Christian Action, 16of39

~ Be Passionate ~

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  ~  “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit” (Romans 12:10-11b). 

Comment  ~  Are you truly excited about your faith?  If not, why not? 

Related Passages  ~  “When the hour had come, Jesus sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.  Then He said to them, ‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God’” (Luke 22:14-16).  “Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.  This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John” (Acts 18:24-25).  “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16-17).  “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’” (1 Peter 4:8).

~ 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…, 49

~ Jesus Christ Is Immutable (unchanging) ~

Passages  ~  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8-9). 

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:16-17). 

“For I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6a)

Significance  ~  You can depend upon Jesus Christ to be consistent.  You can depend upon Jesus Christ to fulfill all His promises.  Nothing will ever change the nature of God.

Comment  ~  God is completely holy!  Judgement for sin is coming.  But Jesus Christ—through His death on the Cross of Calvary and subsequent resurrection—has provided a way to escape your judgement for your sin.

additional remark:  For a different look and fuller understanding of the immutability of God see chapter 11, entitled “Ultimate Consistency” in the international award winning book GOD LIGHT: Sunlight Sonlight (find details by clicking on the God Light tab above).

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/ .

Salvation, 5

~ I Have Been Saved…  I’m Being Saved…  I will Be Saved! ~

Salvation is not a Reward for the Righteous.

It is an available Gift for those who understand their Guilt!

There is salvation from any other than Jesus Christ—The Messiah.  In the last three ALN posts in this series we looked individually at the three tenses of Salvation.  In this post we look at the three tenses collectively. 

Justification (past salvation)  ~  The germ of salvation.

My position is in Christ.

Saved from the penalty of sin.  

Salvation already in possession...  a free gift as a result of trusting Christ.

Event:  From natural birth/life to born again/new life.

Transition:  From sinner to being viewed as a saint in God’s eyes.

Key Characteristic:  Physical life.

The offer is for whoever.

The basis is by faith alone in Christ.

The description is a free gift.

The timeline is a onetime event.

References:  John 3:16; Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 15:2; 2 Timothy 2:10; Revelation 22:17.

Sanctification (present/progressive salvation)  ~  The growth of salvation.

My condition is becoming like Christ.

Saved from the power of sin.

Salvation in progress… a process of abundant growth and maturing.

Event:  Spiritual life on earth. 

Transition:  From natural living to spiritual living.

Key Characteristic:  God’s love.

The offer is for Christ’s disciples.

The basis is faith resulting in obedience.

The description includes works, deeds, degrees.

The timeline is a lifetime of progress.

References:  John 10:10; Romans 5:10; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 2:12; 2 Peter 1:5-9.

Glorification (future salvation)  ~  The completion of salvation.

My expectation is to be like Christ.

Saved from the presence of sin. 

Salvation in prospect…  initially a time of evaluation to determine rewards.

Event:  The rapture—from spiritual life on earth to eternity with Christ. 

Transition:  From life on earth to life in heaven.

Key Characteristic:  Christ’s light (dwelling in His light in heaven).

The offer is for all believers.

The basis is faithful obedience.

The description varies.

The timeline is a onetime event (the Judgment Seat of Christ).

References:  Matthew 16:24-27; Romans 13:11; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Colossians 3:23-25; 2 Thessalonians 1:12; Revelation 3:21; 22:12.

Closing Thoughts  ~  The first (salvation past—justification) is immediate secured by Christ’s death!  The second (salvation-present) is continuous through Christ’s life in me.  The third (salvation—future) is prospective and will be realized at Christ’s Second Coming.

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.  For if the Word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Hebrews 2:1-4). 

~ 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/ .