The words of victory

The words of victory

John 19:25

    “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the [wife] of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

John 19:26

    When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

John 19:27

    Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].

John 19:28

    After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

John 19:29

    Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put [it] upon hyssop, and put [it] to his mouth.

John 19:30

    When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

At this time of the year our thoughts are turned to the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

I think it is good if we also think about some of the reasons why the Lord chose to come to this earth and live as a man.

The reason that we would consider to be most important is our salvation.

John 10:10

    “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.”

I have had abundant life for more than 36 years and I am more thankful today than I have ever been.

I am entering into my latter years with joy unspeakable and full of joy.  

1 Peter 1:8

    “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”

When the Lord Jesus Christ hung on the cross dying for sinners He spoke seven times.  I am going to give you those words in order as they were spoken.

Luke 23:34

    “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

1.   He spoke words of forgiveness

The first words uttered by the Saviour show that in spite of the way He has been treated forgiveness is what He wants for those who rejected Him. 

Here our Lord shows the compassion and mercy He has for a sinful mankind. 

There is absolutely nothing within any of us that would merit the favour of a holy God. 

We are destitute, despicable, repulsive, blatant, wicked, vile sinners in need of mercy and forgiveness and that is exactly what is on the mind of the Lord.

His first words uttered speak to our greatest need…F-O-R-G-I-V-E-N-E-S-S. 

The Lord Jesus Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost and with salvation you get forgiveness. 

Luke 19:10

    “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Acts 13:38

    “Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Acts 13:39

    And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

Ephesians 1:7

    “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

There is no limit placed on the Lord’s forgiveness.  You ask for forgiveness and you will get forgiveness.

I know we have the huge controversy about who is saved and who isn’t saved? 

And I know that the basis for that argument is the sinfulness of mankind. 

Look at the Bible and make your decision based on truth and not on feelings or persuasion from emotions. 

If sin causes one to lose their salvation which sin are we talking about and where is the scripture to tell us about this sin?

If sinless perfection is a Biblical truth then where is the scripture to support it?

When I read that 25 years after the conversion of the Apostle Paul God inspires him to write truth about his life I am convinced that sin is a lifetime reality.

Romans 7:15

    “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

The difference between the Apostle Paul and many of us today is though he still sinned he hated it. 

Romans 7:16

    If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good.

Romans 7:17

    Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Romans 7:18

    For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.”

And then after 30 years the Apostle Paul came to a conclusion about the things that he did that he hated.

1 Timothy 1:15

    “This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

He not only acknowledged that he was a sinner he confessed to being the chief of sinners.

That is a confession of an honest man and if you think any better of yourself your view is unscriptural. 

People do not understand that salvation clears you of guilt and grants forgiveness as you are clothed in the righteousness of Christ but that is a guarantee that Heaven will someday be your home. 

That is your standing but your present state living here on earth in a sinful body is a moment by moment changing state. 

That is why we must confess our sins and we do that to stay in fellowship with God.

1 John 1:5

    “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:6

    If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

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.

1 John 1:8

    If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

To say that you have no sin is self deception; it is not a scriptural truth. 

Because we are sinners and sins we commit take us out of fellowship with God the next verse was written.

1 John 1:9

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Confession of sin receives immediate forgiveness and fellowship with God is resumed. 

1 John 1:10

    If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Luke 23:34

    “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.

Luke 23:43

    “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

2.   The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation.

To demonstrate His limitless forgiveness the Lord says to the repentant thief on the cross next to him:  “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

Paradise at that time was most likely in the heart of the earth but we learn in the scriptures of a time when it was moved.

2 Corinthians 12:1

    “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 12:2

    I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

A search backwards in history above fourteen years ago will take you to Acts chapter 14 and the Apostle Paul was stoned in Lystra and dragged out of the city and left for dead. 

2 Corinthians 12:3

    And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

2 Corinthians 12:4

    How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”

Obviously the teaching is that paradise and the third heaven are now the same place. 

Ephesians 4:7

    “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Ephesians 4:8

    Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Someone was held captive somewhere until the death of Christ and then He went to them and freed them. 

Ephesians 4:9

    (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

The Lord descended into the lower parts of the earth to free the captives. 

Ephesians 4:10

    He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”

The thief on the cross was told “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

That is a promise of a trip to the third heaven and that is salvation. 

Obviously a thief, a man despised and rejected who is justly dying on the cross for crimes committed can cry out to the Lord and receive mercy. 

And once you have cried out to the Lord you have the guarantee that where the Lord is there you will be also. 

Luke 23:34

    “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.

Luke 23:43

    “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation and a guarantee of being with Him. 

John 19:27

    “Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].”

3.   The third time our Lord speaks He shows affection for Mary.

God does not have a mother but the maid named Mary was used of God to bring Himself into this world as a baby. 

At the end of His physical life He demonstrates affection for Mary and gives her to John to care for. 

In the same way the Lord has insured that you will be cared for.

Hebrews 13:5

    “[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Luke 23:34

    “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.

Luke 23:43

    “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation and a guarantee of being with Him. 

John 19:27

    “Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].”

The third time our Lord speaks He shows affection for Mary.

Matthew 27:46

    “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

4.   The fourth time our Lord speaks we hear words of anguish

At this time on the cross we enter fully into the atonement and the Lamb is being made to be sin for us. 

1 Peter 3:18

    “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 Peter 2:24

    “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

2 Corinthians 5:21

    “For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Acts 2:31

    “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.”

Humanly we will never fully understand the cost of sin to our Saviour but we can rejoice that He was victorious.

Revelation 1:18

    “[I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.

Luke 23:43

    “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation and a guarantee of being with Him. 

John 19:27

    “Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].”

The third time our Lord speaks He shows affection for Mary.

Matthew 27:46

    “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

The fourth time our Lord speaks we hear words of anguish

John 19:28

    “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”

5.   The fifth time our Lord speaks we hear words of suffering

Our Saviour asked for water on two occasions when He was here the first time.

John 4:7

    “There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.”

This woman did not give the Lord Jesus water to drink.

John 19:28

    “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”

On the cross as the Saviour suffered He asked for water.

John 19:29

    “Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put [it] upon hyssop, and put [it] to his mouth.”

Instead of water He received vinegar.

But to you and me the Saviour offers living water.

John 4:14

    “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.

Luke 23:43

    “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation and a guarantee of being with Him. 

John 19:27

    “Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].”

The third time our Lord speaks He shows affection for Mary.

Matthew 27:46

    “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

The fourth time our Lord speaks we hear words of anguish

John 19:28

    “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”

The fifth time our Lord speaks we hear words of suffering

John 19:30

    “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

6.   The sixth time our Lord speaks we hear words of victory

One reason that He came was to save man that was lost.

Luke 19:10

    “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Man was lost because of His sin and in his sin he was dead.

Man was separated from God and living without hope.

Ephesians 2:12

    “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Ephesians 2:13

    But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

His atonement was not limited nor was anyone left out. 

1 John 2:1

    “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:

1 John 2:2

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

The Lord Jesus Christ willingly became sin for us, suffered, died, and rose again by His own power. 

John 10:17

    “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

John 10:18

    No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

Romans 1:4

    “And declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”

The gospel message is clear.

1 Corinthians 15:3

    “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1 Corinthians 15:4

    And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

The words of victory

John 19:30

    “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

Colossians 2:13

    “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Colossians 2:14

    Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Colossians 2:15

    [And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.

Luke 23:43

    “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation and a guarantee of being with Him. 

John 19:27

    “Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].”

The third time our Lord speaks He shows affection for Mary.

Matthew 27:46

    “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

The fourth time our Lord speaks we hear words of anguish

John 19:28

    “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”

The fifth time our Lord speaks we hear words of suffering

John 19:30

    “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

The sixth time our Lord speaks we hear words of victory

Luke 23:46

    “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”

7.   The seventh time our Lord speaks we hear words of contentment

The work He came to do is finished and it is time for Him to die.

He spends three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 12:39

    “But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Matthew 12:40

    For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Then He rises from the dead. 

Matthew 28:6

    “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.

Luke 23:43

    “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation and a guarantee of being with Him. 

John 19:27

    “Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].”

The third time our Lord speaks He shows affection for Mary.

Matthew 27:46

    “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

The fourth time our Lord speaks we hear words of anguish

John 19:28

    “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”

The fifth time our Lord speaks we hear words of suffering

John 19:30

    “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

The sixth time our Lord speaks we hear words of victory

Luke 23:46

    “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”

The seventh time our Lord speaks we hear words of contentment

When you celebrate Christmas remember He became a baby so He could win the victory over sin and save your soul.  

True or False, You decide

Luke 16:19

    “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:”

Here we have a rich man who is living life the way we all suppose that we would live if we only had millions of dollars.  There is an interesting statement made just a few verses prior to this one.

Luke 16:15

    “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

Obviously the way that we look at things and the way that God looks at things are not the same.  Those things which we think would make us happy seem to be things that are an abomination to God.  Maybe the statement about the heart is important.  “God knoweth your hearts.”  What does God know about our heart?

Jeremiah 17:9

    “The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

There isn’t anything more deceitful than our heart and it is desperately wicked.  That would indicate that it is not wise to trust my heart.

Proverbs 28:26

    “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” 

Why would one be considered a fool for trusting in his own heart?

Mark 7:21

    “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Mark 7:22

    Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

Mark 7:23

    All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

Our desperately wicked heart defiles us with all manner of evil and thus only a fool would put confidence in something like that.

Obviously this rich man needs God but his riches have him in bondage and he is fooled into thinking that he is doing just fine.  

Luke 16:20

    And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

Our contrast with the faring sumptuously rich man is a beggar who obviously cannot walk.  He is laid at the gate of the rich man in hopes that the rich man will share his wealth with him.  The beggar is not only unable to make a living because of his physical handicap he is said to be full of sores.  The beggar has some kind of bodily affliction that would make him a putrid eyesore.  An interesting note about the beggar in contrast to the rich man; the beggar has a name; Lazarus.  The remainder of the story would indicate that the beggar was under the protection of God when he died and thus God knows his name. 

Luke 16:21

    And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Lazarus is hungry and desires that he could just snatch some of the crumbs that fall from the rich man’s table.  Instead of food to give him strength he has dogs licking his sores.  Imagine laying on the ground and not having the ability to move on your own covered with sores.  Along comes the dogs; an animal that will eat his own puke and begins licking the sores of Lazarus. 

One might ask the question, “Where is God?”  If this beggar belongs to God then why is he afflicted with the inability to walk about in his own power and why does he have these sores on his body?  And why would God allow him to lie at the gate of the rich man desiring something to eat and instead get licked by dogs?  “Where is God?”

Those of you who do not like God will not like my answer but you will have something to think about.  Man is much more than just a physical body. 

1 Thessalonians 5:23

    “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Man consists of three parts; spirit, soul, and body.  The body is only one third of the trinity and it is the only visible part.  The spirit and the soul are invisible to the human eye.  The spirit and the soul are the spiritual part of man and thus man is two thirds spiritual.  The body is the temporal part of man that means it has an end.

Let’s take a trip back to the beginning of time and see what happened with God’s first man.

Genesis 1:26

    “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Notice that God said, “Let us” which would indicate that there is more than one.  How many Gods are there? 

In the Old Testament we read:

Deuteronomy 6:4

    “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD:”

God said “Let us” is one.

In the New Testament we read:

Mark 12:29

    “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:”

And once again God said “Let us” is one.

Ephesians 4:6

    “One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.”

And once again God said “Let us” is one.

If there is only one God then why did God say “Let us?” 

The answer is there is only one God but He has chosen to present Himself as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  God who is one is a Trinity.  You do remember that man is also a trinity (spirit, soul, and body). 

Genesis 1:26

    “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Man being made in the image of God would at least in part be the trinity.  Man is said to be made in God’s image and after His likeness. 

Genesis 1:27

    So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

O.K. we must resolve another issue before we go any father.  Is God the creator?  The answer is Yes He is or no He isn’t.  You know that He is the creator so why would you suggest that He isn’t? 

Romans 1:19

    “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.

In you, has been manifest that which may be known of God.  It is God that shewed it unto you. 

Romans 1:20

    For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

God is invisible.

John 4:24

    “God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.”

That one God that is a Trinity is a spirit and you have never seen Him with your eyes.

John 1:18

    “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].”

Romans 1:20

    For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

The invisible things of God have been clearly seen from the time of creation.  And the invisible things of God that have been clearly seen are understood by the things that are made:  that would be you.  The invisible God that is clearly seen and understood by the things that He has made also understand His eternal power and Godhead and you are without excuse so stop making excuses.

You understand His eternal power; you know that He is eternal.  You understand the Godhead; God is a Trinity. 

Obviously, if God is the creator He made you and if He made you then you are responsible to Him.  You will answer to God for what you have done with the life that He gave you.    

Now let us go back to the beginning of the creation of man and read.

Genesis 1:26

    “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Genesis 1:27

    So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

So here is man being made in the image of God and after His likeness. 

Genesis 2:7

    “And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

Formed from the dust of the ground would be the physical body.

Breathed into his nostrils the breath of life would be the spirit.

And man became a living soul.

Here you have the trinity of man made in the likeness of the Trinity of God with an additional statement you need to pay attention too. 

“…man became a living soul.”

When you were made you were made a living souland the soul never ceases to exist. 

O.K. here is man made after God’s image and in God’s likeness and then given a woman to be his wife and placed in a garden with permission to eat anything he wants except for one tree that is forbidden to him. 

Genesis 2:8

    “And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

Genesis 2:9

    And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”

Genesis 2:16

    “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

Genesis 2:17

    But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

What in this world is a tree of the knowledge of good and evil?  What kind of fruit would that tree have on it?  And why would God say that I must die if I eat from that tree? 

To be continued…

Salvation, How important is it?

As a Young child and throughout those years that I was growing I always believed that there had to be a God.  I never doubted that God was the Creator of all things...including me.  I never doubted that God was invisible and I had never seen Him but somehow I knew that He was there.  As I grew older I became rebellious to authority and chose an unacceptable way of living.  I would not have been mistaken as an unbeliever and could have easily been classified as an atheist or agnostic by the way that I lived.  But in those days of wickedness I still knew that there was a God and there was this awareness that someday I would answer to Him for my chosen way to live.  I lived in ignorance of the facts and tried never to consider the reality of God.  One day I found myself in much trouble and there was no way out of the consequence.  Miraculously, God made a way out and that does not mean that I got away with wickedness that means that God had a plan and a purpose for my life and He was working out the details. 

I was born at a very early age and grew up normal...Whatever that is.  I was the son of a man who had done well with his life financially.  Not rich, but comfortable.  This man taught me to work and to pay my bills.  He taught me to be honest and do the right thing.  He wanted me to get an education because he had only completed the eighth grade.  In his day that was sufficient but he could see that more education than that would be needed for my generation.  I finished high school, started college but soon dropped out.  When I was the age of eighteen this man that had taught me about life was killed.  I immediately acknowledged God by telling Him that if that was the kind of God He was then I did not want anything to do with Him.  You see, I did not deny the existence of God I denied the work of God that I did not agree with.  I knew that it was God that killed my dad. 

Enter, the Rebel!  I became very rebellious to authority and was bent on doing what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it because I wanted to do it.  I developed an exceeding hatred for life.  At the age of 20 for reasons unknown to me I decided to join the U. S. Army.  I found out quickly that I no longer had the freedom to be a rebel.  The crazy thing is I liked the Army way of doing things.  I took the blood transfusion.  If you cut me I would bleed O D Green.  The Army way of life fit me.  I liked the Army but my anger at God grew more manifest in my choice of life style.  I drank and became a drunk.  I never was an alcoholic because I hated going to meetings and making confessions.  So I was a drunk. 

I had gotten married, had one child and another one on the way.  I was in the running for worst husband and father of the year.  I was on my way to a disaster full speed ahead.  I hated life.  I wanted to die.  I was afraid to commit suicide.  You do remember that I knew there was a God and I knew that death would not be the end of anything but physical life.  I knew that I would face God.  I knew that there had to be a Hell for people like me could not go to Heaven.

God was at work doing what only God can do.  I had relatives and they had gotten things right with God and they were serving Him faithfully in a church.  These relatives got burdened about my wife and I and they began to pray for us to get saved.  They thought that maybe they should get others involved in praying for us so they shared their prayer request with other members of their church. 

I had been sent to Germany for a 39 month assignment with the U. S. Army.  In 13 months I was on my way back to the U.S.A. and Ft. Hood Texas via a mental hospital.  After evaluation I was released and my family and I made straight course for Abilene Texas.  You say why was I going to Abilene?  I had a God ordained appointment that I was not aware of.  I went to visit those relatives who had been praying for me but I did not yet know that they were praying for me. 

Arriving on Saturday we planned on leaving the next day, Sunday.  We were asked to go to church with these relatives on Sunday and we agreed.  I don't know why.  I did not want to go to church.  God is much bigger than you think and He is definitely smarter than anyone you have ever met, physically speaking.

I sat through a Sunday School Class on that Sunday morning and I do not have a clue what the teacher said.  I sat through a sermon on that Sunday morning but I do not have a clue what the Preacher said.  But while I listened to that man preach someone began talking to me on the inside.  No, not audibly but clearly from within.  I was impressed with the fact that I needed a Saviour.  As I sat and listened to this internal voice I remembered from my childhood that at the end of the sermon there would be what is called an invitation.  An invitation is given so you can walk down the isle to the altar and someone can take the Bible and answer your question.  I began to think, "I wish that Preacher would shut up, I need to go to that altar and get saved."  Finally the time arrived and the Preacher did give the invitation and I rose with tears in my eyes and informed my wife that I needed to get saved.  I believe I said to her, "Do you want to get saved?"

On that day I received the Lord Jesus Christ to be my Saviour. 

How important is salvation?  My life was changed.  I no longer hated life.  I now knew how to love my wife and my children.  I was no longer a rebel.  I had reasons to live and no longer wanted to die.  I had a worthy purpose for my existence.  I still believed in God but my view of Him had greatly changed.  I now believed that God made no mistake when He killed my dad.  I now believed that God had the right to do anything He wanted to do anytime He wanted to do it and everything that God did was right.  I know that someday I will answer to God but I will answer as a saved man.  I know that I am eternally secure and Heaven will be my home when I leave this planet.  I know that I cannot go to Hell because the Lord Jesus Christ, My Saviour, has already done that for me.  Why is salvation important?  It makes life worth living.

You may e-mail me at crjaquess@sbcglobal.net if you have questions.         

Is There A God?

The Bible does not appear to even attempt to prove the existence of God and that is because God has put within every man the knowledge of His existence.

Romans 1:19

    “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.

Romans 1:20

    For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

There are many who in one way or another deny that there is a God in spite of the fact that they know there is.

Romans 1:32

    “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

It is sin that provokes man to deny that there is a God because admittance that there is a God is admittance that they will answer for the lifestyle that they have chosen.

Romans 3:19

    “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”

As a believer I can listen to the ramblings and ravings of the lost man or I can spend time strengthening my faith in God.

I decided a long time ago that being in the minority is most always the right thing. 

The very first verse of the Bible declares that there is a God.

Genesis 1:1

    “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

I cannot prove to anyone that there is a God but as I have already stated they know that there is a God so I am never interested in the conversation about the non-existence of God. 

I am going to give you one proof that there has to be a God.

I am not attempting to prove that there is a God for everyone already knows that there is a God.

I am just going to give you something that proves that there has to be a God.

When you are challenged by the so called atheists, agnostics, skeptics and hecklers of this world you might just respond with some truth from the word of God.

Psalms 14:1

    “The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good.”

The person that says there is no God has a heart problem and we knew that before they spoke. 

The brain takes in information contrary to God and because of his heart problem man decides to believe what his brain has learned. 

The only other option that I know of other than some religion that teaches a lie about how to know God is the theory of evolution.

Let me say first of all that God gave every individual a free will and you can believe anything that you chose to believe.

If you want to believe a lie God will allow you to believe that lie and damn your soul to Hell without one concern about your eternal soul.

We sometimes get the impression that God is walking around wringing His hands trying to figure out how to get people saved.

God is not upset because many have chosen to reject His Son.

I did not say that God has changed His mind about what He has already put into writing.

Titus 2:11

    “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

1^st Timothy 2:4

    “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

2^nd Peter 3:9

    “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

I said God is not upset about being rejected.

He isn’t even surprised by the rejection.

Matthew 7:13

    “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Matthew 7:14

    Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

I cannot explain how but the word of God says that every person on every spot of this earth has the grace of God appear to them and they are given a choice to receive God’s Son or reject God’s Son.

2^nd Corinthians 4:3

    “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2^nd Corinthians 4:4

    In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

First comes the choice to believe and then comes permission for the god of this world to blind if the choice is to believe not.

You might make note of verse 3     “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:”

Does God hide the gospel or truth from some people and why would God do that?

Often someone will say that the Jews under the law were looking forward to Christ coming as if they knew that He would come and die for them and they could then be saved by believing on Him.

You might have a hard time proving that when you study the disciples, who were chosen by the Lord. 

They did not believe even after He had died on the cross.

Obviously they did not get the memo: or should I say did not believe what was written in the Old Testament. 

Mark 16:14

    “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.”

God had a plan and His plan included hiding the truth from some Jews until a specific time previously determined by God.

Luke 18:31

    “Then he took [unto him] the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

Luke 18:32

    For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

Luke 18:33

    And they shall scourge [him], and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

Luke 18:34

    And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.”

Luke 24:44

    “And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.

Luke 24:45

    Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”

The scriptures are hidden to all men until a time that God chooses to open your understanding.

The Scriptural admonition is “Search” and “Study.”

John 5:39

    “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

2^nd Timothy 2:15

    “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

If you are not willing to “Search” and “Study” the scriptures will remain hid to you.

Here is the bottom line:  God gave you knowledge of His existence and God revealed to you your need of a Saviour.

Once God has done that the choice is yours.

God will not force you to believe on His Son and God is not going to predestinate you to get saved because that would go totally against all that God is.

If you chose Christ as your Saviour God says to you “Search the scriptures” and “Study.”

God will not force you to search and study but He will not reveal truth to you if you do not search and study.

Yes you will learn some things from listening to others but you will never get all of what God wants you to have if you do not get into the Book and work at learning truth. 

When it comes to the natural man it is very difficult for him to believe in something that he cannot see, feel, or touch. 

1^st Corinthians 2:14

    “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.”

·      Proof for the existence of God is the new birth

When you get saved you are a new man in Christ Jesus.

2^nd Corinthians 5:17

    “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

What does it mean to become a “new creature?”

Does it mean that all of your tastes and desires are changed?

If you liked iced tea the day before you got saved you will like iced tea the day after you get saved.

Does becoming a new creature take away all of my sinful desires?

No!  It magnifies them.

Romans 7:15

    “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Romans 7:16

    If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good.

Romans 7:17

    Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Romans 7:18

    For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.”

Becoming a new creature in Christ is something spiritual that takes place and from the day of your new birth until the day of your death or the rapture your two natures will be contrary to one another.

Galatians 5:17

    “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

When you are born again you will develop a love for the things of God and develop a hatred for the works of the flesh. 

2^nd Peter 3:18

    “But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

You are a new creature like Christ.

Colossians 1:15

    “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”

The Lord Jesus Christ never appeared as a man until after the virgin birth.

On many occasions we have the Lord appearing as an angel but that is another lesson. 

Psalms 2:7

    “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee.”

This day is a specific time that God had ordained for His Son to be born. 

Galatians 4:4

    “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Galatians 4:5

   To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

The Lord Jesus Christ was the first man ever born of the Holy Ghost which is also called the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:35

    “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

Therefore we read:     “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” (Colossians 1:15)

When you are born again you are born again by the
Holy Spirit.

John 3:8

    “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

At the time of the “new birth” the Holy Spirit indwells you and since Christ is the fulness of the Godhead the bible says:

Colossians 1:27

    “To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

You are a new creature in Christ and Christ is in you so in you is a divine nature. 

2^nd Peter 1:4

    “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

You are a new (spiritual) creature and you have been changed. 

·      Proof for the existence of God is the new birth

2^nd Corinthians 5:17

    “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”