View source for Something To Think About 4

====Something To Think About 4====

<p> Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. (I Corinthians 15:34) </p>
<p>We are not saved from sin by the power of Christ so we can go to Heaven but that we might have fellowship with the Father. Christ did not present Himself as the way to Heaven but as the way to the Father. Today we need to think more about going to the Father. The Christian salvation is being viewed as a means of man getting what man wants—now, and later in the spirit realm. </p>
<p>But the Bible is a record of how God is going to get what God wants, that is, children who obey Him, fear Him, love Him, obey Him strictly, and enjoy His holy Presence forever. </p>
<p>How does all of this sound to you? </p>
<p>When we begin to talk about the fact that our salvation is validated only by our becoming a new creation of righteousness you ought to hear the stuff thrown at us. </p>
<p>"We have to sin while we are in this world." </p>
<p>This must be in the Book of Hezekiah. It sure isn't in the Bible. In fact the Bible says that sin shall not have dominion over us. Again, we are debtors not to the flesh to live after the flesh. </p>
<p>"Christ did it all so there is nothing we have to do." </p>
<p>If this is true, why are there hundreds of commandments to righteousness in the pages of the New Testament. </p>
<p>There are numerous commandments we are to obey, such as to let no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouth. If Christ did it all and there is nothing we are to do, why does the Bible command us to let no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouth but only that which builds up the hearers? Why does it command us to prefer one another? Why does it command us to work quietly with our own hands? Why does it command us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling? Why does it command us to present our body a living sacrifice? </p>
<p>Why are these hundreds of commandments in the Scriptures if we are not supposed to obey them? The Book of First John tells us if we are not keeping God's commandments, and yet profess to know Him, we are a liar and the truth is not in us. </p>
<p>And then we hear: </p>
<p>"We don't have to strive. He will do it in us." </p>
<p>Try flopping around like a jellyfish and see how far you get in the Kingdom! </p>
<p>It indeed is true that as Christ is formed in us we begin to show forth His Nature in our personality. But Christ will never be formed in us until we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. If we don't do what we have been commanded, if we don't awake to righteousness and quit sinning as Paul exhorts, Christ will never be formed in us. </p>
<p>I have seen some of the people who have been advised that Christ has done it all or they do not have to fight the good fight of faith because Christ will do it all in them. From all appearances it isn't working! </p>
<p>"We are Pharisees and legalists if we attempt to keep the commandments of Christ and His Apostles." </p>
<p>I have heard this tactic employed by believers who want to go to the movies where there are films including scenes of moral filthiness, violence, and profanity. When we protest we should not do such things the reaction is "you are a legalist." </p>
<p>What is a legalist—someone trying to obey Christ and live a holy life? If this is the case you can call me a legalist all you want. </p>
<p>"But you aren't perfect!" Tell me about it. But I'm keeping short accounts with God and I'm pressing on. Hallelujah! </p>
<p>To be continued. [[Something To Think About 5]] </p>
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