ACRONYMS
This is a word formed from the first letters of a series of words. A classic is RADAR – Radio Detection And Ranging. And there are many acronyms everywhere – esp. in the military. Now there are a few that come to mind. PEJASIS speaks of the sad condition of natural man (and woman).
Pride – the world promotes at least 4 types. See link 45.
Ego – self awareness; conceit; viewing everything in relation to oneself.
Jealousy – being resentfully envious of another’s advantages or possessions. This focus leads to devious conduct & hate.
Apostasy – abandoning faith. This appears to be happening too often today. Especially our youth & liberals??
Self Interest – lots of folks live with S.I. as the main purpose of life. They think all should bow to them.
Sin – breaking religious rules or moral principles. Doing what one knows is wrong. However, sin has a way of selling itself – social norms & attitudes, liberal minded habits, etc. Then sin can be all around AND inside our being. I know sin is an embarrassing word, but it still has the hiss of the serpent.
The sum total of PEJASIS is Edging God Out (another acronym there). And the above acronym/list surely leaves out a few elements, but humanity is almost defined by those traits. If only those 6 septic traits could be pulled from our race, what would this world be like?? Better for sure, but they won’t be pulled soon, so reality says we need an advocate to plead our cause.
Now another acronym is JESUS. This one has the answer to the human condition. (He is the advocate mentioned above.) -- -- Jesus Exactly Suits Us Sinners -- --
Jesus – an iconic character who appeared in history. He lived & died young. BUT is reported to have risen bodily from the dead, which means He is still alive. His name given by an angel BEFORE birth. (For 102 other names of Jesus Christ see “Names of Christ” link 46.)
Exactly – Scripture makes no “bones” about the lost condition of humans & how Christ’s atonement is a perfect fit. Acts 4:12, Hebrews 2:3 (below)
Suits – to suit means to cover, & that is what the salvation of J.C. does – a spiritual covering as described in Psalm 91 and by the amazing Apostle Paul. He even uses the analogy of a suit of armor. See Ephesians 6:11-17.
Us – all humanity is in the same sinking boat, infected from birth by the “PEJASIS” problem. Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned away everyone to his own way;” . . .
Sinners – The Old Testament assessment is repeated in the New Testament. Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God,”
I think it can be safely said that if one’s purpose in life is to be fulfilled & blessed, the two acronyms discussed in this essay are heavy indeed. Humanity is clearly in trouble with our sin natures which block truth, faith, hope, & love of God. The Biblical solution is JESUS who is available to “whosoever will.”
-- Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Jesus Christ said that.)
-- Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name (Jesus) under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
-- Hebrews 2:3 “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.”
-- Hebrews 3:13 “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
-- Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his pinions, (feathers) and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” (God is not a bird – the Bible just uses lots of figures of speech.)
-- Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Choose Jesus, He is Alive. Beat the world system of PEJASIS & be blessed in time & eternity. See also link 114 “Strange Words”.
Many other Titles: www.gospelnotes.org * * F. J. Stone * *
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