Janice

I can't say there has been a time when I felt completely worthless, but there certainly have been times in the past where I have felt inferior. But the word of God says that I have been redeemed, purchased by the precious blood of Jesus. He had to love me so much to pay the price and buy me back. It show His great love for mankind (me). because it was the ultimate price He paid for me. He paid a debt for me I could never pay. The balance sheet says "paid in full" My financial assets are too numerous to mention. Every promise in His word is mine. My long term investments are that I am completely dedicated and consecrated to His service as long as I live. I could never repay Him for what He has done for me, but I am so thankful and I love Him so much that I want to serve him always.

Most people want to do as they please, feeling like they do not have to be accountable to anyone other than themselves, so therefore they are indignant when they fell as though anyone is judging them. How do I reconcile final judgement with God's love for the world> Since God is such a loving and just God he cannot condone evil, he cannot even look at sin. He must judge evil because He is just and holy. He loved us enough to give us a choice to accept and obey Him, and to be citizens of His kingdom or to reject Him and be citizens of this world. The Good news of the final judgement is that we who live for Chris will finally be living in heaven where our true citizenship is. We will no longer be living as aliens in a strange country. What happens to the gospel when final judgement is ignored? It ceases to be GOOD NEWS

HOLINESS IS THAT STATE OF BEING JUSTIFIED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS--JUST AS THOUGH I HAD NEVER SINNED--. IT IS RIGHTEOUSNESS BECAUSE HE DECLARED ME RIGHTEOUS WHEN I WAS BORN ANEW BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD. IT IS NOTHING THAT I HAVE DONE OR COULD DO. IT IS ALL OF HIM AND NONE OF ME. THEN SLOWLY MY CHARACTER IS BEING CHANGED FROM GLORY TO GLORY, AS I IMITATE THE ONE I SPEND TIME WITH. I AM HOLY NOW BECAUSE HE DECLARED ME HOLY. I AM CHANGED AS MY CHARACTER BECOMES MORE LIKE HIS CHARACTER. MY BIGGEST STRUGGLE HAS BEEN TO BE TO QUICK TO JUDGE OTHER CHRISTIANS FOR THEIR MISTAKES, LOOKING AT THEIR DEEDS INSTEAD OF WHO THEY ARE THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

Hi, I'm Janice and this is my first time posting, also my first set of bible studies done on line. In answer to question 1. What about Christ's coming should get our attention? JESUS' RETURN TO THIS EARTH IS A FACT, AND KNOWING THE TRUTH OF THAT IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE ME TO TO WANT TO BE READY. I KNOW THAT IN THIS FUTURE SALVATION WE WILL BE COMPLETELY TAKEN OUT OF THIS WORLD'S EXISTANCE AND BE FULLY IN HIS PRESENCE. ALL SICKNESS AND DISEASE GONE, AND WE WILL RECEIVE A CROWN OF GLORY.. WHAT A GLORIOUS THOUGHT. IT SHOULD INSPIRE HOPE BECAUSE OF THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE WILL BE JUDGED BY A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE AND VINDICATED BECAUSE OF OUR RIGHTEOUS BEHAVIOR. IT SHOULD INSPIRE SELF-CONTROL AND SOBERNESS BECAUSE THERE IS A TIME FOR JUDGEMENT FOR OUR DEEDS. WHEN WE DO NOT REALLY EXPECT CHRIST TO COME SOON IT TENDS TO MAKE US LETHARGIC, LEADING LIVES THAT DO NOT GLORIFY GOD, WE TEND TO OVERLOOK OUR SHORTCOMINGS THINKING THAT WE HAVE TIME TO GET IT TOGETHER.