Called by God, 19

~ God Calls – Your Responsibility ~

 

Series Note  ~  In the first post in this series, we considered the Universal Call to all mankind.  Then we addressed those who accepted that call.  In posts 2-5 we looked at the new responsibilities to accept the Obedience Call.  In posts 6-12 we examined some new roles of those who accepted that initial call.  In posts 13-17 we considered a sampling of specific career calls.  In posts 18-20 are listed responsibilities of those who are called. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (Ephesians 1:15-21). 

 

Comment  ~  Each Christian calling brings with it responsibilities.  A commonality that all Christian callings share is that we are called out of the world to the Christ and His kingdom. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Conscience, 19

 ~ Seared 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 ~ “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

 

Comment ~ A seared conscience is a conscience which has been ignored and / or suppressed repeatedly until it no longer has its intended effect.  The inner voice of the conscience has been silenced. 

 

This is a terrible condition.  It can be corrected by calling upon God in repentance.

 

Remedy ~ Your conscience is a good mechanism that our Creator has given us.  If you have a guilty conscience why not get it squared away with God today?  He will give you peace beyond your imagination. 

 

“Let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6b-7).

 

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Binary, 29

 ~ Binary: Cleansing or Rotting ~

 

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.]

 

Important Note  ~  We are currently in a binary sub-series of quoting short sections from books that draw parallels between physical light (the sun) and spiritual light (the Son) by Robert Lloyd Russell.

 

Quote  ~  Decay occurs at an increasing pace if we rebel. A child of light should be growing in purity and holiness. Jesus Christ commanded His followers, “You also be holy in all your conduct … ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16). The greatest incentive to a righteous life is the second coming of Christ. The “blessed hope” of the child of light should lead to purification. “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3).

 

On the other hand, those who refuse to allow the cleansing Sonlight to penetrate and purge are in a state of decay and corruption. In warning of false doctrines that deny the truth of salvation in the blood of Jesus Christ, Peter wrote that those who teach this “blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish. They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done” (2 Peter 2:12-13 NIV). Peter goes on to warn about many false teachers in the name of Christian liberty. “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage” (2 Peter 2:19). The true children of light, however, “participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4 NIV).

 

Reference  ~  We are now in the process of quoting short sections from the ebook: “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight” (https://books2read.com/GodsNature).

 

Also from the print book: “GOD LIGHT: Sunlight Sonlight” (https://booksrlr.com/printbooks/god-light-sunlight-sonlight/).  ­­­­­­­­­­

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW 

 

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God Attribute, 30

~ God Forgives ~

 

This Series  ~  This series of posts looks at some of the many attributes of God.  Generally, we move in alphabetical order.

 

Scripture  ~  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10 and a great many other Scriptures).

 

Quotes  ~  “If I am a true believer, I stand here freed from every sin.  There is not a crime against me in the Book of God; it is blotted out forever.  It is cancelled.  And not only can I never be punished, but I have nothing to be punished for.  Christ has atoned from my sins, and I have received His righteousness.” –Charles Haddon Spurgeon  

 

An Actual Prayer:  “Lord of the universe, I want to propose a deal.  We have many sins.  You have much forgiveness.  Let us exchange our sins for Your forgiveness.  And if You should say that this is not a fair exchange, then my reply is: ‘If we had no sins, what would You do with all Your forgiveness?’” –Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev

 

Comment  ~  Think about it: “Forgiveness” is a great one-word description of the Holy Bible. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Why Trust God? 23

 ~ God Is Sovereign Over All Mammals (Exodus 10of12) ~

 

Introduction  ~  “Abundant Life Now” previously provided a list of Biblical of examples of fearing / reverencing God (217 posts).  In this current series we look at Biblical accounts that demonstrate that we can fully trust God.  Initially we posted seven general reasons for trusting God.  We are currently looking at passages from all 66 books of Scripture which demonstrate a reason for trusting our Creator. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Then Moses said, ‘Thus says the Lord: “About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals.  Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again”’” (Exodus 11:4-6).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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