Tuesday, February 20, 2018

V.I.P



The many cameras, lights, and flashing to take pictures of the celebrity men and women strolling on the red carpet, photographers desperately trying capture the expensive clothes/their presentations, sending the message that these people are V.I.P., very important people, according to the world.  Sadly, many people do believe that because these people have lots of money and fame that they have 'made it'; and further, to be worshiped and admired for what they have become. The Bible has something else to say about this.


The world does not want to hear this message. There are always consequences or benefits to what we choose to do in life.   Those who reject the gospel of Christ want to go on believing that they can live and do what ever they want and still not suffer any eternal consequences. They believe that being a Christian is too boring or too hard.  They are right about one thing, it is hard, actually it is impossible to live the way God requires without His help. One of the best parts of accepting Christ as Savior is we get some heavenly assistance.
"If you love Me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." John 14:15-17.
That Helper is the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is God's gift to us to help us overcome and cope with the trials we face daily as we live in this world. With God's help believing in and obeying Him is neither boring or difficult.

Another benefit of being a true believer, your name doesn't get removed from the Book of Eternal Life.
"And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God.  and books were opened.  And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life...And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."  Revelation 21:12, 14..
In the world, people get excited to be considered V.I.P.'s, their name on billboards, the invite to special dinners, the exclusive spot in the club, but the time in the spotlight is but a moment.

Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes awayJames 4:14

A true V.I.P is not one by the world's standards.

There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The eyes of the unrepentant wicked need to be opened and the ears unplugged so they can see and hear the truth.  The Good News  is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, born of a virgin; Jesus lived and died but He rose from Dead, and now offers anyone who will believe in Him Salvation.  Salvation is a free gift from God, anyone who will believes in the shed blood of the risen Savior, Jesus, will know and have a real relationship with the true God.  You can't work for it or buy because the price has already been paid with the Blood of Jesus Christ and  Believing in Jesus gets us into the Kingdom of God and saves us from the righteous wrath of God.  But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW. (Romans 6:9; 10:9-13, Ephesians 2:8, Isaiah 7:14, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19). 
1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave. (Romans 10:9-10)
2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus. (Mark 1:15, Matthew 4:17, Acts 3:19)
3. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord and God. (Romans 10:9)
4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ. (Acts 16:31)

This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived.

Bible verses related to this post:  Mark 8:36, Matthew 16:26; John 14:15-17 ; James 4:14; Revelation 21:12, 14;