by David Brenneman
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." Romans 1:18-32.
Many have lived and died raising a fist at the God of all Creation claiming to want or having wanted proof to satisfy them concerning the reality of God.
Yet within their own selves, their way of living, their behaviors, the very same God of all things said there's your proof. Your prideful, self-centered, egotistical, arrogant, self-serving lives give credence to where you stand before the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that we would know people by their fruits. What does that mean? You go up to an apple tree and know it's an apple tree because apples are growing on it. You go into a forest and look at the leaves of a tree and know what is an oak tree and what is a maple tree. You stop by a pond and gaze in the waters and see things swimming about and know they are fish. You know people by their fruits. You know a kind person by how they are towards others and maybe yourself. You know a person's in a foul mood by their fruits...how their face is, the words or lack of words spoken. The set of their shoulders...be it defiant or slouching in defeat. You know by their fruits.
Way too many people want to claim that you shouldn't make such assertions. I do what my Savior says instead...investigate to know people by their fruits. Jesus said to not cast your pearls before swine. That is to know people by their fruits in order to not waste what's valuable to God upon people who are going to turn around and attack you for it.
Many people, because of their sin nature...that is the evidences of their embraced sins, choose to reject the facts about God in Christ Jesus. It's a choice of theirs.
People listen to the calling of Jesus Christ to be saved or they listen to the devil and stay away.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23.
It's not fruits plural fruit singular. An apple has very distinctive flavors, colors, aromas, physical attributes yet all together in that combination it is an apple.
Another fruit of rejection: "It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” Matthew 15:11.
What's in your heart comes out of your mouth. If your words are constantly laced with profanity all the time then your heart is a trash heap, a barren wasteland...that's a fruit of a heart set against God.
While everyone is susceptible to the occasional swear word, a life where that's completely acceptable and never feels remorse over it is a life that's rejecting God.
Look at the other fruits...being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
This world is not improving with regards to morality. The only moral standard belongs to God. We may increase in knowledge...yet another significant sign of God with regards to His return...we aren't improving as the human race is concerned.
Jesus said His return would be like the days of Noah. Everyone completely self-centered, prideful, egotistical, brutal, haters of good...you just read that list. Paul wrote something similar to Timothy.
We are living in those days right now. Regardless of worldly idealism the world isn't getting better. There's no atmospheric changes except this world preparing for Jesus to come back.
There will be a 7 year Great Tribulation upon this planet that is unparalleled in all human history.
Billions will die in a matter of days...several times in that 7 years. Those going through it rejecting His pleas to be saved...because yes people will still be saved during that time...shake a fist at God will suffer the wrath of God.
My Dear Reader...you cannot understand or know the real truth about God in Christ Jesus until you stop rejecting His free gift of salvation. Until you stop rejecting Him you're never going to know the truth that will set you free from sin and death. A choice not to accept that free gift of salvation is a full rejection of it. Those who reject it will never see Heaven. Only the gates of Hell await such people.
Salvation is but a prayer away. To have Jesus be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life is a simple thing to do.
"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13.
What do your fruits say about you? Do they bear witness that Jesus is your personal Lord and Savior or do they say you're living for yourself?
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Thro' death into life everlasting,
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion--
For more than conqu’rors we are!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
His Word shall not fail you--He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" 1922 Helen Howarth Lemmel.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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