MAKE IT COUNT!

1 Cor. 13:1-3: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

God has provided a way for us to avoid such a calamity. The Holy Spirit guides us into the Truth of God in Christ. He shows us how to obtain the benefits of other Scriptures, in order to avoid what unknowing or unsaved people would surely miss without His help. E.g.,

2 Cor.9:10: "Now He that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness."

If there is a question in our heart about an action that comes under 1 Cor.13:1-3, then we can pray that God will give us His blessing as stated in 2 Cor. 9:8-10. That will prevent the failure stated in 1 Cor. 13:1-3. That will make our action count and we won't be profitless.

In Mt. 6:7, Jesus said not to use vain repetitions in our prayers to God. But in Mt. 7:7, He DID say to ask. Our asking then, in order to avoid being vain, must be according to Mk.11:24. That will make our prayers count and we can obtain our requests.

In the Law of Moses, it was said, "Thou shalt not covet." It is a sin to covet. But God WANTS us to obtain things that we need and want. Instead of coveting, which is forbidden, we are to ASK IN FAITH. That will make our asking count and we can avoid the sin of covetous- ness.

God is sensitive to our desires as well as to our needs. Notice in Mk.11:24: "Therefore, I say unto you, whatsoever THINGS ye DESIRE, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

It is not God that with- holds good things from them that ask Him. Psa.84:11 tells us that God will not with hold any good thing from them that walk uprightly.

If our 'praying and doing' is failing, as in doing good deeds without love, we can adjust to God's instructions and MAKE IT COUNT!

Sometimes people pray, and upon failing to receive, they say: "God must not have wanted me to have that." If it was a sin, or wrong, that may be so. But If it was within the provisions of God's grace through Jesus Christ, the failure is not due to God's refusal.

We need to learn of God's ways, so that we can act according to His will, and make our life count for good!

In 1 Cor. 15:2, Paul says that we are saved if we keep in memory the Gospel as he preached it, UNLESS WE HAVE BELIEVED IN VAIN. If we intend to escape eternal damnation, we MUST not be vain in our believing! Acts 16:31 says: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."

QUESTION: How would one believe on Jesus in vain? ANSWER: by making a profession of faith in Christ and depending on Him to save us, without repentance and following Jesus as our Lord.

I.e., just keep on living in sin as we did before our profession of faith. No! Let us make our faith count! Eternity in the lake of fire is too dreadful to trifle with God's offer of salvation through Jesus Christ.

There is a sure way to make our life, our actions, and our believing count. It is found in Col.3:17: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."

It is possible to err in our effort to follow Jesus, but if we live according to God's Word, we shall not err, and our life shall count to the glory of God, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

It is true that God said that the human heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. But God has provided a way for our hearts to be cleansed and made pure and right in His sight. God makes our heart right when we believe on Jesus, Rom.3:26.

All of God's benefits to mankind are available to us through Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Scripture urges: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

I love you.

Pastor Poole