15 December 2020

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING GOD’S SO GREAT SALVATION?(2)

By John Ollis

This blog today continues on from where we left off yesterday. Emphasizing that God’s “so great Salvation” is so much more than the initial forgiveness when we are born again. I concluded by saying that an awesome part of our Salvation is the glorious inheritance we can receive if with agree and co-operate with the Testator (The Lord Jesus Christ).

Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:23 NKJV Having been born again, not of corruptible seed (sperma) but incorruptible, through the word (Rhema) of God which lives and abides forever, part of our co-operation with the Testator is to fall in love with the Word of God, and let “spiritual conception” continue to take place in us.

The moment we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes into our life, we must learn to let Him keep “filling the house” (our body) continually, and He will lead us into all truth.

I asked you yesterday in conclusion “What are you wearing”? I have been meditating in the Book of Colossians and was struck by what Paul says in Col.3:5-9 NKJV Therefore PUT TO DEATH your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

N.L.T. Live as ONE WHO HAS DIED to every form of sexual sin and impurity. Live as one who died to diseases, and desires for forbidden things, including the desire for wealth, which is the essence of idol worship. When you live in these vices you ignite the anger of God against these acts of disobedience.
That’s how you once behaved, characterized by your evil deeds. But now it’s time to eliminate them from your lives once and for all—anger, fits of rage, all forms of hatred, cursing, filthy speech, and lying. Lay aside your old Adam-self with its masquerade and disguise.

MESSAGE And that means KILLING OF EVERYTHING connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That’s a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It’s because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn’t long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.
Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve STRIPPED OFF and put in the fire.

I asked the question WHAT ARE YOU WEARING? Paul tells us that many Believers are wearing a lot of stuff that needs to STRIPPED OFF. In our obedience to the Testator we have to PUT TO DEATH all those evil sinful things he mentions. Naturally speaking it is impossible, but as we obey and co-operate with the Testator, these can BE REMOVED FOREVER.

When we have obeyed the Word of God and stripped off all those sinful things, we can and must do what we read in Col. 3: 12-17 NKJV Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, PUT on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things PUT ON LOVE, which is the bond of perfection. And LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEARTS, to which also you were called in one body; and BE THANKFUL. LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

N.L.T. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must CLOTHE YOURSELVESwith tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH LOVE , which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

PASSION You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.
Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful.
Let the word of Christ live in you richly, flooding you with all wisdom. Apply the Scriptures as you teach and instruct one another with the Psalms, and with festive praises, and with prophetic songs given to you spontaneously by the Spirit, so sing to God with all your hearts!

MESSAGE So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

I have not spotlighted separately any of the negative things we must strip off ourselves, nor any of the positive things we must put on and wear, and let it become our lifestyle. Can I encourage you to read and meditate on all these verses and let the Holy Spirit help you understand and embrace what the Testator requires of us if we are to experience and enjoy GOD’S SO GREAT SALVATION.

Some of my readers may feel overwhelmed as they read an d study these verses, and feel it is impossible. GOD NEVER ASKS ANYTHING OF US THAT HE DOESN’T GIVE THE GRACE AND ENABLING TO FULFIL IT.

Please talk to your Disciple-Maker/Mentor and walk together with him (or her) until this becomes a glorious reality in your life.

I do pray these 2 blogs will bless and encourage you.