Put on the new man."
Brethren,
Today I'd like to share a story about a young man who started selling marijuana at fifteen and harder drugs at twenty-five.
Needing a cover for his activities, he started a handyman service. Soon he became intrigued by one of his business solicitors, a Believer in CHRIST." And he wanted to know more about the POWER," that had radically changed his LIFE. After hearing his testimony, and exploring the Christian mans FAITH, he “dared” CHRIST to change his LIFE.
And after trusting in the finished work of The Cross of CHRIST, for the remission of sins; he was lead to confess with his mouth, that JESUS is LORD."
Yes, and to recieve HIM, as LORD, and SAVIOR."
Because he had Believed The WORD of GOD, he was now willing, to do HIS will. "He was made pleasing to GOD!" But there are those, Beloved," who have no interest in GOD, and do not like to retain HIM, in their thoughts."
Romans 1:28-32 describes them like this: And even as they did not like to retain GOD in their knowledge, GOD gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of GOD, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who knowing the RIGHTEOUS Judgement of GOD, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
[And are there only a few, who actually, practice them, Beloved?" Or many?"
Hebrews 11:6 reveals those who practice such things, and ignore GOD, like this: But without FAITH it is impossible to please HIM, for he who comes to GOD must Believe that HE is, and that HE is a REWARDER of those who diligently seek HIM.
["Did you catch that?"]
We must Believe that HE is!" And that HE REWARDS those of us, who diligently seek HIM.
Yet, why do we diligently seek HIM?
Because we Believe that HE is," and that HE was, and that HE will always be, The TRUTH of GOD, that guides us to "GLORIFY HIM," and bring many to RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Beloved, we Believe that HE is!"
That HE is "Truthful," and not a liar!"
Absolutely Truthful!" And that it's absolutely impossible, for GOD to lie!" Why? Because lying is a sin!" And GOD, Beloved, is not a sinner!"
So when I embraced The WORD of GOD, through FAITH that lead me to repentance; “I felt such a welcoming PRESENCE every time I sat down to read The BIBLE.”
“People saw a change in me instantly. I was the happiest drug dealer in the world!” Ex-drug dealer!"
The LORD had given me a promise of "Everlasting LIFE," by giving me HIS WORD, of HIS finished work of The Cross, for the remission of sins. "And it cut me deeper than a knife!"
And The LORD didn’t stop there."
HE made it clear to me, that the man who does not work, shall not eat!" So I asked for a job," and
HE gave me a job at the junkyard. "LKQ pick-your-part." And with the help of The HOLY SPIRIT, "HE encouraged me to preach about the finished work of The Cross of CHRIST, for the remission of sins, on my lunch break.
And so, I praise GOD, that HE helped me turn off my pager, and never look back at the things that the powers of darkness had given me.
Brethren,
This kind of change is what the apostle Paul referenced when he wrote to the church at Ephesus. Calling the people not to live separated from GOD. But instead, for GOD! For GOD, through the apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4:22, 24 urged the Ephesians to “put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires” and instead to “put on the new self, created to be like GOD in True RIGHTEOUSNESS and HOLINESS.” The verb form Paul used implies that we’re to put on the new self regularly. Yes, daily!"
And to daily rely on GOD, to help us."
For The HOLY SPIRIT delights to help us to live out of our
"new selves" and become more like
JESUS
OK