Points2Ponder
Knowing
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9 (CSBBible)
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. - 1Corinthians 1:21 (NKJV)
Living a life transformed involves trusting in the Lord. Without that trust, it is impossible to live in newness of life. The four gospels record multiple times when Jesus proclaimed, “Follow Me,” to those He was speaking to. Our own salvation experience is a living example of this same offer to follow Jesus. Just as He called people to follow Him two thousand years ago, His offer to follow Him continues today. The problem is, too often we Christians think we are the ones initiating the relationship with God. We often think our salvation conversion is us accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. In reality, we are merely responding to God’s call to put our faith and trust in Him. If you examine Ephesians 2:8-9, 1John 4:10, 2Corinthians 5:19 and of course John 3:16, you’ll discover that God Himself is the one reconciling people to Himself. Without the love of God compelling us, moving us, directing us, we will draw upon our own strengths (and weaknesses) in an attempt to satisfy our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in this world. We call this form of independence our “human nature” as it comes naturally to us. God wants us to live our lives in a way that pleases Him, but the way He wants us to do this is through His Spirit. We can never live out the Christian life on our own. There is only one person who has walked this earth who has ever lived the Christian life. His name is Yeshua (Jesus), who is fully man and is also fully God. He lived His life in the way God intends us to live ours. How did He do this? There was nothing Jesus did of His own accord. He only did the Father’s will. If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, all you need to do is acknowledge you are a sinner who needs forgiveness and pray a prayer similar to this: Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, I know that I have nothing in myself that is worthy of a relationship with you. It is only through the shedding of Christ’s blood that I am forgiven. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for taking my place and paying the penalty that was due me. Thank you, for taking my sin upon Yourself and being obedient to the Father so that I can be free from the wages of sin, which is death. Lord Jesus, I ask that You come to be my life and replace my dead spirit with Your precious Holy Spirit. Help me to follow You and accept You as Lord of my life. I also ask for your protection from the enemy who will seek to steal this seed that has been planted in me, for You. Thank you that I am forgiven, and that You have accepted me to be a child of God. Help me to grow and mature in obedience to your Holy Word, and give me a listening ear so I can hear clearly from your Holy Spirit. I pray these things for Your glory, in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen. If you prayed this prayer, or something similar, and meant it, then I offer you welcome as my sibling in Christ.
Points2Ponder
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. - 1Corinthians 1:21 (NKJV)
Living a life transformed involves trusting in the Lord. Without that trust, it is impossible to live in newness of life. The four gospels record multiple times when Jesus proclaimed, “Follow Me,” to those He was speaking to. Our own salvation experience is a living example of this same offer to follow Jesus. Just as He called people to follow Him two thousand years ago, His offer to follow Him continues today. The problem is, too often we Christians think we are the ones initiating the relationship with God. We often think our salvation conversion is us accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. In reality, we are merely responding to God’s call to put our faith and trust in Him. If you examine Ephesians 2:8-9, 1John 4:10, 2Corinthians 5:19 and of course John 3:16, you’ll discover that God Himself is the one reconciling people to Himself. Without the love of God compelling us, moving us, directing us, we will draw upon our own strengths (and weaknesses) in an attempt to satisfy our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in this world. We call this form of independence our “human nature” as it comes naturally to us. God wants us to live our lives in a way that pleases Him, but the way He wants us to do this is through His Spirit. We can never live out the Christian life on our own. There is only one person who has walked this earth who has ever lived the Christian life. His name is Yeshua (Jesus), who is fully man and is also fully God. He lived His life in the way God intends us to live ours. How did He do this? There was nothing Jesus did of His own accord. He only did the Father’s will. If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, all you need to do is acknowledge you are a sinner who needs forgiveness and pray a prayer similar to this: Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, I know that I have nothing in myself that is worthy of a relationship with you. It is only through the shedding of Christ’s blood that I am forgiven. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for taking my place and paying the penalty that was due me. Thank you, for taking my sin upon Yourself and being obedient to the Father so that I can be free from the wages of sin, which is death. Lord Jesus, I ask that You come to be my life and replace my dead spirit with Your precious Holy Spirit. Help me to follow You and accept You as Lord of my life. I also ask for your protection from the enemy who will seek to steal this seed that has been planted in me, for You. Thank you that I am forgiven, and that You have accepted me to be a child of God. Help me to grow and mature in obedience to your Holy Word, and give me a listening ear so I can hear clearly from your Holy Spirit. I pray these things for Your glory, in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen. If you prayed this prayer, or something similar, and meant it, then I offer you welcome as my sibling in Christ.
Knowing