In writing my blog yesterday from Luke 8, the Lord brought to mind the need for those who are born again to understand the process of their faith. In the process of that faith, there are certain things we need to know so that the roots can grow deep and the convert will progress in the process. Over the next few blog entries, I will write to help you, the born-again believer realize the victory in your walk with the Lord. I pray this will be a help to all who read this and I would appreciate any feedback you can give after you read it.
The first thing in this process we need to realize is that we are all sinners. Romans 3:23 is a well-known verse that indicates our spiritual condition without Christ. Romans 3: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Paul did give this sinner distinction to those who have transgressed and lived a very worldly life. No, Paul realized his sinful condition and the condition his soul was in without Jesus. Paul wrote the following words in Romans 7:24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from [a]the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand, I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. We actually need to go back one step further than knowing we are a sinner. Do you believe in God? If so, do you believe in heaven? You would need to believe in the Word of God, or the Bible also. In every person's life we have beliefs that drive us and our impression of things are somewhat important, but not vital in the process of eternity. We must bow our will and our thinking to someone higher and that is God. The Bible is the Word of God and it is the perfect standard for all wisdom and knowledge, and whether we realize it or not, it is "living." 2 Timothy 3: 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.
When you believe the Bible you are on the right track to find true freedom through the Word of God. Scripture tells us "who" the Word of God is and He is Jesus. John 1: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, is eternal and He is the one who has been with God from the beginning. In anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, or the anointed one who is Savior the children of God heard prophecies from such prophets as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and many others foretelling the coming of the Messiah, who is coming to "save" the world as Savior. Side note: If anyone ever preaches or tells you they don't think the word "saved" is proper church language, you need to remind them that without the world saved in the person call The Messiah, we would have no hope. Jesus is the Savior of the World and He is the Word of God. God not only gave us a book of wisdom and hope, but in doing that He gave us His Son, in every aspect possible. God exposes Himself through the Word of God and Jesus fulfilled His Word. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. Jesus became a man, and this means He is the perfect God/Man. God in the flesh living among us. John 1: 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Some people cannot see how Jesus could love people who hated Him. Jesus is God and God is love. End of explanation! The love of God, the Father, is seen in Jesus the Son. When we believe the Bible, God's Word, we believe Jesus and He is full of grace and truth. Just believing in the Bible does not make us right with God. The Bible tells us the next part of this process of faith, and I will write on that subject in the next blog.
Here is some homework for you to do today. Read John 3:3 and see what it says to you. Also, pray for an open mind so God can help you immerse yourself in this process of faith. If you believe God wants you to share this on Facebook then do it and hopefully, more will respond to the truth of God's Word. JUST SO YOU KNOW. I BELIEVE ALL OF GOD'S WORD!!
The Pilgrimage Continues,
David Warren