This is what we must understand, “It is written: “There is NO ONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE…ALL HAVE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:10, 23) What are the consequences of this sin? “For the wages (opsōnion: the allowance or payment) of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a) What does this sin do? “…your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you.” (Isaiah 59:2) What must we do? “Repent (metanoeō: to change one’s mind, understand sin’s consequences and make up your mind to follow Jesus), then, and TURN TO GOD, so that your sins may be WIPED OUT…” (Acts 3:19)
What is it that allows us to do this? “…the GIFT OF GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b) What do we do to keep living a life free from sin? “Don’t be PARTNERS with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; THAT’S WAR. Can light and dark be best friends?” (2 Corinthians 6:14) “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever REJECTS the Son WILL NOT SEE LIFE, for God’s wrath REMAINS ON THEM.” (John 3:36) “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols (eidōlon: a false god)? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “COME OUT FROM THEM and be separate, says the Lord. And I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:16-17)
“I plead with you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable (logikos: reasonable, rational) service. And do not be conformed (just like it) to this world but be transformed (metamorphoō: to be divinely changed into another form) by the renewing of your mind, that YOU MAY PROVE (our new life in Christ will prove the conversion) what is that good and acceptable and PERFECT will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)
NOW I AM READY…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham