Audio Bible Reading August 05 2014

Dead to Sin, Alive to God Part 1

What shall we say then? Shall we continue still in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live yet therein? Know ye not, that all we which have been baptized into Jesus Christ, have been baptized into his death? We are buried then with him by baptism into his death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead to the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we be planted with him to the similitude of his death, even so shall we be to the similitude of his resurrection, Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin, For he that is dead, is freed from sin.

The Epistle to the Romans 6:1-7

Good morning in the name of Christ Jesus

Indeed, what shall we say then or more to the matter what will we do?  Should we continue to act within our carnal selves in order to prove God’s mercy and grace? No certainly not!  We are to walk, as Paul states in the newness of life. We are now imputed, (a), that is to say credited with righteousness that is now found in our newness through Jesus Christ.  If I might offer a simple analogy, it is like being caught speeding, let off with a warning, and then speeding away again as to prove the mercy shown to you by the officer. In doing this we not only disgrace ourselves, but furthermore show that we ignore the mercy shown to us, as if it has no real meaning to us. Grace and mercy are not a get out of hell free card. 

We are now, and should act as if we too have died. We have died to selfishness, to carnality, to things of this temporal worldly plane, and to all things that lift up the wisdom of man in defiance to the wisdom that is God. Instead we are reborn into a new likeness, that of Christ and the Father who dwell within the realms of righteousness, love and mercy. 

Friends, if you have see this, and have come to the light of the Gospel of Christ, pray with me, and accept God’s offer of mercy and grace. 

Father I confess my sins, and come to you to seek your forgiveness. I acknowledge the sacrifice of your Son Jesus Christ and accept Him as my Redeemer and Savior. Clean me and mold me into a new creation. Amen

Some related Scripture upon which to meditate;
Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12, 3:3 Ephesians 4:23; Hebrews 12:1; 1 Peter 2:1; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Timothy 2:11

(a)  To charge; to ascribe; to attribute; to set to the account of; - Source Webster’s dictionary Ed. 1913 & 1828

Audio Bible Reading August 04 2014

Likewise then, as by the offense of one, the fault came on all men to condemnation, so by the justifying of one, the benefit abounded toward all men to the justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by that obedience of that one, shall many also be made righteous.

The Epistle to the Romans 5:18-19

Greetings to all in the name of Jesus

Continuing along with yesterday’s study, the Apostle Paul strengthens his statements by saying what we learned previously. Through Adam came sin and death, but through Christ came grace and life.  What shall we then do when confronted with such knowledge? We therefore should live to serve Him in all we do. The old expression that reads something like this; “the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree” holds true, or at least it should, in this case. This is to say, that now, being brought into the knowledge of Christ and are credited with His righteousness, let us now go forth in that righteousness, and being as He is; a humble and obedient son or daughter. These terms are used because we are now part of His family, restored to Him. 

Again it cannot be stressed enough that for those that have yet to take advantage of this offer by our Father there is still time. Friends pray with me please:

Father I have heard your words today, and ask you to come into my heart. Search me, and cleanse me. I confess my sins, and renounce my sinful nature. I accept the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus Christ, and likewise Your offer for grace and mercy. Amen

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death went over all men: in whom all men have sinned. 

15 But yet the gift is not so as is the offense: for if through the offense of that one, many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. (a)

The Epistle to the Romans 5:11, 15

(a) Read Isaiah 53:11

Good morning on this Sabbath day of rest in the name of Christ.

Friends in the above we find the Apostle Paul comparing the two, that is to say Adam, and Christ. In the former through his failing and fall people inherited sin, and all the accompanying travelers and results of sin. But in the latter, that is Jesus, we, through His obedience to the Father, to go to the cross we have now inherited life and all that it entails. 

This restoration of life to us is given freely by God Himself. It is as Paul wrote a gift from God. It is offered to all people, all nations, for as is written there are none that do good, all fall short of the glory of God. However, as it is also written, that in Christ there is no distinctions between believers. Friends it is again urged that you come into the understanding of the Gospel of Christ. The times of the end are on the horizon if they’re not already here today. Each day we read of sufferings through strife, through famine, through natural disasters.  

It would be dishonest to deny that due to our ability to communicate in real time, as opposed to even as short a time of a century ago, that this is so. However, it is also written that the end times will begin when the Gospel is made known throughout the world. As such the aforementioned speed in which we communicate has made that prophecy a reality. (b) To quote Mark 4:9;

“Then he said unto them, He that hath ears, to hear, let him hear” 

(b) Read Matthew 24:1-31

However friends, do not despair for there is a Hope, and that Hope is in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, who went to the cross in our stead. Believe on Him and you shall be saved. (c) Pray with me friends:

Father, I have read Your Word today, and I confess my sins unto You. I accept Your Son Jesus Christ as my Savior, and ask that you cleanse me from my sinful nature and take me in as one of Your children. Amen.  

(c) Read Romans 10:9

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life, And not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

The Epistle to the Romans 5:9-11 (Geneva Bible Translation Ed. 1599)

Greetings in the name of Christ to all people and nations

If this is not wonderful news, then it is asked what can possibly be better news? God, our Creator, Who loved us so much that He gave us His best while we were still in enmity with Him! (a)Certainly we all deserved to reap the wages of sin, and should taste eternal death and separation from Him, and yet, yet He loved us so much, that He made a way for us, wherein we could never make a way for ourselves, so that we now instead can have triumph over death, and have eternal life, with and in Him. In addition, we have now been moved from our own unrighteousness to His righteousness, but the imputing of it through faith in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice of His life for ours. We now glory in the prospect and the certain knowledge that we can, and will have a spokesman for us in front of the seat of judgment on the day of His second coming. 

Friends, if you have not yet received this grace, or are reading about it for the first time, it is not too late to turn it around and as the old preachers used to say “get right with God” Pray with me if you will;

Father, I come to you this morning, this moment in time, to confess my sins. I accept your offer of grace and mercy, by acknowledging the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary, when it should have been me. I declare this day forward that I will serve you, and look towards the future when I can come before you blameless and transmuted into your image once again. Amen   

(a) Read Romans 8:6-8, James 4:4-5

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Christ in Our Place 

For Christ, when we were yet of no strength, at his time died for the ungodly Doubtless one will scarce die for a righteous man: but yet for a good man it may be that one dare die. But God setteth out his love towards us, seeing that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

The Epistle to the Romans 5:6-8 (Geneva Bible Translation Ed. 1599) 

And for this cause is he the Mediator of the new Testament, that through death which was for the redemption of the transgressions that were in the former Testament, they which were called, might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

The Epistle to the Hebrews 9:15 (Geneva Bible Translation Ed. 1599)

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, and was put to death concerning the flesh, but was quickened by the spirit.

First Epistle of Peter 3:18 (Geneva Bible Translation Ed. 1599)

To all peoples and the brethren greetings and good morning in the name of Christ

What more can be said? He that did not spare His own son, and offered Him up as a sacrifice for our redemption, how then can we not love Him that first loved us? (see John 3:16 15:13) How can we not submit ourselves to Him, that we might be as He is? 

Friends, usually we have more to speak upon, but today’s study is short and to the point. It is urged by God Himself that you come to Him and seek Him for redemption. It cannot be sugar coated for you, God IS returning to judge His people, ALL people. Those that preceeded us, and those alive today. You now have a Mediator, a representative to speak on your behalf, in front of the judgment seat. Do not be found wanting for one on that day, for there will be none if you do not accept God’s offer of mercy and grace. Pray with me friends:

Lord God, I come to you this morning, and confess my sins. I accept your Son Jesus Christ, as my Redeemer, and Savior. Who went to Calvary and died in my stead that I might have eternal life with You. Come into my heart, and dwell with me. Cleanse me from my sins, and clothe me in Your righteousness, that I may be found blameless on the day of judgment. Amen