Colossians 2:13 "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has HE quickened (made alive) together with HIM, having forgiven you all trespasses;"
We need to "GET REAL" about who we are and our relationship with GOD. And, of course, the only way that we can find the truth concerning these issues is by consulting the ONE WHO created us in the first place. GOD's WORD has the answers:
(1) You must realize that you were born a sinner and your natural inclination is to sin. We all were born into this world with a sin nature that separates us from a personal relationship with GOD. The Bible tells us that we are sinners by birth (Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:3), we are sinners by deed (Romans 3:23), and this sin problem affects our whole person -- intellect, emotion, and will. We are not naturally or inherently good. Yet this is not the end of the story.
(2) You are loved by GOD -- this reality takes us back to why we are here in the first place. The LORD created us for a relationship with HIMSELF. HE desires our fellowship with HIM, even though sin entered the picture. In fact, HE loved the world so much that HE made the ultimate sacrificial provision (John 3:16-18; Romans 5:8; 1st.John 4:9-10) -- HE died in our place and paid the penalty for our sin.
(3) You are of great value to GOD -- GOD's love for mankind gives great value to man. This is not the gospel of "self-esteem" stressed by so many worldly or pseudo-Christian proponents. Our "glorying" and "boasting" should be in nothing of ourselves but only in the GOD WHO made us and in our relationship with HIM (Jeremiah 9:23-24 pictured above). The LORD does not need us. Yet HE chooses to want us, to love us, to use us. Yes, we need to "GET REAL" about who we really are; we must not deceive ourselves into thinking that we are someone or something we are not !
Not only do we have to "GET REAL" with who we are but we also need to "GET REAL" about our relationship with GOD -- you either have one, or you do not (John 3:36 pictured above). The Bible tells us that you can know you have eternal life based on one simple test: Have you trusted in the person and work of CHRIST alone to save you from sin's death penalty ? If you do not have a relationship with GOD, you need one; if you have one, you need to be grounded and growing. This relationship begins when the HOLY SPIRIT convicts us of sin and our need of a SAVIOR, and the catalyst of this relationship is faith, which is the knowledge of, assent to, and trust in CHRIST's person and work. Consider the three components of faith:
(1) Knowledge -- the intellectual aspect ("I believe in the facts given in GOD's WORD: I am a sinner; JESUS died for my sin and rose from the dead").
(2) Assent -- the personal aspect ("I agree that JESUS died for me").
(3) Trust -- the volitional aspect ("I place my eternal well-being in the PERSON and in the death and resurrection of JESUS. I am not hoping in anything or anyone else to save me").
Once we are believers, GOD wants us to have assurance of our relationship with HIM. Our assurance must not rely on our feelings or emotions but on the promises of Scripture. John says, "We know that we are of GOD. . ." (1st.John 5:19 pictured above). Those who know HIM not only possess a relationship with HIM now but will enjoy fellowship with HIM for all eternity, having a personal, conscious residence with GOD forever ! We need to "GET REAL" about our relationship with the LORD, understand how we can know we are saved, and then be assured of our eternal salvation (1st.John 5:11-13) and our glorious future. (MDC)
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
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