deep shade of red?

We think of good and bad in shades of light.  Horrible is marked by utter darkness; absolutely no light.  And Purity is marked by light; a great brilliance.  So why is God referring to extreme sin as a deep shade of red?

I thought, “Perhaps I don’t even know what scarlet is”.  So I did a google search for the color.  Then I went to image search to find the color depicted.  Ya know what popped up?  Porn.  “Oh!”  “Now I remember the ‘scarlet letter’ given to prostitutes and the sexually immoral.”  “Oh!”  “Now I remember how God often refers to His people as prostitutes; those who sell what is good for what is evil.  Oh.

In God’s eyes we are not shades of black and white.  We are labeled, either as those who chase after the things of the flesh, or those who chase after the things of God.  Which are you?  Which am I? 

By His Grace.

Who Are We?

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“Come now, let us settle the matter,”
   says the LORD.

This statement comes from the first chapter of Isaiah.  God is speaking of how His people have fallen.  And He speaks to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (that would be all people).  What are we that God would say to us, “Come now, let us settle the matter”?  Such a statement is not made to a chair.  We don’t speak like that to anything that cannot respond through free will.  We speak like that to each other, don’t we?  We have a demand that’s not being met by someone who is able to meet the demand but refuses to do so.  Who are we that God should have such expectations? 

We have heard that we are so limited, small, vulnerable, and victimized.  But that statement is not addressed as though we have no choice but to remain as we are.  It speaks of ability not limitation.  What will be the judgment of such a people who refuse to learn of what is holy and good?  If God sees us as able, then His judgment of us will be wrapped around that concept.  “You were able to obey me because I gave you all you needed to learn this obedience”.  Perhaps that is going to be one of the phrases heard by the rebellious.

Consider, people, consider Him!  It will not be long before you stand in His Glorious and Holy presence to receive the just reward of your life.  I tell you a truth: It will be awesome to behold Him.  And it will not go well for the vast majority of mankind.  The rest of that chapter speaks of His expectations and His ability to restore those who desire to rid themselves of rebellion. 

This post is filled, to overflowing, with promise and warning.  I could have just pointed to the scripture and expected you to go read it.  But understanding the times, I know there are very few who read the Bible anymore.  Perhaps you think I speak with too much authority on this matter.  My words are light and carry the weight of a man.  But the words of God are filled with extreme authority.  Regardless what you think, you will die a hideous death of guilt at the hands of the Almighty God if you don’t heed what is posted here. 

Don’t think to yourself that refusing to read the Bible will excuse you from judgment.  “I didn’t know what you said in that book.  So I’m not to be held responsible for what you said there”.  Don’t allow the foolishness of your sinful mind to lure you into death.  You do know what He wants.  And you will be held accountable for all His Holiness on that day.

By His Grace.

We are a People Set Apart.

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Attacks against what is called Christianity will abound.  There is no end of turmoil within the ranks of Christians.  But isn’t this the beauty of what Jesus has done?  He is actively creating a people for Himself.  We should not expect that God’s people are a polished stone in the tumbler of God’s will.  We find our righteousness in Christ alone.  And we await the day when He will grant perfection to our ways, hearts, minds, and desires.

Now, to be sure, we should do all we can to limit our folly for the sake of God’s Holy name.  It would be best to give no fuel to those who would cast accusation on the Church of God.  In our faith we wrestle with that which is Holy.  We are called to completion while we struggle with what is unfinished.  Christians struggle with the same problems as does the world.  The difference is found in the power of God to rectify our understanding.  It is He who guides us into what is right and Holy.  In short, Christians hear the very voice and will of God as He directs His people.  Some hear Him through the pages of His word the Bible.  Some hear Him through that voice which whispers in the inner man.  Some hear Him loudly, often, and surely.  Some simply follow what others are hearing.

We serve the Living God not some set of rules and regulations.  Our faith is built on liquid truth.  This truth is not that which varies according to the will of man.  Our house is built on (not by, or over)  the very river of truth which flows from the Throne of the Living God.  By faith we listen to His voice.  We walk in places where darkness is the only light.  Yet we walk in this darkness with the light of God Himself.  It is in the interaction of the Holy God to a people struggling with the nature of sin that sets us apart from every other creation. 

I know the world can only see what we are by the actions and words we produce.  Evolution is looking for the next stage in development.  Christians are that stage.  We no longer fit into the mold of the world’s expectations.  We are more yet less.  Through humility before the Greatness of God we are being formed into something eternal and beautiful.  And that, right before their very eyes.  What the world sees is chaos and dischord in the Church.  What God sees is a people being transformed.

If anyone wants a better explanation of what Christianity is, they will need to seek the face of the only One who can explain it.  Jesus is willing to lead you to a living faith.  It’s not what we believe that makes the difference.  The difference resides in Who we believe.  And it’s not what we are that stands out so strongly.  It’s who we are becoming that sets us apart.  If you seek Him, you will find Him.  If, indeed, you seek Him with all your heart.

By His Grace.

Explosive Shoes!

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Stand your ground in Jesus with the explosiveness of the Holy Spirit in your shoes.  Let Him convert every fibre in your body to that which pleases God the Father.  Let the Spirit of God fill your shoes till they burst off your feet and you find yourself standing on Holy Ground!

By His Grace.

Soap.

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Whatever you do, never get the soap dirty!  Never shower or wash your hands.  Don’t you realize that soap is clean?  Why would you want to apply something clean to something dirty? 

Nothing ever gets clean without some sort of soap.  Noone can become clean without being washed by the blood of Jesus.  Oh, you can clean your body and clothes.  But your conscience and attitude will remain full of evil if God does not clean you by the power of Jesus.

Receive His “soap”: The awareness of sin within you, repentance from what you have done and are doing, accept His forgiveness.  Listen to His words in the Bible.  And learn to listen to His voice within you. 

Soap is designed to get dirty. 

By His Grace.