Myth, 64

~ People Are Basically Good ~

Introduction  ~  This is the basis of a great divide in underlying philosophies.  Many people believe that mankind is basically good and when experience violates that belief the answers are always the same two.  More money and more education will solve the individual and societal problems. 

On the other-hand there are those who believe that our Creator created all things good but gave man – the creative ability of thinking situations through and making decisions.  This necessarily required the ability to make great or faulty decisions.  But our first ancestors misused this free will they had been given.  The Bible tells us the first man and woman failed and made bad choices and that the consequences have been with all of mankind ever since.  All of mankind since Adam and Eve has inherited this sinful nature. 

Scripture  ~  “For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22b-23).

Side Note  ~  There is a common answer to many routine questions today which is, “I’m good.”  For example, at the dinner table if one is asked if they’d like more potatoes the answer might be, “I’m good!”  The fact of the matter is no one is good – but they can be seen as sinless and perfect in God’s eyes if they have taken on the righteousness of Jesus Christ through His plan of salvation laid out in the Bible. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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NOTES:

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Fear God, 189

~ Jesus Christ, Himself, Feared God His Father ~

God does not want His children living in fear.  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).  However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him.  We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”  

This Week’s Passage  ~  “So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You.’  As He also says in another place: ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’; who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His Godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:5-8).

Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 

Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).  The answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.

Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

3-Stage Revival

~ Genuine Revival Happens in 3 Sequential Stages ~

Revive Me (individual)  ~  “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.  The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands” (Psalm 138:7-8). 

Revive Us (local fellowship of believers)  ~  “Revive us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease.  Will You be angry with us forever?  Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?  Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?  Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation” (Psalm 85:4-7).

Revive Your Work (effectiveness of the fellowship)  ~  “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, on Shigionoth.  O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!  In the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:1-2). 

Comment  ~  When we consider these three separate passages we see a correct Biblical principle.  Revival starts as a divine work in the heart of an individual, spreads to a larger group, and results in increased effectiveness of the Body of Christ—His Church. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .