Called by God, 6

 

~ The Obedience Call As A “Christian” ~

 

Series Note  ~  In this set of postings we will look at the calling of God from three aspects.  First there is the Universal Call to all mankind for salvation.  Second there is the call that all Christians receive—the Obedience Call.  Finally, there is a call which all Christians receive, but sadly few accept, the Career Call. 

 

In the first post in this series, we considered the Universal Call.  In posts 2-5 we look at the new responsibilities for Christians who have accepted the Obedience Call.  In posts 6-12 we examine the new roles of Christians who have accepted the Obedience Call. 

 

Comment  ~  As a Christ-ian we are taking on His name and representing Him by calling ourselves Christ ones!

 

Scripture  ~  “If My people who are called by My name [God’s chosen people] 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).

 

“Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:7).

 

“After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; do that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,

even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things” (Acts 15:16-17).

 

“Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.  And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.  So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people.  And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:25-26).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Conscience, 6

 

~ Defiled Conscience ~

 

Series Note ~ The conscience plays a crucial role in human behavior.  The Scripture has much to say about our conscience.  In these early posts of this series, we are looking at various Biblical Descriptions of our conscience. 

 

Scripture ~ “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.  They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Titus 1:15-16).

 

Comment ~ The person who’s lifestyle is outside God’s will for them is operating with a defiled conscience.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Binary, 19

 

~ Binary Result: Never Ending Extreme Joy or Extreme Suffering Forever ~

 

Series Comment  ~  When it comes to spiritual paths it is strictly a binary choice. 

(1)   It is a choice between the True or False.  “Jesus said to him [Thomas], ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).  [See Post #1 in this series.]

(2)   It is a choice between Do or Done.  Jesus said, “It [the work of salvation] is finished!” (John 19:30).  Your Doing can add nothing to what Christ has Done for you.  [See Post #2 in this series.]

(3)   It is your choice between Religion or Relationship.  Religions are geared toward self-effort whereas Christianity is an intimacy with the only One who can save.  Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).  [See Post #3 in this series.]

 

Scripture: Joy for Believers  ~  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  But may the God of all grace, Who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.  Amen (1 Peter 5:8-11).

 

“Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.  If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.

If we deny Him, He also will deny us.  If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:10-13).

 

Scripture: Suffering for Unbelievers  ~  Jesus said, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.  If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched — where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’  And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched — where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire — where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched’” (Mark 9:42-48). 

 

Comment  ~  In the rare times Scripture repeats itself in the same passage it is emphasizing extreme importance.  In this short passage we are told the fires of hell will never be put out five times! 

 

“Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW  

 

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