598 Preventing Sin By Memorising The Word Of God. Psalm 119:11.

Posted on July 13, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

There’s an old saying which says, ”Sin keeps us from God’s word or God’s word keeps us from Sin!” It has encouraged  a lot of young believers to try to memorise many of verses from God’s word to use when being tempted to sin. Of course, one has to remember that every verse needs to be interpreted in the light of its context to fully understand its true meaning. But remembering single verses helps us to find the context of those verses to give us a more balanced understanding of God’s word. Here is how the Psalmist recognised the power of God’s word, Psalm 119:9  How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. 10  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

The following is a list of verses that one can turn to, to see how the Lord has promised to answer our prayers as believers and how He can guide us as we seek to live for Him.

VERSES INDICATING THAT GOD HEARS AND ANSWERS THE PRAYERS OF HIS CHILDREN

2Chronicles 7:13-14.   When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14  if my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Psalm 37:4  Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psa 91:15  When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honour him.

Psa 145:18-19.  The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19  He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

Isa 65:24  Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.

Jer 29:12 -13.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  13  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Jer 33:3  Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Micah 7:7  But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

Matthew 6:6  But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 7:7–11. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.   8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.  9  Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone 10  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Mat 18:19 -20.  Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20  For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Luke 11:13  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

John 14:13–14. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14  If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

John 15:7.  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 16:23 -24.  In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24  Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Mark 11:22 -24.  And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23  Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Eph 3:20  Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

Philippians 4:6 -7.  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Heb 4:16  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

James 1:5. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 5:13-16.  Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14  Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15  And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16  Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

1Peter 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1 John 3:21-22.  Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22  and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

1 Jn 5:14-15. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

VERSES ON SEEKING THE LORD’S BLESSING OR GUIDANCE

Psa 32:6  Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. 7  You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.  8  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.  

Psa 139:23  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24  And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!

Prov 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Psa 23:1  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Blog No.598 posted on Monday 13 July 2026.

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597 Humour And The Bible

Posted on July 10, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

There are many believers who think that using humour to describe people or events in the Bible should not be used. However, sometimes the use of humour allows us to remember important parts in the Bible.

For example there is an old saying which helps us remember the difference between the thinking of the Pharisees and the Sadducees in the time of Jesus. The preacher referred to this example in a recent sermon and the congregation chuckled as they learnt an important truth. Pharisees believed in the resurrection.  The Sadducees did not. As the old saying has it, “That is why they were Sadducee.” [That is why they were “Sad, You See!”]

Or some puzzles can produce a smile. When the question is asked, “Who was the shortest man in the Bible?” the answer is often given, “Nehemiah.” [Knee High Meyer.] But one response is this. “Bildad was the shortest man in the Bible.“ You see Bildad was known as Bildad the Shuhite. [ “Shoe Height.”] We are reminded of a man who was one of Job’s comforters who tried to comfort Job in his sadness.

Jesus used humour in His teaching. He used hyperbole to get His readers to imagine ridiculous pictures. For example in Luke 6:42  to show the danger of hypocrisy. “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. ‘”

AND Matthew 19:23-24, Jesus used the picture of a large animal being squeezed through the eye of a needle to show the impossibility of entering heaven by human effort. “And Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.’”

It may be better for churchgoers to leave their churches with smiles rather than grimaces! WE need to remember that Jesus promised, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “John 15:11.

Humour may be part of expressing the joy we can experience when we give our lives over to the Lord and to His purposes for us. 

Blog No 597 posted on Friday 10 July 2026

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596. Summary Of Articles On Victim Mentality

Posted on June 9, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

It is very obvious in today’s world how many people have become victims of Victim Mentality. That is not surprising because we have all been victims of other people’s lack of concern or even of their personal resentment or spite. But to continue with victim mentality is to live a life forfeiting the blessing of being a victor rather than a victim as we face the challenges of living in a complex and demanding world. 

In the articles below I attempt to show how early victim mentality entered the human race, how so many people in today’s world are captivated by it and how victory can be won over it. 

To read any of the articles just click on the number of the article or enter the number in the search facility on the site http://www.jimholbeck.blog

311. “Hey! I’m The Victim Here!” The Curse Of “Victimhood” In Today’s World.

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Jim Holbeck

It comes so naturally to us as humans to see ourselves as victims.  And we are! Most of us have been the victims of other people’s sins against us. But there has to come a time when we get over our victim mentality and begin to make a positive contribution to the world as well as to our own personal lives. So let’s look at how a victim mentality came early to the human race, how we might recognise it and how we might learn to overcome it.

312. Bitterness Mixed With Victim Mentality. A Disastrous Cocktail For The World! How To Bring Healing To A Confused Hurting World!

Posted on February 3, 2019 by Jim Holbeck

In the previous article I wrote on the danger of adopting and being held captive by a victim mentality. It is so easy for humans to play the victim because we have all been victims at some stage of hurtful and unloving attitudes, words and actions. However as we saw in the case of Joseph in the Old Testament, victims can learn to triumph in spite of all the negativity they encounter. Perhaps we know of friends and acquaintances who have been through a living hell in their lives and yet today are among the most positive and supportive people on the globe. They became victors instead of remaining as victims. It is possible! By the grace of God!

359. THE CURSE OF VICTIMHOOD [And Other Factors] ON THE HUMAN RACE

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Jim Holbeck

In early 2019 I posted an article number 311 on this site with the title, ‘“Hey! I’m The Victim Here!” The Curse Of “Victimhood” In Today’s World.’ Little did I realise that a very deep sense of victimhood would become so quickly imbedded in so many people groups around the world. I pointed out in that article that all of us are victims in life in varying degrees, but one does not have to adopt or maintain a victim mentality as an ongoing attitude of mind throughout life. One can have a much more positive attitude to life even in the midst of challenging situations. 

360. The Unholy Triumvirate. Adding Entitlement To The Dangerous Cocktail Of Victim Mentality And Bitterness. Why The World Is In Such A Mess!

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Jim Holbeck

In my previous article number  359  I wrote about the dangerous cocktail that results when bitterness is added to victim mentality. I also mentioned that if another particular element was added, it would form a dangerous triumvirate that could influence the thinking and consequent behaviour of many in our world today. We can now look at what that third element is. It is the Sense of Entitlement that so many people in the world today seem to have adopted as an ongoing pattern of thinking. It is bad enough of itself but when added to the other two elements it can become a mixture that is quite explosive in human relationships.

Blog No.596 posted on Tuesday 09 June 2026

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Blog No 595 A Man Who Touched The Lives Of Thousands Without Realising It. The Man in George Street, Sydney.

Posted on May 31, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

I was looking at some of my older blog articles and found one, No.280 , written on this day eight years ago. It is an amazing story of the grace of God in a man’s life who didn’t realise until shortly before his death how the Lord had used him over decades to help bring thousands to salvation through Christ.


I felt it was very worthwhile to resurface it again to show that what we do for the Lord is never fruitless. Listen to the amazing story on this link.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkjMvPhLrn8


He did what he did believing that the Lord had nudged him to share his faith with others without looking for any rewards. BUT imagine his reward in heaven when he arrived as tens of thousands had been won to Christ through his ministry.


WE need to respond to the Lord when He nudges us, for we never know what He can do through us as we respond to Him. AS Philippians 2 verses 12 and 13 reminds us, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” God at work through us – for His good pleasure! What a privilege to be able to share the Lord with others.
Blog No.595 posted on Sunday 31 May 2026.

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594.  The Grace Of God Brought Grace To Many Through A Down And Out! The Story of “Eternity” In Sydney.

Posted on May 31, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

For those of us who were fortunate to be in Sydney during the 1999 New Year’s Celebrations we will always remember the gigantic message scrolled across the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge during the night. Others throughout the world were able to see the sight as the celebrations were telecast across the world. What we and they saw was a brightly lit one word message “ETERNITY.” 

It was a reminder to many of seeing that word scrolled across footpaths for decades in beautiful Copperplate writing. By a man who had been a down and out but who was saved for eternity by the grace of God. His writing was a way to challenge people with the claims of the eternal God on their lives. 

You can hear and read about Arthur Stace by clicking on this link. 

https://eternitynews.com.au/in-depth/the-true-story-of-mr-eternity

He would never have known that his simple contribution to the Christian cause  would be celebrated around the world decades later.

A reminder to us that anything we do at the prompting of God’s Holy Spirit will have eternal consequences. Praise God!

Blog No.594 posted on Sunday 31 May 2026

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593 Jesus Said He Was  THE Way and THE Truth and THE Life. What that truth means for us today.

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

This famous saying is in John’s gospel chapter 14 verse 6, ‘Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”’

What an all-encompassing claim to make about Himself! We need to see what that claim involves. Jesus had told His disciples,:3  “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” 4  And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:3,4.  Thomas asked Him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” John 14:5.

Jesus answered his question with this statement. He was saying that He was the only way, as well as being the absolute truth and the only giver of eternal life. Let’s examine His claim a little more closely. 

J]. Jesus is THE WAY

He is THE WAY ABOUT HOW TO COME TO GOD. Jesus had said, in John14:6,  “No one comes to the Father except through me.” In the Bible, “the way” often means a road or path of life. Jesus is saying: not just that He shows the way; but that He IS the way. There is nothing that anyone can do to be close to God except by trusting in Who Jesus is and in what He has done. So access to God isn’t through rules, religion, or effort—it’s through a personal relationship with Him.

He is THE WAY TO LIVE BEFORE HIM. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” John 14:15-16. Christian living is all about relationship, our relationship with  Jesus. Jesus promised those who loved Him, that the Helper [the Holy Spirit] whom they would receive, would teach them  all they needed to know to live for Him. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26. The word for “Helper “ is παράκλητος , paraklētos; an intercessor, consoler, advocate, comforter,  counsellor, helper, one called alongside to help. They would know how to live and be helped in their endeavours by the Holy Spirit. 

2]. Jesus is THE TRUTH 

What is truth? The meeting between Pilate and Jesus, documented in John chapter 18, is a scene where Pilate asks a question “What is truth?“ We might wonder if he wanted to hear an answer. We read that Pilate was intrigued by Jesus and saw Him as being innocent of the charges against him. However TRUTH stood incarnate before him, but he lacked the courage to release Him.

He is THE truth about God.

Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus replied in words that showed His identity as being one with the Father and showing Him in human flesh. Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10  Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.  Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.” John 14:9-11. Jesus in His character and His works revealed the truth about God. His character manifested the holiness of God in His rejection of temptation and hypocrisy. His works were as He said were the work of the Father working through Him.

He is THE truth about Humans.

When humans saw Jesus they saw a man as God intended humans to be. Jesus was the perfect human living in total dependence upon God for every moment of His life. 

His will was to do His Father‘s will as He told His disciples,  “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”  John 6:38  He did that even though it cost Him His life. With faced with a possibility of death, He cried out to His Father “Not my will but your will be done!”

He is THE truth about Sin 

There are those who  believe that humans are born innocent and perfect but it is the world around them that influences them to sin. It may be true that they are born innocent but it is their fallen nature in them that causes them to sin. Jesus spoke of human nature when He taught, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20  These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” Matthew 15:18-20. His words show how shallow are some aspects of modern Psychology which believes humans are born good but it is the factors and environment around them that influence them towards evil. The official teaching of the Anglican Church is contained in the 39 Articles of Religion where Article IX speaks of the fallen nature of humans in these words, “And this infection of nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerated; whereby the lust of the flesh, called in Greek, phronema sarkos, which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire, of the flesh, is not subject to the Law of God.”

He is THE truth about and Forgiveness and Salvation.

As John 14:6 reminds us Jesus is the only way to God because on the cross He dealt with our sin on our behalf. St Paul expressed it like this, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. We come to belong to Jesus and to rest in the peace of God when we repent of our sins and put our trust in Him, “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”1 Corinthians 1:30.

Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself on the cross secured for us an eternal redemption, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, … 14  For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:12, 14.

He is THE truth about Love. 

Today we use the word “love” to cover many different types of feelings and activities. In the New Testament times there were 4 words used for ”love,” 3 of which occur in the New Testament. They are Philia: friendship, tender affection. Storge for family affection. Agape, especially for God’s love which humans can share, as His love is poured into the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit,  “and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5.

We see that the motivation for Christian living is love, and love is the proof that we know God, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8.

God’s love for us should be the motivation for us to love others,  “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:9-11.

This divine agape love is imparted to us as we obey God’s word, ”but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6  whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2:5-6.

3]. JESUS  IS THE LIFE.

John in his first chapter of his gospel introduces Jesus as, “ In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jesus as the Creator was responsible for every form of life in the universe, for “All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3. We all owe our lives to Him as our Creator. 

But there is a special form of life that is eternal, called eternal life. It comes to those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus for salvation, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3:14-15. John repeated that truth in the very next verse, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

SUMMING UP

Perhaps St Paul has the best summary. He expressed the truth about the Person of Jesus and His ministry in these few verses, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18  And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” Colossians 1:17-18.

So when Jesus said, ”I am the way. The truth and the life” He was saying that He is the truth about everything for He created everything and now upholds it all. He cannot be ignored and all people in whatever position they hold should look to Him for the wisdom they need to fulfil the responsibilities they face. 

As James reminds us, human wisdom is limited.  It is “not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 3:15-16.

What the world needs now is people being open to be led by the wisdom of God, for, “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.“ James 3:17-18.

We need to pray that the so-called peacemakers in our world recognise that peace is not just the absence of war, but the deep inner peace in individual human hearts as they are filled with the peace that only the Prince of Peace can bring. St Paul expressed the purpose of God in Colossians 1:18, “… in everything he [Jesus] might be preeminent. 19  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.”

Who is preeminent in your life today? Jesus, who is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE?

Blog No.593 posted on Friday 17 April 2026.

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Creation, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Healing, Holy Spirit, Mental Health, New Beginnings, New Covenant, Prayer, Salvation, Sanctification, Temptations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

592 The Grace of the Trustworthy and True God

Posted on April 12, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

In this blog article I am enclosing the words of a Poem written by a friend.  I was impressed by them and thought they should be shared among a wider audience. My friend has many poems on various topics which have been recited at gatherings but have never made it to print.

If you find them helpful or if they touch your heart in some way please say so in the Comments section of the article or email your comments to me at jimholbeck@gmail.com  By doing so you might encourage a different way of expressing the grace of our glorious God. 

Screenshot
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591.  WHO ARE “THE CHOSEN” IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

“The chosen” in the New Testament, refers to people whom God has chosen for a relationship with Him and for salvation through faith in Christ.  Not only do we choose to receive Christ as Saviour by inviting Him to be our Saviour from sin, but the Bible declares that God has already chosen us to belong to Him. When? Before the world was even made.  How comforting to know that we were in the mind and purposes of God before the world began. How challenging for us to discover and hopefully fulfil His purposes for us in this world. You and I as tiny weenie believers were created by God to fulfil a purpose He has for the lives of each one of us. As the words of ancient chorus put it, “There’s a work for Jesus ready at your hand. “Tis a task the Master just for you has planned,”

Most simply, “the chosen” are those who belong to Jesus by receiving Him as their Saviour.

1. THE CHOSEN = BELIEVERS IN CHRIST

  • Ephesians 1:4 — Eph 1:4  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him
  •  Colossians 3:12 — Col 3:12  Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,\
  • 1 Peter 2:9 — 1Pe 2:9  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

So in everyday New Testament language:
The chosen = Christians (true believers in Christ).

2. CHOSEN “IN CHRIST”

People are chosen by their connection by faith with Jesus, not apart from Him.  They were chosen even before the world came into being. 

  • Ephesians 1:4 — Eph 1:4  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, 
  • This means:
  • Jesus is the “Chosen One” 
  • Recognised as such by God Himself. Lk 9:35. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”
  • His enemies entertained the possibility. • Luke 23:35 — “God’s Chosen One” Luk 23:35  And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”
  • Peter described Him as such. 1 Peter 2:4 — “Chosen by God and precious”   1Pet 2:4  As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,
  • Matthew saw how Jesus fulfilled a prophecy in Isaiah.• Matthew 12:18 — “My chosen servant”  Mat 12:18  “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. This is a fulfilment of the prophecy in Isaiah 42:1  Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.
  • People become chosen by being united to Him through faith. 1Cor 6:17  But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

So the focus is not just “who is chosen,” but being in Christ.

3. CHOSEN FOR A PURPOSE

Being chosen is not only about salvation—it includes a calling:

  • To be holy (Ephesians 1:4) Eph 1:4  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
  • To proclaim God’s truth (1 Peter 2:9) 1Pe 2:9  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
  • To bear fruit (John 15:16) Jhn 15:16  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

The chosen are saved and sent to bear fruit.

4. THE CHOSEN INCLUDE JEWS AND GENTILES

In the New Testament, God’s chosen people are no longer defined by ethnicity:

  • Romans 9–11 explains how both Jews and Gentiles are included in the people of God as they call upon His name. 
  • Faith in Christ is the key, not belonging to a certain race.
  • Rom 10:12  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13  For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

5. “MANY ARE CALLED, FEW ARE CHOSEN”

Jesus says in:

  • Matthew 22:14. Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.”

This highlights a distinction:

  • Called = invited (the gospel goes out to many) and all people have the opportunity to respond to Him.
  • Chosen = those who truly respond in faith. It is not as though God chooses some and rejects others. Rather God knows beforehand in His divine foreknowledge who is going to respond to His call. 1Pet 1:1  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are ELECT exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2  ACCORDING TO THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE FATHER, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

SIMPLE SUMMARY

The “chosen” in the New Testament are:

  • Those who belong to Jesus Christ
  • Chosen “in Him” before time began
  • Saved by grace through faith
  • Called to live holy lives and to serve God

Blog No.591 posted on Monday 23 March 2026

Posted in Bible verses. Comments, Creation, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Healing, Holy Spirit, Justification, Mental Health, New Beginnings, New Covenant, Questions and Answers, Salvation, Sanctification, TOPICS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

590.  “ARE BELIEVERS IN CHRIST FORGIVEN OF ALL THEIR SINS?”

Posted on March 21, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

Yes—according to the New Testament, believers are forgiven of all their sins through faith in Jesus Christ. 

1.       COMPLETE FORGIVENESS THROUGH CHRIST

Verses like Colossians 2:13–14 say God “forgave us all our sins,” and 1 John 1:7 says the blood of Jesus “cleanses us from all sin.”

Col  2:13-14.  And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14  by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

1 John 1:7-9.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.8  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This means:

  • Past sins ✔️
  • Present sins ✔️
  • Future sins ✔️

All are covered by Christ’s sacrifice.

2.       FORGIVENESS IS BASED ON THE CROSS, NOT ON WHAT WE CAN DO

  • Jesus’ death paid fully for sin. That’s why He said, on the cross “It is finished” (John 19:30).
    Forgiveness is not partial or temporary—it is complete and once-for-all.
  • God promises not to remember our sins when He forgives us.

Heb 10:16  “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” 17  then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

  • God says no other sacrifice is needed to deal with sin. Christ’s once for all sacrifice for sin secures an eternal redemption.

Heb 10:18  Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

  • Our forgiveness is now ours “in Him” [in Christ.]

Eph 1:7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Col 1:14  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

  • Christ’s righteousness is counted towards us. 1Cor 1:30  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
  • The writer to the Hebrews wrote about Jesus’ “once for all” sacrifice taking away sin for ever.

Heb 9:12  he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

Heb 9:26  for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Heb 10:10  And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.   “Sanctified” here is in the perfect tense meaning a past action with a present abiding result. We were sanctified or set apart to God at conversion and remain set apart to Him in His grace. 

3       THEN WHY CONFESS SINS AS A BELIEVER?

Even though forgiveness is complete, believers still need to confess sin (see 1 John 1:9) 1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

because:

  • It restores fellowship, not salvation
  • It keeps the relationship with God open and honest
  • It leads to growth and transformation

Think of it like a family relationship:
You don’t stop being a child when you do wrong, but you do need to restore closeness by admitting and confessing it. 

4.       NO CONDEMNATION REMAINS

Romans 8:1 says there is “no condemnation” for those in Christ. Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
That means:

  • No guilt held against you
  • No future judgment for sin
  • A secure standing before God

Simple summary

Yes—believers are fully forgiven of all their sins in Christ.
But they still confess sins to maintain closeness in fellowship and to grow spiritually.

Blog No.590 posted on Saturday 21 March 2026

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589. Anyone Can Be Transformed If They Desire To Be Changed! Transfiguration Sunday. 

Posted on February 15, 2026 by Jim Holbeck

If you ever feel down because someone you love seems to be unwilling to turn from their unhelpful lifestyle, there is good news. Anyone can be changed if they want to be changed! That thought came into my mind today as I listened to a sermon on the Transfiguration of Christ. 

We read about the transfiguration of Christ in Matthew 17 verse 2, “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” It was the unveiling of the majestic glory of Jesus as the veil was lifted briefly to enable the disciples to behold His pre-existent glory. Jesus had prayed knowing that His life was coming to an end, “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” John 17:5. 

Jesus had come into the world in a humble form as St Paul showed in Philippians 2 verses 5 to 7, 5 “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” The word for “form” here in both instances is the Greek word [μορφή, morphē] meaning shape,  nature, form.

However in the transfiguration Jesus was changed and the disciples for a short time saw His pre-existent glory. The word for “transfigured “ in Matthew 17 verse 2 is [μεταμορφόω metamorphoō]  to transform, change, transfigure. Christ‘s appearance was changed and the disciples witnessed His pre-existent glory. This would mean so much to them soon after when Jesus was crucified in what appeared to be human weakness. 

But here is the good news! There is another transfiguration or transformation in the New Testament. It Is the transformation of believers into the likeness of Christ.  St Paul used the same word for this transformation in 2 Corinthians 3 verse 18, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Humans can be changed! They can become different! But how? 

St Paul describes the process in 2 different ways, though really they are the same.

[i]   In this passage it is by continually beholding the glory of the Lord. That means as believers focussing on Who Jesus is and on His revelation of Himself described in the scriptures. The more we come to know and understand the Person and the meaning of the ministry of Jesus, the closer we become to wearing His likeness in our daily lives. The more we absorb this enlightenment and act on it, the more that truth transforms us. This ongoing gradual transformation is wrought in us by the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit. 

[ii]  The second process is described in Romans 12 verse 2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” It is being transformed from conformity with the world’s values, standards and ways of doing things, to being in and doing the will of God. This is “good and acceptable and perfect” in the sight of God.  

This process comes about as we allow our minds to be continually renewed as we read and act on the truths of God’s word. [“Be transformed“ here is present tense, passive,  meaning allow yourself to be continually transformed by the renewing of your mind. In that way as we face the testing that the different circumstances and opinions that life brings upon us, we can learn to discern the will of God and discover that it is good and acceptable and perfect. 

 Summing up we can say that no human is beyond the grace of God if they are willing to change direction by turning from the world’s values and thinking, to the possibility of becoming a new creature in Christ . As St Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

This is a fulfilment of a prophecy of Ezekiel, Ezk 18:31  “Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?” The new spirit is the fruit of the Holy Spirit who by the grace of God comes to indwell every person who opens their life to Jesus. 

Blog No. 589 posted on Sunday 15 February 2026. [Transfiguration Sunday.]

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Creation, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Healing, Holy Spirit, Justification, Mental Health, New Beginnings, New Covenant, Prayer, Questions and Answers, Salvation, Sanctification, Temptations, TOPICS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment