tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11602424036892048512024-03-14T08:02:34.324-07:00Entering the Kingdom of GodLenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160242403689204851.post-4510109353310695002024-02-23T07:24:00.000-08:002024-02-24T12:11:30.866-08:00HomeThis blog is about entering the kingdom of God.<br />
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Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (Joh 3:3)<br />
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Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (Joh 3:5)<br />
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Some of the elementary teachings about Christ that are covered here include repentance, faith in God, being born again, new life, water baptism, and foot washing. <br />
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<td width="33%"><a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a></td>
<td width="33%"><a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2010/06/entering-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Entering the Kingdom of God</a></td>
<td width="33%"><a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/09/you-must-be-born-again.html" target="_blank">You Must Be Born Again</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-i.html" target="_blank">Holy Washings - Part I</a></td>
<td><a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-ii.html" target="_blank">Holy Washings - Part II</a></td>
<td><a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2014/01/all-things-are-new.html" target="_blank">All Things Are New!</a></td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2016/04/born-of-god.html" target="_blank">Born of God</a></td>
<td><a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2016/04/evidence-of-second-birth.html">Evidence of the Second Birth</a></td>
<td><a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2018/04/from-religion-to-relationship.html" target="_blank">From Religion to Relationship</a></td>
</tr><tr><td><a href="https://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-greatest-event-in-history-of-mankind.html" target="_blank">The Greatest Event in History</a></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr></tbody></table>
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<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>.
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<br />
You may find my complete collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank">Writing for the Master</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160242403689204851.post-56297936274290779902024-02-23T06:00:00.000-08:002024-02-24T12:11:35.356-08:00Doulos Training School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaG9t4pTVGBrBKMx9-xcx7tjFJ2DvUJDReYYUcDS-m4EhiZEpAKJ_kaLLlXauX2UC_E-Zgo3h83bAGmgDkYDzbEcsB0EJ0689wL4XQf3-UzKD1qYhagWV85SThMarISe2sSSlnb_WYSZe/s1600/DMI+Name+and+logo+new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaG9t4pTVGBrBKMx9-xcx7tjFJ2DvUJDReYYUcDS-m4EhiZEpAKJ_kaLLlXauX2UC_E-Zgo3h83bAGmgDkYDzbEcsB0EJ0689wL4XQf3-UzKD1qYhagWV85SThMarISe2sSSlnb_WYSZe/s320/DMI+Name+and+logo+new.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Doulos Missions International now offers discipleship training online through the Doulos Training School (DTS). Please visit the DTS online at <a href="http://doulostrainingschool.blogspot.com/2015/08/doulos-training-school.html">Doulos Training School</a> to find out more about how you or someone you know can participate.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
___________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was
based
in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as
helping leaders to be more effective at
making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the
ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a> Partner with us online by <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2013/01/giving-to-dmi.html" target="_blank">giving to DMI</a>.Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160242403689204851.post-27457394643429810262021-12-08T20:23:00.001-08:002021-12-22T20:40:03.205-08:00The Greatest Event in the History of MankindI'd like to share with you a wonderful presentation produced by my sixteen year old son called <i>Sacrifice of Love: The Greatest Event in the History of Mankind</i>.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCNEJDCJ2dIjaAQ3XunJQNaf79NQ5dSo3Inm56qZyr-O3IYNc9VZLYog770nli9UnedqPahM8iqeYTcw1sjlLmfVi8ognJka4PavwXznB5nkp-PyBxrRIovfio56c2nIyQ_PDjVa3im-6Y8Dmv9LT6nVPtLOz1hg-qw3bW9D7EJBlsJjiY4hm3QRu-fg=s480" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="480" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCNEJDCJ2dIjaAQ3XunJQNaf79NQ5dSo3Inm56qZyr-O3IYNc9VZLYog770nli9UnedqPahM8iqeYTcw1sjlLmfVi8ognJka4PavwXznB5nkp-PyBxrRIovfio56c2nIyQ_PDjVa3im-6Y8Dmv9LT6nVPtLOz1hg-qw3bW9D7EJBlsJjiY4hm3QRu-fg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div>You can view his presentation here at this <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uowxMpKqCjhEpPr3M2rk_i8RwNrljits/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111032615367580829328&rtpof=true&sd=true" target="_blank">link</a>, which is best viewed in full-screen "slideshow" mode on your computer. After you click the above link, you can switch to full screen mode by either pressing Control + F5 or clicking on the "Slideshow" button above the presentation. In this mode, you will need to advance the slides manually, unless you set it to autoplay as follows: While in this mode, hover over the bottom left corner and click the three dots to open the "options menu". Select "Autoplay" and your choice of advance time. Then click "Play" at the top of that list.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let me encourage you to view the presentation, and if you don't know Jesus, to follow the steps outlined at the end of it to make that important decision to give your life to the Lord. If you did that after viewing it, please leave a comment or send me a message to let me know. I also want to encourage you, if you did accept Christ, to follow the next steps that are outlined at the end of the presentation.</div><div><br /></div><div>God loves you with an unfailing love. He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die for you, so that you could be saved from hell and spend eternity in heaven with Him. He wants you to have the gift of eternal life today.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (Joh 3:16)</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Now is the time of God's favor. Today is the day of salvation. You may not have tomorrow. Don't put it off until later. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Attribution notice</i>: Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. </div>
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<i>Author's note</i>: You are invited to read <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2016/04/evidence-of-second-birth.html" target="_blank">Evidence of the Second Birth</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2018/04/from-religion-to-relationship.html" target="_blank">From Religion to Relationship</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2010/06/where-will-you-go-when-you-die.html" target="_blank">Where will you go when you die?</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2011/01/few-will-be-saved.html" target="_blank">Few will be saved</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/05/knowing-lord.html" target="_blank">Knowing the Lord</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/05/costly-grace.html" target="_blank">Costly Grace</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/cost-of-discipleship.html" target="_blank">The Cost of Discipleship</a>, <a href="http://doulostrainingschool.blogspot.com/2015/08/doulos-training-school.html" target="_blank">Doulos Training School</a>, <a href="http://5xsola.blogspot.com/2010/04/by-grace-alone.html" target="_blank">By Grace Alone</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2014/01/all-things-are-new.html" target="_blank">All Things Are New!</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-i.html" target="_blank">Holy Washings - Part I</a>, and <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2010/06/entering-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Entering the Kingdom of God</a>. The <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/home.html" target="_blank">Home page</a> of this blog also has more articles. You may access my
complete blog directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span></span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160242403689204851.post-23399110810721328792018-04-01T00:00:00.000-07:002018-06-06T18:14:30.015-07:00From Religion to RelationshipSomeone has said that the difference between religion and relationship is about eighteen inches, which is the approximate distance between your head and your heart. Certainly it's not enough to have religion or be religious. You need to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, in which you repent of your sins, and ask for His forgiveness, trusting Him to save you through His finished work on the cross, and believing that God raised Him from the dead. From that point onward, you no longer live for yourself but for for Him who died for you.<br />
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Yet some people who merely have religion without a relationship with the Lord may still be passionate and sincere, and their hearts may be zealous for what they believe. They may be very devout and even fanatical about their beliefs. But they don't know the Lord and have never received the free gift of salvation. They have never been <a href="http://5xsola.blogspot.com/2010/04/by-grace-alone.html" target="_blank">saved by grace</a> <a href="http://5xsola.blogspot.com/2010/04/by-faith-alone-part-i.html" target="_blank">through faith</a>. They don't have the <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/03/having-love-of-god-in-your-heart.html" target="_blank">love of God in their hearts</a>.<br />
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During the time of Christ there were certain religious parties among the Jews, such as the Pharisees and the Sadducees. While those who belonged to those parties may have had deeply held beliefs, they did not know the Lord. But some of them came to know Jesus, and these are the ones I would like to highlight today. I'd like to discuss three of them who became followers of Christ, which is from a Greek word that means Messiah or Anointed One.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Joseph of Arimathea</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph of Arimathea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first one I would like to mentioned is Joseph of Arimathea, who was a member of the ruling religious council, known as the Sanhedrin. After the crucifixion of Christ, he went to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body. "Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus." (Mar 15:43).<br />
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It took a lot of courage to go to Pilate and ask for the body of Jesus. For Pilate had just sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion before an angry mob that demanded he be put to death. It was not popular to be a disciple of Christ, even during the time when Jesus was alive. Scripture says, "Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue." (Jn 12:42, NIV).<br />
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Once Pilate confirmed that Jesus was indeed dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then "Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb." (Mar 15:46).</div>
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The apostle John recorded that he was secretly a disciple of Christ. "After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body." (Joh 19:38).</div>
<div>
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<div>
Just as when Mary had poured the expensive perfume on Jesus, and He acknowledged it as a beautiful thing she did to prepare Him for burial, likewise, when Joseph took the body of Jesus and placed it in a tomb, this also was a beautiful thing.</div>
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<div>
"So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there." (Joh 19:40-42)</div>
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<div>
We know that Joseph was wealthy, for Matthew states: "When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus." (Mat 27:57). He obviously loved Jesus more than his money.</div>
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<div>
Not only did he see to the burial of Jesus' body, he placed Him in his own, new tomb. "This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away." (Mat 27:58-60). Joseph was one who went from merely having religion to having a relationship with Jesus.</div>
</div>
<div>
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<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Nicodemus</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3ONr0N3e0PezmkOdFTTUFup8EW5gLDDnd5lpzMGw5iuxUph7-JaEKEZMgrQoIxWJ3yzNs1f4zwdEhBw-DvCAK2uVXdt-unKw4BQwpJOfKgeMI3sibj7E2QajmYJ5H9rWd0s8ZA0BP1M/s1600/Nicodemus+by+Crijn_Hendricksz+Medium+Web+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="480" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3ONr0N3e0PezmkOdFTTUFup8EW5gLDDnd5lpzMGw5iuxUph7-JaEKEZMgrQoIxWJ3yzNs1f4zwdEhBw-DvCAK2uVXdt-unKw4BQwpJOfKgeMI3sibj7E2QajmYJ5H9rWd0s8ZA0BP1M/s200/Nicodemus+by+Crijn_Hendricksz+Medium+Web+view.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus speaking with Nicodemus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Then there was Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came to visit Jesus at night to ask him questions. The apostle John wrote in his gospel:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, 'Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.'" (Joh 3:1-2)</div>
</div>
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It's apparent from his comment to Jesus that He was very close to the kingdom of God. </div>
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<div>
"Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?' Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, "You must be born again." The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.'" (Joh 3:3-8)</div>
<div>
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<div>
While he believed that Jesus had come from God and that God was with Him, enabling Him to perform signs and wonders, we don't know if he had yet been born again or had a personal relationship with the Lord. The Lord told him that one must be born again in order to see the kingdom of God. One thing is for sure that he was seeking the Lord and that he eventually became a disciple of Christ.<br />
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Although he was a member of the Sanhedrin, he was openly supportive of Jesus in the midst of the council, during a time when they were trying to arrest Him. "Nicodemus (he who came to Him before, being one of them) said to them, 'Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?' They answered him, 'You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.'" (Joh 7:50-52). Although he took flack from the council for what he said in Christ's defense, it didn't stop him from following the Lord.<br />
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<br /></div>
After the crucifixion, it was Nicodemus who accompanied Joseph of Arimathea in taking the body of Christ down from the cross and placing it in the tomb. "Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight." (Joh 19:39).<br />
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So just like his fellow council member Joseph of Arimathea, he was a disciple of Christ and lived his faith out loud. He boldly stepped out of his comfort zone and lovingly saw to it that Jesus received a proper burial after his death on the cross, an act of devotion for which he and Joseph will always be remembered.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Saul of Tarsus</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNDF_6-loik9TQ8Bdx-E9nZ_CavQ45EnvwV9RGq7TxP8ZK3CuqguRWZ8k_P44-ECRF29yw-lE4JAv0JICNqtJ3Lq9qGJLbMNYcXe7ZIUNnK5gVJhoHXyhs_DL23g18O5U7dFBjzFnVaU/s1600/paul-jan-li+Medium+Web+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="425" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNDF_6-loik9TQ8Bdx-E9nZ_CavQ45EnvwV9RGq7TxP8ZK3CuqguRWZ8k_P44-ECRF29yw-lE4JAv0JICNqtJ3Lq9qGJLbMNYcXe7ZIUNnK5gVJhoHXyhs_DL23g18O5U7dFBjzFnVaU/s200/paul-jan-li+Medium+Web+view.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Paul the apostle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The final person I would like to mention is a man named Saul of Tarsus (Turkey). He was a very devout Jew from the party of the Pharisees, which held to the strictest observance of the Law of Moses. He described himself as being "circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless." (Php 3:5-6). In his defense before a crowd of Jews in Jerusalem who had tried to kill him, he said, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today." (Act 22:3)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Prior to coming to know Jesus, he was actually going around persecuting Christians, trying to get them to deny Christ. He said, "I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished." (Act 22:4-5)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
But one day that all changed when the resurrected Lord Jesus appeared to him personally in a blinding light and spoke to him. He described it like this: "But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.'" (Act 22:6-8)<br />
<br />
That must have come as quite a shock to him to know that this Jesus of Nazareth, whom he thought was dead, was actually alive and well, and that he was Lord. Moreover, it must have also surprised him to suddenly realize that as he had been persecuting the followers of Jesus, he was actually persecuting the Lord Himself. His companions around him watched the scene unfold. "And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.'" (Act 22:9-10)<br />
<br />
Yet Saul still had one problem -- he remained blinded by the light. "But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus. A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing near said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very time I looked up at him. And he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'" (Act 22:11-16).<br />
<br />
That was the beginning of his relationship with the risen Lord, and he immediately began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles, spreading the gospel throughout the entire known world of his day. He later went on to become known as Paul the apostle, and as he preached, he healed the sick, raised the dead, and performed miracles in Jesus' name. "God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out." (Act 19:11-12)<br />
<br />
Paul lived a life of complete devotion and service to Christ. He said, "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." (Act 20:24). God used him to write half of the New Testament Scriptures. In fact, thirteen of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament were written by him. And to this day those books are still transforming lives around the world through the power of the Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
Paul suffered a lot for his faith in Christ, including arrests, beatings, floggings, imprisonment, false accusations, hunger, thirst, sleeplessness, shipwreck, assassination attempts, betrayal, and desertion by his companions. This is further evidence that his faith was genuine. Otherwise there would be no reason for him to convert to Christianity only to experience a life of suffering like that.<br />
<br />
Since Paul did not know Jesus personally during the Lord's earthly ministry, the only way that Paul could have gone from merely having religion to having a relationship with the Lord after the crucifixion of Christ was that He had risen from the dead and was alive. The fact that Jesus appeared to him and spoke to him, and the way his life was transformed from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher of the gospel, and the supernatural signs and wonders that marked his ministry as an apostle, as well as the enduring impact his writings have had throughout the world for the past two thousand years up to this day, is all evidence that Jesus Christ is no longer dead. He is risen! Hallelujah! He is the Living One who was dead and behold He is alive forever more. Paul the apostle had resurrection power in his life and so can you.<br />
<br />
For more about Paul, please read <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-personality-profile-of-apostle-paul.html" target="_blank">A Personality Profile of the Apostle Paul</a>.<br />
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<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Making it Personal</span><br />
We've looked at three devoutly religious Jews who went from merely having religion to having a personal relationship with their Messiah, Jesus Christ. What about you? Perhaps you have been in church all your life, but have you ever been born again? Jesus said that <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/09/you-must-be-born-again.html" target="_blank">you must be born again</a>. Although you may have lived a devoutly religious life, either as a Christian, a Muslim, a Hindu, or some other religion, actually you are spiritually dead and do not have eternal life until you repent of your sins and put your faith in the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. Have you done that yet? Have you surrendered your life to Him and asked Him to come and live inside your heart -- to take control of your whole life? If not, now is the best time to do so. For you may not have tomorrow. <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2014/06/life-is-short-eternity-is-not.html" target="_blank">Life is short </a>and tomorrow is uncertain.<br />
<br />
In the passage about Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, we have the famous verse, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (Joh 3:16). Believe in Him today, so that you will not perish but have everlasting life. If you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then you won't see life, because the wrath of God remains on you. "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (Joh 3:36).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
I too, was raised as a religious person in my early life, but did not know Jesus personally, until I turned my life over to Him as a young soldier at age nineteen. He <a href="http://budapesttestimonies.blogspot.com/2011/02/truth-set-me-free.html" target="_blank">set me free</a> and my whole life changed in a wonderful way (see <a href="http://budapesttestimonies.blogspot.com/2011/02/truth-set-me-free.html" target="_blank">my testimony</a>). Let me invite you to do the same. You will never regret that you did so. The greatest distance in the world may be the eighteen inches between your head and your heart, which is enough to separate you from God's presence eternally. Don't miss heaven by eighteen inches. Make sure you have a personal relationship with the Lord.<br />
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<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most Scriptures taken from the New American Standard Bible copyright Lockman Foundation. Apostle Paul painting, c.1627 - c.1629 - Jan Lievens. Nicodemus painting by Crijn Hendricksz. Volmaryn, c. 1601-1645. Joseph of Arimathea by Pietro Perugino.<br />
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<i>Authors Note: </i>If you enjoyed this article, I invite you to also read <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/09/you-must-be-born-again.html" target="_blank">You Must Be Born Again</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/05/knowing-lord.html" target="_blank">Knowing the Lord</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/03/having-love-of-god-in-your-heart.html" target="_blank">Having the Love of God in Your Heart</a>, <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/06/baptized-with-spirit.html" target="_blank">Baptized with the Spirit</a>, <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/12/supernatural-power-for-all-disciples.html" target="_blank">Supernatural Power for All Disciples</a>, <a href="http://len-hiddentreasures.blogspot.com/2011/06/resurrection-outworking-in-us.html" target="_blank">Resurrection Outworking in Us</a>, <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-personality-profile-of-apostle-paul.html" target="_blank">A Personality Profile of the Apostle Paul</a>, <a href="http://thechiefshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/01/persecuted-or-popular.html" target="_blank">Persecuted or Popular</a>, <a href="http://signs-ofthe-times.blogspot.hu/2013/11/faithful-until-death-glory-of-martyrdom.html" target="_blank">Faithful Until Death: The Glory of Martyrdom for Christ</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2015/06/slaves-of-christ.html" target="_blank">Having a Servant's Heart</a>, <a href="http://mypleasingsacrifice.blogspot.com/2010/05/unselfish-hearts.html" target="_blank">Unselfish Hearts</a>, and <a href="http://mypleasingsacrifice.blogspot.com/2015/09/pleasing-lord.html" target="_blank">Pleasing the Lord</a>. More articles like this may be found on the <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2013/12/home.html" target="_blank">Home Page</a> of this blog. You can also find my complete collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank">Writing for the Master</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
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_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a></div>
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Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160242403689204851.post-75363117852451897512016-04-15T07:27:00.001-07:002021-03-27T13:59:10.971-07:00Evidence of the Second Birth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzAZJLx18QaqpNUb93oinjEMIU9jgHwOlfJWQmEd2dcM-_Q494RaX3reRUEPA4jn7ez-xIy1ofXe4-2lQlOhSUsopPL-BhU_yc8nBqKH_9Bx7mmP6LNqGWzl6Atlz2hijStX004L9p1gy/s1600/born+again.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzAZJLx18QaqpNUb93oinjEMIU9jgHwOlfJWQmEd2dcM-_Q494RaX3reRUEPA4jn7ez-xIy1ofXe4-2lQlOhSUsopPL-BhU_yc8nBqKH_9Bx7mmP6LNqGWzl6Atlz2hijStX004L9p1gy/s320/born+again.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
In my previous article, I explained that in order to see and enter the kingdom of God, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/09/you-must-be-born-again.html" target="_blank">you must be born again</a>. Since the expression "born again" may be confusing to some people, I would like to share with you some of the evidence that will be present when a person has been born again. There are many more evidences besides the ones I am going to discuss, but these are the ones that typically occur at the time when the new birth takes place or shortly afterward. Not everyone experiences every single sign, but those who have been born again should be able to identify a number of these that they have personally experienced.<br />
<br />
First, here is our text:<br />
<br />
"Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, 'Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?' Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, "You must be born again." The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.'" (Joh 3:1-8)<br />
<br />
In order to illustrate my point, I will use an analogy from the natural
birth of a baby. When we’re born of the Spirit, it’s very much the same
as natural birth, except in the spirit. I am not an expert in
childbirth, but I was blessed to be present at the birth of each of our
five children. Looking back on what I observed, there are truly a number
of similarities between that and the spiritual rebirth. <br />
<br />
For those who like simple charts, I will first present it in that format, so you can see it all laid out at once and observe the relationships. Afterward I will explain these further for those who would like more detail.<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3"><tbody>
<tr>
<td><i><b>Natural</b></i></td>
<td><i><b>Spiritual</b></i></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Naked</td>
<td>Nothing hidden (Job 1:21; Heb 4:13)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bloody or needing a bath</td>
<td>Unclean, defiled, kicking in blood (Ez 16:6, NIV; Ro 3:23)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cleansed, washed with water </td>
<td>Cleansed (1 Cor 6:11; 1 Jn 1:7,9; Ps 51:2,10; Ezekiel 36:25,33; Jeremiah 33:8; Zechariah 13:1; Hebrews 9:14; 10:22; Titus 3:5)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Crying </td>
<td>Crying (2 Cor 7:10; Mt 26:75; Lk 6:21; Heb 5:7; Jam 4:9)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cut off from the umbilical cord</td>
<td>Cut off from all other sources of life, including the flesh, the world, and the devil (Rom 8:2; Jn 14:6)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Received into the father’s arms with a warm embrace. Comforted. </td>
<td>Received into the Father’s arms with a warm embrace (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Safe and secure </td>
<td>Safe and secure (Rom 8:31; 10:9-13; Heb 13:6)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Moment in time on a certain day</td>
<td>Moment in time on a certain day; spiritual birthday (2 Cor 6:2; Lk 15:11-32; Jn 3:6)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Suddenly </td>
<td>Suddenly (Jn 3:8)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Out of darkness of the womb into the light </td>
<td>Out of darkness into the light (1 Peter 2:9; 2 Cor 4:6)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vulnerable to infection, illness, injury</td>
<td>Vulnerable to being hurt (2 Cor 6:11-13; 12:9-10; Mt 5:43-46; Jam 5:16)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Totally dependent on parents</td>
<td>Totally dependent on the Father (Jn 5:19,30)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>New creation, new life </td>
<td>New creation, new life (2 Cor 5:17)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Craves milk! </td>
<td>Craves pure, spiritual milk! (1 Pe 2:2)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Childlike </td>
<td>Childlike, humility (Mt 18:3-4)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Innocent, harmless, free from guilt</td>
<td>Innocent, harmless, free from guilt (Mt 10:16; Phil 2:14-15; 1 Jn 5:18)</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hopefully this chart has made the point plain and simple for you. Now let's look at each sign individually for those who are interested.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Naked</span><br />
When you first come out at birth, you are completely stark naked—nothing hidden. As Job said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there." (Job 1:21a)<br />
<br />
Here’s how it is in the spirit. When the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, you know God sees all your sin. It’s laid bare, and you are fully exposed. Especially if you bare your heart and tell Him how you have offended Him.<br />
<br />
As the Scripture says, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Heb 4:13, NIV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Bloody or needing a bath</span><br />
When babies come out, they are sometimes covered in blood or with a white cheesy or waxy substance called vernix coating their skin. In any event, they need to get a bath on their birthday.<br />
<br />
Likewise, we are all dirty, defiled, and unclean when we come to God. We all start off in that state. "<u>For all of us have become like one who is unclean</u>, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away." (Isa 64:6).<br />
<br />
"For <u>all have sinned</u> and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom 3:23).<br />
<br />
“‘Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, “Live!” (Eze 16:6, NIV)<br />
<br />
Let's be careful not to take this simple analogy too far, lest you misunderstand me. We are unclean and dirty only up to the point when we are born again.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Cleansed, washed with water </span><br />
Just as babies are washed on the day of their birth, likewise, when we are born again, God cleanses us. He sprinkles clean water on us. When we come to Christ and repent, God washes and sanctifies us! We are washed of iniquity, and cleansed of sin. He gives us a clean heart -- no longer
sin-stained, but white as snow. <br />
<br />
"Then <u>I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness</u> and from all your idols." (Eze 36:25)<br />
<br />
"<u>I will cleanse them from all their iniquity</u> by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned against Me and by which they have transgressed against Me." (Jer 33:8)<br />
<br />
"In that day <u>a fountain will be opened</u> for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, <u>for sin and for impurity</u>." (Zec 13:1)<br />
<br />
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the
kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but <u>you were washed</u>, but you were
sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
and in the Spirit of our God." (1Co 6:9-11)<br />
<br />
"But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and <u>the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin</u>." (1Jn 1:7)<br />
<br />
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1Jn 1:9)<br />
<br />
"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And <u>cleanse me from my sin</u>." (Psa 51:2)<br />
<br />
"Create in me <u>a clean heart</u>, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psa 51:10)<br />
<br />
"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, <u>cleanse your conscience</u> from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb 9:14)<br />
<br />
"Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,<u> having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water</u>." (Heb 10:22)<br />
<br />
"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, <u>by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit</u>," (Tit 3:5)<br />
<br />
"'Come now, and let us reason together,' Says the LORD, '<u>Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow</u>; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.'" (Isa 1:18)<br />
<br />
After I was born again, I felt like God had taken the slate with all my sins on it and wiped it completely clean. I had an assurance that I was cleansed, and like a newborn baby, I was starting all over with a clean slate. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Crying</span><br />
When babies come out, they are known to cry. In the old days, as soon as a baby came out of the womb, doctors used to hold babies upside down by their feet to let the fluids drain out, and slap them to startle them into breathing. The purpose was to get them to start crying forcefully and breathing, and to blow all the mucous secretions out of their air passages, so they could breath clearly. Likewise, when someone is born again, they can have an experience of crying because they are sorry for their sin. Godly sorrow leads to repentance. Then there are no regrets.<br />
<br />
"For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death." (2Co 7:10)<br />
<br />
"Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." (Luk 6:21). It is a blessing if you weep now—you’ll laugh later.<br />
<br />
"Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom." (Jas 4:9)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Umbilical cord cut off at natural birth </span><br />
When a baby is born, it is attached to its mother by the umbilical cord. During it's time in the womb, that is how it receives nutrients and oxygen through the blood to sustain its life. But when it is born, that cord is cut and it must eat and breathe on its own. Likewise, when you are born again, all sources of life prior to new birth must be cut off (severed).<br />
<br />
Up until being born again, a person is feeding on death and sin. But at the new birth, that is all cut off. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has <u>set you free from the law of sin and of death</u>." (Rom 8:2). From that point on, Jesus is the only source of life for that person. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (Joh 14:6)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Received into the father’s arms </span><br />
Once the umbilical cord is cut, the father holds the baby in his arms. The baby is received into the father’s or mother's arms and comforted. Likewise, when you are born again, you are received into the heavenly Father’s arms with a warm embrace. You are accepted in the beloved, chosen and precious in His sight (1 Pe 2:4; Eph 1:6, KJV). You are a child of God and you have peace with God. <br />
<br />
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, <u>we have peace with God</u> through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom 5:1).<br />
<br />
I remember what it was like to hold my newborn babies close in my arms, look into their eyes, and speak softly and tenderly to them. They were so precious to me, and I just wanted to bond with them and build relationship with them. This is what's it's like when you are born again.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Safe and Secure </span><br />
When a baby is received into its father’s arms, it is safe and secure. Likewise, when you are born again, you will feel secure in God’s love because of Jesus’ sacrifice for you. You can know with an assurance that you are safe. That’s important—that experience of security, because you’ve confessed Jesus is Lord and have believed. You can confidently say as you rest in the Father’s arms, “The Lord is
my helper; I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Heb 13:6)<br />
<br />
There's no safer place than being in the Father's arms. "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" (Rom 8:31)<br />
<br />
"That
if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart
that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the
heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth
he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER
BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." For there is no distinction
between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in
riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF
THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." (Rom 10:9-13)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Moment in time on a certain day </span><br />
The born again experience is not something that happens over the course of one's lifetime. Rather, there is a point and moment in time when you’re laboring in prayer and grieving. And that’s when you’re being born again. There is a day of salvation.<br />
<br />
"For He says, 'At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.' Behold, now is 'The acceptable time,' behold, now is 'The day of salvation.'" (2Co 6:2)<br />
<br />
We see a clear illustration of the born again experience when we read about the return of the prodigal son in Lk 15:11-12. When he initially returned to his father and repented, that happened on a certain day at a certain moment, and the new birth is similar to that. ""That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (Joh 3:6)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sudden</span><br />
When a baby is born, there are of course labor pains and signs that it is going to happen. But when it finally comes out, it happens all of a sudden. Likewise, the new birth is also sudden. You probably can’t predict exactly when it’s going to happen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Out of darkness into light</span><br />
Before you are born in the natural, you are in darkness. There is no light inside the womb. But when you come out, you are in the light. Likewise, when you are born again, you come out of darkness into the light. <br />
<br />
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you <u>out of darkness into His marvelous light</u>;" (1Pe 2:9).<br />
<br />
"For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2Co 4:6)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Vulnerable </span><br />
All newborn babies are vulnerable. For example, their body temperature could drop or they could get infections. There are a lot of things that could go wrong right after the baby is born. Likewise, when you are born again, you make yourself vulnerable to being hurt. <br />
<br />
When we open our hearts up to one another as believers, we make ourselves vulnerable to one another. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. Now in a like exchange--I speak as to children--open wide to us also." (2Co 6:11-13). We have to open up our hearts to each other. <br />
<br />
The new life is marked by weakness. Paul wrote, "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2Co 12:9-10). <br />
<br />
You’ve got to accept and admit your own weaknesses. When you’re weak, then the Lord is strong. You can’t just keep emphasizing your strengths like the world does. <br />
<br />
Another aspect of this is that when you love your enemies, that puts you in a vulnerable position (Mt 5:44). For example, when you bless those who curse you or turn the other cheek. Likewise, when you confess your sins to one another, you are putting yourself in a vulnerable position.Yet we are commanded to do so (James 5:16).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Totally Dependent </span><br />
When a baby comes out of the womb, it is totally dependent on the father. Likewise, a person is totally dependent on the Father when they are born again. We can do nothing without Him. <br />
<br />
"Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.'" (Joh 5:19)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New creation, new life </span><br />
A newborn baby is a completely new life. Likewise, a newborn believer receives a new life. He or she is a totally new creation. Paul said, "Therefore <u>if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature</u>; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2Co 5:17).<br />
<br />
When a baby comes out of the womb, they are seeing everything for the first time. It all seems new and different. Likewise, after I was born again, I began to notice that the grass was greener than I ever realized before. The sky was bluer than it ever seemed before. I could hear the birds singing, and I knew they were praising my Lord. This is what it's like when you receive new life in Christ.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Craving Milk </span><br />
All newborns crave milk. They are constantly longing for milk and feeding on it. Likewise, when a person has been born again, they will crave pure, spiritual milk (the Word of God). I remember when I was first born again, I would stay up until very late reading and discussing the Word of God with the brother who had led me to Christ. I would read the Scriptures until my eyes were hurting. I craved the milk of the Word.<br />
<br />
Peter wrote, "<u>Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk</u>, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation..." (1Pe 2:2, NIV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Childlike and Humble </span><br />
Newborns are never born proud, dignified, sophisticated, or complicated. Likewise, one evidence of being born again is child-likeness. You must become like a little child.<br />
<br />
Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, <u>unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven</u>. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Mat 18:3-4)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Innocence</span><br />
Newborn babies are innocent. They are harmless and have never done anything wrong. Likewise, once you have been born of God, you will not continue in sin.<br />
<br />
Paul wrote, "Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world," (Php 2:14-15)<br />
<br />
Jesus said, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." (Mat 10:16).<br />
<br />
John wrote, "We know that <u>no one who is born of God sins</u>; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him." (1Jn 5:18)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Soiling Self</span><br />
One last thing I would like to mention is that babies are known to soil themselves. They are not yet mature enough to go to the toilet when they have to relieve themselves, so they just go right where they are, wherever that may be. This can make quite a mess. Likewise, newborn believers may stumble or fall into sin and make a mess of themselves.<br />
<br />
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." (1Jn 2:1-2)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
By comparing the natural birth to the second, spiritual birth, we can see some basic things that are typically evidence in those who are born again. I hope you can relate to some or most of these things in your own life, if you have been born again. I also hope they will help others who have not been born again to realize they still have yet to experience this. If that's you, and you want to know the Lord Jesus, then please see the final section below on knowing Him.<br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>, except where noted. Other Scriptures from the Holy Bible NIV. "Born Again" painting © 2012 <a href="http://www.inspired-art.com" target="_blank">Danny Hahlbohm</a>, all rights reserved by the artist.<br />
<br />
<i>Author's note</i>: You are invited to read <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/09/you-must-be-born-again.html" target="_blank">You Must Be Born Again</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2016/04/born-of-god.html" target="_blank">Born of God</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2010/06/where-will-you-go-when-you-die.html" target="_blank">Where will you go when you die?</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2011/01/few-will-be-saved.html" target="_blank">Few will be saved</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/05/knowing-lord.html" target="_blank">Knowing the Lord</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/05/costly-grace.html" target="_blank">Costly Grace</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/cost-of-discipleship.html" target="_blank">The Cost of Discipleship</a>, <a href="http://doulostrainingschool.blogspot.com/2015/08/doulos-training-school.html" target="_blank">Doulos Training School</a>, <a href="http://5xsola.blogspot.com/2010/04/by-grace-alone.html" target="_blank">By Grace Alone</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2014/01/all-things-are-new.html" target="_blank">All Things Are New!</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-i.html" target="_blank">Holy Washings - Part I</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2010/06/entering-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Entering the Kingdom of God</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.hu/2013/04/the-obedience-of-faith.html" target="_blank">The Obedience of Faith</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2013/08/walking-in-perfect-will-of-god.html" target="_blank">Walking in the Perfect Will of God</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.hu/2012/11/commandments-in-new-covenant.html" target="_blank">Deleted Scriptures in the Bible?</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.hu/2012/10/the-law-of-christ.html" target="_blank">The Law of Christ</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/law-of-love-in-new-testament.html" target="_blank">Law of Love in the New Testament</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-judgment-seat-of-christ.html" target="_blank">The Judgment Seat of Christ</a>, and <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-obedience-optional.html" target="_blank">Is Obedience Optional?</a>. The <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/home.html" target="_blank">Home page</a> of this blog also has more articles. You may access my
complete blog directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span></span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>" <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160242403689204851.post-67051528316388049862016-04-09T08:02:00.001-07:002021-03-27T13:59:24.413-07:00Born of God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzAZJLx18QaqpNUb93oinjEMIU9jgHwOlfJWQmEd2dcM-_Q494RaX3reRUEPA4jn7ez-xIy1ofXe4-2lQlOhSUsopPL-BhU_yc8nBqKH_9Bx7mmP6LNqGWzl6Atlz2hijStX004L9p1gy/s1600/born+again.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzAZJLx18QaqpNUb93oinjEMIU9jgHwOlfJWQmEd2dcM-_Q494RaX3reRUEPA4jn7ez-xIy1ofXe4-2lQlOhSUsopPL-BhU_yc8nBqKH_9Bx7mmP6LNqGWzl6Atlz2hijStX004L9p1gy/s320/born+again.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
In my previous article, I explained that <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/09/you-must-be-born-again.html" target="_blank">You Must Be Born Again</a> to see and enter the kingdom of God. I mainly focused on the passage in John 3, where Jesus explained this to Nicodemus. Now let's look at other Scriptures about being born of God.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus Came Forth from God</span><br />
First we begin with Jesus our Lord. “Jesus…<u>had come forth from God</u> and was going back to God…” (Joh 13:3). This does not mean He was born again. It simply establishes the fact that He came forth from God. He was God already before He came to earth, according to Scripture, which says that in the beginning "the Word was with God and the Word was God." (Jn 1:3). He did not need to be regenerated, since was the image of the invisible God, the radiance of His glory, and the exact representation of His nature (Col 1:15; Heb 1:3)<br />
<br />
Jesus said, "I <u>came forth from the Father</u> and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father." (Joh 16:28)<br />
<br />
Jesus said to them, "…<u>I proceeded forth and have come from God</u>, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.” (Joh 8:42).<br />
<br />
Therefore, it is clearly established in the Word that Jesus Christ came from God and was sent by Him into the world. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus Came from Heaven Above</span><br />
Secondly, since the Lord came from the Father Who is in heaven, Jesus came from heaven, hence He is from above. "He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.” (Joh 3:31). This clearly establishes the fact that Jesus is above all. Paul said, "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." (Col 1:16-17). <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus was Born of God</span><br />
Having now established the fact that Jesus was God and came from God in heaven above, this makes it all the more wonderful that He was born of God. John the apostle referred to Him as He who was born of God. He said, "We know that no one who is born of God sins; but <u>He who was born of God keeps him</u>, and the evil one does not touch him.” (1Jn 5:18). John said that Jesus is the child born of God. "…whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.” (1Jn 5:1b). The expression "the child born of Him" uses the singular expression "child", not the plural, so it is obviously talking about Jesus, since it does not say "the children."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is Born of God</span><br />
As we just read in John's epistle, whoever loves the Father loves the Child born of Him. Those who put their faith in Him as the Christ are born of God. “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God…" (1Jn 5:1a). This is an amazing truth! We, too, may be born of God through faith in Christ. This expression "born of God" carries the meaning that one comes forth from God. It happens at the moment the Holy Spirit gives us the second birth. Just as flesh gives birth to flesh, so Spirit gives birth to spirit.<br />
<br />
So does that mean that anyone who calls Jesus Lord is born of God? No. Jesus made this very clear when He said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." (Mat 7:21).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Whoever Practices Righteousness is Born of God</span><br />
John set the standard of living for those who are born of Him, when he said, “If you know that He is righteous, you know that <u>everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him</u>.” (1Jn 2:29)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">No One Who is Born of God Practices Sin</span><br />
Not only does everyone born of Him practice righteousness, but nobody who is born of God practices sin. “<u>No one who is born of God practices sin</u>, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1Jn 3:9)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Everyone Who Loves is Born of God</span><br />
Love is the defining characteristic of the person who is truly born of God. "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and <u>everyone who loves is born of God</u> and knows God.” (1Jn 4:7)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Whatever Is Born of God Overcomes the World</span><br />
Finally we have this amazing promise of overcoming the world, if we are truly born of God. “<u>For whatever is born of God overcomes the world</u>; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.” (1Jn 5:4)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
Let this be an encouragement to you. If you have repented and put your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, you are following the One who came from God the Father in heaven. You will submit your whole life to the lordship of the child born of Him, and you will love and obey Him. He is the One who created you.<br />
<br />
Although Jesus was born of God, He was not regenerated, since He was God throughout eternity without sin. But He was born of God in the sense that He came forth from God out of heaven into the earth, where He was made in the likeness of men, and was found in appearance as a man. Although He existed throughout eternity, His birth took place when He came from heaven into this world in human form.<br />
<br />
The new birth for those who believe in Him is an amazing reality, because at the moment of regeneration, the Spirit gives birth to spirit, and a new creation is born. The person you once were is dead and gone. The new person is born, who is made after the image of the Man from heaven. The Lord Jesus comes and takes up residence inside that person's heart (Jn 14:20,23; 2 Cor 13:5).<br />
<br />
The one who is born of God does not practice sin any more, but practices righteousness. The one who is born of God loves. And rather than being worldly, the one who is born of God overcomes the world. I hope this has helped you to understand and better appreciate what it truly means to be born of God.<br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. "Born Again" painting © 2012 <a href="http://www.inspired-art.com" target="_blank">Danny Hahlbohm</a>, all rights reserved by the artist.<br />
<br />
<i>Author's note</i>: You are invited to read <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/09/you-must-be-born-again.html" target="_blank">You Must Be Born Again</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2016/04/evidence-of-second-birth.html" target="_blank">Evidence of the Second Birth</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2010/06/where-will-you-go-when-you-die.html" target="_blank">Where will you go when you die?</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2011/01/few-will-be-saved.html" target="_blank">Few will be saved</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/05/costly-grace.html" target="_blank">Costly Grace</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/cost-of-discipleship.html" target="_blank">The Cost of Discipleship</a>, <a href="http://doulostrainingschool.blogspot.com/2015/08/doulos-training-school.html" target="_blank">Doulos Training School</a>, <a href="http://5xsola.blogspot.com/2010/04/by-grace-alone.html" target="_blank">By Grace Alone</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2014/01/all-things-are-new.html" target="_blank">All Things Are New!</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-i.html" target="_blank">Holy Washings - Part I</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2010/06/entering-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Entering the Kingdom of God</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.hu/2013/04/the-obedience-of-faith.html" target="_blank">The Obedience of Faith</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2013/08/walking-in-perfect-will-of-god.html" target="_blank">Walking in the Perfect Will of God</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.hu/2012/11/commandments-in-new-covenant.html" target="_blank">Deleted Scriptures in the Bible?</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.hu/2012/10/the-law-of-christ.html" target="_blank">The Law of Christ</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/law-of-love-in-new-testament.html" target="_blank">Law of Love in the New Testament</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-judgment-seat-of-christ.html" target="_blank">The Judgment Seat of Christ</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-obedience-optional.html" target="_blank">Is Obedience Optional?</a>, and <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2016/09/led-by-spirit.html" target="_blank">Led by the Spirit</a>. The <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/home.html" target="_blank">Home page</a> of this blog also has more articles. You may access my
complete blog directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span></span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160242403689204851.post-25504359842631196932015-09-01T19:39:00.001-07:002021-03-27T13:59:46.432-07:00You Must Be Born Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uYSywqi5tc9yKL577a7Y5Sb5Nne1AjOLdj1IROpfjwd46ywhlqnnv3-AhC-eDGv5leKWlleMnp9hQdAIE2G0Jf9tymQ4hpncGiypz_eTV9y4CwDewmFKGqq6gvTCjLPFVCz1gKbNsGpu/s1600/born+again.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uYSywqi5tc9yKL577a7Y5Sb5Nne1AjOLdj1IROpfjwd46ywhlqnnv3-AhC-eDGv5leKWlleMnp9hQdAIE2G0Jf9tymQ4hpncGiypz_eTV9y4CwDewmFKGqq6gvTCjLPFVCz1gKbNsGpu/s320/born+again.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
I’d like to discuss the requirement to be born again in order to make it to heaven. Many people have had some kind of religious experience, but they have not been born again. Some people have been in church since they were children, but they have never been born again. If you were to take a survey in most churches around the world, asking people if they have been born again, I suppose very few would honestly be able to say they have been. So to begin, let’s see what the Lord Jesus Christ said about being born again.<br />
<br />
He told Nicodemus, who was a religious leader of his day, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (Joh 3:3). That means you cannot see the kingdom of God unless you are born again.<br />
<br />
Then He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (Joh 3:5). That means you cannot enter the kingdom of God unless you experience this second birth, which is one of water and the Spirit. This is simply another way of saying that you must have a new birth of the Spirit of God, and that it is not enough to be born naturally as all humans are. When He referred to being born of water, He was speaking about <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-i.html" target="_blank">water baptism</a>.<br />
<br />
He also said, "Do not be amazed that I said to you, '<u>You must be born again</u>.'” (Joh 3:6-7). That means it is absolutely necessary to be born again, since He used the word “must”. It’s not an option but an obligation. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">How to Be Born Again</span><br />
But how can a person be born again? Nicodemus wondered the same thing. He asked, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" (Joh 3:4). The Lord explained to him that He, the Son of Man, would be lifted up on a cross. <br />
<br />
"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. (Joh 3:14-15)<br />
<br />
That was a reference to His role as the Messiah, or Christ, as I explained in my article, <a href="http://christsbirth.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-son-of-man.html" target="_blank">The Son of Man</a>. And He was referring to His sacrificial death by crucifixion in the place of sinners, so that they could have eternal life.<br />
<br />
You see, when God delivered the Israelites from Egypt and they were in the wilderness, some of them were bitten by snakes and died, because of their sin. So God told Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole for people to see. <br />
<br />
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.’ And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.” (Num 21:8-9)<br />
<br />
Jesus explained to Nicodemus the similarity between the bronze serpent and Himself. It was a type or picture of Christ. In the same way as the Israelites were saved from death by looking upon the bronze serpent fixed to a raised pole, so anyone who would look upon Jesus Christ nailed to a cross and lifted up, would have eternal life.<br />
<br />
Jesus continued, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (Joh 3:16). This means that <u>God loves you so much He sent His Son to die on the cross for you, so that if you would believe in Him, you would not perish, but have eternal life</u>. He said, “whoever believes in Him,” and that includes anyone. It’s good news, because if it were not for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we would all perish in hell. That’s because we have all sinned and fallen (Rom 3:23). Nobody has lived up to God’s perfect, glorious standard. Paul called that “falling short of His glory”. <br />
<br />
It’s wonderful to know that we can be saved from the terrible fires of hell by believing in Jesus. But it’s not enough just to know it; you need to do it. You need to personally repent of your sin and put your faith in Jesus alone to save you. Look to Him as the Israelites looked upon that bronze serpent. Without Him you will surely perish. He died on the cross for you, and God raised Him from the dead on the third day! He is alive forever. Will you trust Him to save you?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Life in Christ as LORD</span><br />
I would also like to explain what it means to believe in Him. It’s not simply agreeing that He’s the Savior of the world or that He died on the cross. It means you must undergo a radical conversion by the power of the Holy Spirit. God will change your whole life. It begins the moment you repent of all your sins, confess that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. You must surrender your whole life to Him, and ask Him to come live inside your heart to be your Lord and Savior. Once you do that, He will begin to transform you into His own image by the power of the Spirit. <br />
<br />
Some people stop at John 3:16 and don’t go any further. But I’d like to quote the remaining verses in that passage, since they explain to us about the person who truly believes in Jesus with saving faith.<br />
<br />
Jesus said to Nicodemus, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." (Joh 3:17-21)<br />
<br />
The Lord contrasted those who believe in Him with those who do not. On the one hand, he who believes in Him and is born again is not judged. He comes into the Light, so that it may be plainly seen that his deeds have been done in the sight of God. He practices the truth. Notice the emphasis on the deeds and the practice of one who believes in Jesus. That’s what Jesus meant in John 3:16 by believing in Him and having eternal life. If a person claims to believe in Him, yet his life is not changed, then He does not know the Lord Jesus Christ. <br />
<br />
The Lord described such a person in exact opposite terms from the way He described the one who truly believes in Him. The one who does not believe in Jesus has been judged already. He still loves the darkness rather than the Light, for his deeds are evil. Since he does evil, it shows that he hates the Light. He does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. Once again, notice the emphasis on the deeds of the one who does not believe. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if a person says they believe in Jesus as their Savior, if their life has not been changed. If one continues to practice evil, after he has believed in Jesus, then he still loves the darkness rather than the Light. He has rejected the Light. If he fears that his deeds will be exposed, then he reveals that actually his deeds are evil.<br />
<br />
It doesn't matter what such a person says with his mouth about Jesus, if his deeds are still evil. He must turn from the darkness to the Light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he has done has been done in the sight of God. Even though he may claim to believe in Jesus, if he does not obey the Lord, he still stands condemned. He will not see life, since the wrath of God remains on him. That is what the apostle John meant when he wrote at the end of the third chapter of his gospel, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but <u>he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him</u>." (Joh 3:36, NASB).<br />
<br />
The original Greek word for the expression "does not obey" in John 3:36 is "apeitheo", which means "disobedient, or obey not." That word "apeitheo" comes from another word that means "disobedient", so the gospel explicitly warns us against disobeying the Lord. The word may also be used to mean "to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely), not believe, or unbelieving." (Strongs).<br />
<br />
Likewise, Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but <u>he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven</u> will enter.” (Mat 7:21). Notice the requirement that one must do the will of the Lord’s Father in heaven in order to enter the kingdom of God. The emphasis again is on what a person does. The Lord laid stress on one’s deeds. Put that together with what Jesus told Nicodemus that you must be born again to enter the kingdom, and you will clearly see that they are one and the same. A person who is born again must do the will of God, and his faith must be accompanied by action. It’s not enough to call Jesus “Lord.”<br />
<br />
Jesus said, "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.'” (Mat 7:22-23). The same emphasis here is on one’s deeds. Those who practice lawlessness do not enter the kingdom of God. They do not enter heaven. The Lord will tell them to depart from Him and say He never knew them, even though they call Him Lord. It all goes back to their deeds.<br />
<br />
Some people like to think that because we are saved by grace that there are no rules to follow. Well, I have news for those people. The apostle Paul said that Jesus became the source of salvation for all who obey Him. (Heb 5:9). There are still commandments that we must obey. So when you make Jesus your Lord, you agree that He will be the Master of your life and He will determine what you may and may not do. Always remember that as you walk out your faith, once you have first been born again.<br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. "All God's Children" painting © 2012 <a href="http://www.inspired-art.com" target="_blank">Danny Hahlbohm</a>, all rights reserved by the artist.<br />
<br />
<i>Author's note</i>: You are invited to read <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2016/04/evidence-of-second-birth.html" target="_blank">Evidence of the Second Birth</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2018/04/from-religion-to-relationship.html" target="_blank">From Religion to Relationship</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2010/06/where-will-you-go-when-you-die.html" target="_blank">Where will you go when you die?</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2011/01/few-will-be-saved.html" target="_blank">Few will be saved</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/05/knowing-lord.html" target="_blank">Knowing the Lord</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/05/costly-grace.html" target="_blank">Costly Grace</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/cost-of-discipleship.html" target="_blank">The Cost of Discipleship</a>, <a href="http://doulostrainingschool.blogspot.com/2015/08/doulos-training-school.html" target="_blank">Doulos Training School</a>, <a href="http://5xsola.blogspot.com/2010/04/by-grace-alone.html" target="_blank">By Grace Alone</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2014/01/all-things-are-new.html" target="_blank">All Things Are New!</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-i.html" target="_blank">Holy Washings - Part I</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2010/06/entering-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Entering the Kingdom of God</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.hu/2013/04/the-obedience-of-faith.html" target="_blank">The Obedience of Faith</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2013/08/walking-in-perfect-will-of-god.html" target="_blank">Walking in the Perfect Will of God</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.hu/2012/11/commandments-in-new-covenant.html" target="_blank">Deleted Scriptures in the Bible?</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.hu/2012/10/the-law-of-christ.html" target="_blank">The Law of Christ</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/law-of-love-in-new-testament.html" target="_blank">Law of Love in the New Testament</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-judgment-seat-of-christ.html" target="_blank">The Judgment Seat of Christ</a>, and <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-obedience-optional.html" target="_blank">Is Obedience Optional?</a>. The <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/home.html" target="_blank">Home page</a> of this blog also has more articles. You may access my
complete blog directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span></span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160242403689204851.post-87028095644699996732015-08-10T01:00:00.001-07:002021-03-27T14:00:05.476-07:00Holy Washings - Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2qyYGK7zu_UqpFScwSBovsJeCdkh2zjmoYn5zyZrwqdN8KFfGXA0_3Ln8_fhA_vkQXHo-H_c_UTAqL9NoSWqNvixw0qNdkqEqX0zRuvwCJ7_BsZpTk4BwRXeJXwTvnbUf7CjvGbD4hxS/s1600/baptism.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2qyYGK7zu_UqpFScwSBovsJeCdkh2zjmoYn5zyZrwqdN8KFfGXA0_3Ln8_fhA_vkQXHo-H_c_UTAqL9NoSWqNvixw0qNdkqEqX0zRuvwCJ7_BsZpTk4BwRXeJXwTvnbUf7CjvGbD4hxS/s320/baptism.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
Water baptism is
an important step in a believer's walk with God. Water baptism is one of the ordinances the Lord gave to the Church for us to do. This is an elementary teaching about Christ that you must understand and practice. So let's find out what the Word says about it.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Water Baptism</span><br />
First of all, John came baptizing with water in the Jordan. It was a baptism of repentance (Mt 3:11). Yet Jesus came to be baptized by him. John tried to forbid the Lord, but the Lord insisted that they must fulfill all righteousness.<br />
<br />
"Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, 'I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?' But Jesus answering said to him, 'Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he permitted Him." (Mat 3:13-15)<br />
<br />
If our Lord, who knew no sin, was baptized, then you can be sure this is necessary to fulfill all righteousness.<br />
<br />
It's <u>an outward sign of what we have already demonstrated by our repentance and faith in Christ</u>. That's why those who have not yet been born again, including infants, do not qualify to be baptized. Not everyone who has been saved has a chance to do this, like the thief on the cross. Some people are converted on their death bed. In that case, it's not going to keep them from heaven. As with the thief, the Lord said, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise." But normally you must be baptized after you repent and give your life to Jesus. The Lord commanded it when He gave the Great Commission to His disciples:<br />
<br />
"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'" (Mat 28:18-20)<br />
<br />
We see that the apostles and other disciples who preached the gospel followed this pattern. Notice the sequence. The Lord commanded them to go and first make disciples, and then baptize them, as well as teach them to observe everything that Jesus commanded the first apostles. He did not commission them to first baptize people, then make them disciples of Christ. Neither did he tell them to first teach people everything He commanded them before baptizing them.<br />
<br />
When the Ethiopian eunuch got saved, he was baptized immediately afterward when they came to some water (Ac 8:36-28). He had asked Philip if there was anything to prevent him from being baptized, and the only condition that Philip had given him was, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." Once the eunuch confessed his genuine faith in Jesus Christ, then he was baptized into Christ.<br />
<br />
Paul explained the significance of water baptism when he wrote to the Romans in the sixth chapter.<br />
<br />
"Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection," (Rom 6:3-5)<br />
<br />
When we are baptized, we are united with Christ in His death. As we go down in the waters of baptism, the old self is buried beneath the water with Christ. When we come up out of the water, we are raised with Him to new life.<br />
<br />
On the day of Pentecost, when the people came under conviction for sin at the preaching of the gospel, and asked what they should do, “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Act 2:38)<br />
<br />
He taught that you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (into His authority) by faith in Him, for the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, repentance and faith in Christ are essential, and so is water baptism.<br />
<br />
By the way, when Peter said "you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit," he spoke of the need to receive <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/06/baptized-with-spirit.html" target="_blank">the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is also a baptism</a>. Due to the limited scope of this article, I will not go any further into that here, except to mention the importance of it again before my closing.<br />
<br />
The apostle Paul also taught that the Lord gave Himself up on the cross for His Bride, which is the Church, to make her holy, and that He cleanses her by the washing with water through the Word of God. He said, "...Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Eph 5:25b-26, NIV).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY-T9KQV9Wp_gxlb_iFNh3YJ6UFelh-twE0fVQcQL8Q5LmKqGqZfZdgz8QfNNp4UopKHbC81fhE4cQpbtyKO2HMptcmy-MbtydMXG2BrVWA-qc46eYWSGpL0uvxv8XrV-h_dAwDRhe2A4/s1600/Water+baptism.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY-T9KQV9Wp_gxlb_iFNh3YJ6UFelh-twE0fVQcQL8Q5LmKqGqZfZdgz8QfNNp4UopKHbC81fhE4cQpbtyKO2HMptcmy-MbtydMXG2BrVWA-qc46eYWSGpL0uvxv8XrV-h_dAwDRhe2A4/s200/Water+baptism.jpg" width="200" /></a>I believe as John Wesley did that the expression "washing with water" refers in part to water baptism, which is an "outward and visible sign" that cleanses us from guilt and the power of sin, if we receive with it "the inward spiritual grace." It was only through this study of the Word on holy washings that the Spirit of God revealed to me the connection of this Ephesians passage with water baptism (see my comments in the table below), and upon further research I later discovered to my delight that both John Wesley and Matthew Henry saw the same connection. Before this I had never heard anyone make this connection, so the fact that these two holiness preachers wrote about it hundreds of years ago seems to confirm what the Lord revealed to me.<br />
<br />
However, there is more to this Ephesians passage than simply water baptism. For Jesus told His disciples, "You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you." (Joh 15:3). Therefore, we know that He also cleanses us with water through the Word of God, just as Paul said in his epistle. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Origin of Baptism</span><br />
So where did the idea of baptism originate? Do they have any precedents in the Scriptures?<br />
<br />
<b>Ceremonial Washings</b><br />
Under the Law of Moses, they certainly had ceremonial washings that the priests did in the tabernacle and temple. These were required in order to make them ceremonially clean. But these were only types and they have been fulfilled in Christ our high priest. So while they were a type of washing, they were not carried over into the New Covenant as a requirement for believers.<br />
<br />
<b>The Red Sea a Type of Baptism</b><br />
The best type of water baptism in Scripture, which shows us the origin of it was when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. Paul referred to this when he said:<br />
<br />
"For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ." (1Co 10:1-4)<br />
<br />
<b>The Flood of Noah's Day a Type of Baptism</b><br />
Peter also referred to the flood during Noah's day as a type of baptism as well. He said:<br />
<br />
"When the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, <u>eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience</u>--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ," (1Pe 3:20b-21)<br />
<br />
Peter taught that just as the few people, only eight persons, were brought safely through the water, likewise, baptism now saves you. That's pretty clear. Noah's ark being brought safely through water was a type of the repentant believer being saved through baptism (for more on that topic, please see <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2014/06/noahs-ark-type-of-christ.html" target="_blank">Noah's Ark a Type of Christ</a>). Note that Peter said that baptism is not about the removal of dirt from the flesh, but
an appeal to God for a good conscience.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Baptism Types, Analogies, and Their Meanings</span> <br />
I'd like to present to you the various baptism analogies and their meanings in the following chart, in order to better help you correlate them together: <br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="25%"><b>Scripture text</b></td>
<td width="20%"><b>Corresponding Analogy</b></td>
<td width="15%"><b>Type of Washing</b></td>
<td width="15%"><b>Purpose of washing</b></td>
<td width="25%"><b>Meaning of text</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” (Ac 2:38)</td>
<td>(None in this passage)</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>For the forgiveness of your sins</td>
<td>Water baptism accompanied by repentance and faith in Christ provides forgiveness of sins.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you…”(1Pe 3:20-21a)</td>
<td>Flood</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>A flood to destroy sinners and an ark to save the righteous</td>
<td>Just as Noah and his family, eight people in all, were brought safely through the flood water, so baptism saves you from being destroyed with sinners.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” (1Pe 3:21)</td>
<td>Bath</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>To remove dirt from the flesh and make the person completely clean</td>
<td>Baptism is not just a bath that removes dirt from the body, but it is an appeal to God for a good conscience, as well as a pledge to God to keep a good conscience.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?”(Rom 6:3)</td>
<td>Grave</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>To be united in Christ’s death and burial in the grave</td>
<td>One who is baptized into Christ has been immersed into His death under the water</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…we have been buried with Him through baptism into death…” (Rom 6:4)</td>
<td>Grave</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>To be united in Christ’s death and burial in the grave</td>
<td>One who is baptized into Christ has been buried with Him under the water</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“..we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death…”(Rom 6:5a)</td>
<td>Grave</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>To be united in Christ’s death and burial in the grave</td>
<td>One who is baptized into Christ has been baptized into His death under the water</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection…” (Rom 6:5b)</td>
<td>Grave</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>To be united in Christ’s death and burial in the grave</td>
<td>One who is united with Christ in His death through baptism will also be united in His resurrection from the grave</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…there arose a discussion on the part of John's disciples with a Jew about purification…”<br />
(Joh 3:25) </td>
<td>Washing</td>
<td>Water baptism (and possibly ceremonial washing)</td>
<td>To purify the person</td>
<td>John’s disciples discussed or argued with a certain Jew about “washing” (Greek, katharismos).</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“And they came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.'" (Joh 3:26)</td>
<td>Washing</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>To purify the person</td>
<td>John’s disciples (in the context of the discussion with the Jew about washing) reported to John that Jesus was baptizing beyond the Jordan and all were coming to Him.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word…”(Eph 5:26a, NIV)</td>
<td>Washing</td>
<td>Water baptism (and possibly foot washing)</td>
<td>To cleanse</td>
<td>Through the power of His Word making His work on the cross effective in our lives, the Lord washes His Bride, the Church, cleansing her from the guilt and power of sin in the waters of baptism. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”(Eph 5:26b, NIV)</td>
<td>Washing</td>
<td>Water baptism (and possibly foot washing)</td>
<td>To cleanse</td>
<td>The Lord’s purpose in water baptism is to present His Bride to Himself as a radiant Church without stain or wrinkle, but holy and blameless.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“the elementary teaching about the Christ …instruction about washings…” (Heb 6:2)</td>
<td>Washing</td>
<td>Water baptism and foot washing</td>
<td>To cleanse</td>
<td>Since the word “washings” (Greek baptismos) is plural, and the Greek may refer to baptism, washing, or ceremonial washing, this text probably means that new believers must be instructed about both water baptism and foot washing. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…our fathers were all under the cloud…and all were baptized into Moses
in the cloud …Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their
bodies were scattered in the wilderness.”<br />
(1 Cor 10:1b-2,5, NIV)</td>
<td>The glory cloud</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>To be immersed under the presence of God’s Holy Spirit</td>
<td>All the Israelites were under the same cloud of glory, yet their bodies were scattered in the wilderness because God was not pleased with them. Likewise Christians who have been water baptized could still perish if they set their hearts on evil things as the Israelites did.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…our fathers…all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses…in the sea…Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their
bodies were scattered in the wilderness.”<br />
(1 Cor 10:1b-2,5 NIV)</td>
<td>The Red Sea</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>To pass through the waters (of death) out of bondage </td>
<td>All the Israelites passed through the same waters of the sea out of the bondage of Egypt, yet most of their bodies were scattered in the wilderness because God was not pleased with them. Likewise Christians who have been water baptized could still perish if they set their hearts on evil things as the Israelites did.</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Must We Be Immersed?</span><br />
There are many Christian churches that baptize people by sprinkling them with water. I don't see any Scriptural basis for it. The word "baptism" in the Greek refers to total immersion. As I read the Bible, that is what John the Baptist did, it's what Jesus did, and it's what the apostles did. All the analogies I have just cited in the chart above imply total immersion. The burial with Christ in a watery grave, the flood, the Red Sea, the glory cloud, and the bath. Therefore, I do not advise anyone to be sprinkled but to be baptized by complete immersion.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Water Baptism Itself Does Not Save You</span><br />
Let's never forget that while baptism is necessary, along with
repentance and faith in Christ, we must not set our hearts on evil as
the Israelites did, who consequently perished in the wilderness. They
did not make it into the promised land, which is an example for us as a
warning.<br />
<br />
As Paul
said, “…our fathers…all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses…in the sea…Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their
bodies were scattered in the wilderness.” (1 Cor 10:1b-2,5 NIV).<br />
<br />
"These things happened to them as examples and were written down
as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if
you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!" (1
Cor 10:11-12. NIV).<br />
<br />
Just as the Israelites all passed through the same waters of the sea out
of the bondage of Egypt, so are we as disciples all baptized in water into Christ.
And just as most of their bodies were scattered in the wilderness
because God was not pleased with them, likewise those who have been
water baptized could still perish if they set their hearts on evil
things as the Israelites did. Therefore, water baptism itself does not save you.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Must We Be Baptized "In the Name of Jesus" Only?</span><br />
I would like to mention another important point. There are certain Christians, such as oneness Pentecostals, who emphasize that we must be baptized in the name of Jesus only. They teach that if you were baptized in water in the name of the Father and the Son
and the Holy Spirit, that your baptism was not valid. They teach that the original apostles all baptized disciples in the Name of Jesus Christ, and therefore, if you were not explicitly baptized with those exact words, then they say you need to be baptized again specifically in the Name of Jesus. I think this is an error they make. Here are some of the Bible verses they quote:<br />
<br />
Act 2:38, "Peter said to them, 'Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" <br />
<br />
Act 8:16, "For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."<br />
<br />
Act 10:48, "And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days."<br />
<br />
Act 19:5, "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."<br />
<br />
Act 22:16, "Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name."<br />
<br />
As I have already stated earlier in this article, our Lord Himself taught us to make disciples and baptize them "in the name of the Father and the Son
and the Holy Spirit" (Mat
28:19). That's quite clear, and we know who He meant by "the Son." He was not talking about someone else but about Himself, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Scriptures are clear on this point.<br />
<br />
While the Scriptures do say the early disciples baptized disciples in <a href="http://sun-of-righteousness.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-name-of-jesus.html" target="_blank">the name of Jesus Christ</a>, you should understand what that means. Anything that is done in the name of another person is done in their authority. If you can legally sign checks in someone's name, it means you do so in their authority. Your signature carries the same authority as theirs, if you have been authorized to do so. Likewise, a law enforcement officer carries out his work in the name of the law, such as when he arrests a criminal. He cannot do so in his own name but in the name of the law of the city, state, or municipality he serves, because he has been authorized to do so. All arrests he makes are in the authority of the law.<br />
<br />
The Lord said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." (Mt 28:18-19. NIV). By noting the word "therefore", we understand that the authority to make disciples and baptize them comes from the Father through Jesus. Just as Jesus came in the Father's name, which the Father gave Him (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joh+17%3A11&version=NIV" target="_blank">Joh 17:11b</a>), likewise, Jesus came in the Father's authority that was given to Him, which He has in turn delegated to His chosen servants. To be baptized "in the name of Jesus" means "by the authority of Jesus". Therefore, if you were originally baptized "in the name of the Father and the Son
and the Holy Spirit" when you began to follow Christ, I don't think you need to be baptized again, unless your first baptism occurred as a baby, or by sprinkling, or any time before you had actually repented of your sin and given your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. <br />
<br />
I think that those of us who baptize disciples should do so "in the name of the Father, and the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit." And I also think it's very important to get disciples <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/06/baptized-with-spirit.html" target="_blank">baptized with the Holy Spirit</a> and <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/05/holy-fire-baptism.html" target="_blank">baptized with fire</a> (Mt 3:11).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
In this part-one article I have explained both the requirement of water baptism and the reason for it, as well as its origin and types in Scripture. I trust that it has helped you to understand a little better the correlation of the various analogies and what they were intended to teach us about baptism. This is part of the initiation process for every new disciple, and it only needs to be done once. If you have repented and given your life to Jesus Christ, but have never been baptized, then this is an important next step for you to take in your walk with God. I urge you not to delay in carrying it out.<br />
<br />
Continue to <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-ii.html" target="_blank">Holy Washings - Part II</a>. <br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/#copy" target="_blank">New International Version® NIV</a>®, where noted. "Baptism" painting © 2012 <a href="http://www.inspired-art.com" target="_blank">Danny Hahlbohm</a>, all rights reserved by the artist. The "Water Baptism" graphic used by permission from <a href="http://broadwaychurch.com/" target="_blank">Broadway Church</a>, Vancouver, BC, Canada. <br />
<br />
<i>Author's note</i>: After you have read <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-ii.html" target="_blank">Holy Washings - Part II</a>, please also see <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/06/baptized-with-spirit.html" target="_blank">Baptized with the Spirit</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/05/holy-fire-baptism.html" target="_blank">Holy Fire Baptism</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2010/06/entering-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Entering the Kingdom of God</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2014/01/all-things-are-new.html" target="_blank">All Things Are New!</a>, <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms</a>, and <a href="http://sun-of-righteousness.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-name-of-jesus.html" target="_blank">The Name of Jesus</a>. You may find my complete collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank">Writing for the Master</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160242403689204851.post-41451052626782029952015-08-10T00:00:00.000-07:002018-02-03T09:04:16.996-08:00Holy Washings - Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
In my first article, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-i.html" target="_blank">Holy Washings - Part I</a>, I explained the elementary teaching of Christ regarding water
baptism. In this second part, I'd like to explain foot washing as another elementary teaching of Christ. So let's find out what the Word says about it.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Foot Washing</span><br />
The apostle wrote, "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let
us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance
from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings
and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal
judgment." (Heb 6:1-2). These are six elementary teachings about Christ
that are considered foundational. Notice that he said "instruction
about washings" using the plural form and not the singular form of
"washing". When we read this we usually think of water baptism, which is
one washing. But I believe I can prove to you from Scripture that the apostle here spoke of both baptism and foot washing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdZeM3IqSAhCXYigzzOsXCQgxsKhaBeeXP6IW5PhKvnfysF0PiLjYUE96ktwy1eO-4nK_N3vNTC3CvNuNqce5VdiDYx89mvyhQaZahVxu69dlnDZ93V1hzH1qjQX16pvdYYAcAXFe1UQ2/s1600/Jesus-washing-feet-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdZeM3IqSAhCXYigzzOsXCQgxsKhaBeeXP6IW5PhKvnfysF0PiLjYUE96ktwy1eO-4nK_N3vNTC3CvNuNqce5VdiDYx89mvyhQaZahVxu69dlnDZ93V1hzH1qjQX16pvdYYAcAXFe1UQ2/s320/Jesus-washing-feet-12.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
On
the night He was betrayed, during the Last Supper when the Lord established
the New Covenant, He
also got up from the supper and began to wash His disciples' feet. <br />
<br />
"Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus
knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to
the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them
to the end. During supper, the devil having already put into the heart
of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that
the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come
forth from God and was going back to God, *got up from supper, and *laid
aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He
*poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and
to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He *came to
Simon Peter. He *said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus
answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you
will understand hereafter." Peter *said to Him, "Never shall You wash my
feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with
Me." Simon Peter *said to Him, "Lord, then wash not only my feet, but
also my hands and my head." Jesus *said to him, "He who has bathed needs
only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but
not all of you." For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this
reason He said, 'Not all of you are clean.'" (Joh 13:1-11)<br />
<br />
There are some
key points I want to highlight. Peter forbid the Lord to wash his feet
initially. But the Lord told him that unless He washed Peter's feet, he
had no part with Him. Then Peter insisted that the Lord not only wash
his feet, but his hands and head. Interesting character that Peter was!
He tended to make radical statements like that. One minute he insisted
the Lord would never wash his feet. Next minute he wanted the Lord to
give him a bath. But the Lord told Peter that he had already bathed,
which was obviously referring back to his initial repentance and
baptism. Even Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness, so we can
be sure that Peter and the other disciples were baptized also. The Lord
assured him he was already clean, with the exception of Judas who was
not clean. Jesus said that he who has had a bath needs only to wash his
feet. The key point here is that one who has been cleansed initially
upon coming to Christ does still need to wash his feet. As the Lord
said, unless He washed their feet they would have no part with Him, so
this was necessary. <br />
<br />
The gospel passage continues, "So
when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at
the table again, He said to them, 'Do you know what I have done to you?
You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I
then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash
one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do
as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater
than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent
him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them." (Joh
13:12-17)<br />
<br />
The key points I want to highlight here are
that if Jesus, the Lord and the Teacher, washed His disciples'
feet, we also ought to wash
one another's feet. It's that simple. For He gave us an example that we
also should do
as He did to His disciples.We are not greater than our Master. But it's
not enough just to know these things. Jesus said that if you know these
things, you are blessed if you do them. He was clearly expecting His
disciples to do this to one another.<br />
<br />
When Jesus said, “You also ought to wash one another's feet” (Joh 13:14), the Greek word for “ought” is “opheilo”, which means “to be under obligation (ought, must, should); be bound, duty, be indebted, must needs, or owe.” That makes it clear the Lord taught the necessity of foot washing among the saints. His words to Peter were that he could have no part in Christ unless Jesus washed his feet. <br />
<br />
In order to better explain Christ's teaching about foot washing, I will put it into a table format and show you verse by verse: <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Baptism and Foot Washing Analogies</span> <br />
I'd like to present to you the various baptism and foot washing analogies used in this passage, and their meanings in the following chart, in order to better help you correlate them together: <br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 75px;"><b>Scripture text</b></td>
<td style="width: 95px;"><b>Corresponding Analogy</b></td>
<td style="width: 65px;"><b>Type of Washing</b></td>
<td style="width: 70px;"><b>Purpose of washing</b></td>
<td style="width: 70px;"><b>Meaning of text</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“He who has bathed…is completely clean”<br />
(Jn 13:10)</td>
<td>Bath</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>To make the person completely clean</td>
<td>Water baptism cleanses a person entirely. There is no need to be water baptized a second time.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“He…needs only to wash his feet”<br />
(Jn 13:10) </td>
<td>Foot washing</td>
<td>Foot washing</td>
<td>To cleanse the feet</td>
<td>Foot washing cleanses a person where their walk has not been perfectly clean. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…And you are clean…”<br />
(Jn 13:10) </td>
<td>Bath</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>To make the person completely clean</td>
<td>All the disciples had been water baptized and were clean.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…But not all of you… For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’"<br />
(Jn 13:10-11)</td>
<td>Bath</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>To make the person completely clean</td>
<td>Judas was not clean, although he had been baptized.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>"I do not speak of all of you…'he who eats my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'” <br />
“Jesus…became troubled in spirit, and testified… ‘…one of you will betray Me." <br />
(Joh 13:21)</td>
<td>Bath</td>
<td>Water baptism</td>
<td>To make the person completely clean</td>
<td>Judas (baptized yet not clean) would betray Jesus</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>"If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.”<br />
(Joh 13:14)</td>
<td>Foot washing</td>
<td>Foot washing</td>
<td>To cleanse the feet</td>
<td>As the Lord our Teacher washed His disciples’ feet, His disciples ought to wash one another’s feet.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>"For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”<br />
(Joh 13:15)</td>
<td>Foot washing</td>
<td>Foot washing</td>
<td>To cleanse the feet</td>
<td>As the Lord our Teacher washed His disciples’ feet, His disciples ought to wash one another’s feet.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>"If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”<br />
(Joh 13:17)</td>
<td>Foot washing</td>
<td>Foot washing</td>
<td>To cleanse the feet</td>
<td>If His disciples know they ought to wash one another’s feet, and they do so, they are blessed.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“the elementary teaching about the Christ …instruction about washings…” (Heb 6:2)</td>
<td>Washings</td>
<td>Water baptism and foot washing</td>
<td>To cleanse</td>
<td>Since the word “washings” (Greek baptismos) is plural, and the Greek may refer to baptism, washing, or ceremonial washing, this text probably means that new believers must be instructed about water baptism and foot washing.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word…”(Eph 5:26a, NIV)</td>
<td>Washing</td>
<td>Water baptism and foot washing</td>
<td>To cleanse</td>
<td>Just as the Lord washes His Bride through the power of His Word, cleansing her from the guilt and power of sin in the waters of baptism, foot washing has a similar purpose for those who are already clean through baptism.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>“…to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”(Eph 5:26b, NIV)</td>
<td>Washing</td>
<td>Water baptism and foot washing</td>
<td>To cleanse</td>
<td>The Lord’s purpose in water baptism (and foot washing) is to present His Bride, to Himself as a radiant Church without stain or wrinkle, but holy and blameless.</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Baptism Itself Does Not Save You</span><br />
As we see from the example of Judas Iscariot, he was not clean, although he had been baptized. So water baptism itself does not cleanse you. Unless there is genuine repentance, accompanied by saving faith in Christ, water baptism is merely a ceremony. Although Judas was water baptized, he still continued to help himself to the money bag (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn+12%3A6&version=NIV" target="_blank">Joh 12:6</a>), which is stealing; and the Scripture says that thieves will not inherit the kingdom of God (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+6%3A9-10&version=NIV" target="_blank">1 Cor 6:9-10</a>). He also betrayed the Lord, and Jesus said that it would be better for him if he had never been born (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt+26%3A24&version=NIV" target="_blank">Mt 26:24</a>). Jesus said that not everyone who says to Him, "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of His Father in heaven (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mt+7%3A21&version=NIV" target="_blank">Mt 7:21</a>). Therefore, Peter said that Judas left his ministry as an apostle to go to the place where he belongs (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ac+1%3A25&version=NIV" target="_blank">Ac 1:25</a>), which is in hell, where he has been tormented since that time.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Foot Washing Does Not Save You</span><br />
I would like to build on my last point in order to emphasize something about foot washing. Just as water baptism itself does not save you, neither does foot washing. In other words, if you religiously practice this ceremony, and have no genuine repentance and saving faith in Christ, then it is meaningless. You might as well be washing windows. But if you are a true disciple, then you will be blessed if you wash the feet of other disciples.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Foot Washing Unto the Lord</span><br />
When a disciple washes another disciple's feet, they are actually washing the feet of Jesus. For He said, "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." (Mt 25:40). So I ask those of you who are still hesitant to do this, why wouldn't you want to wash the feet of Jesus, if you truly love Him? As Paul said, "Whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men..." (Col 3:23, KJV). Therefore, wash one another's feet with all your heart!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Foot Washing is a Mark of Godliness</span><br />
Moreover, in Paul's epistle to Timothy, he cites "washing the feet of the Lord’s people" as a mark of a godly woman, which is one criterion that determines whether a widow should be put on the list of those truly in need of assistance from the Church (1 Tim 5:10). Yet how many saints today wash the feet of the Lord's people? It's rare to find such a person any more.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Foot Washing for a Spotless, Holy Bride </span><br />
As I mentioned already, the apostle Paul said, "...Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her
holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to
present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or
any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Eph 5:25b-26, NIV). While I
believe the expression "washing with water"
refers to water baptism, it may also refer secondarily to foot washing.<br />
<br />
If the "washing with water" that Paul spoke of refers to both baptism and foot washing, as I believe it does, then this gives even greater meaning to the practice of foot washing. It also agrees with what Jesus said to His disciples when he taught them the importance of foot washing (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jn+13%3A10&version=NIV" target="_blank">Joh 13:10</a>, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jn+13%3A14&version=NIV" target="_blank">14</a>). Just as the Lord washes His Bride through the power of His Word (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph+5%3A26&version=NIV" target="_blank">Eph 5:26</a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jn+15%3A3&version=NIV" target="_blank">Joh 15:3</a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jn+17%3A17&version=NIV" target="_blank">17:17</a>),
cleansing her from the guilt and power of sin in the waters of baptism,
foot washing may serve a similar (though not identical) purpose for those who are already clean
through baptism. His purpose is to present His
Bride as a radiant Church without stain or wrinkle, but
holy and blameless. Therefore, foot washing may play a role in the ongoing sanctification of our body, soul, and spirit, so that we are kept blameless at the coming of our Lord.<br />
<br />
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." (1 Thes 5:23-24, NIV).<br />
<br />
Could it be that foot washing is to our sanctification as water baptism is to our salvation? I think there is a strong case from Scripture to support that notion. If it is so, we understand that, as with water baptism, it is an outward visible sign of an inward spiritual grace. It all happens through the truth of His Word (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jn+15%3A3&version=NIV" target="_blank">Joh 15:3</a>). For Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth" (Joh 17:17, NIV). We also understand that the sanctifying work is performed by the Holy Spirit (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+pe+1%3A2&version=NIV" target="_blank">1 Pe 1:2</a>). As we disciples pray and ask for it, the Holy Spirit takes our white garment and washes it out, cleansing away all the stains, and He presses it out, removing all the wrinkles.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
In this two-part article on instructions about washings, I have shown from Scripture the great importance of both water baptism for repentance and foot washing in the life of every disciple. Water baptism cleanses a person entirely when done as an outward expression of genuine repentance and faith in Christ. There is no need to be water baptized a second time.<br />
<br />
If you have repented and given your life to Christ as your Lord and Savior, you should be baptized in water. Jesus did it, and taught His disciples to do so also (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt+28%3A19-20&version=NIV" target="_blank">Mt 28:19-20</a>). His disciples were water baptized and they baptized their disciples, too. But don't forget that the Lord also taught His disciples by example to wash each others' feet as well. He said they ought to do so, and would be blessed if they did so. Foot washing cleanses a person where their walk has not been perfectly clean. It's also a great way to practice humility and love in imitation of Christ. And when you do so, you will be doing it unto the Lord along with anything else you do for the least of His brethren. Therefore, I see no reason why any true disciple would not want to practice foot washing.<br />
<br />
Still there is even another baptism that I mentioned briefly in <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-i.html" target="_blank">Holy Washings - Part I</a>, which is the <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/06/baptized-with-spirit.html" target="_blank">Baptism with the Holy Spirit</a>. This wonderful baptism is necessary to be a powerful witness for Christ who lives a holy life (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ac+1%3A8&version=NIV" target="_blank">Ac 1:8</a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Pe+1%3A2&version=NIV" target="_blank">1 Pe 1:2</a>). I strongly recommend reading that article and praying to receive that gift as well.<br />
<br />
And there is also the <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/05/holy-fire-baptism.html" target="_blank">Baptism with Fire</a> that John the Baptist referred to, as well (Mt 3:11). So we see that our Lord has made perfect provision for us to receive these washings, so that we might be purified, sanctified in spirit and soul and body, kept blameless unto His coming. Be sure to avail yourself of every gift the Lord has provided for His children, so that you don't miss out on the glory to follow.<br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/#copy" target="_blank">New International Version® NIV</a>®, where noted<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<br />
<i>Author's note</i>: Also see <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-i.html" target="_blank">Holy Washings - Part I</a>, <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2011/06/baptized-with-spirit.html" target="_blank">Baptized with the Spirit</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/05/holy-fire-baptism.html" target="_blank">Holy Fire Baptism</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2010/06/entering-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Entering the Kingdom of God</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2014/01/all-things-are-new.html" target="_blank">All Things Are New!</a> and <a href="http://kogislikethis.blogspot.com/2012/03/transfer-between-physical-and-spiritual.html" target="_blank">The Link Between Two Realms</a>. You may find my complete collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank">Writing for the Master</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160242403689204851.post-61197916573018314332014-11-29T13:20:00.000-08:002019-05-19T20:10:02.275-07:00Do You Want to Know Jesus?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizVaTLPOFY1q7jKCBe_5j7k2HDtP7kOiYgr8SKrl-MqFVMQffiGN7CEPxUPIH0_0S8-7sb_PoF8RnZEOxCWlWwwESeKK900JVQUofwDK2ZkeZx3V-tkKV3bW7lnAUXerZIt587lli1FJO/s1600/Jesus+inside+white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizVaTLPOFY1q7jKCBe_5j7k2HDtP7kOiYgr8SKrl-MqFVMQffiGN7CEPxUPIH0_0S8-7sb_PoF8RnZEOxCWlWwwESeKK900JVQUofwDK2ZkeZx3V-tkKV3bW7lnAUXerZIt587lli1FJO/s200/Jesus+inside+white.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
If you want to know Jesus, you can. It all begins when you repent
and believe in Him. <br />
<br />
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; <b><u>repent and believe</u></b>
in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
preached that we must repent and believe.<br />
<br />
You must repent, because God is perfectly holy, and He is love. We were created to know Him. But you and I have a problem called sin that separates us from God. Because of your sin, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.hu/2010/06/where-will-you-go-when-you-die.html" target="_blank">you deserve an eternity of punishment in hell</a>, where there is no joy, but only torment.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sun-of-righteousness.blogspot.hu/2011/05/is-jesus-god.html" target="_blank">Jesus Christ is God's Son</a>, who came in the flesh and gave His life for you on the cross, in order to pay the penalty for your sin. He did that, because He loves you with an everlasting love. Someone needed to pay the price for our sin, and He was the only One qualified to do so, since He was sinless. He wants you to have a relationship with Him, and live with Him forever in heaven. He doesn't want you to perish on account of your sin. But He will <i>not </i>repent of your sin for you. You must do this yourself.<br />
<br />
If you repent, it means you turn from your sin by changing your mind
completely about it. You cannot repent unless the Holy Spirit convicts
you of your sinful condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It is <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-role-of-trinity-in-drawing-people.html" target="_blank">His role to convince</a> you of your sinful predicament. </span>So if you
do not feel convicted, you should cry out to God, and ask the Lord to reveal to you the true nature of the sinful state you are in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I suggest you read His <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%20-%207&version=NIV" target="_blank">Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's gospel, chapters 5 - 7</a>, as well as His <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%206:17-49&version=NIV" target="_blank">Sermon on the Plain in Luke's gospel, chapter 6</a>. As you read, ask Him for true
contrition for sin and to bring you to sincere repentance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
Once He does that, then you should take as
long as necessary to repent of all your sins. I recommend repenting for every sin you have ever committed from the youngest age you can remember until the present, and repent by confessing each one specifically to the Lord, turning away from it, and asking the Lord to forgive you. Repent also in general for the sins you cannot remember. For one person, that could be an hour, and for someone else it could take longer. Others may repent in a moment of time. The important thing is that you respond to that conviction from the Holy Spirit, and <u>pray through completely until you have an <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-witness-of-spirit.html" target="_blank">assurance of your salvation</a></u>. Ask the Lord to cleanse you. Receive His cleansing and forgiveness.<br />
<br />
Then surrender your whole life to Him, committing to live for righteousness for the rest of your days. After that you should invite Jesus to come live inside your heart, and take up His rightful place on the throne there.<br />
<br />
To believe in Jesus means to put all your trust in Him to save you. If
you trust Him to save you, then you will <u>ask Him to forgive your sin and invite
Him to come and live inside</u> your heart. Please pray this prayer out loud to God from your heart:<br />
<br />
<b>Heavenly Father,</b><br />
<b>I have sinned against you.</b><br />
<b>I want forgiveness for all my sins.</b><br />
<b>I believe that Jesus died on the cross for me and rose again.</b><br />
<b>Father, I give you my life to do with as you wish. I want Jesus Christ to come into my life and into my heart. This I ask in Jesus' name. Amen.</b><br />
<div>
<br />
When I<a href="http://budapesttestimonies.blogspot.com/2011/02/truth-set-me-free.html" target="_blank"> gave my life to Jesus</a>, I simply read a sinner's prayer from the back of a gospel tract, while sitting in a chair in my military barracks room. My friend who led me to Christ was standing behind me with his hand on my shoulder. I did not repent for every single sin individually, and I didn't shed any tears. However, I prayed with sincerity from my heart to God, confessing with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believing in my heart that God raised Him from the dead.<br />
<br /></div>
But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR
HEART"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that <b><u>if
you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God
raised Him from the dead, you will be saved</u></b>; for with the heart a
person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses,
resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM
WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (Rom 10:8-11)<br />
<br />
This means we need to confess what we believe. If you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord of your life, you must confess Him publicly.
Here's how to do it. <b><u>Confess your belief in Christ publicly by
stating your answer to the following question out loud to someone: "Who do
you say Jesus is?" Tell someone who you believe Jesus is!</u></b> Tell them that you have given your life to Jesus. Once you
have repented, placed your trust in Jesus, and confessed Him publicly, you will
have entered into a covenant with Him and be a new person!<br />
<br />
This is how you become a child of God and enter into a relationship with the Lord. Now
cultivate that relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><u>It’s
absolutely essential that you produce the fruit of repentance</u></b>! I cannot emphasize this enough. This
means you need to show <u>by your actions</u> that you really have changed your mind,
and that Jesus Christ is now Lord of your whole life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Otherwise your repentance will only be an emotion or a good intention that did not result in a change in your actions.</span><br />
<br />
After you have repented and believed in Jesus Christ, confessing Him
publicly, one of the things you should seek to do as soon as possible is to be
<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-i.html" target="_blank">water baptized</a> in His name. When the people came to the apostle Peter, asking what they should do, Peter
said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit. (Act 2:38).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to being <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-i.html" target="_blank">water baptized</a>, you should also ask the Lord
to <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.hu/2011/06/baptized-with-spirit.html" target="_blank">baptize you with the Holy Spirit</a>.<br />
<br />
Like any other personal relationship, this one
requires you to spend time with Him in order for it to grow more intimate. So spend time
daily, seeking the Lord, calling upon Jesus' name, repenting of any sin in your
life, talking to Him and listening to His voice. Read His Word, the Bible, in
order to see what God wants for your life and all the wonderful promises He has
given you. Join with other loving believers who believe the Bible and
preach the good news of salvation in Jesus alone, and find a
place of service in that loving community. Be sure and <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.hu/2011/01/being-witness-for-christ.html" target="_blank">share the good news of Jesus with those who don’t know Him</a>, and live faithfully for the Lord
all your life.<br />
<br />
Once you have given your life to the Lord, please contact me to let me know by leaving a comment on this page. I invite you to attend <a href="http://doulostrainingschool.blogspot.com/2015/08/doulos-training-school.html" target="_blank">Doulos Training School</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>Author's Note: </i>For other blogs about coming to know Jesus, please see <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2010/06/entering-kingdom-of-god.html" target="_blank">Entering the Kingdom of God</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2018/05/knowing-lord.html" target="_blank">Knowing the Lord</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2015/08/instructions-about-washings-part-i.html" target="_blank">Holy Washings - Part I</a>, <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2014/01/all-things-are-new.html" target="_blank">All Things Are New!</a>, <a href="http://bidsustocome.blogspot.hu/2009/05/loving-god-who-bids-us-to-come.html" target="_blank">The Loving God Who Bids Us Come</a>, <a href="http://5xsola.blogspot.hu/2010/04/by-faith-alone-part-i.html" target="_blank">By Faith Alone</a>, <a href="http://5xsola.blogspot.hu/2010/04/by-grace-alone.html" target="_blank">By Grace Alone</a>, <a href="http://5xsola.blogspot.hu/2010/04/christ-alone.html" target="_blank">Christ Alone</a>, and <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.hu/2010/06/where-will-you-go-when-you-die.html" target="_blank">Where Will You Go When You Die?</a> I also recommend my article, <a href="http://sun-of-righteousness.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-name-of-jesus.html">The Name of Jesus</a>.<br />
<br />
For more helpful information on how to grow in God, please see <a href="http://spiritofthelordgod.blogspot.hu/2011/06/baptized-with-spirit.html" target="_blank">Baptized with the Spirit</a>, <a href="http://be-fruitful-multiply.blogspot.hu/2011/01/being-witness-for-christ.html" target="_blank">Being a Witness for Christ</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.hu/2012/01/salvation-with-fear-and-trembling.html" target="_blank">Salvation with Fear and Trembling</a>, and my complete blog
directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" style="color: #3333ff;">Writing for the Master</a>."<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
____________________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a><a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/"></a> Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160242403689204851.post-72959974336940111562014-11-29T12:30:00.000-08:002015-08-05T12:07:44.595-07:00Entering the Kingdom of God<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2Ud2RjgHg9VwKQxBdPkGrom-NRZCxMxQcG4yEUiwbk3m3lIWBAHPqcjgteJgTeoet4XSxM5oReyr32LmB6joJLUcCXwzAaiVINd-ltiwabPdCM-Iwv7MrjXge_8lYPWV-l70KKQKyAPg/s1600/JesusAtHisThrone.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481601241794189954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2Ud2RjgHg9VwKQxBdPkGrom-NRZCxMxQcG4yEUiwbk3m3lIWBAHPqcjgteJgTeoet4XSxM5oReyr32LmB6joJLUcCXwzAaiVINd-ltiwabPdCM-Iwv7MrjXge_8lYPWV-l70KKQKyAPg/s200/JesusAtHisThrone.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 148px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>There have been many kingdoms down through the ages. Kingdoms come and kingdoms go. Some are very famous, like the Babylonian kingdom or the Roman Empire. The kingdom is the realm in which a king has dominion. It includes the territory in which the king reigns and everything in it, especially the people.<br />
<br />
Kingdoms offer something to the people. It may be that a kingdom provides a place of peace for people to live. It may also provide the hope of prosperity, where there are many opportunities for gainful employment and service to the king, and where everything is well managed without oppression. People want to enter into such a kingdom.<br />
<br />
For example, during the time of the Roman Empire, there was Pax Romana or the Roman peace. The Romans built roads, and established seaways for shipping. There were laws established to govern the land that made it possible for people to enjoy justice. As a result, people sought to be citizens of Rome. Some people paid a lot of money to buy their Roman citizenship, while others were born as Roman citizens.<br />
<br />
We see the same today where for decades people have immigrated to the United States of America. Some enter legally and pay a great price, and others do so illegally. Why do they do this? They do so in the hope of a better life, safety from harm, freedom and a bright future.<br />
<br />
So there are many similarities with the Kingdom of God. This is the realm in which God Almighty reigns and where his government has been established. Many people would like to enjoy the hope, the peace, protection, prosperity and bright future afforded by living in this kingdom. But in order to do so, they first need to enter the kingdom. There is a very specific way to enter a kingdom.<br />
<br />
Jesus Christ was the self-representation of the Kingdom of God on earth. If you want to know what the Kingdom of God is like, simply look at the life of Jesus. And He taught us how to enter His kingdom.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 180%;">You Must Be Born Again</span><br />
Let’s begin by looking at a conversation that took place at night between Jesus and a Pharisee. Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." (Joh 3:1-2).<br />
<br />
Nicodemus was a Jewish ruler who believed that Jesus came from God and that God was with Him. When Nicodemus declared this belief, Jesus had a very interesting response to him. Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (Joh 3:3). The first thing Jesus spoke of was the need to see the kingdom of God. You can’t see it the same way you can see other kingdoms. In order to see this one, you must first be born again.<br />
<br />
But even this Jewish ruler was unsure what it meant to be born again. Nicodemus *said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" (Joh 3:4). Nicodemus knew that Jesus could not be speaking of a natural second birth. This would be humanly impossible.<br />
<br />
Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (Joh 3:5-6). From Jesus’ answer, we learn two very important things. First, Jesus clarified and defined what He meant by being born again. He said we must be born of water and the Spirit. Secondly, He said that this is necessary in order to enter the Kingdom of God. In doing so, Jesus revealed a close relationship between seeing and entering the Kingdom of God. You’ve got to be able to see it before you can enter it. And if you truly see it, you will want to enter it.<br />
<br />
So being born again is being born of water and of the Spirit. Jesus further explained, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (Joh 3:6). So we know that when a mother gives birth, she gives birth to a child with flesh and bone. But when the Spirit of God gives birth, He gives birth to spirit. When you are born again, you are born of the Spirit. Jesus said this must happen to enter the kingdom. He said that unless it has happened, you cannot enter the kingdom. Yet how many people attend churches all their life that have never been born again!<br />
<br />
When you are born again, Jesus Christ takes up residence in you by the Holy Spirit. You are a new creation. Old things have passed away and all things have become new. Your life starts over. Your sins are washed away and you are given a brand new life. It cannot happen without you knowing about it. You will know if you have been born again. You will be able to point back to a time when your life was completely changed by God. If you cannot identify a point in your life when this happened, then you haven’t been born again.<br />
<br />
So how can you be born again? Jesus explained, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (Joh 3:16). You need to believe in Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, and you will have eternal life.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 180%;">A Greater Righteousness</span><br />
Jesus also said, "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat 5:20). The scribes and Pharisees were pretty righteous people in their own eyes and in the eyes of others. But not in God’s eyes! They had an outward righteousness that came from the law. But it was a self-generated kind of righteousness, and their hearts were not right.<br />
<br />
God is truly righteous. His righteousness is perfect. How would you like to have that kind of righteousness? You can. In fact, you must have it, in order to please God. Your own righteousness is like filthy rags. You obtain the righteousness of God by receiving it as a gift from Him and you receive it by believing in Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
Let me tell you something: you can’t go on living an unrighteous life and enter God’s kingdom. You can’t enter heaven that way. The apostle Paul said, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1Co 6:9,10).<br />
<br />
There’s got to be a change in your life. Paul went on to tell the Corinthians that some of them once were this kind of people, but they had been washed, sanctified, and made righteous by Jesus Christ. I can say to you today that I was once among that list of people who will not inherit the kingdom. But I have been washed, sanctified, and justified. I've entered the kingdom.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 180%;">Do the Heavenly Father’s Will</span><br />
Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” (Mat 7:21). There are so many people who call Jesus “Lord” that do not do the will of God. They do not act on what Jesus said. But the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven is to do the will of Jesus’ Father in heaven.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 180%;">Become Like Children</span><br />
Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat 18:3). Notice He said you must be converted and become like children. A change has to happen in your life. You’ve got to become like children. A child is trusting of his father. He’s gentle, caring, innocent, loving. He hasn’t been polluted by the world yet. You’ve got to change and become like that. This is necessary in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Give What You Have and Follow Jesus</span> <br />
And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat 19:23). And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, "How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mar 10:23).<br />
<br />
Why is it so hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven? It’s because he is in love with his worldly wealth and possessions. He cannot stand the thought of giving it away to others. He doesn't want to get out of his comfort zone.<br />
<br />
This is what happened when a rich man came and asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. The man had kept the commandments since he was a boy, but Jesus told him he lacked one thing. Isn’t that amazing! He lacked just one thing. He needed to sell his possessions and give to the poor, then follow Jesus. But the man went away sad. He could have had treasures beyond compare in heaven for eternity, but he could not see his way to parting with his earthly wealth.<br />
<br />
You need to give up your possessions and follow Jesus in order to enter the kingdom.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 180%;">Remove Anything That Hinders</span><br />
Jesus said, "If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell.” (Mar 9:47). He said you need to remove whatever causes you to stumble. Get rid of it. Don’t protect it or try to keep it a secret so you can continue in sin. Aggressively remove from your life anything that causes you to stumble.<br />
<br />
You need to bring that thing into the light. Tell a trusted friend, who is a mature believer in Christ. Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. (Jam 5:16). This is missing from the lives of most believers. But it's required in order to be a disciple. Make yourself accountable to a fellow believer who will be gracious, but will not give you a pass to continue in your sin. You don't need someone who will put a pillow under your head and lull you back to sleep with excuses why your sin is ok. If you're a guy, confess to a brother in the Lord. If your a female, confess to a sister in the Lord.<br />
<br />
There will be plenty of people who are thrown into hell, because they were unwilling to get rid of the things that caused them to stumble. They enjoyed their sin too much. But there will also be plenty of people who enter the kingdom of heaven who took drastic measures to remove anything that hindered the presence of God in their lives.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 180%;">Enter the Kingdom</span> <span style="font-size: 180%;">Through Many Troubles</span><br />
The apostle Paul went about strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Act 14:22). He didn’t teach that being a disciple was an easy life. And neither did Jesus, who also said we would have tribulations. This means pressure, anguish, persecution, and troubles.<br />
<br />
If you're like me, you've got plenty of these. We could wish they would just go away. But they often bring about a brokenness in us, as well as greater intimacy with God. While we may experience these in our lives, we can be encouraged, because Jesus Christ has overcome the world.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 180%;">It is Only Possible with God</span><br />
When Jesus spoke about how hard it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God, the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." They were even more astonished and said to Him, "Then who can be saved?" (Mar 10:25-26). You see, when his disciples heard Him teach on this, they could not see how it was humanly possibly for anyone to be saved with the standard set so high.<br />
<br />
Looking at them, Jesus *said, "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." (Mar 10:27). This is the key. Humanly speaking, it is in fact impossible to enter the kingdom of God. With man, it’s impossible. That’s why people need Jesus. With Him, it is possible to enter the kingdom. This is the reason Jesus came and died on the cross.<br />
<br />
But His disciples had already left everything to follow Jesus. Peter began to say to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You." Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mar 10:28-30). You don’t ever have to worry that the price you’ve paid is too high. Jesus promises great reward in this present age and the age to come.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 180%;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
So we can see from God’s Word that if you want to be a citizen of God’s kingdom, you need to enter it. In order to enter, you must be born again. You need a new life. You need Jesus to come and live inside you by His Spirit. You need a greater righteousness than what pious people have. You need one that’s not man-made. You need the righteousness of God Himself. Nothing else will do. And the only way to have it is to receive it by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
You’ve got to do the Heavenly Father’s will. There’s no other way. You can’t expect to inherit the kingdom if you live your life the way you want to live it. If you go on living for yourself, you’ll perish. So do what Jesus said. Act on His Words.<br />
<br />
One thing He said was that we must become as children. A change has got to take place inside of you that people can see. Your attitude and behavior must change. He also said you need to be a giver. Give what you have and follow Jesus. Part with your earthly possessions for His sake.<br />
<br />
And get rid of anything in your life that hinders the constant presence of God. It’s not going to be easy. We'll have troubles and hardships. In fact, Jesus said straight up that it’s hard to enter the Kingdom of God. But with God it's possible, and it’s worth it. He promises a great reward in this life and the next.<br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. <br />
<br />
Author's note: Also see <a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.com/2014/01/all-things-are-new.html" target="_blank">All Things Are New!</a> And you may find my complete collection of blogs at <a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html" target="_blank">Writing for the Master</a>. You are invited to attend <a href="http://doulostrainingschool.blogspot.com/2015/08/doulos-training-school.html" target="_blank">Doulos Training School</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a><a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/"></a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1160242403689204851.post-34911174707435673132014-11-29T09:29:00.000-08:002015-08-05T12:07:57.027-07:00All Things Are New!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivzyBl1jD4vvT9mXci0X-Y0zTXG4OFGoss0bBa-ySyqSkcSoFpvaN7K49kaPbHNBcmpgUAWJo4Zl-NZfkAq2-MIea-lQ4RhSgNI1MHLlVAYM_eh_jwXZ2L-5aeAezVNgp-NzROlTRPaWd/s1600/Flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivzyBl1jD4vvT9mXci0X-Y0zTXG4OFGoss0bBa-ySyqSkcSoFpvaN7K49kaPbHNBcmpgUAWJo4Zl-NZfkAq2-MIea-lQ4RhSgNI1MHLlVAYM_eh_jwXZ2L-5aeAezVNgp-NzROlTRPaWd/s1600/Flower.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
If you have just given your life to Jesus Christ, I want to congratulate you and welcome you to the kingdom of God! “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2Co 5:17). You're a new person now! Let's see what the Scriptures say about all the new things that have come for you.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Thing</span><br />
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; Do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18, 19 )<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Covenant</span><br />
“And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-covenant.html" target="_blank">The New Covenant</a> in My blood.’” (Luk 22:20)<br />
<br />
“Who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2Co 3:6)<br />
<br />
For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. For finding fault with them, He says, "Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, when I will effect a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not like the covenant which I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in my covenant, and I did not care for them, says the Lord. "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. "And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying, 'know the Lord,' for all will know me, from the least to the greatest of them. "For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. (Heb 8:7-13)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Heart and New Spirit</span><br />
"And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, (Eze 11:19)<br />
<br />
"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct," declares the Lord GOD. "Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you. "Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live." (Eze 18:30-32)<br />
<br />
"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Eze 36:26)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Mind</span><br />
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12:2)<br />
<br />
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. (1Co 2:16)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Attitude</span><br />
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (Php 2:5)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Life</span><br />
“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Rom 6:4)<br />
<br />
“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” (2Co 5:14-15)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Self</span><br />
“Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.” (Col 3:9-10)<br />
<br />
“that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Eph 4:22-24)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Wine</span><br />
"Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved." (Mat 9:17)<br />
<br />
"And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. "But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. "And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough.'" (Luk 5:37-39)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Way</span><br />
“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb 10:19-22)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Tongues</span><br />
"These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mar 16:17-18) <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Tents</span><br />
“For we know that if the
earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from
God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in
this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from
heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked.” (2Co
5:1-3)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Heavens and a New earth</span><br />
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. (Rev 21:1)<br />
<br />
But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, (2Pe 3:13-14)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Jerusalem</span><br />
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. (Rev 21:2)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Name</span><br />
'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' (Rev 2:17)<br />
<br />
'He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. (Rev 3:12)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Song</span><br />
And they *sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. (Rev 5:9)<br />
<br />
And they *sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. (Rev 14:3)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">All Things</span><br />
And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He *said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." (Rev 21:5)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Putting it All Together</span><br />
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2Co 5:17). This is not only for new believers, but for those of us who have been walking with Christ for many years, as well. We have a New Covenant, a new heart and new spirit, a new mind, a new attitude, and speak with new tongues. We have a new life, new self, new wine, a new way, a new name, a new song, new tents awaiting us in the new Jerusalem, new heavens and a new earth. You will never find any dirt or dust in heaven, and everyone is young, as if they were only around thirty years old. There are no wrinkles there or rough skin, but only baby soft skin. There are no dying leaves on trees or brown grass, only fresh, new, and green grass and trees, as well as flowers. Behold, the Lord is making all things new.<br />
<br />
<i>Attribution notice</i>: Most <a href="http://www.lockman.org/" target="_blank">Scripture quotations taken from the NASB</a>. <br />
<br />
<i>Author's note</i>:
You are invited to attend <a href="http://doulostrainingschool.blogspot.com/2015/08/doulos-training-school.html" target="_blank">Doulos Training School</a>. I recommend my articles, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-covenant.html" target="_blank">The New Covenant</a>, <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2012/01/salvation-with-fear-and-trembling.html" target="_blank">Salvation with Fear and Trembling</a>, and <a href="http://len-seekingthelord.blogspot.com/2011/11/holy-living-in-perverted-world.html" target="_blank">Holy Living in a Perverted World</a>. You are also invited to read or
listen to many, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2013/11/home.html" target="_blank">amazing testimonies of the supernatural.</a> I also recommend reading <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2013/11/rachael-mushala-testimony-of-hell.html">Rachael Mushala Testimony of Hell</a>, <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.hu/2013/05/michael-thomas-sambos-revelation-of.html" target="_blank">Michael Thomas Sambo's Revelation of Heaven and Hell</a>, and <a href="http://eternal-destinations.blogspot.com/2013/12/visitation-of-jesus-to-samuel-oghenetaga.html">Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetega</a>. You may access my
complete blog directory at "<a href="http://writingforthemaster.blogspot.com/2011/06/collection-of-my-blogs.html">Writing for the Master</a>." <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Want to Know Him?</span><br />
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?<br />
<br />
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe. <br />
<br />
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "<a href="http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html" target="_blank">Do You Want to Know Jesus?</a>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_________________________________________________</div>
<br />
Len Lacroix is the founder of <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">Doulos Missions International</a>.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. <a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/" target="_blank">www.dmiworld.org.</a><a href="http://www.dmiworld.org/"></a>Lenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12499007462067501353noreply@blogger.com3