Making yourself ready to be used by God

If you are a Christian, and have been praying for God to use you some how, the apostle Paul give us a roadmap of how to make ourselves ready for God’s use.

II Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

This one little verse sums up almost everything a Christian trying to walk a Godly life, needs to know.  Our bible was created by God and God alone.  It may have been written down by men, but these men were under the inspiration of God, and wrote only those things God wanted written.  From this book we get our doctrine which is the basis for our faith and salvation.  We also get reproof, or the wisdom to know we get off track and let sin slip into our daily lives.  The word lets us know, what God expects out of those that love him.  We also get correction, for when we stray from the truth.  And lastly, we get our instructions for righteous living acceptable to God. Everything we need to know is in this book, and no other book is needed.

II Timothy 2:15-22  15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  16) But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17) And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hy-me-nae’-us and Phile-tus; 18) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and over-throw the faith of some. 19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.  And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20) But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.  21) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.  22) Flee also youthful lust: but follow (pursue) righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

The letters for doctrine are: Romans & Ephesians.  Reproof are: Corinthians & Philippians.  Correction are Galatians & Colossians. Instructions in righteousness are: Thessalonians & Timothy.

The only begotten Son. What does it mean?

The only begotten Son.  What does it mean?

What God offers us

God is offering the human race a very special gift.  He tells us that if we will believe in him, we will never die.  He will give us life forever.  Think on that for a minute.  God claims he has the power to take death away from us, so that we can live from now on.  Imagine that, living with our loved ones and never growing old, or getting sick, or suffering death.  How can he make such a promise?

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

This verse give us our first glimpse of the word begotten Son.  Some people think it means Jesus birth in Bethlehem, others believe Christ became the begotten Son when John the Baptist baptized him and the Spirit descended on him like a dove.  But the scriptures paint a different picture.

Acts 13:33-34  33) God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 34) And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

Here God is telling us, that on the day he raised Christ from the dead, Christ became his begotten Son.  Christ died in his body just like people do every day.  But Christ was resurrected from the dead.  He was the first person to ever die, and be resurrected never to die again. The bible has stories of people who died and were brought back to life, but later they all died again. Christ did not, nor will he ever face death again.

Romans 1: 1-4 1) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2) (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4) And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

Christ became the begotten Son of God, when he gave his life on the cross, and God raised him from the dead.  Now Christ will live forever and never face death again. And because of that selfless act, God is offering the same to you.

We are all born into sin, and live in bodies that are prone to sin.  But God tells us, that if we believe in Jesus Christ, he will apply the righteousness of Christ to us, and let the blood Christ shed on the cross, cover all your sin. Then through that, God can offer you the privilege to never die, but live forever with him.  Simply believe.

Romans 3:24-25  24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

Because of Sin, the bodies we were born in are corrupt, and cannot enter into heaven. God waits for us until our bodies pass away then brings us up into heaven to be with him and live from then on forever.  When the time is right, God will give us a new incorruptible body that we will live in forever and forever.

I Corinthians 15: 53-55 53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?