Do you know anyone who doesn’t think he or she sins?

Christians are sinners who have recognized their sins, repented, and believe in Christ for salvation. Christians still sin, but when we confess our sins, God forgives (1 John 1:9).

Non-Christian sinners are everyone else. Some are those who rely on their behavior, believing their external adherence to God’s law or their ethical/moral standing makes them righteous and guarantees them a place in heaven. The Pharisees are a prime example, although there are many today, including within the organized church.

For the self-righteous, they have convinced themselves their standard is the one that counts with God. They are relying on external behavior. They are whitewashed tombs (Matthew 23:27).

Other non-Christian sinners do not believe they sin. They don’t believe in God, perhaps.  They may believe only their opinion is right and cannot listen to alternative points of view. They may think whatever they do is right. Some claim they are perfect just as they are. 

I saw a well-known athlete repeat a mantra: “I am perfect. I am strong. I am enough.”

Oh my. 

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8) 

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.(Galatians 6:3)

Is it possible for either group ever to believe they are sinners in need of a savior?

The gospel contains both bad news and good news. The bad news is that we are all sinners and that sinners face a righteous, just God who hates sin. The good news is that God provided a Savior who died in our place IF we repent, believe, and trust in Jesus Christ, receiving Him as Lord and Savior.

I know nothing is impossible for God, and that He can bring anyone to confession, repentance, and belief.  BUT….

Let’s pray!

God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—thank You that nothing is impossible for You. Please make us sensitive to the needs and opportunities of those who do not know You, who don’t think they need You. Please guide us.

Jesus, eternal God, became a man. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). 

Breathtaking!

Jesus Was Fully Man

Jesus was fully man. He was born of a virgin. He was a descendent of David according to the flesh, through both His mother, Mary, and her husband Joseph. He was circumcised as any Jewish boy. He was born under the Law. He was raised in Nazareth, in subjection to His mother and Joseph. He grew in wisdom and stature. He attended synagogue.  He was tempted in everything as we are but was without sin. He was laughed at, mocked, insulted, slandered. He suffered. He hungered and grew thirsty. He traveled. He tired.  He was touched. He was distressed. He agonized. He prayed. He was beaten and scourged. He bled. He was crucified. He died. He was buried.

He was man.

Praise the Nazarene.

Spiritual Implications

Because He became a man and lived a perfect life, He:

Went through what we are going through, was tempted as we are, yet without sin, and is able to come to our aid;

Learned obedience from the things He suffered, and understands our weaknesses, infirmities, and trials;

Was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross, and became God’s perfect sacrifice, saving believers from our sins.

Became our sympathetic high priest who sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us.

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:14–18) 

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Lord Jesus Christ—eternal God—I praise You for becoming a man. I am so grateful You humbled Yourself, being made in likeness of man and being obedient to death, even death on the cross. I praise You for perfectly living a life on this world, being tempted as we are, but without sin. I praise You for suffering enormous pain for our sakes. I praise You that You are our great High Priest, able to sympathize with us since You also endured this life. I praise You for coming to our aid.

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Pentecost: Giving the Holy Spirit

We’ve been looking at history (See Preparing for Easter). The next big event after Jesus’ ascension was Pentecost, giving believers the Holy Spirit, which occurred 10 days after Jesus’ ascension.

Before Pentecost

During Jesus’ ministry on earth, the people who believed in Him had not yet received the Holy Spirit. I don’t know what that experience was like since the Holy Spirit now dwells in all believers in Christ. But now is better!

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit. 

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:38–39) 

Jesus told His disciples: “It is to your advantage that I go away.”

“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7) 

Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” (Acts 2:1–4) 

Before Christ’s resurrection, the disciples were in a locked room. After they received the Holy Spirit, they testified with power, they rejoiced to suffer in His name. All but one became martyrs. They were transformed.

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit dwells in all believers, sealing us, and given as a pledge of our inheritance  (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit is our helper, our encourager, our teacher, and guides us to all truth (John 14:26; John 16:13). The Holy Spirit gave us gifts and empowers us to do the good works God prepared for us (1 Corinthians 12). The Holy Spirit gives us access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26). Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

And God the Holy Spirit is and does so much more! (See Praise the Holy Spirit)

Hallelujah!

Prayer

Father, thank You for giving the Holy Spirit to believers. Help us worship Him and listen to Him. I want to walk in, and be by controlled by Your Spirit. I don’t want to grieve or quench Him. Please help me consciously and continually seek You and yield to Your Spirit dwelling in me.

Jesus said the greatest commandment is: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30) 

HOW do we love Him with all our mind?

For several years my core goal was to thank Him in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I might have made marginal improvement, but, really, I gave myself a low grade. Another year my goal was to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Really low grades on that goal! This year my core goal is “Rejoice!” How am I doing? Well, not so well. I need to learn HOW.

So, HOW do I love God with all my mind? HOW do we love God with all our minds?

ONE. STUDY GOD’S WORD

We need to regularly study God’s word. Devotional reading is great, but we need to go deeper. We should made daily Bible study our routine.

The Holy Spirit dwells in believers, and He will illuminate to us God’s word. (Pray before you start reading or study.)

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment… (Philippians 1:9) 

TWO. MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD

As we study, certain passages will stand out. These might be doctrine, commands, instruction, application. Meditate on those passages. Consider memorizing them. 

You might be more inclined to focus on instruction, but don’t ignore doctrine. Behavior is rooted in belief, and the more we understand God, the more readily we will walk in His way. 

Blessed is the man [whose] … delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)

Throughout the day, regularly review what you’re reading and meditating on. Repeat the passages you’ve memorized.

By regularly reviewing God’s word, the more He and His word become top of mind. By having His word at our fingertips, the more likely we are to understand our situation (and the world) through His eyes, and the more likely we are to apply His word.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.  (Colossians 3:16) 

THREE. SET YOUR MIND ON THE THINGS OF GOD

We have to decide to do this. We have to make up our minds.

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2) 

FOUR. PRAISE GOD

There are many commands in the Bible to praise God.

Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15) 

FIVE. KEEP GOD’S COMMANDS

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. (John 14:15)

Application solidifies learning. The more we walk according to His ways, the more we learn His ways. This is an awesome cycle. 

Become controlled by His word.

We become more settled in a Christian world view. Unless we have God’s point of view in mind we cannot rejoice when we suffer for Him (for example). (Acts 5:41, James 1:2)

[Through true knowledge and discernment we] may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.(Philippians 1:10) 

I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts.(Psalm 119:100) 

Challenge

I developed this list through searching the Scriptures and reading some sermons for HOW to love the Lord with all my heart. Now I am asking the Lord to show me my deficiencies and guide me to implement these steps for His glory. Will you join me?

Prayer

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.(Psalm 19:14) 

For 40 days after Jesus Christ’s resurrection, He proved He was (and IS!) alive and taught about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3).

Then Christ was (the Ascension):

• Lifted up (Acts 1:9) 
• Taken up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16)
• Exalted to the right hand of God (the place of power and authority) (Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 1:3)
• Seated (crowned) far above all rule and authority and power and dominion (Ephesians 1:21,22; Hebrews 2:7,9)
• Highly exalted (Philippians 2:9)
• Given a name that is above every name (Ephesians 1:21)
• Made head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22)

What is the Lord Jesus Christ doing now? 

• Preparing a place for us (believers) so we will be where He is (John 14:3)
• Heading the church, ministering and judging (Revelation 2-3)
• Interceding, advocating, and mediating for us (our Great High Priest)  Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1; 1 Timothy 2:5)
• And more after the next event on the historical calendar: Sending the Holy Spirit.

What does Christ’s ascension mean for us?

I came to saving faith when I heard the gospel systematically preached, learned about Jesus’ life, recognized my sin, and realized His enormous sacrifice for me. The magnitude of the torture, brutality, and horrible execution to a truly good Christ overwhelmed me. 

Jesus of Nazareth was winsome and approachable. The little children came to Him. His love drew me to Him.

When John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, saw the exalted Lord Jesus Christ, he fell at His feet like a dead man. (Revelation 1:17)

The exalted Lord Jesus Christ continues to:

• Call us: “Come unto Me.” 
• Love us.
• Guard and keep us.
• Pray for us.
• Serve as our Great High Priest.
• Prepare a place for us in heaven that we may be where He is. 

Our exalted Lord Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest, who was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) He is sympathetic, merciful, and faithful on our behalf. We can draw near with confidence, knowing the Lord Jesus Christ is the sovereign Lord and also our loving priest.

But don’t forget: Jesus Christ is God, exalted above all.

Praise our Lord Jesus Christ, King, Lord, and Ruler over all.

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Father, we praise You for raising Christ from the dead, seating Him at Your right hand, and making Him King, Lord, and Ruler over all. We praise You, Lord Jesus, for saving us and keeping us. We are so grateful You continually intercede for us. We praise You that You are preparing a place for us. Help us grasp that everything is in subjection under Your feet, that You care for us, and that we can have Your peace in the midst of our trials. Help us live out this truth.

This post is for you, if you are a follower of Christ, having believed, repented, placed your trust in Him, and received Christ as Lord and Savior. If you haven’t, or if you’re not sure, see Becoming a Child of God.

Put your name in the designated places, making this post personal to you.

The Truth about You

[Your name] made the decision to repent and believe. (Mark 1:15, John 3:15)

[Your name] was redeemed, saved from the penalty of sin. (Ephesians 1:7)

[Your name] is sealed with the Holy Spirit, guaranteeing [your name] eternal life, and providing guidance, teaching, and intercession. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

God blessed [your name] with all spiritual gifts. (Ephesians 1:3)

God granted everything to [your name] pertaining to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) 

[Your name] is being sanctified, lessening the power of sin over [your name] life. (1 Peter 1:2)

God is at work in [your name], both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

God who began a good work in [your name] will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

Throughout the trouble of this fallen world, God keeps and protects [your name], using everything for good, making [your name] into the image of Christ and bringing glory to God. (Romans 8:28-29, 1 Peter 1:5)

[Your name] is a beloved child of God. (Romans 8:16, 1 John 3:1)

[Your name] is a co-heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)

One day Christ, with great joy, will present [your name] to the Father holy and blameless. (Colossians 1:22, Jude 24)

And [your name] will live forever with God in heaven. (John 3:15)

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I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places…(Ephesians 1:18–20)