Unfortunately, Jesus could say this of many of us. We like to hang out with Jesus, but when the going gets tough, we break faith. Fear, embarrassment, not wanting to offend, wishing to be politically correct will all cause us to deny Him to some degree. When someone questions our religion, or mocks our Christian walk we cave and shy away from taking a stand. Yes, we love to just hang with Jesus…but only when we’re not forced into a difficult situation and have to choose.
Tag: all in the name of Jesus
In Christ Jesus…You are more than a conqueror.
” I can’t do it.” Do you know that’s music to Satan’s ears? All he has to do is whisper, “You can’t do that.” and we usually cave in. For doubt is the biggest culprit of our disobedience to the Lord. If we could somehow not only realize, but allow the concept to settle deep into our souls, that it’s God doing the work and not us, we would become invincible. So the next time Satan is spreading doubt, remind him…I can do all things with the help of Christ, for it is the Lord, not me, working out His plan and purpose in my life…so back off Satan, and watch what God and I can do!
In Christ Jesus…You are a new creation in Christ.
In II Corinthians 5:17 it says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” If Jesus dwells within you, you have been born again…a spiritual rebirth of a brand new person. But we humans like to return to the comfortable and easy things of the past rather than step forward into activities that are new, strange…and scary. As a Believer, you can’t go back to your old person, for he or she doesn’t exist anymore. You can only move forward…for the plan and purpose of God is to make you into something you’ve never been before.
John 18: 36 ” Jesus said, ‘ My Kingdom is not of this world.’ “
This everlasting Kingdom was setup by God and given to His Son, Christ Jesus. And as Believers, this Kingdom dwells within our hearts. And in this, comes the rub. For like this everlasting Kingdom, we too are in the world, but not of it. Our lives here on earth are transitory, but at the same time filled with the repercussions of living in a fallen, broken world. So what are we to do? We walk this earth as aliens and foreigners longing for home, but also recognizing we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Our citizenship may not be of this world, but while we’re here… we’re to be about our Father’s business.
Matthew 8:20 ” Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head. “
Yes, in a sense, Jesus was homeless. He and the Disciples traveled unhindered by the obligation and responsibilities of traditional homes. But Jesus pointed out in this scripture… He was to be in the world, but not of it. And like Jesus, we too are aliens and strangers on this earth. (I Peter 2:11) We are ever looking forward to our eternal home…our everlasting dwelling place with the Lord in heaven.
Matthew 1: 20-21 ” An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joeeph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.’ “
When the angel came to Mary she had questions, but in the end accepted the unfathomable. With Joseph though, it wasn’t that easy. The very human feelings of hurt and rejection were evident in his decision to divorce Mary quietly. And it certainly was within the Law to dismiss her from the bond of marriage with a Certificate of Divorce for her perceived conduct. But before this could happen, the angel visited Joseph and convinced him that what Mary had told him was true…she in fact had not been unfaithful. The Lord will sometimes give us a promise so wonderful and far-fetched that we can’t put our heads around it either…it’s at that point we will make the decision to either believe God or reject it based on our shallow emotions.
Galatians 3:26-28 ” You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ…There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ.”
We are all one in Christ. There is not one nationality or people group above another in God’s sight. We are all one in Christ. There is no social or economical stigma in God’s family…for we all stand equal in His eyes…from the least to the greatest. We are all one in Christ. There are no gender barriers stopping any of us from fulfilling God’s plan and purpose in our lives. We are all one in Christ Jesus.
I Corinthians 15: 21-22 ” For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
The first Adam sinned, and by his actions all humanity was sentenced to death and eternal separation from God. The second Adam came to earth to make atonement for that sin. Jesus Christ was born…walked this earth as any other man…was crucified…died and was buried…but rose three days later…taking the sins of the world upon himself. The resurrection of Jesus – the second Adam – made a way for all mankind to again have intimate fellowship with their Heavenly Father.
Mark 10:17 ” As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. ‘Good Teacher,’ he asked, ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ “
“What must I do?” The short answer to the question is that you can’t do anything. No amount of good works will get you any closer to the promised land and the peace you seek. The only thing you can do is to say Yes to Jesus, turn from your sinful life, and come into agreement with Him that you can’t run your miserable life anymore.
John 1:12 ” Yet to all who received Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
As a Christian, we have the birthright and authority as children of our Heavenly Father. We have identified and embraced the name above all – Jesus Christ…for it is only by His name we can be saved. Thus as joint heirs, we are beneficiaries of the glorious riches and splendor of heaven.
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