Christian Action, 3of39

~ Be Transformed ~

Series Note  ~  In just the single chapter of Romans 12 the Apostle Paul gave believers a list of 39 things which are part of the Christian life which pleases God.  This chapter is crying out saying, “If you name Jesus Christ as your Savior then please act like a Christian!”  It is Paul’s “To Do List” for us.  The key principle is that while you and I cannot change God’s character (who He really is) we have the clear potential to damage His reputation (what others think He is). 

Scripture to Meditate On  ~  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2b). 

Comment  ~  This passage understands that it all starts in the mind.  Decades ago I developed what I call The Discipleship Model which shows the sequential nature of human activity.  Summary: Correct Thinking > Divine Attitudes > Controlled Motivations > Godly Lifestyle > Spiritual Victory > Keep Fighting!  A brief overview is available in a past ALN posting entitled “For All Christian Graduates” (http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/search/label/graduate) posted on May 16, 2013.

Related Passage  ~  “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

~ 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/ .

Jesus Is…, 36

~ Jesus Christ Is Preparing a Place for Us in Heaven ~

Passage  ~  Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:1-4).

Significance  ~  Jesus Christ gives us assurance that (1) He is preparing our eternal home, and (2) He will come again to take us to our eternal dwelling place. 

tonque in cheek Comment  ~  It took only six days for God to create this beautiful planet and solar system.  Think about this—it has already taken over 2,000 years for God to prepare our eternal dwelling place! 

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ 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/ .

Fact Check, 63

~ That’s For Sinners ~

People Think  ~  “It’s sinners that need religion.”

The Bible Says  ~  There are two problems with the implications of that statement.

First, all are sinners—including you!  “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’” (Romans 3:10-12).  “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Second, religion solves nothing—what is needed is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Religions are based on doing (present-continual tense) what is right.  Christianity is based on what Jesus Christ has done (past tense) on your behalf, and a personal relationship with the only One who never sinned.  Jesus Christ was fully God, came to this world in human form, lived a sinless life, and died for your sins, and rose from the grave—conquering death (the penalty of sin), and allows you to partake in total forgiveness by accepting His payment for your sin!  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Jesus Christ summarized it this way: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:14-17). 

~ 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/ .