a Godly person? hhhhhmmmmmm…You know Joe, with where I am in life now,…I think about this question, not a lot necessarily, but, mainly, I think about it in the sense of, do I, each day, and for the most part, all day, whatever comes my way,…if I allow myself to get knocked off balance, do I get my focus back to where it should be, and needs to be, as quickly as possible?
What I mean is, for us to have and be a “good witness”, by concentrating on who God is, and is to be, in our own life,…as a living savior,….and in our drawing near to Him,…then our witness is an automatic result of where we stand each day.
I have found that in doing this, “drawing closer”,…as an individual who is “working out my own salvation”,….knowing that doing this is for my own good, first and foremost, and this is not said selfishly, by the way,…….then I have no worries what another may think of me.
many times, brand new baby christians are encouraged (or, pushed) to go out on an instant soul winning, conversion program,…this can be a very dangerous hing in their “new” condition,…instead of encouraging their focus to be on their savior,….they can instead be taught to focus on people,…in a “works” kind of way. The cart can quickly be put “before” the horse,…and the new believer starves for what is truly needed in their live,…and for their life,…FAITH FIRST,…works second,…
If our life (FAITH) ever shifts to where it is, works first,…and faith second,…then we can easily be “living our faith” under “our own power”….(doing what “we” choose, instead of what God chooses and wants for us)…
Jesus spoke of how the wind blows where it wants to, such is how the spirit of God moves (within) us,…there is no set in stone daily 12 step program of (hollow) motions to follow, when we,…through and because of our “faith first” attitude and focus,…simply yield ourselves to God.
We are told that “bodily exercise profits little” Our human body, when self willed does human (fleshly/carnal) works, or, exercises, if you will? In learning of and walking close to Jesus, we are automatically exercising “spiritually” This is how we “go on” (forward) unto the “perfecting of our faith”
We, as humans, will never be perfect, as it is, in and of itself, “impossible for us to do.” Corruptible flesh, etc,…
But, instead, it is through our faith, that we grow.
And in growing, we mature.
And in maturing, our “witness” is stronger and more “real” to any and all others by the day……
We are solid in what we believe…
“when we were children,…we spoke as children”,…but,…(action of faith coming up next) LET US “PUT AWAY” OUR CHILDISH WAYS”,…Correct?
To “put away” something, we have to make a choice to do so,…Correct? When we “do not” put away our childish ways, then I ask,…”what are we then?” Or, what do we “remain?” We remain as a child, don’t we?
We read that “whom a father (God) loves,…He corrects” Us…correct?
In loving obedience to a faith which is to give us abundant life, if we are, “disobedient” (or perhaps, non-yielding),….then what does the Bible tell us??? It says that “God’s wrath is poured out upon children of disobedience”,…doesn’t it? Redneck translation is,…WE GET SPANKED LOL,…but definitely, NO LOL
There are times,….in which, through and because of our stubbornness,…not only do we and are we missing out on our loving closeness with God,…but we are also in a, well,…a constant state of correction. Many times,…this is when we, as humans,…want to blame good old satan for causing our rough days,…when,…in fact,…our rough days may be, “us just reaping what we sow”.
Are we walking by faith? If so,…we are automatically, “sowing spiritually”,…thus, we will reap spiritually…But,…the other side of the coin,…are we walking as a human?,…And, are we also “trying to think” (or, allowing our self to be deceived into thinking) that we are living a “christian life” while doing so???
hhhhhhmmmmmmmm…So,…if we are walking in the flesh,….”firstly”,…and not walking in faith, “spiritually”,…would we then be (by our own neglect and willful choice),…in what we do,…in how we live,…and lastly, in what we “sow”,…be sowing,…to the flesh???
If we are,…are we not told as a loving truth,…that we will be sowing to the flesh???
at which point,…we are susceptible to correction, aren’t we?
What is the Godly and healthy point behind correction? How about,…simple redneck thought here,…a,…blessed life?
To be “conformed”, this is part of our maturing process, isn’t it? or,…part of our overall, “salvation?”,…maturing is necessary,…but to mature,…we must, of our own choosing,…desire to grow,…correct???
If we are living in pursuing the desires of our flesh,…meaning,…satisfying our human wants,…
I ask ALL,…are WE, as Jesus tells (lovingly commands) us,…TAKING UP OUR CROSS EVERY DAY AND IN DOING SO, FOLLOWING HIM???
This is something that every one of us as believers should absolutely give some serious thought and prayer to!
I am thinking of myself as I write this…I truly desire to grow closer to Jesus and thus,…walking in the light,…HIS LIGHT,…EACH AND EVERY DAY,…I KNOW THIS TO BE FACT,…AS DOES JESUS…I say this in no way at all to make anyone feel guilty. I know how satan works quite well.
When words such I have just written are read by others,…”if” some of the others do not, and are not, desiring to walk closer to Jesus in faith,…then this is when satan tries to have a field day by telling any and all of us, “believers” that we are, guilty,…
If we give thought to these (untrue,false and condemning) accusations, and let them have place in our minds,…then,…it is going to be too easy for satan to continue on in our minds and tell us,…that we are NOT GOOD ENOUGH…
So,…because of our faults, our neglect, and our sin,…that we “should not even think” about “trying” to live a life of lively, healthy, and strong faith,…because we will only fail,…
Listen closely,…this is a lie. LIES ARE THE TOOL THE SATAN LOVES TO USE THE MOST…Remember this and never forget this. Jesus is the what? THE TRUTH,…SO,…AS AN OPPOSITE,…satan is the what??? THE FATHER OF LIES. Correct?…Do the scriptures say that we shall know the “lies”, and the “lies” shall make us free???…No,…but if it left up to satan,…then that IS EXACTLY WHAT HE WILL TELL US,…and thus,…we will remain locked in our own personal prison…as a “freed believer?” Why would we do something so stupid as this?
Jesus Himself tells us that “none of us are good enough” He took our place in the electric chair (upon the cross) He rode the lightning in our place!!! IN DOING SO,…WE HAVE BEEN AND ARE,….FOREVER FREE. WE CAN (now and because of God’s mercy/grace/and forgiveness) NOW COME BOLDLY INTO THE THRONE ROOM AND HAVE COMMUNION WITH GOD. None of US WHO BELIEVE are guilty!
we, may have a Godly “conviction” which is not condemning guilt, but, instead, this conviction, motivates us to yield to a loving God,…and in doing so,….we get to experience the good gifts that are waiting for us all.
GOD SAYS THE HE IS THE “REWARDER” OF THOSE OF US WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM” Have you ever read that? I say this in love,…then,…YOU NEED TO. We all need to. And then do what we read.
Jesus is and was our scapegoat. (google this) Our sins were placed upon Him,…BY HIS OWN DESIGN. And they were forever removed from us. HE IS THE PERFECT LAMB,…GOD’S SELF PROVIDED PERFECT SACRIFICE.
{do you remember the ram from the story where Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac, his son???? (I didn’t google this, so Joe,….are these the correct people in the story? thanks) where was the ram discovered??? What was on Jesus’ head when He was crucified? God already had a way out, but Abraham had to have faith,…didn’t he? Fact is,…I am absolutely glad that I was not in the situation the Abraham was! We, as believer’s in Jesus, have it so easy.}
yup, Jesus,…the perfect sacrifice,…the perfect lamb,…WITHOUT SPOT OR BLEMISH. THE ONE TIME FINAL HIGH PRIEST REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE. ALL THE PEOPLE. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD!!!
satan is the “accuser of all christians” but Jesus steps us as the one who freed us FOREVER from the guilt which we once lived under, (due to, and because of, the rules of the law)….and reminds satan that “who the son has freed,..then we are free in deed. So,…as believers,…”IF GOD IS FOR US (AND HE IS) THEN WHO CAN BE AGAINST US????” Well,…the word devil means THE ONE WHO OPPOSES GOD,…SO? WHO IS AGAINST US???……………
yup satan,…So what??? Again,…satan is a liar,……
If you/WE have truly received/believed on and in Jesus, as your savior,….His Holy Spirit dwells with in you/US.
GREATER IS HE,…WHO IS “IN” US,…THAN,…HE WHO IS IN THE WORLD?…who is in us??? Yup, Jesus. Who is in the world?…yup, satan…
IF WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS WHO STRENGTHENS US,…(WHICH WE CAN),……then wouldn’t that mean that we can walk daily in faith with Him,…and follow him thankfully and lovingly,…taking up our cross,….and maturing,….and in doing so,……no longer live under constant correction? Well,…I believe that is exactly what we can do,…but, yet again,…only in and through faith…
okay Joe,….I didn’t see this as being a 27 page comment,…if I am in the wrong here, I want to apologize to you and the others,…I’ll copy this and continue writing it for my next post,…so,…if you need to,…or want to delete,…no sweat. ok? Again,…sorry if I have not practiced wisdom, and restraint,…ok?
so,…do we ever wonder why God does not seem to be very real in our life? Why we can’t “hear” Him? Or, we can’t “see” Him? There may be a reason why we can’t??? We are told to “SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND “HIS” RIGHTEOUSNESS (AND ONLY THEN) AND EVERYTHING WHICH WE NEED TO LIVE AN ABUNDANTLY (FREE AND POWERFUL) LIFE WILL BE GIVEN TO US!” (redneck translation and modification) (google matthew six)
and, also in matthew 6, we are also “told to do” (faith is an action verb,…do we act upon our faith???) this,…every day……
I ask myself,….do I do this every day? Yes I do. Have I always? No.
Now, someone ask me “this” question,….”Hey John E Doe, just how was your life when you weren’t (WERE NOT) placing God where He is supposed to be and where you truly needed Him to be???
MAN, THANKS FOR ASKING. THAT RIGHT THERE IS A GREAT QUESTION,……
MY ANSWER IS THIS,…MY LIFE SUCKED!…or,…I’ll say it this way,…my life sucked!
Yup,…that about covers it.
and yield to God, and follow Jesus to do so…this could be referred to as “spiritual common sense”,…couldn’t it?
so,…Faith???,…hhhmmm,…maybe there is just a tad more to it?
God’s spirit,…through our spiritual life,…is what is conforming us, to the image of His Son,…
Not because we do good deeds.
Not because we dress like a christian.
Not because we talk like a christian.
Not because we go to church.
Not because we carry a bible on our dash.
Not because we wear a cross around our neck.
Not because we bow our head when someone says lets pray. Not because we memorize scripture.
Not because we put money in a plate.
Not because we,……..?????????
Wow,….that was kinda tiring! (see how our “works” can wear us out,…and accomplish absolutely nothing at the same time???)
Faith is because of nothing that we can or will do,…It is a gift,…A free gift,…from Jesus to us,…have you accepted this gift??? If not,…how are things going for you?
It’s as simple as believe and receive,…done deal…As they said in the church I went to as a kid,…ask him into your heart right now.
His love waits.
His forgiveness and acceptance waits.
For all of us. No matter who you are.
No matter what you have done.
Whether good,…or bad…
We are told that “Jesus stands at our door and knocks”,…I believe this,…many years ago,…I opened my door and let Him in,…and now, many years later…because of his mercy,…and His loving patience,…I am following Him, again…with all of my, and in spite of my imperfections,…it’s true ya know??? And this is a fact. A fact,…of faith,…HE HAS NEVER LEFT ME…NOR HAS HE FORSAKEN ME,…remember,…satan is a liar…
in faith,…the closer that we come to him,…then the closer He is to us,…walking in faith,…(“not” by following our own works),…then the more sensitive we are to the leading of His spirit,…
In this manner,…our life of faith, is, and has (now) become,…a “spiritual” life of surprises,…while we exist in a very real,…and very “carnal” world…trust me if you want to,…but I’ll tell you this,…from what I have experienced in my life,…GOD IS NOT BORING,…dive in,…FAITH FIRST.
I am thankful,…truly thankful,…my journey continues,…john e doe
johnedoe.wordpress.com/ 
This…..this is a absolutely fantastic post, I wish every one would read this, with an open heart. So, so many people that read it would absolutely be held responsible for knowing the truth. We will be responsible for what we hear and learn and know. Wow, this is it, all of it. Knowing Jesus…. there is no greater pleasure, and NO other way to heaven, except by knowing Jesus. Amen!!! I have absolutely no reason not to get closer to God, yet I still stay at bay, not sure why, but I need to do something about it for sure.
I am looking for something…. I need to find a way to explain eternal security to someone. I would like to know your beliefs on that!
hi there miss correna,…….i saw your comment that you made on joe’s new post about eternal security,……….i think what you wrote covered it quite nicely,…………as you could tell by my last evenings comment on the other blog,…as i already said, i lost my cool,………..so, i am not commenting on the “new one”,……….i hope that you understand why,………i say this because arguments,..well,……suck,……………..make sense??? but, fact is, when someone pushes my “buttons”, intentionally or otherwise,………i can (choose to) push back,….in other words,…i can easily call a “spade a spade.”…………..but it ain’t “always” in an encouraging way,……..so,………my advice,….keep being who you are,….take a deep breath,….say your prayers,….and continue to share what you have to say, without compromise!!!!!!!!,……..when we share what jesus teaches, others,….may not dig it,…….ya know???,……..when we stick with what jesus teaches,….then all will be just fine,……..again,…..i like what you shared,………i’ll copy and paste your comment here in a few so that you know which one that i meant, k???????? toksoon,………..
December 19, 2012 at 1:08 am
Have I said something you disagreed with? Because I wrote above, that I DO NOT believe a person can lose their salvation. God will not take it from us, nor will we be able to do anything to get rid of it IF we are truly saved to begin with. Are you talking about walking away from Him and not being saved anymore? Because I do not believe that is possible either. Yes I read your post, and I agree with it, we do have to keep close to the Lord, but I believe if we fall away, we do not have to get saved again.
the one i just shared that you commented on is the one i like,…………and it is scripturally accurate,….
I do think I was clear, but it seemed as if I was being attacked, she seemed to explain that she wasnt trying to argue, so I just accepted, but she doesnt quit, and in her last response to me, I realized she really doesnt believe she cant lose her salvation. I have gotten into this with someone else i know in my own life, and it is a hard sell to make someone believe in eternal security when they so strongly believe otherwise. i went searching your blog for a way to explain it better and came across “I, myself, Do not want to believe in God, why would I” What a excellent read. I was into every word, fantastic explanation of Gods love to us. Anyway, not sure what to do about the post lyn wrote to me on Joes blog. any ideas?
you ever heard the term, “stick to your guns???”,….the bible tells us that the holy spirit will guide us into all truth,…….have you read this,………….god’s spirit insid eof us “the comforter” who jesus gave us,…..teaches us,…….we “need no man” to teach us,…….have you ever read that????
as for the “she won’t quit” thing???,………my advice is to just turn your head,…..you, me, or a fly on the wall won’t and can’t change the mind of someone else,………….especially when the person is “double-minded”,……….or,…wishy washy,…………………just keep on seekin what “jesus himself” teaches us all!!!!!!!!!,…………too many people quote, copy, and paste, scriptures all day long without knowing the first thing about what the scriptures mean. period.
more shortly,………
actually,….i think your questions and thoughts have been my inspiration for my next writing,……but,……..be patient, k??? as i may not post it til tomorrow,………toksoon,…thanks again,………..
I have heard those sayings, but not for a long………….time. Thank you for reminding me. It seems so good to finally be able to talk to someone that is willing to talk, and to talk about the truth of God. Thank you for that as well. Now, I understand more of what you said about the quote, copy, paste thing! I will keep seeking Jesus himself and His words, my inner most being wants to draw closer to Him, but I still seem to just wait on it…..not sure why….but hopefully with these discussions i will figure it out and just do it. I am not saying I dont read or do devotions or even pray, but the digging deeper is what i am talking about. Thank you for listening…………..it means alot. and I am glad my questions and thoughts inspired you. I look forward to reading it tomorrow. Have a wonderful night.
This morning I woke up with the dialogue on Joes blog on my mind. and I had to try one last time, it is a little long but I feel better getting it all out. and I believe that was what needed to be said………..what anyone does with it from there is up to them…I said what I believe God wanted me to and thats that. Just wanted to let you know.
hi there,……very well said,…my two cents worth is (for us all) to just find a nice spot to sit and take a deep breath,…….which is what i am doing now,….coffee time for me,….prayer time for me,………cool??? back later maybe,……i gotta get my truck back together,…………
Yes, thanks for what you said over there too. I am done for now too, I had my devotions this morning and my coffee, but I need another one and to just chill for a bit too. thanks, have fun with your truck! talk later!
hi,….just got finished workin on my truck,….gettin ready to eat some dinner and hit the shower,………will try to write and post my new thoughts this evening,…..i hope you all are well,………………toksoon,……..don’t let yourself get discouraged, ok??? there is absolutely no need to be or to get discouraged,….hope you had a good day too,……….
I am okay, thanks for your message. I wasnt quite expecting all of what came about on that post, oh brother, I just backed off like I said I would. I went to Joes next post this am and waited to answer his question so I could think about it and try to word it, so as not to get those riled up, but when I got home this eve I see that he changed his question and removed the last paragraph from the original post…………hmmmm? I thank you for your encouragement, I realize that what I said was taken way out of ………………..whats the right word? well anyway, it amazes me how people really arent reading what is said. I dont believe I misunderstood what she said …….I quote: “But if there are sins I live in without true repentance, I’m afraid I won’t go to heaven if I die without having repented for those sins.” ….. because that statement right there shows she doesnt believe in eternal securtiy……..oh, well, whatever! I said I would try and I did, and like I said thats that. But I did have to comment when I was accused of saying something that I did not, and it being “my” way. Oh, brother, I think some people just like to be “right” whether they are or not. enough about that. What was wrong with your truck, I am glad you got it fixed. Scott has to fix the breaks on our truck! Looking forward to your new post, Thanks for being a friend, have a good evening.
Okay, he put the question back on, sent me a comment, so I will see about it in a few…