Is That In The Bible? 19

~ God Helps Those Who Help Themselves ~

Many concepts are in the Bible—even though the exact wording is not.  The root idea here is individual responsibility.  This is found from the early pages of Scripture and throughout.  For example, consider the statement: “Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed’” (Genesis 12:1-3).  Yes, this concept is in the Bible! 

Scripture  ~  “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14-15). 

Comment  ~  Popular saying, “Pull yourselves up by your bootstraps.”  Have you ever tried (physically) to do that?  You would look silly trying to do that!  What is required is to recognize two sides of the same coin: you have absolute dependence upon God and at the same time you have an absolute responsibility before God.

Quote  ~  “With a proper understanding of our dependence upon God, we will realize that we are dependent for everything including our next breath.  We are dependent upon the Spirit of God for absolutely everything in life.  At the same time, responsibility before God is also critical.  The concept of responsibility allows no room for excuses or justification.  Even in the secular world where one can delegate activities, you maintain full responsibility for the results.  We may ignore what we are responsible for, but that does not change our accountability.”  ~ “Thy Will Be Done On Earth: Understanding God’s Will For You”; Robert Lloyd Russell, pages 20-21.

~ 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/ .

Is That In The Bible? 18

~ Ask Jesus Into Your Heart ~

This is a good example of Christianese.  It is a traditional way of explaining salvation, but it can be very confusing, not only to unbelievers but to Christians alike.  The Bible does teach that in order to be saved from the future wrath one must “believe in their heart” (their innermost being) that Jesus Christ is who He says He is and that He is the only way a person can receive eternal life. 

Scripture  ~  “But what does it say?  ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame”’” (Romans 10:8-11).

Comment  ~  The word “believe” is  more easily understood in our day as the word “trust.”  Do you really trust that Jesus Christ is who He says He is and that He is your only way of salvation? 

~ 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/ .

Is That In The Bible? 17

~ You Must Be “A Good Person” To Go To Heaven ~

This is a complete myth.  It is one of Satan’s primary lies.  The only truly “good person” to live was Jesus Christ—that is why He is an acceptable substitute in God’s eyes for our sin. 

Example  ~  “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying,  ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’  Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise’” (Luke 23:39-43).

Scripture  ~  “As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks after God.  They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one…  Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:10-12, 19-20).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The Bottom-Line  ~  Salvation is not a Reward for the Righteous.  It is an available Gift for those who understand their Guilt!  But like all gifts it must be received. 

Comment  ~  As a Christian grows in their faith good works will follow.  “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’  Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  You believe that there is one God.  You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble!  But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:18-20).

~ 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/ .