Psalms 139: 13-17
Sometimes we wonder, am I important, does anyone care, does the Lord care? When our world collapses and feelings of despair overwhelm our emotions. We feel left out. And questions such as: how can God love me? How could I be included in the plan of God? Will God forgive me? These are questions left unanswered because we do not turn to His Word. And the lie so often believed: there is no hope for me is left unanswered in our mind.
There are answers to all these questions. Yes, He does care and He knows who you are and included you in all that he has done for man, But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 1Co 1:30.
He knew you at your beginning and make no mistake, your beginning is at conception. Every birth is a result of a divine creation "……. when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth." When you were formed in your mother's womb away from human eye and touch. It is God who gave you life. Jer 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. You have been made to differ from another and differ from any other of His creation. "Reins" is your mind and your heart. He did write the knowledge of Him in our being by which we know of Him today, Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. He was there at your first birth.
He was not just an observer in your mother's womb He is the Creator. Before you could know Him, He cared for you and stamped His image of ownership on you.
He wants you to be born again and He is not just an observer at your second birth. 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Life is a gift, v 17-18 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Sin gives birth to death, Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
But the LORD gives birth to us, Of his own will begat he us. "begat' He brought us forth. Of His own will – not your will – not by the will of man, if so, it would be flawed. [1] the new birth finds its source in God's will (of his own will) and its effected by the word of truth." 1 Peter 1:23
The New birth is the gift of God, Eternal life is the gift of God. You cannot separate eternal life from God and Christ John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
I John 5:20, And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. This Christ Jesus is truly God.
You must believe for yourself. To believe is simply this: to be convinced that He alone as the Saviour can give you eternal life. The LORD is not asking you to do anything but to believe His promise. He took your sin more than two thousand years ago on the cross, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." As the Son of God, that did come into the World and finished the course set before Him, by the Father, He alone has the authority to give unto you Eternal Life and that is why He promised it to you. "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, eternal life" 1Jn2:25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. John 6:47.
Temptations came and you sinned, so what do you do?
- Remember you were saved unto good works and to live in good works, Eph. 2:10. Even as a believer you reap what you sow, Col. 3:23-25.
- Your life is how you are to show your love for Christ. Rom. 12:1-2.
- Your life is your asset for which you are accountable, 2 Cor. 5:10, As one who is saved you will not stand in the congregation of the lost at the GWTJ. But will have your works evaluated by Christ 1 Cor. 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
- You are to confess the sin/sins (that is not just asking for forgiveness). Forgiveness is tied to the confession of our sins. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins…..,"
- Receive the forgiveness promised you. "…. he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
- Be aware of the environment that led to your sin. Flee temptation! Avoid the environment that caused the temptation.
- Get involved in the discipline of reading and studying your Bible. It is the Word of God that renews our mind. Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; the spirit of your mind is more than a change of opinion, not a superficial change. Your thought process is changed; it changes how you see things. (4:17-24). You put on the new man by the renewing of the spirit of your mind.
- Be faithful to Church in worship the LORD. Remember it is His command. Your church family is important to your life. A public worship is important to you.
- Be involved in a class of Bible Study.
- Daily cleansing of our life by the word, by confession of and forsaking sinful practices will keep you in fellowship and a spirit of worship will stay in your mind.
- The Word will remind you that the hope set before you is the Crown of Life, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
When He examines your hearts and pointed to the issues in your life; you can respond as Pilate and wash your hands of Him or you can humble yourself before Him. And let Him exalt you.
[1] Zane Hodges, The Epistle of James, Page 31
<