Wednesday, July 28, 2021

7 Traits Of Unbelievers

 ~ Missing Things In Unbelievers ~

No God  ~  “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh — who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands — that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:11-12).  

No Christ  ~  “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9).  

“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh — who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands — that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:11-12).  

No Change  ~  “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still” (Revelation 22:11).  

No Peace  ~  “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.  Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.  Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known.  There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:10-18).

No Hope  ~  “But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime” (2 Peter 2:12-13a).

“At that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12).

No Excuse  ~  “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:18-22).

No Escape  ~  “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 2:2-4).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2021

7 Traits Of The Godly

 ~ Discipleship Traits ~

Compassionate  ~  Jesus said, “Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” (Matthew 18:33). 

Correct Priorities  ~  Jesus related, “But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented’” (Luke 16:25). 

Do Not Compare  ~  Jesus said, “But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong.  Did you not agree with me for a denarius?  Take what is yours and go your way.  I wish to give to this last man the same as to you” (Matthew 20:13-14).

Do Not Covet  ~  Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15b).

Humility  ~  Jesus said, “But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’  Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:10-11).

Possess Great Faith  ~  Jesus said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (Luke 17:6b).

Responsive To Love  ~  Jesus said, “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:41-42). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Monday, July 26, 2021

7 Statements

 ~ Christian Realities ~

 

Introduction  ~  The following is from an unknown source. 

 

When I say that “I am a Christian,” I am not shouting that “I am clean living.”

I am whispering, “I was lost, but now I’m found and forgiven.”

 

When I say that “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak of this with pride.  

I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

 

When I say that “I am a Christian,” I’m not trying to be strong.  

I’m professing that I’m weak and need His strength to carry on.

 

When I say that “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success.  

I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

 

When I say that “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect.  

My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I’m worth it.

 

When I say that “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain.  

I have my shares of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

 

When I say that “I am a Christian,” I’m not holier than thou.  

I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s good grace somehow!

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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