Who will render to every man according to his deeds

Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 

Rom 2:5 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; 

Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 

Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 

Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 

Rom 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 

Rom 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 

Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

*******

Truth. This is truth we don't like to hear. We don't like to hear it because it is truth that calls for the things we call 'works', and when we call them 'works', we tell ourselves that we are not saved by 'works' and therefore don't have to concern ourselves with them.

Such a convoluted situation. 

We read this--

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Jas 2:18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Jas 2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Jas 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

The truth we are saved by GRACE.

We are saved by JESUS CHRIST.

We believe- this is faith.

We believe and from that belief we obey, and from that obedience we live.

If we obeyed without belief, without faith,  what would that mean? If we obey God without believe in God's Son and the sacrifice of His Son, what would that mean?

Before Christ came, those who believed in God followed ceremonial laws. After Christ came those laws were no longer  valid. Belief- faith in Christ Jesus our Lord and His Sacrifice for us is TRUTH. 

If we don't obey the truth, believe the truth, we have nothing.

When we do not live the truth - Christ in us, the Holy Spirit in us will convict us of the truth we need to live. 

We fail and our hearts ache, our emotions tell us we are hopeless, and that must remind us Christ is our hope! He is truth!

When we read about 'Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds' - We shouldn't fear.  We should comprehend that we find FORGIVENESS in CHRIST.

More on this tomorrow by the GRACE and MERCY of our LORD!

A new and living way

A new and living way.

Ceremonies had their place, they had their purpose.  The thing is- a ceremony that is imperfect from the beginning, something to hold to until a more perfect way is found, must be discarded once the new way is revealed.  We do this all the time- out with the old in with the new - it's a constant in many things.  I'm not saying ALL old things are replaced- we have many buildings, many moral laws and such that will never be replaced. Truth will never be replaced.  In the very beginning right after the first sin was committed by human kind God revealed a plan-

Gen 3:14  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

Gen 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

TRUTH.

 Before Moses and the ceremonial laws were enacted this truth was given. There would come a SEED - a descendent of the human race that would destroy Satan.

God's people knew of this so they KNEW at some point in time a SEED- a Descendent would come. 

The LAMB of God- symbolic of the SAVIOR to be sacrificed.  Jesus became the NEW WAY- the ceremonies were only temporary- put in place until the better WAY could come.  And the better way did come!

Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God;

Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching

More tomorrow by the grace of our LORD- JESUS CHRIST!

Amen!

A devout man

Act 10:1  There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

Act 10:2  A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

Act 10:3  He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

Act 10:4  And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

A devout man-

Feared God- as all in his household.

Gave much alms to people.

Prayed to God always.

A devout man.

Are we devout people?

We desire God to hear our prayers, to accept our offerings in the form of giving to others, we don't pray without believing God hears, do we? Why would we? What sense is there in praying if we can't believe God hears?

Here was a man - a devout man, a devout believer. An angel came to this man and told him that his prayers and alms were seen by God- a memorial before God. God wanted to reward such a memorial and how did He reward it? With riches? No. With  glory? No.  With worldly things? No. He sent one of Jesus' disciples, the apostle Peter to him to open His eyes to the truth of salvation through Jesus!  What a BLESSING!

This devout man was NOT A JEW.

This devout man that God heard was UNCLEAN according to Jewish ways.

God specifically honored this man, Cornelius, by sending Peter to him to bring him the message of salvation, to give him the truth.

God blessed Peter in this as well, revealing to Peter the truth of His love - which is for ALL, not just for the Jewish people, but ALL.

I'm not Jewish, but I believe in God, I believe in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ!  By the grace of our SAVIOR I can belong to Him, I can be a child of the King! I can be an heir of salvation!

I long to be devout as Cornelius was devout, and by God's grace I can be, He can be -in me! 

All by the grace of our LORD and SAVIOR- JESUS CHRIST!

Please Holy Spirit, please….

Off with the old, on with the new

To renew something is to take something that is old and make it like new.  We need to be made new.

Col 3:9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Col_3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him

Renewed IN KNOWLEDGE.

How do we expect to be renewed in knowledge if we aren't acquiring knowledge? Seriously. Some people fully believe they know ENOUGH about God, about the Bible, about Jesus Christ.  They believe they learned of it all at some point in time enough for them to not need to learn any more. They might believe they renew that knowledge when they pray and maybe they do. Maybe for some it's all they have. Maybe I'm wrong it's a very real possibility. But I do know that if we have access to learn more of our Savior we must strive to do that, right?  I'm not saying we can EARN salvation I will NEVER say that, and I hope I NEVER imply that either. God's word tells me this--

I have put on the new man and that new man is renewed in knowledge of God.

Knowing God, knowledge of God. 

If God's word tells us not to lie to one another because we've put off the old man and the things of the old man, then that is truth. If God's word tells us we have put on the new man, and that new man is renewed by knowledge, then we must have knowledge and the ability to gain knowledge.  Our knowledge of God is something we must NEVER lose sight of. Our knowledge of God is something that must go before us in all things!  Our knowledge of God whether it's through a deep study of the Bible on a daily basis or through knowing a single passage that we've taken to our heart, must be the knowledge of God that renews us, transforms us!  Knowing God in a simply way could truly be all we need, more so than a million hours of studying that have yet to penetrate our hearts.  We must NEVER believe we know enough of God. We must always strive to know Him, through Him.  God will teach us if not from His word, then from life itself.

Eph_4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Put on the new man.  The new man- through God is created in Christ's righteousness, and true holiness.

2Co_5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

If we are in Christ we are NEW creatures.

New in Christ.

A daily rebirth! 

Is it any wonder our Savior taught us to pray for daily bread?

Christ is our bread, the bread of life! Daily we need to be renewed in HIM.  This is truth! This is CHOICE. This is LOVE. This is GOD.

A daily renewal, a daily transformation, a daily learning, a daily growth all in CHRIST, through CHRIST!

By HIS GRACE and MERCY!

IN HIS LOVE!

May we be renewed, may we be transformed!

Amen.

Transformed Renewed

TRANSFORMED

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind

RENEWED

We are in need of a transformation. Every single one of us needs to be transformed. I can say this and for a lot of people (not all) but a lot will know what I mean when I say - like the movies/tv show/toys Transformers, we KNOW what it means to be a transformer. 

Those toys are one thing which transforms into another.  Unlike the transformer toys etc. which transform back and forth in and out of their transformed characters, when we are transformed it's supposed to be a PERMANENT transformation.

Our transformation takes place as our MINDS are RENEWED.  Again, unlike the toys are transformations are not something built into us. Some will never transform because they choose not to do so.

Our old minds are renewed.

To renew something is to take something that is old and make it like new.  We need to be made new.

Col_3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him

Eph_4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

2Co_5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

More tomorrow by the grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST!

Conforming or Transforming?

This world.

Conform to THIS world,  OR be TRANSFORMED.

Conform or transform.  Which do you choose?

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Be NOT CONFORMED-

Exo 23:2  Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil

How many are doing just that? Following the world and its multitudes to do evil- and remember evil  encompasses all things that are not of God's truth.  You might not be out there worshipping Satan, but you could be worshipping Satan in disguise if you put your trust into those who are NOT of the truth.  How EASY it is to follow the multitude. Time and time again it's proven how people will follow the multitudes rather than stand out. People choose to CONFORM more readily than they do to be non-conformist.  And even a lot of 'so-call' non-conformist are only non-conformist in a GROUP of non-conformist- having FORMED to their own group, and very few would go outside that group of non-conformists.  CONFORM or be TRANSFORMED.

Joh 7:7  The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

When we LIVE for our SAVIOR and are transformed by HIM, any hatred directed towards us because we've refused to conform to the world, is in reality hatred towards our Savior who has TESTIFIED that the world's works are EVIL!

If we CONFORM to the world we are conforming to EVIL.

Joh 14:30  Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

The prince of this world-- SATAN!  Is it any wonder we are NOT TO BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD?!

Joh 15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Truth!   We are CHOSEN OUT OF THE WORLD!  We are to be TRANSFORMED now!

Joh 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Joh 17:15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Joh 17:16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

NOT of this world!

JESUS was NOT of this world!

Transformed, not conformed!

1Co 3:19  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

This world has NOTHING on God!

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2Co 4:5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

The god of THIS world BLINDS the minds of unbelievers!

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Eph 2:2  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:

Eph 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.

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

In TIMES PAST- we walked according to THIS world.

CHRIST saves us! CHRIST IN US! TRANSFORMING US!

Eph 4:17  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

WALK NOT!

Eph 4:18  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Eph 4:19  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Eph 4:20  But ye have not so learned Christ;

Eph 4:21  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

Eph 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

PUT OFF!

Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

BE RENEWED!

Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

PUT ON!

Eph 4:25  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

PUTTING AWAY!

Eph 4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Eph 4:27  Neither give place to the devil.

Eph 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Jas 4:4  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

FRIENDSHIP of the world is ENMITY with GOD!

FRIEND to the world ENEMY of God!

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

1Pe 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.

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1Jn 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.

1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

LOVE NOT the world!

LOVE NOT the things in the world!

1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1Jn 4:5  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

1Jn 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Rev 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

More tomorrow on all of this by the GRACE of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST! Now and forever!!!

Amen!  

The law- ordained by angels

Act 7:53  Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

Psa 68:17  The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

Gal 3:19  Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

*

The law and angels.

The law was added because of transgressions- the ceremonial law. The ceremonies that pointed to forgiveness when one would break the moral law.  We know that sin is the transgression of the law. The moral laws were in existence before the world was created.  Adam and Eve couldn't have sinned without breaking the law- disobeying God, no longer putting God first, not having other Gods before Him, not taking His name in vain.  They disobeyed God and the unspoken moral law, the law that COULD be written on HEARTS.

2Co_3:3  Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart

Psa 40:8  I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Jer 31:33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Eze 36:25  Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Eze 36:26  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Eze 36:27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Heb 10:16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them

We were created with the law of God written on our hearts and when we transgressed that law in our hearts we were in need of salvation, to be saved from the sin we committed.

The law had to be written in stone as many years since sin began had hardened the hearts of the people so they no longer had that law written in their hearts.  With the moral law written on tablets of stone and set before them, their minds could witness those laws and comprehend their transgressions. They could recognize their need of a Savior. They could recognize that they could NOT save themselves!

Please Father in heaven, please help us to recognize our need and save us from ourselves and our sins! Create in us CLEAN hearts. Renew Your Spirit within us! Write Your laws on the tables of our HEART! Please LORD, please we would be YOURS saved by Grace!

In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.