For Consider Him That Endured Such Contradiction of Sinners Against Himself- Part 1148

"For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's." (Philippians 2:21)

This appears to be the norm in the world. Seeking the things of the earth rather than the heavenly. But all this changes for the better when we repent of our sin and are then baptized in the name of Jesus. Our hearts change. In fact, the spirit in our minds are renewed. (Ephesians 4:23) This explains why believers no longer desire to conform to this world, but rather are transformed by the renewing of their mind -- "that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

Note that this last scripture does not just suggest proving what is good, and acceptable, and the perfect will of God -- which believers can expect -- but "that ye may prove WHAT IS THAT GOOD -- AND ACCEPTABLE -- AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD."

In other words, when we ask the Lord Jesus to fill our hearts and minds with His purposes, He begins to guide our steps. It is herein that He doesn't just give us what is good, but what is "that" good. Isaiah scribed -- "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

Why? Because when we ask Jesus into our heart, we become clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. Clothed completely in His garment -- having received the gift of the Holy Ghost. And, as a consequence, we find ourselves no longer doing things through strife and vain glory but in lowliness of mind. Indeed, we learn how to esteem each other better than ourselves, having "put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him ... but Christ [is] all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering ..." (Philippians 2:3; Colossians 3:10-12)

This is why Jesus said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Think about this for a moment. Here is the Lord God Almighty -- the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the King of kings and Lord of lords inviting us into His peace and joy and yet we somehow believe the world has something better to offer?

How misunderstood our Lord God and Saviour must be, and His desire to enter into a personal relationship with His children. Herein, the same God who created man in His own image wants to commune with us in the cool of the afternoon. So much so, that He who knew no sin became a contradiction when He became sin for you and I.

"For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." (Hebrews 12:3)

This same God Almighty clothed Himself in sin-prone flesh, and then willingly shed His precious holy blood on the cross. He sanctified us with His body broken so that we might experience His grace. He sanctified us with the blood He shed for us. Sanctified through Thy Word ... Thy Word being truth. (John 17:17)

This is why we are equally willing to "let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)

"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that Thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." (II Timothy 1:6)

Consider how critical knowing our eternal destiny is, because eternity is such a long time to get the salvation message wrong. Trust Jesus today. Repent and be baptized by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:37-42) Let Him fill you with the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Comforter. The Counselor. Jesus through the Holy Ghost commanding us in the same way that Jesus commanded His apostles.

Jesus said, "I have chosen you and ordained you." Therefore, study His Word so that you will understand the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, before moving on to understanding the breadth and depth of His grace.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... and the Word became flesh." (John 1:1-18)

"Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you ..." (Philippians 4:9-10)

Stand in the offering plate.