Christsian

One of the steps toward being a reflection of Christ

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For one thing there are several, but this is just about one. Now first, I wish to remind folks that in being a reflection of Jesus Christ we are to not only have faith in Him and His promises, but also in our actions and behavior known as works when taken in context to the Bible. Some will say that “works” is legalism. However, “legalism” is when people go through the motions of actions and rituals, especially when they have no faith. It is both FAITH and WORKS, but on with the topic at hand, which is this step of faith through works:
Romans 13:1 – Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. 6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Titus 3:1 – Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
Now what does it mean to submit to the government? It is shown very clearly in Romans. All governments are in existence by the grace of God. So we are to follow the laws that are set forth by said governments, as long as they are not counter to the teachings of the Bible. Like for instance, abortion.
So once again I go back to my fall back example of this. The speed limit on roads. This is a state law. If you break this law you can be punished by getting a speeding ticket. Yet millions break this law every single day because this law is inconvenient to them.
Now I want those reading this to look at that last sentence and ponder upon it a second.

Now read this:
Matthew 22:37 – Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Luke 10:26 – Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
Mark 12:29 – Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
It is made clear that per Romans and Titus we are to honor God by following the laws set forth by those in government. However many speed “because this law is inconvenient to them.
TO THEM.
To the self.
So God and His laws are “inconvenient to them!”
If we are to place God at the center of our lives. How can HE be an inconvenience? How is this possible?
Because GOD is not at the center of their lives.
THEY are at the center of THEIR LIVES.
2 Timothy 3:1 – You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
Matthew 16:24 – Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. 28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”
I cannot out do the very words of Jesus Christ. I end this here.

The wisdom dilemma

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One of the most interesting statements in the Bible, and I paraphrase, is the most foolish thought of God surpasses the greatest wisdom from humanity.
This is particularly true for those that live on the belief that humanity can accomplish anything on its own. That their knowledge can and will solve any problems, and since knowledge and wisdom are related man’s destiny to them is all they require not realizing something is missing.
Here is a for instance about how mans’ knowledge and wisdom works. Indoor plumbing. Something that is a part of all homes for the most part in western society. Yet this is a recent accommodation. It wasn’t something that was considered a necessity until the early part of the 1900s.
However for nearly fifteen hundred years it was something forgotten and thought to have never existed. In reality indoor plumbing was a staple of the Roman Empire. Yet due to the fall of the empire it was forgotten. This shows just how fragile human knowledge and wisdom is.
Now here most likely someone will say what does a toilet have to do with wisdom. All I can say to that is thank you for proving my point, and most likely my response will go right over their heads.
When Paul first wrote to Corinth in the first letter we have within the Bible he mentioned that his speech was not as eloquent and tried to show the wisdom of God. He went there with one purpose to show them the true image of Jesus Christ and the fact that He went to the cross and died in their place.
This was all that was important to Paul as it should be to any seeking true salvation.
Yet most in the world today seek for various types of so called wisdom. All coming from different aspect of humanity. Most of this so-called wisdom rejects that there is a God and the center their focus upon that which has been created by God.
Romans 1:18 – But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
This shows that when it comes to true wisdom they do not desire that, but would rather accept foolishness as wisdom. Every aspect of creation shows just how wise God truly is, yet humans say there is no such being that can cause and create all that is within the universe. However this is the very point. They see the truth, the wisdom, the glory and reject it. This is the dilemma with human based wisdom.