“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
–Psalm 23:4
The ATTITUDE of the believer and the UNbeliever are as different as can be.
The UNbeliever is focused on this present world; the things of the world, and this present time. Because the UNbeliever does NOT believe God’s Word, he is deceived. The UNbeliever looks about him and comes to his decisions based largely upon what he perceives from his SENSES (sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste).
On the other hand, the BELIEVER is focused on eternity; on forever; on the day after the day after the day after…for centuries to come. The BELIEVER sees this present time as merely a ‘pop quiz‘ to determine one’s eternal destination. The BELIEVER looks about him and comes to his decisions based largely upon what he perceives GOD’S WORD advises him to do.
Because the UNbeliever has NOT experienced the spiritual rebirth, he is forced to rely upon his own judgments and those of his fellows.
Because the UNbeliever does not believe the truth of the Word of God, he listens–and carefully considers–the deceptions which he hears from the world.
The UNbeliever has NO evidence that the stories and deceptions told to him by the world are true: he only has a vague hoping that they are. The UNbeliever has SOME evidence that the stories and deceptions told to him by the world are false. BUT, because he is deceived, the UNbeliever pays no attention to those proofs.
Many are the UNbelievers who appear to be correct in their outlook–for the short term.
Because the BELIEVER is a member of the kingdom of heaven, he has proofs and evidence which UNbelievers do not possess. God’s Word calls this evidence “many infallible proofs.” This is the same type of evidence which Jesus Christ presented to those in the First Century after His resurrection.
“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
–Acts 1:1-5
The BELIEVER knows that revealing “many infallible proofs” to an UNbeliever is time wasted: the UNbeliever wants what can be experienced through his senses. The UNbeliever puts a premium on the things of the world, NOT the things of God.
The BELIEVER knows this to be true because the BELIEVER was once an UNBELIEVER.
Because the UNbeliever is deceived, he believes that the tares which populate the churches are BELIEVERS.
Because the UNbeliever is deceived about the tares, he believes that those who are, in effect, UNbelievers are BELIEVERS.
Because the UNbeliever believes the tares are BELIEVERS, his vision is cloudy and his thoughts are confused.
The 14 verses concerning the tares in Matthew’s 13th chapter would alleviate this confusion, BUT the UNbeliever does NOT believe the Word of God.
For the UNbeliever, his life–and beyond–are one vicious circle OF HIS OWN MAKING.
The BELIEVER, on the other hand, KNOWS he has hit eternity’s lottery.
He just can’t figure out WHY he was so blessed.
The BELIEVER (unlike the UNbelieving tares), eventually realizes that his life–though it has changed in the most remarkable manner–is STILL largely determined by his ‘sin suit,’ which is his body of dust.
“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
–Genesis 3:9
Much as the BELIEVER would desire to live a sinless life, he is encased in the corruption of the dirt of his flesh.
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”
–Romans 7:18-20
However, the BELIEVER knows that he NO LONGER dwells in the shadow of sin which is fostered by UNbelief.
The BELIEVER knows this to be TRUE because he is assured of God’s MERCY.
God’s mercy has blessed the man.
God no longer charges the man’s sinful actions to that man’s eternal account.
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”
–Psalm 32:1-2
The BELIEVER KNOWS that trying to hide one’s sin from God is a fool’s errand–which is a good reason for the BELIEVER to confess his sin to God. (A better reason is that God forgives sin which is confessed.)
“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”
–Psalm 32:5
The BELIEVER, having escaped the shadow of sin and unbelief, KNOWS he is truly a blessed man.
There is not a day which passes that the BELIEVER does not thank God for this merciful blessing.
DOES the reader still reside under the shadow of sin?
It is not YET too late: there is still a LITTLE time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: March 21, 2022.]
MORE
- Blessed Is the Man Unto Whom the LORD Imputeth Not Iniquity – Part One
- Blessed Is the Man Whom the LORD Imputeth Not Iniquity – Part Two
- The Mercy of the Lord
- Tender Mercies of the Lord: Will Not Always Be Available
- Sincerely Seek the Mercy of the LORD: Do Not Wait, Do Not Delay
- Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
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- God is in Control
- Tender Mercies of the Lord: Will Not Always Be Available
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: Photo by Rene Böhmer on Unsplash.com
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