Near

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.  For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which does those things shall live by them.  But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, say not in your heart, who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)  or, who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)  But what saith it? The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;  That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.

But how shall I know that I am born again? part 3 of 8

But How Shall I know that I am Born Again? 

By John Bunyan

Examination 3

Are you born again? Then you see that your great sin was lack of faith in the Son of Mary. 

Then you see that it is He that was sent of God to die for the sins of the world (Jn 1:29, Jn 3:16-19, & Acts 13:38-39), and that you are complete in Him, without any works of the law (Ro 4:5). 

Then you rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:3), yet you rejoice in the flesh and blood of the Son of Mary, knowing that His flesh is meat indeed, and His blood is drink indeed (Jn 6:55),  out of which you would very willingly make your life all your days; out of His birth, obedience, death, resurrection, ascension and glorious intercession, now at the right hand of His Father (Heb 7:24-25). 

But if you are wavering in these things, know that you are but a babe at best, and for all you know, God may cut you off in your unbelief, and cast you into utter darkness, where there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Scripture support

The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. Jn 1:29

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  Jn 3:16-19


Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.  Acts 13:38-39


But to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.  Rom 4:5


For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Phil 3:3



For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.    Jn 6:55


 But this man, because He continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.  Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.  Heb 7:24-25

Monday

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 Cor. 1:30-31


All that I need, and all that God requires is found in His beloved Son.

today

Scriptures that are pressing upon me this morning.

Acts 17:22-31

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you.
- God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
- Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
- And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth,
- and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
- That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though he be not far from every one of us:
- For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
- Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.

Jeremiah 2:13

For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.

1 Corinthians 2:22

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

my questions

Do I (we) really believe the Lord Jesus Christ? Do I (we) really believe He is sufficient?


As a sinner may I trust Him? As a believer may I trust Him? As a husband may I trust Him? As a parent may I trust Him? As a gospel minister may I trust Him?

Do I believe He is sufficient to draw all people? Sufficient to give repentance? Sufficient to give faith? Sufficient to keep and maintain? Sufficient to bring us to glory?

I know He is worthy, I know He is able, I know He is sufficient. Yet, I find myself standing with the father at the bottom of the mount of transfiguration, crying out, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

What Does the Lord Understand? conclusion

A continuation of excerpts from Dr. Jay Wimberly's sermon notes of a message delivered September 7, 2003 to The Main Street Baptist Church in Auburndale, FL.

The text is from Micah 4:12: But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

Conclusion

It's a dangerous thing when men seek to justify their actions with, "Oh, I think the Lord understands."

Micah 4:12. But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they His counsel: for He shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

Isaiah 55:9. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Psalm 14:2-3. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that does good, no, not (a single) one.


Better it is that a man say, Let me understand the Lord!

Psalm 119:27. Make me to understand the way of Your precepts: so shall I talk of Your wondrous works.

Isaiah 55:7-8. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.


Understand this, O man:

Leave your way for the better way, God's way.

Come to Christ, and you will find mercy (God will not meet out to you your deserved judgment).

Come to Christ and you will find abundant pardon, more than enough to cover all your sins.


What does the Lord understand, O man?

"Come every soul by sin oppressed,
There's mercy with the Lord,
And He will surely give you rest
By trusting in His word." John H. Stockton 1813-1877

What Does the Lord Understand? part 5

A continuation of excerpts from Dr. Jay Wimberly's sermon notes of a message delivered September 7, 2003 to The Main Street Baptist Church in Auburndale, FL.

The text is from Micah 4:12: But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

What does the Lord Understand about you?

Romans 3:23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God...Romans 3:10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one...

Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 John 1:7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Psalm 129

The italics and bolded words are my emphasis as is the (reference verse).

Psalm 129

"Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth"-- let Israel now say-- "Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. (Phil. 1:6)

The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows."
The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.

May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward! Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up, with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor the binder of sheaves his arms, nor do those who pass by say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!"

Once for All!

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." Rom 7:4

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."
Hebrews 9:27-28

Free from the law- O happy condition!
Jesus hath bled, and there is remission;
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Grace hath redeemed us once for all.

(Once for all- O sinner receive it! Once for all- O brother, believe it!
Cling to the cross, the burden will fall- Christ hath redeemed us once for all!)

Now are we free- there's no condemnation!
Jesus provides a perfect salvation;
"Come unto Me-" O hear His sweet call!
Come and He saves us once for all.

Children of God- O glorious calling!
Surely His grace will keep us from falling;
Passing from death to life at His call,
Blessed salvation once for all.

The Day of Salvation

Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 118:19-29

My Hope

The Solid Rock

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand – All other ground

is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found,

Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.

Edward Mote, 1797 – 1874

William B. Bradbury, 1816 – 1868

Psalm 112

Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 ¶ Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Psalm 111

Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 ¶ He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.