Does The Word Change You

People believe they can fix themselves, but they can’t change themselves spiritually, so some get mad at God.  How many people do you know that if asked, how are you going to fix this or that, would say don’t worry, I can fix it, but know nothing about whatever it is that they have to fix and what about if they are struggling with emotional or spiritual, things will say that they can fix them also!!  There are some things about who we are that we can’t fix, like having certain kinds of illnesses in the physical or mental realm, that we cannot fix without help.  In the spiritual realm there are some things that only God can fix, and it doesn’t matter how hard we try.

Many people may feel that they exceed others in the spiritual realm by comparing themselves to other people by the things that they have accomplished in their life, they may have done more of what some call good works than others and a lot less sinning than others, so they sit in their pews thinking that they are far superior than others are.  I have got bad news and good news for those that feel that way, if you haven’t been born again there isn’t any amount of good works that you can possibly do that can make you righteous or right with the Lord.  You may think you are righteous because of what you have done, but the Word of God says that our righteousness is like filthy rags, that is why we need to be covered by the righteousness of Christ.  It also says there is none righteous, no not one.  I have written on this subject before, but I feel that a reminder won’t hurt.

There is so much in the Word of God that it is not easy to remember all of what we have learned when we are trying to learn more and more, at least in my case; maybe I try to learn too much too quickly.  I heard a story that I need to keep in mind more often, about a boy and his pastor that went something like this: The pastor would visit the boy at different times and talk with him.  After the pastor had been going there a few times he noticed that the boy was reading from the same passages in his Bible, so he asked him why and the boy said until I learn to live these verses there is no reason to go on.  Maybe the same thing should be applied to our memory, if we can’t remember the scriptures maybe we need to keep going back until we have them planted in our minds and hearts, so we won’t forget them when we need them; something to think about.

Comparing ourselves to other people for our standard and our righteousness and right standing with God can be very hazardous, we need to study the Word then ask ourselves if we are living up to these standards or if the world is changing our lives and we are conforming to the world and its standards instead of practicing what we read in God’s Word.  How many people are sitting in pews and think that they are going to heaven because they are what they would consider a good person?  It doesn’t work that way please read John 3:1-3, “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

The Pharisees thought themselves better than the ordinary people and they looked down on them because, guess what, they compared themselves to other people.  Please read this, Luke 18:11-13, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’”

Off course the tax collector went away justified.

Morally you may think you are better than someone else, and you may be, but that will never put you in good standing with God if all you have is religion and not a relationship.  Like the Word says, you must be born-again to have a true relationship with the Lord.  Because we are born in sin and shaped in iniquity, as David said, I think we all need a Savior to forgive us for our sins and to cleanse us of our iniquity, and of all are unrighteousness and that is why Jesus, the Son of God, died for our sins.  He laid his life down, no one took it from him, he was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  Without His sacrifice no one could be saved.  I have heard it said that baptism saves a person, but if that was true how did the thief that was hanging on the cross next to Jesus go to paradise, he didn’t get off the cross and go get baptized, but Jesus told him, this day you shall be with me in paradise!!  And what about people that get saved on their death bed who repent and receive the Lord just before they pass on into eternity?

My Bible says this about being saved, please read Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

I think it is very important to be baptized if you can and I believe it should be done after the age of accountability if possible.  I also believe the person should be immersed, showing an outward testimony of an inward change after they have made a true confession of faith, showing that they have truly repented, turning from their sin, to the Lord and receiving Him as their Lord and Savior!!  Like I said, without the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus no one could be saved.  So if you’re trying to get to heaven by your own good works, please consider what has been typed in this Tidbit, not one could ever be righteous on his or her own merit I want to say this as kindly and lovingly as I can because the reason for me typing these Tidbits is to bless and encourage people and also for the purpose of winning some to the Lord with His help.

Please read Revelations 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” 

Jesus was talking to the church at the time, but just as Jesus was saying that He was knocking on their heart’s door and if they would open their heart’s door and ask Him to come in and be their Lord and Savior, He would, and I believe if you are being convicted of your sin by the precious Holy Spirit and truly repent of your sins by turning from them to the Lord, He will do the same for you.  The choice is yours, have a super day and may the precious Lord bless you and yours with his perfect peace, love and joy and health and happiness, praise the good Lord for He is worthy!!  My prayer is that this has been a help and a blessing to all who read it!!