Atonement Foreshadowed Be Still and Know I Am the Lord

Never Too Late to Turn to God

BY ELIZABETH MARKS ON JULY 23, 2010

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.” Genesis17:1 NKJV
Did you notice how old Abram was when the Lord appeared to him?  Abram was 99 years old! It’s never too late for God to appear in your life and it’s never too late to turn to God either.  As I read this verse it was as if God was speaking this to me and a pattern appeared that seemed very familiar to me – the pattern of salvation.  Allow me to explain.
God first says “I am Almighty God”.This is the first step in being saved.  I must recognize I’m not God – only HE is.  He is Almighty, the source of all power.   He is more powerful than I can even imagine. Recognizing God is Almighty puts everything in the proper perspective. Realizing He’s God and I’m not, helps me recognize my own sinfulness. When you compare yourself to God, it becomes quite clear how much we miss the mark.  Romans 3:23 NKJV “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.  Romans 6:23 NKJV “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The second step is “walk before Me”.  I must submit myself to the authority of the Lord God Almighty.  Ever notice how a very young child will behave nicely or do really cute things before their parents or other adults?  It’s because they know someone is watching.  God is saying “I’m always watching, therefore, walk before me as though you know I’m watching”.  If I know God Almighty is watching, I’m more likely to choose things that glorify Him rather than satisfy my selfish desires.
Galatians 5:16 NKJV “…Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”  Before we can walk by the Spirit, we must be born again in Christ Jesus.  Once we are born again, we become new creatures in Christ.  2  Corinthians 5:17 NKJV “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
The last step is “be blameless”.  This is the final step in God’s process and not one you can achieve on your own without completing the first two steps.  After you’ve accepted God is Almighty, your perspective is changed, and you accept what Jesus Christ did for you, the result is you are blameless before God.  When you give your life to Christ, His righteousness is laid upon you, so you are washed clean and purified from all unrighteousness.  1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV “But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
To recap what we’ve learned from today’s verse.  Here’s a quick summary:1) Recognize God is Almighty and I am sinful. 2) Walk before Him, ask for  forgiveness from Christ. 3) Become a new creation in Christ and be blameless.
Are you ready to give your life to Christ?  Pray a simple prayer like: “Jesus forgive me for living my life without you.  I know I am a sinner but you are Almighty God.  As much as I know how I give myself to you. Please come into my life and make me new.  In Jesus’ name Amen.”
© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.
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