Why it important to confess our sins in order to receive forgiveness?
In order to answer that question we must understand exactly what it means to confess.
According to the Greek translation to confess or homologeō means to acknowledge but it also means to profess.
To make a confession is to admit to one’s faults but it also means to admit to one’s belief.
To make a profession is to declare or admit openly. This means to state audibly using words.
Now these words have slightly different meanings in English but in the Greek language it literally means “to say it and to speak the same.”
This scripture translated in English says: ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1 :9
With the Greek word homologeō it is translated in effect as this: “If we say or speak the same thing that God says about our sins we can be forgiven from our sin and purified from all unrighteousness. “
This is very significant because there are many today who claim to know Jesus as their Savior but they deny him by rejecting what his word has to say about sin.
If one does not confess their sin by admitting that their lifestyle is not lining up with what God says is sin in the Bible then according to the Bible these people are liars and deceivers.
1John 3:9-18 1 John 2:15 Romans 6 John 8:44 1 Timothy 4:1 Revelation 21 :8 2 John 1:10,12 Mathew 7:13,14
In fact some today even reject the absolute authority of scriptures as the infallible word of the living God. They deny God’s word because they are not born again of his word and of his Spirit.
Again scriptures tell us that “if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord you shall be saved.” Roman’s 10:9
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10
Jesus must be confessed as Lord of our lives in order to be considered by his standards a child of God. Not just Savior.
Today we have many who want Jesus to be their Savior but not their Lord but it does not work that way.
If we do not confess what God calls sin as sin in our lives and if we do not receive Jesus Christ as Lord as well as Savior then no salvation will occur.
It does not matter if we go to church, sing worship songs, raise our hands, jump up and down or shout hallelujah. If we do not confess our sins and confess Jesus as both Savior and Lord we can not be saved.
Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Luke 15:21
I acknowledged my sin to you [God], and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Psalm 32:5
To make a confession is to declare and profess openly and audibly. Why is it important to speak our confession out loud?
First of all what is in the open is in the light. Second of all speaking with the mouth solidifies a confession like an oral contract. Making admission is declaring allegiance. Both to God and before the angels and so the powers of darkness know where you stand.
We in effect come into contract or have declared our lives as belonging to Jesus Christ the Lord.
If you have not confessed your sin to the Lord Jesus Christ or received him as your Lord today then today is the day!
If you hear his voice speaking to your heart then confess your sin before him out loud and turn from the sin, receiving Jesus Christ as both your Savior and Lord.
What does the Bible say about women preachers and teachers?
1 Timothy 2:11-15 scripture is used by some Christians to forbid women to have preaching and teaching positions in the church.
On closer examination of scriptures we see another position entirely.
1 Timothy 2:11-15 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
This verse seems to be saying that allowing women to teach men would be giving them “authority over a man,” but on closer examination we can see something else entirely is being presented.
The Greek word authenteo for authority occurs in this verse but no nowhere else in the entire New Testament. While the word authenteo has been translated as “authority” in nearly all English versions of the Bible, it is not the same word as exousia. The word used for “authority” in many other passages of scripture.
Let us look at the difference in these two words.
authenteo
One who with his own hands kills another or himself. One who acts on his own authority. Autocratic. An absolute master. To govern, exercise dominion over one.
exousia
Power of choice. Liberty of doing as one pleases. Leave or permission,physical and mental power. The ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege) The power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed) universally authority over mankind. Specifically the power of judicial decisions of authority to manage domestic affairs. A thing subject to authority or rule. Jurisdiction. One who possesses authority, a ruler, a human magistrate,the leading and more powerful among created beings. Superior to man, spiritual potentates. A sign of the husband’s authority over his wife. The veil with which propriety required a women to cover herself. The sign of regal authority, a crown
Now why do you think the word authenteo is used instead of the more common usages of the word exousia?
According to Gnostic teaching, Eve was not deceived because she was the illuminator and all-wise mother goddess and was created before man. She was superior to him and his teacher.
Timothy corrects this false teaching by saying that only One is all-wise, and that is God Himself. So what Timothy was saying is this .
“I am not allowing (present tense for that situation) a woman to teach or to proclaim herself the originator of man (authenteo). Adam was formed first, then Eve.”
This mother-goddess heresy and emerging gnosticism in First and Second Timothy and Titus, makes it clear that Paul was bringing correction in 1 Timothy 2:11-15 to this heresy.
He was correcting women who were teaching this heresy.
For more info, this article has quotes from the Gnostic texts.
If this scripture was meant universally rather than to a specific situation it would have been stated more in the rest of scriptures, (1 Corinthians 2:13) and it was not. In actuality women did teach men and held significant places as leaders in the church (Acts 18:26;21:9; Rom. 16:1,3,7).
In the Old Testament, we find women teaching men. (2 kings 22:14; Proverbs 1:8;31:26; and Micah 6:4.)
So we can see that women can teach both men and women in the scriptures but they are not to be over men in a superior position as the Gnostic doctrine elevates women.
For more information about the eve goddess of wisdom heresy check out this link.
Now lets take a look at what the Bible has to say about women preaching the word of God in other scriptures. Remember that to discern the truth we must always compare scriptures with scriptures.
The Bible tell us that in the last days women will prophecy. What does it mean to prophecy? To speak under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; Acts 2:17
Also the name Junia is a Latin female name. Based on this assertion we can see that women were active in the ministry.
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.Romans 16:7
Scriptures tell us that Jesus not only liberated slaves and made Gentiles equal to Jews but he also made women equal to men. Different but equal.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
Here is another scripture indicating that women were active in ministry.
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.Philippians 4: 2,3
The Old Testament tells us that women taught.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.Proverbs 31:26
A prophetess speaks the word of the Lord to both men and women. Remember that prophecy is for edification, comfort AND instruction.
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to Godand to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.Luke 2:36-38
Prophetess speak on behalf of God. They speak his words to the people. Men and women.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,Romans 16:3
A husband and wife team in the ministry
The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host: Psalm 68:11
To announce is to preach and teach. To proclaim.
And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died. And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years. Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. Judges 4:1-24
To bring “judgment” is to teach and instruct in righteousness.
I Commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.” Romans 16:1-2 (NIV)
It is interesting how the king James version translates the word to servant when the Greek word actually means deaconess.
What is a deaconess?
One who ministers to the sheep.
Lastly let us not forget the Samaritan women who was not only a sinner, rejected by the religious people of Jesus’ day but a woman that Jesus ministered to at a well. She went about proclaiming the gospel to both men and women.
“Come and see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?” (John 4:29).
Many “began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me everything I have done’” (John 4:39).
Historically speaking it was mostly women who went out on the mission field to preach the gospel. They preached to both men and women.
So as you can see the Lord calls both men and women to preach and teach his word to anyone with ears to hear.
The Scriptures tell us that God has magnified his word above all his name. (Psalms 138:2)
Magnified in Hebrew is gâdal which means to lift up in power, high estate, to increase and grow.
God magnifies his commandments, his speech, his word both written and oral above all his name, shêm which means individual position, honor and authority, renown.
The reason for this is that a person’s word proves their name. If my word does not back up my name then my name has no credibility. It’s discredited if I do not honor my word.
Have you ever had any “friends” like that? I have. Say they will do something and they don’t. Talk a good talk but don’t do what they say? Yeah, not someone you can count on and so they end up on your “not reliable list.”
When one gives their word it is like drawing a contract. It is binding. To break one’s word dishonors one’s character and then their name is not worth very much. One’s name must back up their character.
The legal term in contract law is “good faith” which means fair dealings that are honest and sincere towards the other party in a contract.
In other words God’s name is only as good as his word.
When you enter into contract with another person whether a marriage or business contract for example the contract terms must be binding in order for that contract to have any credibility.
I can tell you what my name is or my company’s name but so what if I can’t back up the terms of the contract.
In the same way the name of Jesus is validated by his word. His contract with the other party.
The name of Jesus is honored and glorified because his word has preeminence.
In other words the word of God as laid down in scriptures (contract in writing) represents who Jesus is. All the word (Bible)had to say is all about who Jesus is and like every contract it must be entered into by two parties for the contract to be binding.
Jesus tells us in scriptures that he is the word. The significance of that is that he is what he says. 1 John tells us that in the beginning was the word. God’s word existed before anything in our natural realm existed.
The word was with God, that scripture goes on to say.
God’s word accompanies him at all times even from the moment of creation.
The word was God. Jesus is God’s word. God actually became flesh in order to demonstrate his word.
Like they say, talk is cheap or unless backed up by action is worthless but God not only spoke his word in the beginning and created our natural realm but he became his word through taking on flesh.
Jesus demonstrated who God was.
But it doesn’t stop there. Scriptures tell us that those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord become born again of his word. (1 Peter 1:22)
Now God’s seed can propagate the Kingdom of God in the earth. We are epistles read of all men. Not written in ink on tablets of stone (written law) to bring the message of reconciliation between God and man but in fleshly tablets of the heart. ( 2 Corinthians 3:3)
This is significant in regard to God’s word magnified above his name in that as God’s seed the Holy Spirit bears witness in the world that we are the sons of God. Therefore our representation in the world proclaim God’s word to the world. For we are temples of the Holy Spirit which demonstrates through us the word of God to every one we come in contact with.
In conclusion God’s word which represents who God is through the Holy Spirit is manifest through Jesus Christ and consequently through the born again person to manifest the Kingdom of God and bring reconciliation between God and mankind.
God has magnified his word above all his name. At the name of Jesus who is the word manifest in the flesh every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
According to Philippians 2:12, We are told to work out our own salvation with godly reverence. Then we are told in vs 13 that God works in us his desire and purpose.
On first glance this sounds like an oxymoron but when you look at the fact that the word “work” for vs 12 is a different word than vs 13 then you can see there are two different operations at play here.
In vrs 12 we are called to “work out” which uses the word katergazomai which means to accomplish something. To perform an action. To finish a task.
When we “work out” something we may be striving for a goal, working out kinks or finishing up a project.
The emphasis for that working out is on the self or the person. In other words we have to put in some effort to get the job done.
Paul talks about godly exercise. When we work out at a gym for our physical bodies It has some profit or benefit but when we exercise towards godliness the gains are much more beneficial because there are eternal benefits.
What are we working out? The Bible clearly tells us that we are to work out our salvation or sōtēria which means deliverance, health, preservation.
We are called to perform an action, accomplish a task or finish a project in regards to our health, preservation and deliverance.
There are some Christians who won’t like to hear this because they think because God is sovereign he just drops everything in our plate at his whim but it doesn’t work that way according to the Bible
The good news however is that God has given us a helper. He is called the Holy Spirit. He is our teacher and coach. Like a spotter when we are working out. The one who helps us lift the weight, carry the burden, and trains us to run the race.
Vrs 13 says that it is God who is at work in us to perform all his good pleasure. That word for work is energeō.
Translated it means activating power, effectual energy.
So in other words we are performing an action and the Holy Spirit is giving us his power to perform that action.
God is working in us by his Holy Spirit power releasing his energy in order for us to work out our salvation.
In order to be saved from our old sinful selves (sanctification)it is an on going process. The Bible tells us that we have been saved, are being saved and will be saved.
Jesus died once for our sin. He took our sins and also destroyed the power of sin. By doing that he saved us from eternal death and has given us eternal life.
Automatically when we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord we become a child of God born of his Holy Spirit and a joint heir with Jesus Christ but we still have to by the power of the Holy Spirit work out our salvation with reverence while we are living in this world.
Let me put it this way. When we give life to children they become our family. It is a natural birth and heritage. The children have our DNA. However as they grow their responsibility as our children become greater.
Let’s put it this way, just because you are my child does not mean that you don’t clean your room!
You will have to pick up your toys, make your bed and brush your teeth too!
It’s the same way in God’s kingdom. He expects us to pray, exercise our faith, read our bible, fast and clean our house!
He expects us to take the garbage out too. That means get rid of the sin stinking up his house.
As a parent we help our children along. Give encouragement, help rearrange furniture, put new sheets on the bed. It is the same with the Lord. He will give us his energeō to get the job done.
Do you need deliverance or healing today? Then get ready for your work out! Take up that bed and walk!
Believe God’s word. That’s your part. Exercise your faith and rely on Holy Spirit power to perform his part.
Do you need salvation? Need to be saved out of debt or discouragement? Need to be free from a bad habit?
Then work out your salvation with the Holy Spirit. Call on your coach to help you lift that weight, give you a word of wisdom, and lead you in the right direction.
If you try to work in your own power you will fall on your face but if through the power of the Holy Spirit that is in you, you “work out” your salvation then you will achieve your goal! You will get the victory! Accomplish the task and finish the race!
Why does Jesus say in scriptures that he comes like a thief in the night?
A thief sneaks in without anyone knowing to snatch something away. Jesus was referencing in this parable to his coming for his bride.
In Revelations 3:3 Jesus is reprimanding his church. In particular the church that was in Sardis. He tells them that if they don’t repent of dead works and strengthen their walk in the Lord by returning to him zealously and being watchful (watching in prayer) then as punishment for disobedience they would find Jesus coming to them as a thief in the night.
In other words, like a thief who comes unaware to the owner of the house, ,Jesus will come to snatch away his prepared bride but those luke-warm and not watching will be left behind.
This scripture reveals that there will be unrepentant believers left behind in the snatching away of his bride. Referred to by some as the rapture or translation of the Spirit.
In Matthew 25 Jesus talks about coming for his bride. There are 5 virgins with oil in their lamps and 5 virgins without oil. The 5 with oil were watching and waiting having their lamps filled with oil.
What is this oil? A Holy Spirit filled life. The other 5 virgins had the word. They knew what the Lord’s will was. They knew he said he would come to get them someday but these 5 did not take his word seriously. They were fooling around in the world. They thought they had lots of time but suddenly like a thief in the night the bridegroom came and they were left behind.
In 1 Peter 3:10- 11 it also says that the day of the Lord’s return is going to come like a thief in the night.
Peter goes on to exhort Christians to keep the Lord’s exhortation in mind. To walk worthy of our calling while we are here. Not walking in riotous living but in holiness and the fear of the Lord.
That is what Jesus was talking about. Having our oil burning. Having zeal in our walk with the Lord. Going about our Father’s buisness but at the same time having our eyes fixed on his return. Living in the world but not of this world.
Jesus told his people to be zealous and repent for not watching and living a Spirit filled life. He warned that if the owner of the house had been watching he would have known in what hour the thief would come.
Are you watching for the Lord’s return? Are you ready for his appearing? Is the oil in your lamp burning with zeal? If not return to the lover of your soul today! You do not know in what hour your Lord will appear!
According to scriptures, no one is righteousness. All men ,“are under sin.” (Romans 3:9; 5:12)
What is sin? According to the Bible definition, sin is evil offensive behavior contrary to God’s nature. That is behaviour perverse, crooked, or twisted from God’s original intent.
Sin is also rebellion against God’s authority. That is breaking away from, revolting and arguing against God’s laws which leads to straying away from him and his ways as defined by scripture.
Resulting in being defiled, unclean, unjust, wicked, lawless, a wanderer, seduced and having gone astray.
That pretty much sums it up.
The Bible says that if we offend in just one point of the law of God, we have fallen short of his righteous standards and are on the naughty list. This includes all of us. (James 2:10)
Scriptures tell us that all have sinned. All fall short of God’s law and all are declared to be sinners. (Romans 3:19) (Romans 5:12).
Since we are all sinners, astray from God we need a remedy. None of us can save ourselves. We are quiet the lost cause without some one to save us from our predicament!
But “I’m not that bad,” you may say. After all I have not committed anything so horrendous as to be considered wicked. On the contrary, God considers you wicked indeed! (Romans 3:10-18)
Let me explain. If I own an expensive silk shirt and I get a stain on it that cannot be removed by natural means, as it is quiet ground in, my shirt is soiled. Now it many not be dirty and grimy as some silk shirts but nevertheless it is still not fit to dress a King! Would you offer your soiled silk shirt to the King of kings? Of course not! (Isaiah 64:6).
All have broken God’s law according to the Bible. Jesus said that if you have anger in your heart towards any person then you have sinned. Hate in God’s eyes is the same thing as murder. If you look at a person lustfully, just a look mind you, then you have committed adultery in your heart!
I would say that we all have a stain on our silk shirts!
“For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
The standard of God’s law is absolute perfect obedience. Outside of God, no one qualifies as righteous. Now for my point. Since we are all declared sinners and headed to destruction, we really do need a remedy. (Romans 6:23).
What some people do not realized is that God’s mercy trumps over his judgment. (James 2:3) According to scriptures God so wants to save us from the consequences of sin that he sacrificially gave his life for ours!
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ(by grace you have been saved). (Ephesians 2:4-5)
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, being God’s heir, also deity, took on flesh and gave up his life as a sacrifice for our sins. In other words, the Son of God paid the penalty for our sins. He took our place, paid our punishment. (Romans 5:6-21)
This is good news! Only one condition. A condition? Yes, there is a condition. You see this great salvation only applies to those who receive it. Wait a minute, I thought you said God gave his life in exchange for mine? He did.
He paid a price to redeem you to himself. Not so you could continue in your sin. Oh, no that is not the exchange here. He gave his life up for you and in exchange you give your life to him. (Titus 2:14)
When you recognize your need and receive God’s great salvation by receiving the sacrifice for your sin through Jesus Christ the Savior, then God will supernaturally make you his child, having no sin accredited to your account. He will birth you into his kingdom as a brand-new babe by his Spirit.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:3, 5-6)
Then you can rejoice in God’s goodness to you! As his child the Lord will now lead you, provide for you, and bless you as you continue to walk with him even to the end of your life.
Search me O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)
O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You.” (Psalm 16:2)
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30)
According to the Bible salvation is through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. It is not based on strictly intellectual belief. Scriptures tell us that even the devils believe in Jesus Christ as Savior of the world. What they do not believe is in the redemptive power of the blood of Jesus Christ to save them. The devils cannot have faith in what is impossible for them to ever attain.
Paul asserts that the Galatians believed in Jesus Christ according to the law in the same way that the devils believe. They believed that Jesus shed his blood on the cross, died and rose again but what they did not believe was that the shed blood of Jesus Christ was enough to save them. They did not have faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
Just as the devils believe according to the law that blood must be shed for sin, they cannot partake of that sacrifice due to their rebellion. Those under the law cannot be saved either because the blood sacrifice does not apply to intellectual belief only. Law keepers add other things to the redemption of Jesus Christ at the cross.
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ shed his blood on our behalf. In order to have this sacrifice applied to us we must believe that what Jesus did was enough to save us. What needs to happen in order for salvation to occur is that we must have a revelation of the shed blood of Jesus Christ and faith in his blood to cleanse us from sin and keep us cleansed from sin.
Devils are notorious law keepers when it suits them. Satan accuses the Saints day and night before God’s throne. What can he accuse except violation of the law? The devils are still under the law!
Never can they understand the ministry of grace. The shed blood of Jesus Christ to save completely and thoroughly.
It is the same with the Law keepers. They wanted to remain under the law and be saved too but it does not work that way. The Bible specifically says that salvation is attained by having FAITH IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. This means that we must believe that the blood of Jesus Christ alone atones for sin, without adding anything to it whatsoever. Not one good deed, not one special day observed, not fasting, not denial of the flesh’s appetites, not eating special foods! Not a thing!
In order to be saved we must completely and totally have faith in the blood of Jesus alone to save us AND to keep us saved. Faith in the blood of Jesus alone JUSTIFIES. That means to be declared righteous or in right standing before God.
Jesus Christ died once for sin. IT IS FINISHED! His blood was enough to bring redemption. With a better covenant based on better promises we can live before him in holiness. Not only does faith in the blood of Jesus save us but faith in the blood of Jesus will also give us victory over sin and the devil! The blood of Jesus is continually working on our behalf. In time of need we can come into the throne room of God and claim the blood of Jesus as our redemption for sin, our healing, our deliverance and our victory!
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:9
Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood Rev. 1:5
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 Romans 3:25
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:9
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Hebrews 10:19
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. 1 John 1:7
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11
Are you saved? You might ask yourself, “What do I need saving from?”
The first thing everyone needs saving from is the wrath of God. What? Do you mean God is mad at me?
God is mad at destructive behaviors. Both to us and to others. Would you like to invite an infected person with a contagious disease to reside in your house? I didn’t think so.
Destructive behaviors are corrupting. God calls it sin or a disease of the heart. You might say to yourself. “Well, I’m not that bad! There are worst people than me out there!”
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10
While that may be true, you are still infected. Just one little symptom! One little bad deed. One little bad thought. One little bad attitude is enough to disqualify you from God’s presence both now and eternally.
Ever wonder why you do not see God or hear from God or feel God? Ever wonder why you feel condemned deep in your heart no matter what achievements you attain? It’s because you have that dreaded spiritual disease!
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
The Bible says that sin separates us from God! Unless you are inoculated with a spiritual antibody, you are lost!! Sounds harsh, but well, life is harsh. In reality, life is not so easy. This world is full of all kinds of dangers. All kinds of horrible things!
God has the answer for your situation, no matter what it is. You need God to save you from the disease of sin! Yes, you need to be preserved and delivered! You need to be saved from God’s wrath!
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:9
If you need saving, it only stands to reason that you need a Saviour!
Who can save me if I need to be saved? The answer is God himself. God will give you his inoculation. His anti-body! Then you can be disease free! You can have a relationship with God both in this life and eternity!
Jesus is God who took on human form. He became the antibody for sin. If you receive Jesus as your Savior, then you can be accepted by God. You can get to know him personally. God will make himself known to you. If you reject Jesus as your Savior, well, I don’t have to tell you how that will turn out.
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16
Another thing I should mention is, that if you can try to hide from the disease by wearing a mask, or washing till your skin bleeds, try to hide away in your own little world, a contagious disease will find you anyway. After all, a disease without an antibody spreads like hell.
God offers you his salvation today. It’s a free gift. God has a great health plan! There is nothing you have to do to earn it, either! His salvation is free with great benefits!
How do I sign up for this great salvation? The Bible says that whoever calls on Jesus Christ the Savior will be saved.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 190:13
Saved from sin, saved from God’s wrath, and saved for eternity!
Won’t you call on the Lord Jesus Christ to save you today? He will save you. He will heal you from all your diseases. (body, soul, and spirit) He will perfect what concerns you. He will prepare you for his return.
The Bible tells us that if we walk after the Spirit then we will not fulfill the desires of the carnal nature or our physical senses. What does it mean to walk after the Spirit? (Romans chapter 8)
To “walk after” actually means to be joined to or with. Paul differentiates between living in the Spirit and walking after the Spirit. (Gal. 5:25)
A believer can be made alive by the Holy Spirit and “live in” the Spirit or be baptized in the Spirit but not actually walking after the Spirit or walking in the spiritual realm.
Some Christians are still allowing their carnal nature to lead them. They trust in man’s word more than God’s word and they mind the things of the world rather than the things of the Spirit.
Some believers try following the law and discipline of the body to control their carnal nature . This route eventually leads to defeat because while the law many contain sin it cannot conquer it.
God gives us the remedy in his word to crucify the flesh. He says to be filled with the Spirit and then walk after the Spirit. This is not not just a one time thing. We see in Acts chapter 2 that when believers got the Holy Spirit power from on high they waited on the Lord again concerning Peter in Acts chapter 4 and they were all filled with the Spirit again.
This is important to take note of. Believers need to he continually filled with the Spirit in order to overcome the carnal nature and the world. Being filled with the Holy Spirit means to be immersed in or supplied with the Holy Spirit on a continual basis. This comes by seeking God in prayer and spending time in God’s word. When we seek the Lord and call on him to empower us to walk in his Spirit he will always answer!
Just because we got the Holy Spirit one time does not mean that the Holy Spirit is activated in our lives on a continual basis. A good analogy would be that if we are a cell phone and have a battery inside us that does not mean that battery is charged. We have to plug it in to charge it. This takes time. It’s the same with our bodies. The amount of time we spend charging our battery will be the amount of power we get in our lives.
So when we are filled with the Spirit then we can be led by the Spirit. This means that once our spirits are charged up in the Holy Spirit we become more sensitive to the things of the Spirit and can hear his voice and feel his promptings.
As we fill up with the Holy Spirit each day that old person will soon die and be rendered in operative. As we pray in the Spirit and sing in the Spirit which Paul recommends that we do then we will be empowered by the Spirit. That means when we get to the place where our spirit man is more dominant than our carnal nature we will actually be able to demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit according to our gifts and callings.
Born again believers live in varing degrees of the Spirit. None of us have managed to be as yielded to the Spirt like Enoch where we walked with God straight into glory but we should be moving closer in that direction all the time.
If we are filled with the Spirit then we can walk in the Spirit. When we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways he will direct our paths and then we are guaranteed to be successful by God’s standards. Then we can live as overcomers in this world.
If through the supply of the Spirit we are controlled by the Spirit then it will be automatic to yield to the Spirit. Our spirits being joined to God’s Spirit will enable us to live holy lives.
Those who are led by the Spirit scriptures tell us are the children of God but those who live according to the carnal nature will be defeated. Paul was talking to believers when he said that.
The unregenerate cannot reign in God’s kingdom. The carnal nature must be overcome and the way that we do it is not through rigorous religious exercise but through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5 tells us that our carnal nature will always fight against the Spirit but there is a remedy and that is being led by the Spirit of God. Being led by the Spirit can only come by being filled with the Spirit. When we fill up on the Holy Spirit every day then the Lord will direct our lives every day.
It is the Spirit that gives us life. It is the Spirit that enables believers to be salt and light in the earth. Without the Spirit we can do nothing for the flesh profits nothing. So as Paul says, let us put off the carnal nature and put on Christ. Let us be filled with the Holy Spirit like Jesus was and let us be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in victory every day!
When our carnal nature becomes so subdued that Jesus is truly Lord of our lives then as Jesus testified in his word, “Greater works shall you do because I go to the Father. “
My Words are Spirit and Life John 6:63 Word of God Gods Word Spirit and Life
“My words are Spirit and they are life” John 3:23
Jesus revealed that the words he spoke into the natural realm originated from the spiritual realm. He said that his words quicken or make alive. Jesus was in fact God’s word made flesh. He personified in human form the very life giving words of God to humanity. (John 3:34)
The flesh according to Jesus gives no profit. That means that the natural man cannot bring life. It is only the Holy Spirit that can give life!
Human ability, human resources and human words cannot bring any one life giving benefit. This is because of the sin nature residing in the hearts of the unsaved. Sin can only bring about corruption.
Humans can have a form of knowledge and a form of life but corruption will ultimately in the end be the final outcome of all human endeavors.
Jesus was trying to tell us the way to life. Not only eternal life but abundant life while we are in the earth. HIS words alone have the power ability to create life.
“My words are Spirit and they are life. ” John 3:23
Jesus wants us to have abundant life. This abundant life comes from HIS word. God creates his life in our lives by his word.
When we mediate on God’s word, pray God’s word, declare God’s word and sing God’s word life will be produced. That is why Satan twists God’s word, lies about God’s word and denies the power of God’s word.
Satan knows that if we get a hold of this revelation his deception will be shattered and we will become over comers! (John 10:10)
Jesus said MY WORDS ARE SPIRIT And THEY ARE AND LIFE. Now if the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in us then the same Spirit living in us can quicken our mortal body and make it alive unto God! Alive eternally and alive now! Alive with God’s life and liberty in Christ Jesus.
According to Proverbs 18:21 Our words can bring life or death. Words that are negative, filled with unbelief, and cursing bring non life or corruption but God’s word in our heart and in our mouth will produce life and life abundantly.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Jesus said in scriptures that, “if my words abide in you then you shall have whatever you ask for. ” John 15:7
God’s word alone can bless us in this life.
How does this life giving process come about? Jesus said FIRST the seed. God’s word is described as a seed. It can even be as small as a mustard seed which is very small. Seeds take time to germinate. They need sufficient water and an appropriate environment.
Then the blade grows. Sprouting occurs! Small miracles start to take place. Then with constant care the word will flower! Every one will see the evidence of God’s word in your life!
Lastly, the fruit appears. Small and green at first but again with proper care it will ripen! When the fruit from God’s word appears in our life then that is when others can partake of the goodness of the Lord through our testimony!
“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32
God’s word has life giving power to produce abundant fruit and keep us from corruption!
When we put God’s word in our heart, mediate on it, pray it and declare it then it will produce life and that more abundantly.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
Kim Balogh Author/Blogger 
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