All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
ARE WE TRULY CHRISTIANS?
ARE WE TRULY CHRISTIANS? ARE WE TRULY GOD'S BELOVED
CHILDREN IN WHOM HE IS WELL PLEASED?
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES:
Psalms 2:7
Isaiah 42:1-4
Malachi 1:6-11
Luke 3:21-22
2 Peter 1:12-15
Preparation Verse: (Psalms 2:7)
I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to me, "You are my son, today I have begotten you."
To say that someone is a Christian is to say that they are Christ-like in character, that they follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and that they have an influence upon the world around them as Jesus Christ had when He walked the earth.
To be a true Christian is to be more than just a believer.
To be a true Christian is to be a whole lot more than words.
To be a true Christian is to have God speak of us as He did of Jesus when He was baptized.
Listen to what we are told in Luke 3:21-22 –
21. Now it came about when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,
22. and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased."
The power to live this Christ-like life, and to have the Lord speak of us in this manner, comes from the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.
And if Christians are respected in the land, then the name of the Lord will also be respected.
It will be as Malachi tells us in 1:11–
11. "For from the rising of the sun, even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations," says the Lord of hosts.
Note carefully the words we just read; for when the name of the Lord is truly upheld and honored in the world around us, then the offerings to the Lord are in the form of the sweet smell of incense and of the thank offering of grain.
There is no need for the sin offering.
There is no need for the shedding of innocent blood to cover the soul of the guilty, for the former guilty ones will be doing what is acceptable and pleasing before the Lord.
This is the way that our community and the world should be.
But honestly look around us.
If you were in God's shoes, and looked down from heaven upon us, what would you say of us?
Move back to Malachi 1:6f and see if you wouldn't question us, as God is doing in this passage?
6. " 'A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?' says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, 'How have we despised Thy name?'
Our Father so much wants to say to us, "You are My beloved child with whom I am well pleased."
He doesn't want to speak to us, and question us, as He is doing here through Malachi.
7. "You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, 'How have we defiled Thee?' In that you say, 'The table of the Lord is to be despised.'
Many so-called Christians around us are like these Hebrews.
These Christians say that they believe; yet by their very lives, they say that they do not, for they defile the atoning blood of Jesus, in that they refuse to turn away from their sins, and they continue to live as the rest of the world lives.
8. "But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick [sacrificial animals who are of little financial value to you], is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?" says the Lord of hosts.
This is an interesting series of questions for each of us to answer from the depths of our soul.
Are we not seeking to be people-pleasers more than pleasers of the Lord?
God keeps trying to turn us back to Him, but in the meantime, He will actually speak judgment against us.
9. "But now will you not entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us? With such an offering [an offering not from a repentant heart, but an offering only for show] on your part, will He receive any of you kindly?" says the Lord of hosts.
10. "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you," says the Lord of hosts, "nor will I accept an offering from you."
Is what we are offering to the Lord our God acceptable to Him?
Does He say to us, "You are My beloved child with whom I am well pleased?"
Our offering should be acceptable.
And He should say this to us.
That is, if we are truly Christians.
Look around the world!
What do you see?
Do you see any real evidence that people are living Christ-like lives that accepts Jesus as the final sacrifice, and thus live in peace with the whole of creation?
Or, do you see millions of people and billions of animals being sacrificed to the gods of war and lust?
There are very few sweet smelling incense and thankful grain offerings.
In Isaiah 42:1-4, note what the prophet tells us of Jesus and of all who are truly committed servants of the Lord – those in whom He is well pleased:
1. "Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;
My chosen one in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the nations.
2. "He will not cry out or raise His voice,
Nor make His voice heard in the street.
3. "A bruised reed He will not break,
And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.
4. "He will not be disheartened or crushed,
Until He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law."
The millions of people and billions of animals being sacrificed to the gods of war and lust are the bruised reeds whom our Savior would break, yet most people who consider themselves to be Christian participate in extinguishing the light of their lives.
And, where are we in all of this?
If we are truly Christians, if we are truly Christ-like, the power of the Holy Spirit will be upon us.
If we are really Christians, we will not pay back evil for evil, but will reach out a forgiving hand.
If we are really Christians, we will never talk to others of the sins of other believers who have slipped in the walk; instead we will help them walk again.
If we are really Christians, we will never throw anyone away, or give up on them; but we will continue to extend our love to them, and encourage them to be stronger.
If we are really Christians, we will not discourage the weakest and flickering lights of Christ in others, no matter what they have done; but we will help their light to become brighter, so that they may be able to see for themselves where they have gone astray.
And if we are truly pleasing to our Father, we will not become disheartened or discouraged, or crushed by the evil we see around us, even from those who should know better; for we should understand that our Father knows what is going on, and that we are His beloved children who are to bring truth and justice to the world around us, not so much by what we say, but by what we do.
I suppose the reason I mention these things is the same reason that Peter mentioned similar things in his second epistle. Note what we are told in 2 Peter 1:12f.
12. Therefore, I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.
13. And I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,
14. knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
15. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind.
We all need to be reminded of the truth of the word of God from time to time, even every week; for the cares of the world and the pressures of everyday life have a tendency to draw us away, cloud the truth, and sometimes make us want to give up.
Peter didn't give up, even when he knew he was going to be killed, shortly.
Jesus didn't give up even when He was upon the cross.
We can hold on to the truth.
We can hold on to the things that are good and kind and loving, even though from time to time we may have to be reminded.
We don't have to be like the hypocrites around us, who profess one thing and go off and do another; we can hold fast.
We can dare to be different.
We can dare to be Christ-like.
We can each be God's beloved child with whom He is well pleased.
Amen.
<:))))><<
Your Friend
Ramona P.
CHILDREN IN WHOM HE IS WELL PLEASED?
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES:
Psalms 2:7
Isaiah 42:1-4
Malachi 1:6-11
Luke 3:21-22
2 Peter 1:12-15
Preparation Verse: (Psalms 2:7)
I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to me, "You are my son, today I have begotten you."
To say that someone is a Christian is to say that they are Christ-like in character, that they follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and that they have an influence upon the world around them as Jesus Christ had when He walked the earth.
To be a true Christian is to be more than just a believer.
To be a true Christian is to be a whole lot more than words.
To be a true Christian is to have God speak of us as He did of Jesus when He was baptized.
Listen to what we are told in Luke 3:21-22 –
21. Now it came about when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,
22. and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased."
The power to live this Christ-like life, and to have the Lord speak of us in this manner, comes from the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.
And if Christians are respected in the land, then the name of the Lord will also be respected.
It will be as Malachi tells us in 1:11–
11. "For from the rising of the sun, even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations," says the Lord of hosts.
Note carefully the words we just read; for when the name of the Lord is truly upheld and honored in the world around us, then the offerings to the Lord are in the form of the sweet smell of incense and of the thank offering of grain.
There is no need for the sin offering.
There is no need for the shedding of innocent blood to cover the soul of the guilty, for the former guilty ones will be doing what is acceptable and pleasing before the Lord.
This is the way that our community and the world should be.
But honestly look around us.
If you were in God's shoes, and looked down from heaven upon us, what would you say of us?
Move back to Malachi 1:6f and see if you wouldn't question us, as God is doing in this passage?
6. " 'A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?' says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, 'How have we despised Thy name?'
Our Father so much wants to say to us, "You are My beloved child with whom I am well pleased."
He doesn't want to speak to us, and question us, as He is doing here through Malachi.
7. "You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, 'How have we defiled Thee?' In that you say, 'The table of the Lord is to be despised.'
Many so-called Christians around us are like these Hebrews.
These Christians say that they believe; yet by their very lives, they say that they do not, for they defile the atoning blood of Jesus, in that they refuse to turn away from their sins, and they continue to live as the rest of the world lives.
8. "But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick [sacrificial animals who are of little financial value to you], is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?" says the Lord of hosts.
This is an interesting series of questions for each of us to answer from the depths of our soul.
Are we not seeking to be people-pleasers more than pleasers of the Lord?
God keeps trying to turn us back to Him, but in the meantime, He will actually speak judgment against us.
9. "But now will you not entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us? With such an offering [an offering not from a repentant heart, but an offering only for show] on your part, will He receive any of you kindly?" says the Lord of hosts.
10. "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you," says the Lord of hosts, "nor will I accept an offering from you."
Is what we are offering to the Lord our God acceptable to Him?
Does He say to us, "You are My beloved child with whom I am well pleased?"
Our offering should be acceptable.
And He should say this to us.
That is, if we are truly Christians.
Look around the world!
What do you see?
Do you see any real evidence that people are living Christ-like lives that accepts Jesus as the final sacrifice, and thus live in peace with the whole of creation?
Or, do you see millions of people and billions of animals being sacrificed to the gods of war and lust?
There are very few sweet smelling incense and thankful grain offerings.
In Isaiah 42:1-4, note what the prophet tells us of Jesus and of all who are truly committed servants of the Lord – those in whom He is well pleased:
1. "Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;
My chosen one in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the nations.
2. "He will not cry out or raise His voice,
Nor make His voice heard in the street.
3. "A bruised reed He will not break,
And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.
4. "He will not be disheartened or crushed,
Until He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law."
The millions of people and billions of animals being sacrificed to the gods of war and lust are the bruised reeds whom our Savior would break, yet most people who consider themselves to be Christian participate in extinguishing the light of their lives.
And, where are we in all of this?
If we are truly Christians, if we are truly Christ-like, the power of the Holy Spirit will be upon us.
If we are really Christians, we will not pay back evil for evil, but will reach out a forgiving hand.
If we are really Christians, we will never talk to others of the sins of other believers who have slipped in the walk; instead we will help them walk again.
If we are really Christians, we will never throw anyone away, or give up on them; but we will continue to extend our love to them, and encourage them to be stronger.
If we are really Christians, we will not discourage the weakest and flickering lights of Christ in others, no matter what they have done; but we will help their light to become brighter, so that they may be able to see for themselves where they have gone astray.
And if we are truly pleasing to our Father, we will not become disheartened or discouraged, or crushed by the evil we see around us, even from those who should know better; for we should understand that our Father knows what is going on, and that we are His beloved children who are to bring truth and justice to the world around us, not so much by what we say, but by what we do.
I suppose the reason I mention these things is the same reason that Peter mentioned similar things in his second epistle. Note what we are told in 2 Peter 1:12f.
12. Therefore, I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.
13. And I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,
14. knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
15. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind.
We all need to be reminded of the truth of the word of God from time to time, even every week; for the cares of the world and the pressures of everyday life have a tendency to draw us away, cloud the truth, and sometimes make us want to give up.
Peter didn't give up, even when he knew he was going to be killed, shortly.
Jesus didn't give up even when He was upon the cross.
We can hold on to the truth.
We can hold on to the things that are good and kind and loving, even though from time to time we may have to be reminded.
We don't have to be like the hypocrites around us, who profess one thing and go off and do another; we can hold fast.
We can dare to be different.
We can dare to be Christ-like.
We can each be God's beloved child with whom He is well pleased.
Amen.
<:))))><<
Your Friend
Ramona P.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ramona P. Jacobsz on -
Dearest Ron
Your "depth" is so amazing... and your truthfulness is admirable... Jesus needs more disciples like you. So many people who call themselves Christians do not appear to be Christ Followers... but I know as I know that you are a Disciple!
Be blessed and know that I love you in Christ
<:))))><<
Your Friend
Ramona P.
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Permalink Reply by Ramona P. Jacobsz on
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Dearest Ron
The deepest "depth" lies within you... love your "beatitude"...
<:))))><<
Your Friend
Ramona P.
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Permalink Reply by PoemiaDei on -
Ron, thanks for leading me to Ramona's blog. And Ramona, thanks for a frank observation and a bold expression of what prevails in the name of Christianity today.
It's good you linked this malaise among professing Christians with the pretenses of the Old Testament people of God. Because both conditions are symptoms of the same illness - unregenerate religious people trying, or more likely pretending, by the flesh to please God.
It's a greater disaster in this present time because God, acknowledging the basic root of the problem in the Old Testament was the unregenerate, spiritually dead nature of mankind, provided the solution which we have access to today - Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the wordl; the grace of God that brings genuine salvation in Christ; the power of God to make new creatures in Christ. But how many are really aware of and accept this solution today? As Ron points out, we have to accept Jesus' declaration that the way to Life is narrow, and few there are who walk in it.
The bulk of Jewish religious people in the Old Testament, in their attempt to deal with their sins, saw and practised only the ritualism and legalism of the Law (the Torah) which merely covered their sins periodically. Of course, some saw beyond that and, like David, turn with faith to God to create in them new hearts and pure spirits. But we have the New Testament in which we are told about Jesus' effective and accomplished work to actually and effectively deal with the sin problem in us.
For instance, we read in Hebrews 9:24-26:
24: For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25: not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another--
26: He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
So God has provided the solution to the root problem of religiously pretensive and self-righteous people - Jesus Christ came to put away sin by the sacrifcie of Himself.
But what complicates the matter in the present time, and is also a part of the problem, is that what people are hearing as the Gospel is really a rehash of the Old Testament Law and the Prophet pronouncements of do's and don't's and the evils and punishments of the disobedients. The true Gospel which produces faith in the power of the grace of God to take away sin and transform sinners into saints in Christ, the old man into a new man in Christ, self-righteousness into the righteousness of God in Christ, the weakness and infirmities of striving religious zealots into the strength and perfection of Christ in humble and yielding believers, and so on, is scarcely presented today in its purity and boldness.
Nonetheless, let us not be gloomy. The lamentable condition that prevails among so many professing Christians today is for our humiliation and acknowledgment of the truth that salvation is of God and only through Christ - not a prodcut of preachers' zeal and manipulations, nor for producing mega entertaining church assemblies.
And in the midst of all the gloom let us see a real true Church, the Body of Christ, by the grace of God in Christ emerging from among Adam's fallen race as God said it would be. True Christians have not vanished from this world - never were they. The Lord is buidling His Church in Him and the gates of Hell has never prevailed and shall never prevail against it.
History records, like our natural eyes see today, only the rise and wane of the nominal Church of professing Christians. But like Elijah discovered in a time of great apostasy in Israel, in every generation there is always a remnant He, who alone can save and keep from stumbling, reserves for Himself and for His glory and also as well for His merciful light and standard for apostate nations to return to.
So, let us cheer up. The Lamb who was slain to take away the sins of humanity and to bring forth true Christians is now the Lamb on the Throne in complete charge of the project. And all who really look to Him are saved. And this is He our Gospel should point to - and let us banish all the rehashed psychology and sociology of self-effort righteousness which have distorted and made ineffective the type of Gospel being preached today.
We read in 2 Timothy 2:13-19
13: If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.14: Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
15: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16: But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
17: And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,
18: who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
19: Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
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Permalink Reply by Ramona P. Jacobsz on
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Dear Friend (PomeiDei)
What a blessing you are... I read your comment with grave interest and I praise God for yet another DISCIPLE!!! Indeed a Christ Follower.
And I reiterate:
We all need to be reminded of the truth of the word of God from time to time, even every week; for the cares of the world and the pressures of everyday life have a tendency to draw us away, cloud the truth, and sometimes make us want to give up.
Peter didn't give up, even when he knew he was going to be killed, shortly.
Jesus didn't give up even when He was upon the cross.
We can hold on to the truth.
We can hold on to the things that are good and kind and loving, even though from time to time we may have to be reminded.
We don't have to be like the hypocrites around us, who profess one thing and go off and do another; we can hold fast.
We can dare to be different.
We can dare to be Christ-like.
We can each be God's beloved child with whom He is well pleased.
Halleluja! I have met yet another DISCIPLE :POMEI DEI... (Praise the Lord!)
<:))))><<
Your Friend
Ramona P.
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Permalink Reply by PoemiaDei on
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Amen. I am so inspired meeting people like you in this spiritual desert we are journeying. Thanks for your exhortation and your faithfulness to the faith. Let us keep on the path. He is leading, and that's enough. Because it certainly is not a popular road. I am praying for you. May the Holy Spirit keep the fire burning. We need you.
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Permalink Reply by Ramona P. Jacobsz on
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DEAREST POEMIADEI
MANY THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU MIGHTILY!
<:))))><<
Your Friend
Ramona P.
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Permalink Reply by Stephen on -
Brothers and sisters,
I have come to understand that truth leads us into love and both require of us introspect.
I wonder if many people see themselves as sinfull? I personally have had to come to that conclusion. Truth led me there. And I have to say that it wasn't the occaisional extra piece of cake or the Slip of the tongue that condemed me. I had to admitt that I was the reason heaven went through what it did. I now realize It wasn't just my wrongdoing that my lord died for but rather more what I am. My evil deeds are a result of my nature. It is natural for me to sin and that is what separates me from God. I needed a total "overhaul". I needed to be a new "creature" with new motives,inclinations and a new heart!
If I confuse past tense with present I see no error in that as I still see much in myself that my lord needs to work with. I am a work in progress. Praise God at least now I am not a slave to sin anymore! I am free! That freedom lies in the fact that Jesus came to die not so much for what we do but for who we are.
In his love, Stephen
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Permalink Reply by Ramona P. Jacobsz on
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amen dearest brother...
When we realize why and for whom Jesus died... we see the light!
<:))))><<
Your Friend
Ramona P.
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