Home | Christian Resources | Christian Links | Links | Site Map
Daily Devotions Archive
September, 2000
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 1, 2000
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
Hello, Family & Friends,
It is important to note that sin has consequences--the reward for our sins is eternal death.
The book of Romans, especially chapters 6 through 7, deals effectively with this issue, and should be read in its entirety for full effect. The Apostle Paul also had this to say in his Corinthian letter:
1 Corinthians 15:34 "Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame."
Romans 5:21-6:2 "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
The grace of God through Jesus is not an excuse to live for the flesh and to continually sin.
Romans 8:1-5 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."
Jesus condemned sin so that we might see that we must cease from sin in the flesh.
Romans 8:6-8 "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."
Romans 8:12-13 "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
John 5:29 "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
Romans 6:16 "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
Galatians 6:8 "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."
There are consequences to sin--the reward for sin is eternal damnation. Let us live our lives in the spirit, that we might not fullfil the lusts of the flesh.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 5, 2000
Dearly
beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war
against the soul; 1 Peter 2:11 KJV
Hello,
Family & Friends,
There
is a battle that rages around us constantly, about which many are unaware. It takes place
on two main levels that concern us. One is the personal battle that happens in our
flesh-and-blood body, as our body wages war against our spirit. On a higher level, there
is also a universal battle between good and evil.
On
the personal level, we need to be aware that our body lures our spirit to sin. Once aware
of this, we can make a conscious effort to deny the flesh and yield to God's Holy Spirit.
Galatians
5 24 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and
lusts."
Galatians
5:16 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the
flesh."
Romans
13:14 "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to
fulfil the lusts thereof."
Galatians
5:17 "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and
these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye
would."
Ephesians
2:3 "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our
flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the
children of wrath, even as others."
1
Peter 4:2 "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the
lusts of men, but to the will of God."
2
Peter 2:10 "But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness,
and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak
evil of dignities."
2
Peter 2:18 "For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through
the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them
who live in error."
The
flesh is deceitful, luring us to sin. Men sometimes make use of this fundamental truth to
deceive us for their own purposes. What the scriptures tell us is that we must walk
according to the instructions of Jesus, which He received from God, our Creator. If we
walk after the manner of Christ, we will abandon (crucify, or kill off) the lusts of the
flesh and will walk in the spirit.
1
John 2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
God
bless all!
Love,
in Christ,
Bernie
By
Bernie Parsons - Sep 6, 2000
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory
of God; Romans 3:23 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Some of you may ask, "Don't we all
sin?" Other variations on this question are: "Aren't we all sinners" and
"Don't we all sin, more or less, every day?"
We need to understand what sin is. Sin is
rebellion against the purposes and plans that God has for us. God hates the rebellious
spirit in mankind, and sent Jesus to deal with this shortcoming.
1 John 1:10-2:2 "If we say that we have
not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these
things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for
our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
To say that we have never sinned, and
therefore do not need a savior, is to deceive ourselves. All have sinned, and need the
salvation that is in Christ Jesus. If this is true, should we accept that we are sinners,
and let Jesus deal with it all by Himself? Are we off the hook, then, and allowed to sin,
because the blood of Jesus cleanses us? The Apostle Paul answered a vehement
"No!"
Romans 6:1-2 "What shall we say then?
Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead
to sin, live any longer therein?"
This is why it is important to seek God with
all our heart, soul and mind. If we do not take the scriptures in context and learn what
they actually mean, it is easy to misunderstand what they say. In fact, take another look
at I John 1 & 2.
1 John 1:10-2:4 "If we say that we have
not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these
things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for
our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know
him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
John says that we lie if we say we are not
sinners (in need of a Savior), yet are liars if we say that we know Christ, yet don't keep
His commandments. Notice the part where John said he wrote so that we "sin not".
God calls all of us to come out of our sins
and to listen to Him, obeying His instructions and commandments. This is known as
repentance: when we realize we cannot save ourselves, but need the Son of God to save us,
and turn to Him, yielding to His will.
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack
concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Acts 17:30 "And the times of this
ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:"
As Jesus told the woman caught in adultery,
John 8:11 "She said, No man, Lord. And
Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
Let us first realize that we need Jesus as
our savior, then let us repent, turning from our sins.
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
Rebellious
Children
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 7, 2000
Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of
me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
Isaiah 30:1 KJV
Hello,
Family & Friends,
God
has called us to repentance. This means that we must no longer try to direct our own
footsteps, nor choose our own pathway. Instead, we need to humbly yield to God, let Him
have control of our lives and seek to do all that He asks. Otherwise, we are guilty of
rebelling against God, which is sin.
1
Samuel 12:14-15 "If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not
rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that
reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: But if ye will not obey the voice
of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the
LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers."
God
is the Almighty "king" of all that has been created, the entire universe. He has
always asked that we observe Him as King, that we give Him the praise and honor due the
leader of all that has been created. He wants us to listen, and obey. The ancient nation
of Israel did not--they asked for an earthly king, and thereby rejected God's leadership.
1
Samuel 8:7 "And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in
all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me,
that I should not reign over them."
God's
means to bring us back to Him as our Sovereign leader is Jesus, our Savior.
Ephesians
3:9-11 "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the
beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To
the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known
by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he
purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:"
Colossians
1:19-21" For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having
made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by
him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were
sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he
reconciled"
2
Timothy 2:19 "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The
Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart
from iniquity."
Called
to be Christians, we are instructed to put sin out of our lives. This means that we must
stop rebelling against the will of God, and start listening to Him.
Hebrews
3:14-15 "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our
confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice,
harden not your hearts, as in the provocation."
1
Corinthians 15:34 "Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the
knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame."
The
blueprint for putting sin out of our lives is found in God's instructions to us. If we
will learn those ways of God and live by them daily, we will put sin out of our lives.
God
bless all!
Love,
in Christ,
Bernie
Hello,
Family & Friends,
The
Christian elevates his or her life from listening to and catering to the whims of the
body, to listening to and obeying the commandments of God.
Jesus
died to take away our past sins,
Romans
3:23-25 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified
freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set
forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for
the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"
Ephesians
2:1-3 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in
time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the
power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom
also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the
desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as
others."
The
life of fulfilling the lusts of the flesh is to be behind us as Christians. It is our
past. Now cleansed by the blood of the Lamb of God, His son, Jesus Christ, we are to sin
no more. We are new creatures, born again of water and spirit to walk according to God's
instructions.
When
we lsiten to God, and obey Him, we find ourselves changed completely. We move from being
someone who is steeped in sin to someone who has been purified and cleansed by the blood
of Jesus. As a pure and holy being before God, God expects us to maintain holiness. What
the Bible teaches is that it is not enough to have our past sins removed by the blood of
Jesus, but we need to remove sin from our lives so that we stay pure and holy.
1
John 3:5-9 "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is
no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither
known him.
Little
children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is
righteous.
He
that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this
purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot
sin, because he is born of God."
God
bless all!
Love,
in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 11, 2000
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 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
You may well ask, "If we have all sinned, and if we are all human, how can God expect
us to depart from sin?" There are some fundamental basics to Christianity about which
we all need to be aware.
We come out of our sins because we are born again. Don't get confused, like Nicodemus did!
Jesus said that our rebirth is of the "water and the spirit".
John 3:5 "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."
Things happen when we repent, and turn our lives over to God. When we are baptized in the
water, the blood of Jesus cleanses us of our past sins and the Holy Spirit of God moves
into our bodies to live within us.
Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost."
Acts 8:36 "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the
eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"
Acts 10:47 "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have
received the Holy Ghost as well as we?'
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is in addition to water baptism, not in lieu of it. Jesus
said that we have to be reborn of both water and spirit. In baptism we are cleansed of our
past sins.
Romans 6:2-6 "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer
therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized
into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk
in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the
likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that
the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
1 Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the
putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"
It is not the removal of dirt from our bodies in baptism that saves us from past sins, but
the cleansing blood of Jesus that is applied at the time of baptism. We crucify, as it
were, the former person that sinned, bury that sinner in the water, and are resurrected
(reborn) to walk in a new life--a life that is in Christ Jesus.
Revelation 1:5 "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first
begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us,
and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"
That is how we are made pure before God, relieved of our past sins. They are remembered no
more, and we are no longer servants to sin! Praise God!
Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins
be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall
be as wool."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 12, 2000
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the
operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:12 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Because of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Reformer, John Calvin, the idea of water baptism has become polarizing
to Christians. As a result, many
well-meaning religious folk are mistaken about what baptism is, and what it does. We have
already read that it is not the washing of dirt from the body that purifies us, but other
things that are taking place.
It is a burial in water, and a resurrection from water, during which time God acts to
remove sin from the individual.
Colossians 2:11 "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without
hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the
operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and
the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you
all trespasses;"
God operates, as it were, on the heart and soul of the individual who, after repenting and
yielding his heart to God, is baptized. Having been separated from past sin, we are told
to sin no more--to walk in a new life in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk
in newness of life."
Galatians 5:24-25 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
Galatians 5:16-17 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the
lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the
flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that
ye would."
God forgives us of our past sins, operates spiritually to remove the sins from us, sends
His Holy Spirit to live within us, and we are commanded to walk no longer after the flesh,
but after the spirit. This necessitates a change of heart and attitude on our part, as we
shift our focus from this world and our fleshly bodies to heaven and the eternal life to
come.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep13, 200
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and
wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
When it comes to water baptism there are many who respond with one of the following three
comments: (1) Forgiveness of sins has nothing to do with baptism; (2) Baptism doesn't mean
water baptism; and, (3) The word "water" doesn't mean water.
The only way to understand this is to first clear your mind of dogmatic doctrine that
springs from either Calvinism or Campbellism, regardless of what you have
been taught--either for or against water baptism. The next step is to concentrate on the Bible
as the divinely inspired word of God. If it says it, accept it.
Jesus was baptized in water.
Matthew 3:16 "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:
and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a
dove, and lighting upon him:"
Jesus (through His discples) baptized others in water:
John 3:22-23 "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of
Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon
near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."
Jesus told His followers to baptize:
Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
Jesus said that salvation is related to baptism:
Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned."
Peter told his Jewish listeners at Pentecost to be baptized, and to save themselves, so
they were baptized:
Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost."
Acts 2:40-41 "And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save
yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."
Philip baptized the eunuch in water, as a result of preaching Jesus to him (notice that
Philip told him that he must first believe--remember the words of Jesus in Mark 16:16):
Acts 8:35-39 "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and
preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:
and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip
said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both
Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water,
the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on
his way rejoicing."
Saul of Tarsus (later, the Apostle Paul) was told to get up and be baptized, washing away
his sins. Baptism washes away sins.
Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Peter deliberately compared the salvation that comes by baptism with the salvation of
Noah's family during the great deluge, specifically mentioning that they were saved by
water. He went on to say that in like manner baptism does also now save us.
1 Peter 3:18-21 "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by
the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime
were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the
ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection
of Jesus Christ:"
Apparently Peter had encountered people in his time who questioned the importance of
baptism for salvation, because he explained that it is not the physical act of removing
dirt from the body that saves, but rather what is taking place on the inside at the time
of the baptism. Yet he says that baptism saves us, so there is a distinct and direct
connection between water baptism and our salvation.
God chose baptism as a part of His great plan to save us. I am not going to question that.
Since God declared it, I accept it. If I reject it, I reject the word of God--no, I reject
God Himself--His sovereignty, His authority, His power, and His intelligence.
Baptism is not the end of obedience to God. It takes place in the early stages of our
reconciliation to Him. After that, we must earnestly and diligently seek Him in all
of His
word.
Matthew 4:4 "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep14, 2000
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost; Titus 3:5 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
In God's mercy and by His grace, He has provided for us to be washed clean of our sins by
the blood of Jesus. Once we are clean the Holy Spirit comes to live in us, as the children
of God. Some ask, "But aren't we all the children of God?"
At birth we are pure and innocent.
Mark 10:14 "But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer
the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of
God."
Matthew 18:3 "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as
little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Over time we all rebel against God by following our own paths and ways.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
Jeremiah 10:23 "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in
man that walketh to direct his steps."
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding."
Romans 10:3 "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to
establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of
God."
God has asked that we repent and turn our hearts to Him, diligently learning His ways as
His obedient children.
Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek
him."
2 Peter 1:10 "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and
election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:"
After rebelling against God, He will adopt us through His Holy Spirit to be His children
again.
Ephesians 1:4-5: "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated
us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good
pleasure of his will,"
Romans 8:15 "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye
have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye
are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among
them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will
receive you.
"And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty.
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 15, 2000
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Hebrews
5:8 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
As the children of God we must learn obedience. Jesus set the example for us as God's only
begotten (born of flesh and blood) son.
Hebrews 5:8-9 "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them
that obey him;"
Romans 5:19 "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the
obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
The obedience of this Son of God shows us that we are to learn obedience as well. He is
the firstborn among Christians, setting the example for us.
Romans 8:29 "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Jesus calls us family.
Matthew 12:47-50 "Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand
without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who
is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his
disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of
my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
Hebrews 2:11-13 "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of
one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy
name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again,
I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given
me."
As God's family, with Jesus as the firstborn among His brethren, we are to live an
obedient life before God, our Father.
Romans 6:16 "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his
servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto
righteousness?"
Acts 5:32 "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost,
whom God hath given to them that obey him."
Hebrews 5:9 "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto
all them that obey him;"
Righteousness is in God, and in His Son, Jesus, Christ. Righteousness is in us through our
obedience to the will of God. For the disobedient, there is punishment and damnation of
the soul.
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his
power;"
Let us be among the obedient children of our Father, not the disobedient. Let us hear God,
and keep His commandments.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and
keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work
into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 18, 2000
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we
are the children of God: Romans 8:16 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
If we are in Christ, we are the children of God. If children, then we are to obey our
heavenly Father. We listen, we understand, we obey--that is, we carry out His
instructions.
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
God expects us to accomplish good works, because we are born of Him, and He does good
works.
1 John 5:18 "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is
begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."
Do children ever make mistakes? Those of us who have children know that they do! What
happens when we get out of line?
Hebrews 12:6-10 "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom
he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is
he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are
partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them
reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our
profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness."
God loves us so much that sometimes we get a good "spanking" to get our
attention, to put us back onto the straight and narrow.
He wants us to be "like Father, like son (or daughter)".
1 Peter 1:14-17 "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the
former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in
all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye
call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work,
pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:"
Along with God's love, we need to understand that we are to have a fear, a deep respect of
God and the power He wields. The love for. and the fear of, God should keep us attentive
to His will.
1 John 2:29 "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth
righteousness is born of him"
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 19, 2000
All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto
death. 1 John 5:17 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
To be righteous is to align one's thinking with the thinking of God, to listen to God's
instructions and to carry them out in our lives. Obedience to God's plan and purpose, to
His will and ways puts us into righteousness. To disobey is to rebel against God, which is
sin.
1 John 5:17-19 "All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We
know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth
himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the
whole world lieth in wickedness."
1 John 1:8-9 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is
not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
We confess our sins, seeking God's forgiveness through Jesus, our Lord and Savior. The
blood of Jesus cleanses us from past sins. We live unto God through the Holy Spirit that
dwells in us, being justified by our Lord Jesus. We must cease from present and future
sin.
1 John 3:5-9 "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is
no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither
known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is
righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil
sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might
destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed
remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we
might be made the righteousness of God in him."
1 Peter 2:21-24 "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for
us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was
guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered,
he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self
bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto
righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."
Christ died, not to validate sin, but to condemn sin in this fleshly body.
Romans 8:3-5 "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,
God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the
flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the
flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."
Jesus condemned sin in the flesh by living in flesh without sin. He showed that is
possible to live in the flesh and not sin.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 20, 2000
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin Hebrews 4:15 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Jesus, Son of the Living God, showed that it is possible to live in a body of flesh and
blood and not sin.
1 Peter 2:21-22 "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for
us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was
guile found in his mouth:"
Some say that Jesus was more than human, therefore not subject to human desires. This is
not so.
The scripture says that Jesus was tempted in every point in which we all are tempted: the
lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
1 John 2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
Eve was tempted in these three categories in the garden of Eden.
Genesis 3:6 "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was
pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit
thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."
"Good for food" was a lust of the flesh; "pleasant to the eyes" was
the lust of the eyes; and "desired to make one wise" was the pride of life.
Satan tempted Jesus in all three areas.
Matthew 4:1-3 "Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted
of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an
hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command
that these stones be made bread."
That was lust of the flesh--satisfy your body.
Matthew 4:5-6 "Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a
pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down:
for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands
they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone."
That was the pride of life--prove who you are.
Matthew 4:8-9 "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and
sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All
these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me."
That was lust of the eyes--look what you can have.
Why was Jesus able to resist. Not because He was superhuman--in fact, he was so weak after
His fasting that the angels were sent to nurse him back to strength. It was because He
stayed focused on His mission, and His ultimate goal.
Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the
joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the
right hand of the throne of God."
That's why the Apostle Paul stated that we are to keep our heart and mind on heaven.
Colossians 3:1-2 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on
things on the earth."
We have to stay focused on the fact that this life is short and eternity never ends. We
have been promised a place in our Father's house, we children of God.
John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to
prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
I look forward to going home to my Father, to hear Him say, "Well done!" Isn't
that what it is all about?
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 21, 2000
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin,
neither was guile found in his mouth: 1 Peter 2:21-22 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Though tempted in every area of life in which we are tempted, Jesus did not commit
sin--that is, He stayed within the will of God. He is our example, we should walk in His
tracks. Where did Jesus walk--where do His footsteps lead?
Hebrews 10:7 "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of
me,) to do thy will, O God."
Jesus proved that His whole mission in life was to do the will of God. Even as a child, He
was about His heavenly Father's business.
Luke 2:49 "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I
must be about my Father's business?"
What business was this?
Luke 2:46-47 "And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the
temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."
The night of His betrayal, as Jesus prayed with great dread in the garden of Gethsemane,
He sought only to do what God required.
Matthew 26:39 "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed,
saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I
will, but as thou wilt."
Matthew 26:42 "He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father,
if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done."
Matthew 26:44 "And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time,
saying the same words."
Jesus also taught the disciples to pray that God's will be done on earth, as in heaven.
Matthew 6:10 "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
Jesus said that those who will be saved are those who do the will of God.
Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the
same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
If we do God's will, we are the family of Christ. Jesus proved Himself to be the Son of
God by His obedience to His heavenly Father.
John 10:37-38 "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do,
though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the
Father is in me, and I in him."
Hebrews 5:8 "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered;"
We may call ourselves the children of God, but if we are truly His children, we will
listen to Him, and obey Him, as did Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We will seek to learn of
Him, to listen carefully to every word He says, that we might do His will.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 22, 2000
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:23 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
While growing up I heard many religious adults say that if you can only have time to call
on the name of the Lord, you will be saved. This is no doubt a misunderstanding of the
scripture in:
Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved."
Is there conflict between that verse and these?
Matthew 7:21-23 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will
say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name
have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Like all scriptures, the context is necessary in order to truly understand what God
expects of us. First of all, simply calling out Jesus' name is not enough to save our
souls. The Matthew scriptures make that plain. What is the Apostle Paul talking about in
Romans? If you will read the entire chapter--better yet, the entire book of Romans--you
will get the meaning.
Like most of the book of Romans, this verse has to do with salvation being for
everyone--note the verse just before Romans 10:13:
Romans 10:12 "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same
Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him."
Paul is saying that "whosoever" calls on the Lord for their salvation will be
saved, regardless of race, culture, or ethnicity. He was not offering this statement as a
"method" to receive salvation. Instead, he was stating that salvation is
universal, and that it is found in Jesus, Christ, the Son of God.
In Matthew 7 it is clear that Jesus is saying that in order to be saved we must follow the
will of God. Salvation is not passive, it is active. Otherwise, God would just declare
everone saved. Yet, not everyone is (or will be) saved.
Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is
the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because
strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that
find it."
John 5:29 "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of
life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
There is no doubt that some will be eternally damned, and that is based upon their
deeds--note the words "have done good" and "have done evil".
Does this diminish God's great love, mercy, and grace that caused Him to send His son
Jesus to die as our sacrifice? No!
Eph 2:8-10 "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. For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should
walk in them."
We cannot declare ourselves to be righteous based upon what we think is right.
Righteousness is of God. We cannot save ourselves by deciding on our own course of action.
We have to follow God's course (His will). But we are to walk in righteousness, doing the
works of righteousness that God has declared.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 25, 2000
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts,
glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is
earthly, sensual, devilish. James 3:14-15 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
In the realm of "Christian religion" there are many individuals and groups who
take opposing positions on Bible teachings. They become locked in a war of words, of
"My preacher said...", "Our church's forefathers wrote...", or even,
"This Bible verse says...".
Wouldn't it be better just to do what God has told us to do? If we unite on what God has
told us, rather than what some human said, or wrote, we will be speaking the same thing.
We will have unity, peace, and harmony.
One such controversy revolves around: "We are saved by grace." "No, we are
saved by faith." "No, we are saved by baptism." Bitter fighting ensues,
degenerating into name-calling and passing of judgment--which, by the way, are fleshly
attributes, not spiritual ones.
James 3:13-17 "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew
out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against
the truth.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where
envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be
intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
Dear friends and family members, God has much to say about our soul's salvation. Are we
willing to listen to every word that God has to say? Jesus said that is how we are to
live.
The truth is, many things pertain to our souls' salvation. To choose one aspect is a
grievous mistake, and will come back to haunt us when we stand before our Creator in
judgment.
We are saved by grace, by faith, by hope, by the blood of Jesus, by baptism, by works, by
calling on the name of the Lord, and by many other things. It is a combination of these
that saves us. We need to study all these scriptures with an open mind and a receptive
heart, that we may diligently seek God and His righteousness.
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:"
Romans 5:1 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ:"
Romans 8:24 "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a
man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?"
Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from
wrath through him."
1 Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the
putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"
Philippians 2:12 "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling."
Acts 2:21 "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the
Lord shall be saved."
We need to take all of these together. Sometimes we cannot see a forest, because we stand
too close to a particular tree. Let's step back and look at the entire will of God, and
then we will know assuredly what will save us.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 26, 2000
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
We need to understand that there at least three different kinds of salvation in the New
Testament writings. Until we recognize which scriptures speak of which salvation, we will
be very confused about how we can be saved.
These include: (1) Salvation from past sins, (2) Salvation from death and destruction in
this life, and (3) Salvation from damnation in eternity.
Salvation from past sins is mentioned in:
Romans 3:23-26 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God
hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To
declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier
of him which believeth in Jesus."
Colossians 2:12-13 "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him
through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you,
being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together
with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;"
Salvation from death and destruction in this present life is mentioned in:
Matthew 24:21-22 "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the
beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should
be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be
shortened."
Acts 27:18-20 "And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they
lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the
ship.And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us,
all hope that we should be saved was then taken away."
Eternal salvation is mentioned in:
Hebrews 5:8-9 "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them
that obey him;"
Philippians 2:12 "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling."
1 Peter 1:7-9 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and
glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now
ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."
We can be saved from our past sins, but lose our life in the flesh. We can be saved in the
flesh, but if we continue in sin we can lose our souls eternally. We can be saved from
past sins, then turn back to sin and lose our souls eternally. It is important that we
diligently seek an understanding of salvation.Once understood, we can see how all the
scriptures fall into line. They are not contradictory, but rather complementary.
Remember: 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 27, 2000
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and
lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Jesus asked that we learn of Him. This is an extremely important concept. Some claim that
ignorance is bliss. I have heard religious folks say that, “What you don’t know
won’t hurt you”, and of course they were talking about the judgment, when we
shall all stand before God. Sadly, these folks are mistaken.
Acts 17:30-31 “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all
men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the
world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance
unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
1 Peter 1:13-16 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the
end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As
obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your
ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Ignorance is no excuse when we stand in the awesome presence of the Almighty God.
Romans 10:13-17 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe
in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how
shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of
them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have
not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then
faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
If we expect our faith to save us, then we must listen to the words of our God. Therein
lies our faith--anything else is rooted in the imagination of man.
Romans 10:2-3 “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according
to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish
their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of
God.”
Proverbs16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death.”
1 Corinthians 15:34 “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the
knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.”
Colossians1:9-10 “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to
pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all
wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all
pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
We will not plead ignorance when we stand before God in the day of our judgment—we
will be too horrified to speak if we realize that God spoke, and we refused to listen.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 28, 2000
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:17 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
God's word is powerful. Anyone who reads the Bible regularly or listens to the scriptures
being presented by teachers or preachers is aware of this. I think that is one of the
chief reasons that people in the world have a hateful obsession with stopping the Word.
Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is
there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened
unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
God's word lays bare the heart and all our secret thoughts. Sometimes that hurts.
When Peter preached to his fellow Jews at Pentecost, many were pierced in the heart and
repented.
Acts 2:37 "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto
Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
The disciple, Stephen, was stoned to death after preaching the gospel.
Acts 7:52-54 "Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have
slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the
betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have
not kept it. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on
him with their teeth."
God's word affects us differently, depending upon our hardness of heart, and our
willingness to repent and yield to Him.
Hebrews 3:13-15 "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of
you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if
we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if
ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation."
When the sword of God's Holy Spirit cleaves our heart, will it split asunder a heart of
stone or one that is soft and yielding? The choice is ours.
Romans 2:3-6 "And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things,
and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the
riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of
God leadeth thee to repentance?
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the
day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man
according to his deeds:"
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Sep 29, 2000
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the
world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19
KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
We live in a feel-good society, one in which we want to think that everybody is okay just
the way they are. There is a verse that I hear and see quoted more than any other, and
here it is:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
This is a wonderful scripture—one that embodies that which Christians love, believe,
and teach. It gives us a tremendous amount of hope, and a message to give the world. But
we would be remiss in our duty to hear all of God’s word, were we to stop with the
one verse.
John 3: 16-21 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not
his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be
saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned
already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness
rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the
light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth
truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in
God.”
Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world. With that statement most people
stop reading or quoting. If we read on, we see that there is condemnation. It doesn’t
come from our Lord, Jesus. It comes from within the heart of man. The condemnation comes
because men love darkness more than light, evil more than righteousness. They stay away
from the circle of light that is God’s love and truth, standing in the shadows. In
the darkness they commit sin, and hope no one notices. Or from the shadows they attack
those that stand in the light, then recede under the cover of darkness.
John 3:19 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men
loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
What an ugly picture! To reject Jesus is to condemn ourselves.
John 3:18 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is
condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of
God.”
The unbeliever doesn’t have a chance in the day of judgment.
1 Peter 4:17 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and
if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner
appear?”
1 John 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in
deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our
hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth
all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward
God.”
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
