Alright everyone, I am starting a new series on the Parables of Jesus, it should be less than 40 parts. This study typically follows along the lines of this site: http://www.bcbsr.com/survey/jpbl.html From their belief statements I have to agree that they are credible as can be. Please be sure not to take my word for it and realize that you as a discerning and thinking Christian should always investigate for yourself through the Word of God and prayer if something said is legitimate. I come humbly to share something that I'm learning. I will try to not reiterate everything on the website, instead I wanted to expand my thoughts here and would love your personal feedback so that we all can be edified. So without further hesitation:
The Dragnet - Matt 13:47-50 (from amplified version)
"47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet which was cast into the sea and gathered in fish of every sort. 48When it was full, men dragged it up on the beach, and sat down and sorted out the good fish into baskets, but the worthless ones they threw away. 49So it will be at the close and consummation of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God). 50And cast them [the wicked] into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and wailing and grinding of teeth."
What I have developed here is that the fish are Christians, we are set apart from whatever else is in the sea because the dragnet, the fishing net essentially, is what catches our attention. So what is the net? It must be the Gospel (believing it gets you caught), the Works and Life of Jesus Christ who brought us salvation and a relationship with God directly through and with Him. Now it says that NOT all the fish caught by the net was good. What makes the fish good or bad? Thinking about it as a fisherman, if you catch a dead fish, it's bad/spoiled, but if it is alive you keep it because it remains fresh. Therefore, we must remain living Christians, Christians that are living for the Gospel even on the final hour. We cannot be satisfied with the saying "I'm saved, I don't have to do anything else now." This is a dead Christian, please read on faith and fruits of the Spirit. If you are saved you must be alive, if you are alive, you must bear Spiritual fruit, if you are bearing fruit, you should be maturing that fruit. The devil likes to satisfy us with the idea of thinking your done, which is slothfulness and lazy. God always wants your very best on the other hand and wants to increase your spiritual potential. Furthermore, I have to say that we as Christians must always be on guard to do what is right and holy before God and among men and women to give testimony. If you are not on guard you are sleeping, when you sleep and not guarding the enemy can come in your camp to kill. When a tree does not get tended by the gardener or receive rain or sunlight it will surely shrivel and die. The same is with our Christian spiritual life; are we being tended by our Lord Jesus Christ? Are we asking the Father to rain mercy and kindness on us? Are we asking the Spirit to shed light on us so our branches extend for further growth?
At this point then you may be asking, what must I do to be a good/living fish? Seek Christ and do as He says. You will see that He wants you to shed light to this world and stand for what is right. Therefore, you must understand what is true and right and holy, which can only be done by reading the Word of God for yourself. Yes 'once saved, always saved,' but are you REALLY saved? Remember, Christianity is not about doing good, most philosophies and theologies portray that notion. What makes Christianity distinct is a direct relationship to God, through Jesus Christ, who is coequal with the Father and Spirit. That said I'm not saying make banners and run up to your friends telling them to change. Again, keep reading and asking the Spirit for guidance, for He will surely and gladly give it to you. He will dispense a sincere, humble, loving, and patient heart to be able to talk to others when He directs you or quite simply be an example through your good ethics/morals/diligence.
So, have you been caught by the net? Are you a bad or dead fish that will be thrown out in the wild to suffer because you truly did not believe and live out as though you believed? Or will you be the good fish that will be preserved in salt because of your faithfulness? . . . Just one person's thoughts. . .
Monday, August 23, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Blog on Cursing the Christian Perspective
I've been around some people that say they are Christian, while they are constantly either cursing and/or putting other people down. I'm not saying they are not true believers, but they are definitely not mature/maturing Christians based on the Word of God, which I agree! I'm not here to judge, but as the Lord did, be put on a lamp stand, be the lamp and let the Lord shine His light through us. I know that brothers/sisters who do still have worldly tendencies and this is the result of either them pausing/stopping their pursuit in the Lord with all their heart, their mind, and strength or refuse to make God Lord (master) not just Savior. So, lets read the following bellow. Again, not to rebuke the individual, but rebuke the sin so that the person may be edified by the Truth, so that they cannot say I never knew that. This is what the Bible says:
1. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Eph 4:29
2. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech." 1 Peter 3:10
3. "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." James 3:9-12
4. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
So therefore brothers and sisters, do not settle in living without seeing, pick up your Bibles and learn what God calls us to be for this world, salt to preserve and light to shine the Truth and the glory of Jesus Christ. It will not save you playing dumb and saying that "I didn't know." (Read the parable of the 4 types of Christians, only one will make it all the way, the one who seeks and tests the Word, which will see the Truth and use it in their life). Well I hope this truly shed some light. It is not meant to point a finger at the individual, but instead point out the works of the inner man that must be put away before we can claim a true believer.
God bless in your walk with Christ.
1. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Eph 4:29
2. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech." 1 Peter 3:10
3. "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." James 3:9-12
4. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
So therefore brothers and sisters, do not settle in living without seeing, pick up your Bibles and learn what God calls us to be for this world, salt to preserve and light to shine the Truth and the glory of Jesus Christ. It will not save you playing dumb and saying that "I didn't know." (Read the parable of the 4 types of Christians, only one will make it all the way, the one who seeks and tests the Word, which will see the Truth and use it in their life). Well I hope this truly shed some light. It is not meant to point a finger at the individual, but instead point out the works of the inner man that must be put away before we can claim a true believer.
God bless in your walk with Christ.
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