lay aside

When I get to doing research or writing a paper I look very much like this puppy.  And when I am into my searching it is very, very hard for me to lay aside the books and get up to take care of something needing to be done.  Yesterday was such a day when I was working on part 2 as I promised.  I got lost (so into my study) that I could think of nothing else.

This morning I read a verse calling us to lay aside some stuff and it reminded me about how JESUS laid aside HIS high position, HIS wealth, HIS rights and privileges to humble HIMSELF and become a baby so that HE could start as we did and be tempted in all ways just as we are but without sin so HE could die in our stead and now since HE understands our troubles HE is able to help us in our struggles.  Philippians 2:5-11 ,Hebrews 4:14-16

HE had to lay aside stuff to be able to help us.

Now HE asks us to lay aside some things so that HIS work in us might be completed.

1 Peter 2:1,2 KJ Therefore, laying aside (Greek- putting away)  all malice and all deception (lies) and hypocrisy (pretense) and envies, and all evil speaking (detractions- talking against), and as newborn babies desire (long for) the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby (Greek-in your salvation).

Did you notice that as JESUS became a baby to prepare to save us, so HE asks us to be like a baby who desires his bottle of milk that helps him grow?   HE urges us-  you and me-  to start drinking the word of GOD just as a hungry baby slurps up his bottle.   In that way we will grow up in our salvation.  

But before we can get nourishment from the Word we must lay aside some things.  Until we lay them aside we are not able to get what we need from the Bible.  Let's think about what JESUS has asked us to lay aside.  All malice (wanting to hurt another)  all deception (lies) all hypocrisy (pretense of any kind) envies (wanting what another has) all evil speaking (detractions- talking against); hmmmm  

We are saved forever by believing in JESUS period.  Believing that HE was born, lived, then died on the cross in our place, then rose again for us.  But there are stages of our salvation.   Here is a song I wrote when a very young Christian after my pastor Dean McClain taught on this subject.

HE has saved me from the punishment, the punishment of sin

Yes, HE saved me from the punishment of sin

By my accepting JESUS payment and trusting in HIS word

HE saved me from the punishment of sin.

HE’s saved me from the punishment, the punishment of sin,

Yes, HE saved me from the punishment of sin.

And now I share HIS glory, with HIM forever be.

For HE’s saved me from the punishment of sin.

Though I’m saved from the punishment, the punishment of sin

My sinful old nature lurks within

But JESUS has promised victory, victory over sin.

Yes, HE’ll save me from the power of sin.

HE is saving me from the power, the power of sin

HE is saving me from the power of sin.

As I turn to HIM when tempted, giving all my thoughts to HIM

HE saves me from the power of sin.

As HE saves me from the power, the power of sin

A living vital hope grows within

One day, HE shall save me, save me from the presence of sin

Fully save me from all aspects of sin.

hugs,

Sharon