Let This Mind Be In You Which Was Also in Christ Jesus - Part 1243

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps ..." (I Peter 2:21)

"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, "I know Him" and keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

But whoso keeps His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. 

The old commandment is the Word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in Him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true Light now shines." (I John 2:1-9)

In today's world, we are seeing more and more individuals self proclaiming themselves to be evangelists, and/or apostles, and now, even a title called apostolic encouragers who are more willing to promote the thoughts of men than the wisdom of God. But what do the scriptures state?

Jesus said, "Abide in Me ..."

Jesus said, "Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for [so] I am ... If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, "the servant is not greater than his Lord; neither is He that is sent greater than He that sent Him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" .... Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am He." (John 13:13-20)

Jesus said, "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15)

Jesus said, "And why call ye Me, "Lord, Lord" and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46)

Jesus said, "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." (Matthew 11:29)

Jesus said, "He that believes on Me, believes not on Me but on Him that sent Me,  and he that sees Me, hath seen Him that sent Me. I am come a Light into the world, that whosoever believes on Me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not, for I came not to judge the world but to save the world. He that rejects Me and receives not My words, hath one that judges him; the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of Myself, but the Father which sent Me, He gave a commandment what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that His commandment is life everlasting; whatsoever I speak therefore even as the Father speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." (John 12:44-50)

Sadly, too many in these final days love the praise of men more than the praise of God. Too many are seeking wisdom from the teachings of men, rather than the commandments of our Lord God and Saviour. And as a consequence of not having the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost living within -- whom Jesus said the Father would send in His name, and would teach us all things --are seeking men's counsel and comfort from man-made religious institutions. 

But we as believers in Jesus by faith, know in whom we have found salvation, and willingly follow Him, because in His commandments is life everlasting. (John 12:50) John the baptist knew this when he pointed to the Lamb of God who would come after him, which takes away the sin of the world.

"This is He of whom I said, "After me comes a man which is preferred before me, for He was before me. And I knew him not, but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and it abode upon Him. And I knew Him not, but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, "Upon whom thou  shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizes with the Holy Ghost," (John 1:19-34)

After Jesus was taken up, He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments to His apostles, and as we see from the scriptures below, His new testament message still the same. Jesus -- the same yesterday, today and forever. The King of kings and Lord of lords. What did the apostles write?

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ." (I Corinthians 11:1)

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27; Acts 2:36-39)

"For whom He did foreknow, He also did pre-destinate [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren ..." (Romans 8:29)

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death ..." (Romans 8:2-8)

This is why we trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus ..." (Philippians 2:5)

Stand in the offering plate.