Are you born again?

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 “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  [John 3:3]

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 'Are you born again?'

Are you born again? This is one of life's most important questions. Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

First of all, John wrote: “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning...” (I John 3:9). “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” (I John 5:18).

A person, who has been born again, or regenerated, does not habitually commit sin. But the true Christian hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, considers it his greatest plague, resents the burden of its presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be completely delivered from it.

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (I John 1:8). But he can say that he hates sin and that the great desire of his soul is not to commit sin at all. He cannot prevent bad thoughts from entering his mind, or shortcomings, omissions, and defects from appealing in both his words and his actions. He knows that “we all stumble in many ways” (James 3:2).

Second, John wrote: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God...” (I John 5:1).

A man who is born again, or regenerated, believes that Jesus Christ is the only Savior who can pardon his soul, which He is the divine person appointed by God the Father for this very purpose, and beside Him there is no Savior at all. In himself he sees nothing but unworthiness. But he has full confidence in Christ, and trusting in Him, he believes that his sins are all forgiven.

Third, John wrote: “If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him” (I John 2:29).

The man who is born again, or regenerated, is a holy man. He endeavors to live according to God's will, to do the things that please God and to avoid the things that God hates. He wishes to continually look to Christ as his example as well as his Savior and to prove himself to be Christ's friend by doing whatever He commands. He knows he is not perfect. He is painfully aware of his indwelling corruption. He finds an evil principle within himself that is constantly warring against grace and trying to draw him away from God. But he does not consent to it, though he cannot prevent its presence.

Fourth, John wrote: “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death” (I John 3:14).

A man who is born again has a special love for all true Disciples of Christ. Like his Father in heaven, he loves all men with a great general love, but he has a special love for those who share his faith in Christ. Like his Lord and Savior, he loves the worst of sinners and could weep over them; but he has a peculiar love for those who are believers. He is never so much at home as when he is in their company.

Fifth, John wrote: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (I John 5:4).

A man who is born again does not use the world's opinion as his standard of right and wrong. He does not mind going against the world's ways, ideas and customs. What men think or say no longer concerns him. He overcomes the love of the world. He finds no pleasure in things which seem to bring happiness to most people. To him they seem foolish and unworthy of an immortal being.

Sixth, John wrote: “the one who was born of God keeps him safe' (I John 5:18).

A man who is born again is careful of his own soul. He tries not only to avoid sin but also to avoid everything which may lead to it. He is careful about the company he keeps. He knows that evil communications corrupt the heart and that evil is more catching than good, just as disease is more infectious than health. He is careful about the use of his time; his chief desire is to spend it profitable.

How should we react to these things? We can logically come to only one conclusion—only those who are born again have these six characteristics, and those who do not have these marks are not born again. This seems to be the conclusion to which the apostle intended us to come. Do you have these characteristics? Are you born again?

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?



"Give us this day our daily bread"

 “Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our debts,  as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil”  [Matthew 6: 11-13]

 





This same Jesus,...will come back...

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 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. ”  [Acts 1:8-9]

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 'This same Jesus,...will come back...'

He(Jesus) said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

As soon as the Savior had commissioned His disciples, He was taken up into heaven. Such a spectacular event, yet it is described so simply and quietly! The restraint which the writers of the Bible used in telling their story points to the inspiration of the Word; it is not customary for men to handle such unusual events with such reserve.   The appearance of two men in white apparel follows Christ’s ascension.  These were obviously angelic beginnings who were enabled to appear on earth in the form of men. Perhaps these were the same angels who appeared at the tomb following the resurrection.

The angels first addressed the disciples as men of Galilee. As far as we know, all the disciples except Judas Iscariot came from the region west of the Sea of Galilee.  Then the angels awoke them from their reverie, as they looked into heaven. Why were they gazing up into heaven? Was it sorrow, or worship, or wonder? Doubtless it was a mixture of all three, through primarily sorrow. So a word of comfort was given. The ascended Christ would come again.



He will return to the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4).

He will return personally (Mal. 3:1).

He will return visibly (Matt. 24:30).

He will come on the clouds of heaven (Matt: 24:30).

He will return with power and great glory (Matt. 24:30).

Why do you...looking into the sky?

 “They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”  [Acts 1:10-11]

 



The LORD is my Shepherd

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 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  [Philippians 4:19]

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 The LORD is my Shepherd

 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
   for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
   I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
    forever.

 Despite its worldwide popularity, the Psalm is not for everyone. It is applicable only to those who are entitled to say, "The LORD is my Shepherd." It is true that the Good Shepherd died for all, but only those who actually receive Him by a definite act of faith are His sheep. His saving work is sufficient for all, but it is effective only for those who actually believe on Him. Everything therefore hinges on the personal pronoun my. Unless He is my Shepherd, then the rest of the Psalm does not belong to me.  On the other hand, if He is really mine and I am really His, then I have everything in Him!



Overseer of your souls

 “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls ”  [1 Peter 2:25]

 

The LORD is my Shepherd



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 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works”  [Titus 2:11-14]

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 Sound Doctrine

But as for you(Titus), teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.  Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

The believer should be prepared and looking for His glorious arrival. As we await His Return we never forget the purpose of His First Coming and of His self-sacrifice. He gave Himself not only to save us from the guilt and penalty of sin but to redeem us from every lawless deed. It would have been a half-way salvation if the penalty of sin had been canceled but its dominion in our lives was left unconquered.

He also gave Himself to purify for Himself His own special people. In other translation it says "a peculiar people." He gave Himself for us that we might be zealous for good works. We should have enthusiasm to perform acts of kindness in His name and for His glory. When we think of the zeal of men for sports, politics, and business, we would be provoked to jealousy and inspired to good deeds.

God may be praised through Jesus Christ

 “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen ”  [1 Peter 4:11]

 

Holy Bible



I've been coming to look for fruit...

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 “Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down. ”  [Luke 13:8-9]

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 "For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit..."

It is not difficult to identify the fig tree as Israel, planted in God’s vineyard, that is, the world.  God looked for fruit on the tree but He found none. So He said to the vinedresser (the Lord Jesus) that He had sought in vain for fruit from the tree for three years.

The simplest interpretation of this refers it to the first three years of our Lord’s public ministry. The thought of the passage is that the fig tree had been given sufficient time to produce fruit, if it was ever going to do so. If no fruit appeared in three years, then it was reasonable to conclude that none would ever appear.

Because of the fruitlessness, God ordered to cut it down. It was only occupying ground that could be used more productively. The vinedresser interceded for the fig tree, asking that it be given one more year. If at the end of that time, it was still fruitless, the He could cut it down. And that is what happened, it was after the fourth year had begun that Israel rejected and crucified the Lord Jesus.  As a result, its capital was destroyed and the people scattered.

Man exists for the honor and pleasure of the Creator: when he does not serve this just end why should not the sentence of death follow his sinful failure, and he is removed from his place of privilege?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Gal 5:22-23.

Cut it down!

 “For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?”  [Luke 13:7]

 

Olive Tree