Application time....

We've covered a lot of ground this week! Some of it has been pretty difficult, and I hope that I have been able to make this passage clearer and more understandable...
Today, I'd like to make some practical applications to our lives. After all, just reading and nodding our heads is not going to make a difference, is it? Kinda like trying to pound in nails without a hammer, as my grandma would say. You don't accomplish much!

I think the first thing we need to think about is whether or not we've truly trusted in Christ as our sin bearer.... in order for us to do that, we need to view ourselves as God does: we are unrighteous, and unable to present ourselves to God. No matter how many nice things we do; no matter how many dollars we give to Christian causes. Our prideful hearts (we're only human, ya know!) will always be whispering to us that we should be able to earn our salvation based upon what WE do. But God's way is to strip us of everything in ourselves - to humble that human pride - so that we are depending on nothing but the blood of our Redeemer.
Have we attended church for years? Doesn't matter.
Have we given of our financial blessings? Doesn't matter.
Get this -- have we brought anyone else to a saving knowledge of Him? Doesn't matter, either, on this question of whether we are righteous, or whether He is our righteousness.
We MUST trust Jesus Christ as our way to salvation. We have no goodness inside ourselves that we can trust in. God's standard is absolute holiness, and the only One Who fits that description is our Savior and Friend, Jesus.   We must make sure that we let go of all our imagined human goodness and quash our pride: Christ, the righteous One, who died and rose again, is our sin bearer and our way to God.

Next, we need to think about if we have testified to our faith in Christ through baptism. Again, let me emphasize, I am not saying that baptism can save anyone. It's an important step of obedience to Christ, though. It's a way of publicly identifying with Him as a believer, and identifying with Him in His death and resurrection.

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God." (Luke 12:8)

It was important enough that Jesus mentioned it as a part of His "Great Commission," as we call it.

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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

It doesn't save us, but I don't think we should neglect it, if we have an opportunity to be baptized.

Lastly, we need to think about whether or not we are standing for Christ (alone, if need be) within our own sphere of influence. This is pretty simple -- even if we are the only one, or if we are with a small group of peeps who are following Christ -- we need to make certain that we are standing for Christ. Testifying to His blessings of mercy, grace, and daily fellowship.
The Bible is quite clear when it says that we can expect opposition and hostility if we take a stand for Jesus Christ. And boy, it's even more difficult when the opposition comes from those who say they are believers! When those who say they know our Lord are the ones that oppose us? It's hard!
But our Savior is our example; the other saints we mentioned yesterday are our inspiration. They all faced opposition, and Jesus had to die and rise again in order to be vindicated before the world.
You know what? Many of us live in countries that go by names like "democratic republic" or even "democracy" or "constitutional democracy." Laws in these countries can be initiated or changed by voting....sometimes a simple majority vote, or others with a "super" majority.

God's truth is different. It's never established by majority vote! Even if we are like Noah, building a ship in the middle of a parched land, and no one listens to our testimony.... we know that God listens, and that His cause will ultimately prevail!

Let's make a commitment to be like Noah, and like Daniel, and others....let's stand alone for God if need be.
He will vindicate us!