The New You Forever

From our physical birth to our physical death there is nothing on the outside besides a change of habits, thinking processes, and locations that make us spiritually alive.  We enter the world as sinners estranged from God.  We are born spiritually dead (Eph 2:1-3, Col 2:13).  We live a life of habits, environmentally and socially learned behaviors and ways of thinking.  One of the greatest results of coming to faith in Jesus Christ is being made spiritually alive and 'born again'.  But what does that mean? What happens?

The Birth of Jesus Christ

With so many stories, movies, plays, books, pictures, and any other possible visual representation of The Nativity scene its hard to know exactly what happened and how in regards to the birth of Jesus.  But looking a scripture, we see a more clear and realistic picture of the birth of Jesus.

Reading Matthew 1:18–25; 2:1–12; Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20 we can see what God has allowed us to know about his birth.

The Virgin Birth

Jesus' virgin birth is extremely important to understanding who Jesus truly is!  Where he came from, how he got here, and how he relates to us are all intertwined with his miraculous birth.  First we need to look at what was foretold about him:

Isaiah 7:13-14

Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men? Will you also try the patience of my God?  Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

Don't Judge Me

At some point all genuine followers of Christ will be labeled judgmental and told to "not judge" someone for what ever reason.  Positivism and Emotionalism has crept into the church and infected the minds of some believers.  They are quick to water down God's own decrees in fear of offending the world.  They care more about their own likability and image before the world than they do making what God has already declared known.  They are scared of the 11th commandment; Tho Shalt Not Judge.  What what does God say about making his truths known?

God's Truths are Not a Matter of Opinions

When discussing what the bible explicitly states, some will state "well, its just your opinion".  Some will even state "well, I don't see it that way".  The implications are that truth is just a matter of opinion; but is it?

If God declared something that which offends him; that applies to all people at all times everywhere.  If God declared that getting drunk offends him and a believer in that which was declared re-states the declaration, is it just their opinion?  No, it is still God's declaration. 

Your Feelings Do Not Determine Truth

Ever had someone make you feel 'bad'?  Where they said something that seemed to be negative and made you mad or sad?  Because it seemed negative and made you mad or sad, does that make it wrong?  Is it sin to say things that seem to be negative?  Is it a sin to say things that make people mad or sad?  Do your feelings dictate what is good or bad?

These questions are key to be able to discern truth.  It is key for you to know yourself and see who you really are.