Made Righteous By Christ!

Psalm 15 KJV: 4th Sunday after Epiphany - We cannot enter the Lord's temple but for the blood of Christ shed for us.

We Are Sinners

1 John 2:1-2, 8; John 17:21-23; We are sinner; yet, are saints by faith in Christ who shed his blood as a sacrifice for our sins.

They Feared Jesus March 1 2022

Philippians 3 Move Forward Feb 24 2022

Social Justice Vs. Justice

Repent and be Baptized for the Forgiveness of Sins

And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

                                                                   (Luke 1:3-14 KJV)

John the Baptist, the one who came to announce to the world that Jesus was the Christ, came calling people to change their ways and to be baptized. They came by the hoards to hear and to be baptized. 

And... they came. They heard the message about what they needed to do in regards to repentance. They heard that they were to do God's will by doing good; by doing no harm against their neighbors. 

Sadly, we (at least I) have been witnessing an uptick these last few years in not so much global animosity; but, crimes against our neighbors. Much of it seems to be out of jealousy; of not getting what we want right now. These store owners are rich so we can take their livelihood by breaking in and looting or burn their buildings to the ground. It is called, by some, social justice.  But, is there justice if a local business loses that business they have built from the ground with much hard work and long hours? Is it justice when the employees lose their livelihood?  Is it justice when a person has no vehicle and has to walk much farther to get to the grocery store or pharmacy or to get to another job? And... just because it may be a big name store that doesn't mean that it's not franchised by a neighbor at a very high cost or that the damage that's done to the business costs their employees their livelihoods as well. Is it justice when an angry person goes out and terrorizes and kills people who they may not even know? Is it justice that those who do harm to others are quickly released just to turn around and do more harm to others?

There seems to be a difference today between social justice and actual justice. The social justice of today isn't always concerned with how innocent people are caught up in the harm that is being done. Harming innocent people in any way is not justice. Real justice does no harm in word or deed.

Unfortunately, some of the harm being done has to do with the media and our government officials just stirring up animosity for ratings or political gain.  

It is past time to hear John the Baptist's call to repent and receive forgiveness for our sins. It is time to turn around and do the will of God; doing no harm. Let us give thanks that through Christ Jesus we can indeed turn around and live life in a new way helping and supporting others rather than destroying them.

God help us all to repent and be baptized into the Body of Christ that we might follow in his way by the power of the Spirit of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Of God Not The World

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:2 KJV)

The world seems to be in a bit of a mess. There are food shortages and inflation appears that it will be hitting a ceiling and beyond very soon. Gas prices are so high that it takes a good chunk out of the paychecks just to get to work to feed ones family and keep a roof over their heads.

The elite worry so much about how we are destroying our planet and recommend that the average person do things to reduce the harm that are simply out of our financial range. It is not only recommended; but,  governments often legislate it. Yet, the carbon footprint that gets left behind by the elite using private aircraft or taking trips into what is barely outer space is pretty unbelievable. If global warming is in fact getting worse then why are these things allowed? Instead of banning truckers from using older trucks as California does to protect the world maybe these leisurely trips of the rich and elite should be banned.

The ways of the world don't make much sense to me. What is good for some is not good for others?

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matt 7:12)

Once, I'm on the subject of what is good for some and not for others: how about the years it takes for politicians and other elite to be investigated for crimes including felonies? It takes years because they can afford great lawyers and that is only necessary if the authorities don't bury the case someplace in some hole in the back room.  Sometimes, it is as simple as who they know. But, the low or middle income person does not receive such assistance. The innocent too often end up imprisoned because they cannot afford the legal fees to fight in their own defense. 

However, we do not have to be conformed to the ways of the world. We know that God is with us even in times of persecution. The way of God for the one who trusts in Him is to do good to all people. In Christ there is no one better or more privileged than another. 

In Christ we live to do no harm! We do not harm others to benefit ourselves. May we all be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we might treat each other as we would wish to be treated and thereby live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Blameless

"I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

                                                                                   (1 Cor 1:4-8 KJV)

Blameless! We shall be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ! How can that be? We all know we are sinners. We know that we are guilty of sinning against God our Father and against one another. Yet, in the day of our Lord we will be found innocent. Thanks be to God!

Thanks be to God for the grace that has been given to us by our Lord Jesus the Christ. For on the cross he bore our guilt. He was crucified for our sakes that we might be forgiven our sins. As John the Baptist told the crowd upon seeing Jesus coming toward them: "...Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)

Indeed, he has! "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (1 Pet 3:18)

Thanks be to God for through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord our sins are washed away. (see Rev 1:5)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Sin Not

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

                                                                                      (1 John 2:1-2 KJV)

It would be best for us all if we do not sin. Sadly, we are sinners and we will continue to sin until our dying breaths. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:18) Our sins have separated us from God and from one another. They bring much division.

Yet, there is hope. For Christ came to unite us. On the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus prayed this prayer: "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17:21-23)

So that we might be forgiven our sins and reconciled to our Father and to one another, Jesus offered his own life up for our sins. He died for us and not just for you and me. He died for all who would believe in his life giving sacrifice for them. He loves us that much and because he does; he stands between us and judgment declaring us innocent. He is our advocate, for it is by his blood that we are saved. 

We are sinners. That is a fact. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. Only Jesus can save us. Trust in him for it is by his blood that our sins are washed away.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Just Will Live By Faith

                                                                                      

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.  (Habakkuk 2:4 KJV)

Wisdom sometimes comes with age (but, not always). It never ceases to amaze me how some of our eldest brothers and sisters in Christ are able to humble themselves and confess their sins. These sins that they confess seem to pale in comparison to some of the sins that others do not confess.

The ability to understand that all sin no matter whether we consider them big or small sins are an abomination before God. It is understood that none of us are without sin; that we are made righteous only be faith in the Son of God who died for us. There is nothing that we can do to save ourselves. There is nothing that we can do or avoid doing in order to stand before God and be proclaimed innocent.

We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone. Sometimes, it just takes years of being humbled in order to be humble enough to know that we are indeed sinners and are saved by faith alone. This is a gift of God. (Eph 2:8)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Pride and Humility

Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.

(Prov 16:18 NRSV)

Pretty much most Christians understand how destructive pride can be. Christians strive to avoid it or at least strive to cover their pride with a sort of humility. But, that humility in itself often belies our pride. False humility can be pretty transparent. When a person is consistently bowing to others and sweet talking them it can be pretty nauseating. When a person is constantly apologizing and begging forgiveness without ever changing the way that they say things; the way that they do things; or the way that they treat others, it is usually pretty apparent that they are only apologizing to feign humility in order to appear innocent of being arrogant. Humility is sometimes feigned to cover the fact that what a person does is actually to serve themselves and not others. Humility is sometimes feigned in order to cover one's pride.

Be careful, for this pride; this feigned humility; this haughtiness, may be hidden from our brothers and sisters in Christ for awhile; but, it cannot be hidden from the Lord. Pride will be the wall that we build between ourselves and the Lord. Pride will be our destruction. It will cause us to fall.

May God help us all to recognize what is genuine humility and what is pride within ourselves. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Knows

If you faint in the day of adversity,
   your strength being small;
if you hold back from rescuing those taken away    to death,
   those who go staggering to the slaughter;
if you say, “Look, we did not know this”—
   does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

Does not he who keeps watch over your soul 

   know it?

   And will he not repay all according to their 

   deeds?

                                  Proverbs 24:10-12 NRSV

He does indeed keep watch over us and knows all things. He knows whether we have protected the innocent or supported our neighbors. He knows if we have turned our backs on others in order to protect ourselves; in order to keep our own lives safe and prosperous.

God knows what is in our hearts and minds. He knows if, rather an trust Him to be with us in the day of adversity we hold back from rescuing others. He knows when we see calamity fall on others and we pretend that we do not see in order to go on with our own self-serving lives.

He knows whether we are about serving others or ourselves.

May God help us to have the strength and the courage to stand beside the innocent who are being attacked in any manner.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sin Leads To Death

Sin Leads to Death

There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. 
                                                (Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV)

I have always asked my confirmation classes what they think the worst sin is. Of course, the response is always murder. I then proceed to go through all ten of the commandments and teach them how breaking any one of the ten commandments can lead to the death, to the murder of, either or both, the body and the spirit. It usually opens at least one or two eyes to the fact that things like gossiping, bullying, lying, stealing, adultery, and even coveting can actually contribute to physical or spiritual death.  All sin, no matter what it is, drives a wedge between God and us; as well as between our neighbors and ourselves.

God detests all sin. One sin does not make us purer or worse than the next person. It is all detestable to God.  Keep busy, doing the work the Lord has called you to. Keep busy, loving your neighbor as yourself and you will have much less time to stir up trouble for anyone, including yourself. 

And... may the peace of the LORD be with you all...  Pr. J

Seven Detestable Things

There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
   haughty eyes,
   a lying tongue,
   hands that shed innocent blood,
   a heart that devises wicked schemes,
   feet that are quick to rush into evil,
   a false witness who pours out lies
   and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
                                      (Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV)

When teaching confirmation classes I have always made a point of asking the youth what the worst sin is. As expected, the overwhelming response is always murder. I then proceed to go through all of the Ten Commandments and teach them how breaking any one of the Ten Commandments can lead to the death; the murder, of both body and the spirit of others. It usually opens at least one or two eyes to the fact that things like gossiping, bullying, envy, lying, stealing, and adultery can actually contribute to physical and/or spiritual deaths. All sin, no matter what it is, drives a wedge between us and God as well as between us and those who would be our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Sin divides family and communities. It was sin that drove Adam and Eve out of the garden; out of God's presence. It is sin that drives us out of God's presence; as well, as it causes us to turn our backs on him and seek other things. Sin separates us from our Father in heaven.

God's purpose for sending His only Son to die for us was not to divide us but to unite us. Jesus died that we might be reconciled to our Father in heaven and with all who believe in him. May God help us to understand how damaging our words and actions can be and help us to avoid those things that would separate us from Him and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

You Of This Generation, Consider The Word Of The Lord

"You of this generation, consider the

     word of the Lord:

“Have I been a desert to Israel

    or a land of great darkness?

Why do my people say, ‘We are free to roam;

    we will come to you no more’?

Does a young woman forget her jewelry,

    a bride her wedding ornaments?

Yet my people have forgotten me,

    days without number.

How skilled you are at pursuing love!

    Even the worst of women can learn from your ways.

On your clothes is found

    the lifeblood of the innocent poor,

    though you did not catch them breaking in.

Yet in spite of all this you say, ‘I am innocent;

    he is not angry with me.’

But I will pass judgment on you

    because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’"

                          Jeremiah 2:31-35 NIV                                         

Stand your ground! I read in the local news last night about a man who is appealing his conviction of murder by using the "stand your ground" defense. He claims the man he was arguing with, who was standing on his own property on the other side of a fence, was threatening him. Indeed, they were arguing. But, the man that was shot and killed did not have a weapon. The man who claimed it is was not murder but self-defense was carrying a weapon. After arguing with his neighbor, he had gone into the house purposely to get the gun to threaten his neighbor. He came out and continued to argue with his neighbor with the end result being that he shot his neighbor five times, killed his neighbor, and then claimed self-defense. He had been found guilty. Yet, he still claims that he did no wrong. He did not sin. 

Just because we think our stories will justify us does not make it so. We do a lot of justifying of our sins. We would really like our sins to not be considered sins. It would be nice if everyone (including God) smiled upon our sins and let us keep on keeping on as we were. It would be nice to be able to do whatever we want; whenever we want; to whomever we want without consequences. But, it does not work that way. There are consequences for sinning against others and there are consequences for sinning against God.

Jeremiah reminds us not only how it is that we sin against man; but, how we neglect and sin against God, as well. He reminds us to consider that there are many who would say that they worship the one true and Almighty God. Yet, they neglect and forget to give God all glory and honor; while they would never forget to put on their jewelry before they leave the house! They forget to worship the One who gave His very life, that we might drink from the waters of life; eat from the tree of life. Is the life of Christ less valuable than our jewelry? 

Yes, we are free to roam wherever we please. We can do that. But, remember that there are consequences in this world and in the next for our actions and inactions. Confess your sin and return to the LORD destroying the false gods that you worship that you might be truly justified by the blood of Christ shed for you. The lies and the false gods can do nothing good for you! They can do nothing! They are worthless! But, the One who loves you enough to save you from your sins, by dying for you, can and does do all things for the good of those who love him. Trust him!

God's Peace - Pr. J  

Listen And Follow For Your Own Sake

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
They are a garland to grace your head
    and a chain to adorn your neck.

My son, if sinful men entice you,
    do not give in to them.
If they say, “Come along with us;
    let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
    let’s ambush some harmless soul;
let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
    and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
we will get all sorts of valuable things
    and fill our houses with plunder;
cast lots with us;
    we will all share the loot —
my son, do not go along with them,
    do not set foot on their paths;
for their feet rush into evil,
    they are swift to shed blood.
How useless to spread a net
    where every bird can see it!
These men lie in wait for their own blood;
    they ambush only themselves!
Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
    it takes away the life of those who get it.

Proverbs 1:8-19 NIV

                                             

It is so disheartening to hear the daily news.  It is as if all regard for not just others; but, for themselves as well, has been lost to this generation. I am not speaking of just our young people. Many elderly, as well, are arrested and convicted daily of crimes against others. It is not only strangers or neighbors that they hurt. But, they throw away their own lives and hurt their families as they commit crimes in attempts to fulfill their worldly desires. I am pretty sure that at least a majority of them think that they will never be caught; that they will not end up spending their lives locked down in a cell. The paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain takes away even the life of those who get it.               

There are riches worth having. They are more pleasant than any thing found in this world. Seek the Kingdom of God. It is a free gift from God to all who would believe.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for all who believe.  (Eph 1:18-19a)

God's Peace - Pr. J.                                                                                                                                         

The Joy Of Salvation!

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

So the world's bogging you down? Not everything going the way you want it to?

There are more important things than the little details of every day living. Supper does not have to be on the table exactly the right time. The employee that was late may have had problems with the car; that's why she's late. Or, maybe, they had some unexpected emergency at home. Children will not always do what you want them to. Maybe you don't care for the way the presidential race is being run. Relax, you are not alone. Not many people are happy about it. In the big picture, these are all minor things. There is something more important and that is your salvation. Do not let the devil steal the joy of your salvation!

We all make mistakes. We all sin. Sometimes those sins are unintentional. Sometimes those sins are very intentional. The bottom line is: Jesus knew this when he went to the cross for us. Even though he knew that we would intentionally and unintentionally turn our backs on him and on one another, he was willing to bear the consequences of our sins, even our most grievous sins. He loves us so much that he was willing to be executed in our place so that all who believe in him might be declared innocent. The debt has been paid! Rejoice in your salvation!

May the knowledge of a love so great for you, restore in you the joy of your salvation!

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Wicked Cannot Keep Still

But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest,

    whose waves cast up mire and mud.

“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Isaiah 57:20-21 NIV

Those who spend so much time trying to stir up trouble for others should not be surprised when they can find no peace within themselves. Stirring up trouble for others; almost always leaves one in a state of trouble themselves. They have to spend a lot of time covering their own tracks in order not to be caught in their deceptions. They cannot rest as they toss about trying to figure out the best way to make their next move without getting caught in the traps they set. As they cast mud upon others, it is inevitable that some of that mud will be seen on their hands as evidence. They spend countless hours trying to figure out which lies will best justify their own actions and cast doubt upon the innocent. There is no peace for them. But, for those who live in Christ, they will know peace no matter what kind of mud is slung at them. They will know peace because they know the one who is our peace, Jesus the Christ.

May God help us all live to keep in step with the Spirit of Christ. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other that we might live in His peace. (Gal 5:22-26)

God's Peace - Pr. J.