Rags to Riches

Post date: Mar 20, 2017 10:21:39 PM

The year (2020) marks two milestones in my life. One is the 40th year since I survived a near death experience and the other is the 40th anniversary of my spiritual rebirth. Each occasion is very special to me since they both involve life changing events. The first awakened my soul to the reality of God's eternal kingdom and the second gave life to my eternal spirit.

Romans 3: 23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…”

When I was a non-believer my lifestyle was much different than it is today.  As a young man, to help me monitor my behavior I followed my own personal philosophy rather than a biblical philosophy .  It wasn’t that I was poorly behaved but rather that I wanted to maintain the moral standard that I had set for myself. At that time my feelings, not faith in the word of God, were the benchmarks that I used for decision making.  This practice worked for me until my conscience got trumped by my feelings and I fell into temptation. Unable to reconcile my poor conduct I found comfort in an old saying about Heaven having an “open door policy” where everyone is welcome despite any minor “sins” that they may have committed. If I had only known what the bible teaches I would not have believed a lie. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God: for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He himself tempt anyone: But each one  is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own desires, and enticed. Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full- grown; brings forth death.” (James 1: 13-15)

John 1: 9 – 13 “That was the true Light, which ligheth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.   He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (Jesus): which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

If a person is lost in a forest he/she will tend to wander in circles often crossing the same path over and over, likewise, the same is true spiritually. Instead of a forest of trees it’s a forest of religious and spiritual opinion.  In a desperate search to find contentment for his/her lost soul he/she will wander from one religion to the other or from one religious telecast to the next only to find that there was no eternal value in any of these misguided ideals. During His earthly ministry Jesus recited a parable which described His role, as “The Shepherd” and seeker of the lost sheep. My heart can still hear Him, off in the distance, calling my name as He searched for me but I was too busy to acknowledge Him. The bible summarizes our human effort in this manner; “all our righteousness are as filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6)

1 Peter 1: 23 “having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible through the word of God, which lives and abides forever.”

My first chance to exchange my sinned stained garment for a garment “…which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians: 4:24) came while I was still biblically and spiritually ignorant`. This time, unlike the others, when my heart heard His voice I was so excited that I submitted to His calling and said "here I am Lord".  It was then that faith rose trumping my feelings, so, I let Him into my heart. The bible teaches; “But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2: 4-9)

Colossians 3: 10 “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.”

My new found appetite for studying the scriptures seemed to promote more opportunity to exercise my fledgling faith. The more I read the easier it became.  The bible teaches; “…that no man is justified by the law (works) in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3: 11) Without knowing it, the philosophy that I once held began to fade and a new faith -based biblical philosophy began to develop. The Apostle Paul gave some very fitting advice to His young student Timothy which has also helped me to become a man of faith; “and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. “ (2 Timothy 3: 15 -17)

Acts 3: 11-12 “And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us, though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?”

This testimony is not about me or my achievements. It wasn’t me who was beaten beyond recognition, or who hung and died on the cross or who spent three days in hell or who rose from the dead. It was Jesus who did this on our behalf. The bible teaches us by saying; “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not resisted unto blood striving against sin.” (Hebrews 12: 2-4) I’ve learned this change the thinking, change the man. The bible states; “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1: 13) SEEK HIM!!!