The LOVE Of CHRIST Compels Me - rLn's Testimony

CHRIST's LOVE COMPELS me to GLORY (to boast) ONLY in The CROSS of my Beloved LORD JESUS -- in His BLOOD, in His DEATH. CHRIST's LOVE MAKES me to LIVE this fleeting Life-101 for HIS Glory -- the GLORY of GOD's Name. CHRIST's LOVE CONSTRAINS me to PROclaim with holy BOLDness the GOOD News of SALVATION -- the FORGIVEness of SINs; the SUPERabounding POWER of The Holy SPIRIT of GOD for a LIFE of progressive SANCTIFICATION (the GOD-given SUPERnatural Unction to DENY my SELF, to HATE my PRIDE, to MORTIFY the lusts of my FLESH, to RESIST that DEVIL satan, to TURN from my SINs and the EMPTY pleasures of this world); and the SURE Hope of COMPLETE and TOTAL Redemption, including my own personal bodily RESURRECTION as promised by GOD my Heavenly FATHER to those who BELIEVE INto His ONLY Begotten SON; guaranteed by The LORD CHRIST JESUS Himself through His PERFECT Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension; and made REALITY by the ALL-Mighty LORD SPIRIT Himself Who NOW resides IN my QUICKENED spirit. (see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/galatians-6-14/glorying-only-in-the-cross/ -- "GLORYing ONLY In The CROSS" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

Because of The CROSS of CHRIST -- GOD by His GRACE (UNdeserved Favor, UNdeserved Mercy, UNdeserved Pardon) -- granted me REPENTANCE (a CHANGE of mind and heart, a 180-degree TURNing FROM my SINs and TURNing TO GOD for the FORGIVENESS of my SINs) and the FAITH to TRUST (fully rely alone) in CHRIST's fully completed, fully satisfactory work of REDEMPTION. i was purchased from the SLAVERY of SIN, SELF, satan, and the world with the PRICELESS BLOOD of the GOD-Man CHRIST JESUS. His own DEATH gave me LIFE Eternal. (see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/a-changed-disposition/ -- "A CHANGED DISPOSITION" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

Because of The CROSS of CHRIST -- GOD made me a NEW creation. i who was DEAD in my trespasses and SINs -- a spiritually DEAD soul, expressing "life" in my body -- was QUICKENED, made SPIRITually ALIVE in my spirit by The SPIRIT of the Risen LORD JESUS. Today i can say in FULL confidence that i am NO LONGER that Old Adamic ME-rlin, whose VAIN-glorious life revolved around SELF -- the "ME, mySELF, and I" SELF-centered trinity. Today i can say that i am a masterpiece of GOD -- HIS handiwork IN PROGRESS. Today i can say that ALL-Mighty GOD IN CHRIST by The ALL-Mighty Holy SPIRIT has caused (and continues) to make Romans 8:28 my REALITY so that Romans 8:29 might be fulfilled in this NEW creation nicknamed "rLn" -- really LOVE now... for TOMORROW IS NOT GUARANTEED.

'My Old SELF HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. It is NO LONGER i who live, but CHRIST LIVES IN me. SO i LIVE in this EARTHLY body BY TRUSTing IN The SON of GOD, Who LOVED me and GAVE Himself FOR me.' (Galatians 2:20). 'ANYone who BELONGS to CHRIST HAS become a NEW person. The OLD life IS GONE; a NEW life HAS begun!' (2 Corinthians 5:17) 'For you have been BORN aNEW, not of perishable seed but of IMperishable Seed -- BORN AGAIN, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your NEW LIFE will last forEVER because it comes from the ETERNAL, LIVING Word of GOD.' (1 Peter 1:23)
(see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/galatians-6-14/a-new-life-2/ -- "A NEW LIFE" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

i KNOW that GOD causes ALL things (the GOOD, the BAD, the LOVELY, the UGLY -- the ALL of WHATever that GOD allows in my Life-101) to work together for my GOOD because i LOVE GOD my FATHER, GOD The SON my LORD and Savior, GOD The SPIRIT my Helper and Comforter -- because i have been called according to GOD's Purpose. Because GOD put me IN CHRIST -- united me WITH CHRIST -- i 'KNOW that in ALL things GOD works for the GOOD of those who LOVE Him, who have been CALLED according to HIS Purpose. For those GOD FOREKNEW He also PREDESTINED to be CONFORMED to the Image of HIS SON, that CHRIST might be the Firstborn among MANY brothers and sisters.' (Romans 8:28-29)
(see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/god-works-in-you-to-will-and-to-do/, "GOD Works IN You To WILL and to DO" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

'From CHRIST's FULLNESS (ABUNDANCE) i have received, GRACE upon GRACE (one gracious BLESSING after another).' (John 1:16) GOD's LOVE is INfinitely, IMmeasurably Wide, Long, High, Deep! Though not yet completely, i do EXPERIENCE 'the LOVE Of CHRIST that surpasses knowledge (for it is TOO great to understand fully), that IN CHRIST i am filled with ALL the FULLNESS Of GOD (His LIFE and POWER).' (Ephesians 3:18-19) 'For IN CHRIST lives ALL the FULLNESS Of GOD in a human body.' (Colossians 2:9) 'And BECAUSE of GOD i am IN CHRIST JESUS, Who became for me WISDOM from GOD, RIGHTEOUSNESS and SANCTIFICATION and REDEMPTION.' (1 Corinthians 1:30)
(see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/christ-our-sanctification/, "CHRIST, Our SANCTIFICATION" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

Today -- 'CHRIST’s LOVE CONTROLS (compels, constrains, MAKES) me. SINCE i believe that CHRIST DIED for me, i also believe that i HAVE ALREADY DIED to my OLD life. CHRIST DIED for EVERYone (those who WERE once IN Adam and spiritually DEAD IN SIN, but who are NOW IN CHRIST and SPIRITually ALIVE to GOD) SO THAT those who receive His NEW LIFE will NO LONGER LIVE FOR THEMSELVES. Instead, THEY WILL LIVE FOR CHRIST, Who DIED and was RAISED FOR them.' (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
(see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/for-christs-love-compels-us/, "For CHRIST's LOVE Compels Us" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

As for me -- rLn -- 'TO LIVE IS CHRIST... TO DIE IS GAIN' (Philippians 1:21) -- for to be with CHRIST is a GAZILLION-ZILLION times BETTER! (Personal Testimony for my MEMORIAL -- "rLn's Last EXPRESSION, Her Last GAZILLION Words" -- see http://rl-n.blogspot.com/2010/04/rlns-last-expression-her-last-gazillion.html)

Purpose-Driven i am for the GREAT I AM

Purpose-driven to live am i --

zealous and fanatical enough, to die.

Die to self, to idols, to deadly pride --

forever IN CHRIST...a sheep, a slave, a Bride!

Purpose-driven to abhor and to kill --

that 'old-man Adam' who lives in me, still.

New creation that i am IN CHRIST --

delivered from Darkness into His Kingdom of Light!

Purpose-driven, compelled by His love --

no other do i worship, but Him from above.

To make MUCH of JESUS is my JOY --

proclaiming the Good News, my true employ!

Purpose-driven to follow and partake --

the LORD JESUS, who controls my very fate.

Press on! RUN steadfast in His all-powerful might --

to approve my adoring heart in His holy sight!

Purpose-driven i am to sacrifice this living --

to JESUS, my rights to my rights, i am daily giving.

Bought by His blood SO utterly precious --

to be His slave, a privilege SO delicious!

Purpose-driven to declare The WORD --

CHRIST will soon return, have you not heard?

The SON of Man, in ALL His glory --

over ALL, will reign supreme in victory!

Purpose-driven, commissioned for a mission --

no matter the world's contempt, mocking and derision.

To declare that CHRIST JESUS was crucified --

And that the wrath of GOD was fully pacified!

Purpose-driven, in love and in truth --

i share the Good News, The WAY not so smooth.

Narrow is the Gate to eternal salvation --

beware the wolves, follow NOT into their damnation!

Purpose-driven

is Divine plan

ordained --

GOD's cause

will prevail, 

His Reality 

attained.

Turn from sin 

to GOD 

in sincere 

contriteness --

trust 

IN CHRIST 

alone

for forgiveness

and eternal 

brightness!

The GOOD News -- The Gospel of GOD

What is the GOOD News -- the Gospel of GOD? The definition, according to John MacArthur's Study Bible, is this: "GOD will forgive sins, deliver from sin's power, and give eternal hope." (Page 1691, Note on Romans 1:1)

Those who believe and follow the writings of the Bible, the Torah, the Qur'an (where all three books include the Pentateuch, the Five Books of Moses) -- understand that GOD, as a holy and righteous Judge, hates sin, cannot and will not tolerate sin; and therefore, must judge the doer of sin. Because of man's gift of free will, sin abounds today as it has throughout history. Sin created enmity between GOD, the Creator, and His creation, man.

But GOD, in His omniscience and loving wisdom, provided a substitutionary payment to atone for the sinner through the blood of the sinless Person of CHRIST JESUS. In 739 B.C., the prophet Isaiah foretold this act of grace from GOD. (Isaiah 9:6,7 and 53:1-12) In A.D. 30, the Reality of the Gospel of GOD became Actuality -- payment was made for all mankind, on the cross, by the blood of the promised Substitute -- JESUS, the CHRIST... the MESSIAH.

GOD, the ultimate Judge, in His holiness and righteousness, requires justice for sin. JESUS, the GOD-Man, GOD's own only Son, was the ultimate payment that satisfied the Holy One's wrathful vengeance against sin. JESUS took upon Himself all of mankind's sins -- past, present and future -- and incurred the full brunt of GOD's unfathomable wrath against sin.

Can i even grasp this thought: the excruciating agony at the cross -- yet physical torture was "less painful" compared to the emotional, mental, soulful, spiritual anguish of total separation from the fellowship of One-ness which the Father and Son shared before time began. That moment when the Father executed His own Son at the cross -- venting His holy anger at the sinless One who became sin -- could that moment have been like a thousand years to JESUS? (With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 2 Peter 3:8)

This is why believers in CHRIST throughout history have died for their faith and others have left all to do GOD's will -- their faithful allegiance to JESUS as the crucified CHRIST who took on Himself the sin of the world and as the risen Savior who has promised eternal life to those who trust in Him.

No other leader in all the world's major religions (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese and African traditional religions), has died and risen -- yes, risen!

Secular scholars and researchers who have diligently investigated JESUS' history and the Bible's accuracy have concluded to the veracity of the Bible and it's sacred writings about JESUS. (i.e., Simon Greenleaf, Royal Professor of Law at Harvard University, considered by many to be the greatest authority on legal evidences; Josh McDowell, who wrote Evidence That Demands a Verdict to disprove the resurrection of CHRIST believed the evidence he found and converted; Frank Morrison, a British lawyer who went to Palestine to disprove the resurrection ended up writing the book, Who Moved the Stone? to prove the resurrection; Lew Wallace, wrote Ben Hur, to prove the reality of the resurrection of CHRIST -- from Faith Bible Institute workbook; C. S. Lewis, author, who questioned his own religious roots, re-embraced CHRISTianity after fully examining and taking it apart.)

No other Person has fulfilled GOD's Word as prophesied in the Holy Scriptures. No other Man has performed the countless (witnessed and documented) miracles that confirmed His deity... and the most outright visible sign from GOD to authenticate JESUS as His Son -- was the empty tomb... the fact of the resurrection.

CHRIST JESUS is the only way to receive GOD's forgiveness of sin -- to make peace with GOD -- to be justified before the holy Judge's blinding purity.

JESUS Himself said plainly, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)

Only JESUS' own pure righteousness can withstand GOD's laser beam scrutiny. Only the CHRIST can stand between GOD's holy wrath against a sinner on Judgment Day. JESUS is the reason for the confidence of peace before GOD's holy and righteous judgment -- He is the believer's personal Defender -- the holy Advocate.

No religious leader, teacher or prophet -- past or present -- no man, can survive GOD's righteous and holy and perfect judgment. Only the totally pure and perfect, holy and righteous GOD-Man, CHRIST JESUS, has accomplished what no mortal ever could -- victory over death... salvation... redemption... atonement for the sinner -- so that all who believe in Him may receive His gift of eternal life and peace with GOD, the Almighty Creator.

GOD so loved the world, His creation, that He sent His only Son to be killed, as the Lamb to the slaughter -- and all that GOD asks of each sinner is acceptance of His most precious gift -- His very own Son.

GOD's promise is this: whosoever believes in CHRIST JESUS will be saved. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. (John 3:36)

Here is the $1,000,000 question: Will you go to Heaven when you die? Your fate is in your own hands. It's not your sin that closes up the gates of Heaven for you, but your rejection of the GOOD News -- the Gospel of GOD, which is the Revelation of CHRIST JESUS.

i have claimed the promise of the GOOD News from the GOD who cannot lie, who never ever breaks promises, who is ever faithful and true to His Word. i am saved...Hallelujah!

Have you claimed GOD's promise of the GOOD News of JESUS CHRIST?

PRIDE -- Lethal Weapon of the Fallen Angel

Pride is so wily, more wily than Wiley Coyote.

Pride is so subtle, under radar like a stealth bomber.
Pride is deadly and satanic...it's of Lucifer -- the angel of light who fell from Heaven.
Pride will keep the lost, lost; the prisoner, shackled; the sinner, forever condemned.

On Rapture Alert, Ron Graham details the truth about pride in his essay: For Every Man. May the SPIRIT of GOD cause the reader's heart to be pierced with the liberating Truth. May the chosen people of GOD, the Jews, and all Gentiles of the world, come to the awesome revelation of GOD...that Messiah has come. And will come again!

Ron Graham (twotug@embarqmail.com) also wrote:

Jeremiah records the words of God, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

The Jewish Scriptures (The Torah, The Prophets, and The Writings, which make up the Tanakh or the Jewish Bible) paint a very clear picture of who the Mashiach (Messiah) will be when He eventually comes to the nation of Israel. In fact, there are over 300 prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures, which detail many facts about this coming Messiah/King.

Here is just a sampling (and remember, all these verses come from the Jewish Bible):

Messiah was to be born at Bethlehem: Micah 5:1.

Messiah would be from the tribe of Judah: Genesis 49:10.

Messiah would present himself by riding on an ass: Zechariah 9:9.

Messiah would be tortured to death: Psalm 22.

Messiah would arrive before the destruction of the Second Temple: Daniel 9:24-27.

Messiah's life would match a particular description, including suffering, silence at his arrest and trial, death and burial in a rich man's tomb, and resurrection: Isaiah 52:13-53:12.

Prophecy is remarkably specific. In detail as to lineage, birthplace, time and lifestyle, Jesus matched the Messianic expectations of the Hebrew Scriptures. The record of this fulfillment is to be found in the pages of the New Testament.

Interestingly, the Jewish Scriptures paint seemingly two different pictures about the Messiah to come. For one, they talk about the Messiah who will come as the reigning King, who will usher in a period of unprecedented peace on earth. But many verses talk about the Mashiach who will be a suffering Servant, who will suffer and die for the sins of the people. For many hundreds of years the rabbis believed that there would be two Messiahs, the King Mashiach ben David, and the suffering servant Mashiach ben Joseph. The rabbis, unfortunately, were not able to see that one Messiah would accomplish both missions.

Prophecy was indeed fulfilled in the Jewish Messiah. Yeshua came to the "lost sheep of the House of Israel" 2,000 years ago. He came as Isaiah chapter 53 so clearly states, to die and "suffer" for the sins of the Jewish people. He came to the nation of Israel, but was rejected.

If the Jews would have accepted His "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10) atonement for sins, Yeshua would have ushered in the Kingdom of Heaven at that point in history. But the Jews did not recognize Him. Even though they had the Word of God in their own Hebrew Scriptures, and more than 300 descriptions of who He would be when He comes, they missed Him.

As a result, the Good News of God's Kingdom went forth to the Gentile world, and for 2,000 years now, both Jew and Gentile have come together in Mashiach, looking forward to His soon return as reigning King, just as the rabbis have always expected.

Although the nation of Jews rejected Yeshua when He came, God has always, through the last 2,000 years, kept a "remnant" of believing Jews for Himself. Many thousands of Jews alive today, have received Yeshua as their Lord, and Savior, and Mashiach. They have been blessed with "new life" in Him, and they look forward to eternal life with Him in God's heavenly Kingdom.

i've shared the above for Jewish friends, those who may be part of the Remnant, on the cusp of receiving the Way, the Truth, and the Life. May the deadly pride in all of us be blasted to smithereens(!) by the purifying Light of CHRIST JESUS.

(Note: art illustrating pride is not mine, but "life" above is.)