Tag: Jesus Saves

Deny…

Deny…

I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. ~ 1 John 2:21-23

When we think about the word “deny” in the teachings of Jesus, most often we think about His saying: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Cf. Matthew 16:24-25; Mark 8:34-35; Luke 9:23-24) Indeed, this is a primary focus of how we abide in Christ and He in us. It is the initial action of our sanctification … to separate ourselves from the world and to set ourselves apart for service unto the Father. As we have been admonished in 1 Peter 14-16: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (Cf: Leviticus 11:44, 45; 19:2)

But I think there is a greater significance to the word “deny” in the Scriptures as emphasized in our key verse above. The one who denies that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ) is considered a liar and an antichrist. John asserts that to deny Jesus is tantamount to the denial of God the Father. Indeed, the judgment of all people rests upon the acceptance or denial of Jesus.

John 3:16-18 (NIV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Romans 14:10-12 (NIV)

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” (Cf. Isaiah 45:23) So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)

Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Dear reader, I pray that you have not denied the Lord Jesus as our Messiah, the Son of the Living God.  And I pray that if you claim to know Jesus but deny Him by your actions (Cf. Titus 1:16), you would further examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith. Yes, test yourself. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test? (Cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5) And if you do confess Jesus as Lord to the glory of God the Father, then I pray you and I will deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily, and follow Him in all obedience.  For Jesus affirmed, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Cf. John 14:15)

Have a Blessed Day!

Visitation…

Visitation…

Now as Jesus drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”~ Luke 19:41-44

Today we commemorate Palm Sunday – a day we ascribe as the beginning of the Holy Week leading to Easter Sunday when we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. On this day, we recount the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. He rode upon a donkey, and a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road while others cut down palm branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the Highest!” (Cf. Matthew 21:1-17)

Yet, it was a solemn time of reflection for Jesus … knowing His impending death at the hands of those who had rejected Him. He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known … the time of your visitation.” Matthew recorded His lament as well: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37)

Indeed, Jerusalem was left desolate … the temple without one stone left upon another. Yes, judgement came to the people and the city because they did not recognize their time of visitation. Their Messiah … their King … sent by Father God to rescue them – but not from Imperial Rome but from their iniquities and sins.  He came as Savior:

John 1:10-13 (NKJV)

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Oh, my friend, have you too missed His visitation? Has Jesus come to you and you did not recognize Him?  Perhaps, like the Jewish people of His day, Jesus was not what you were expecting Him to be. Maybe you missed the Jesus who said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) Or maybe in your life of abundance, you too walked away sorrowful when Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21) As John articulated, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

I believe those who missed His visitation did not receive Jesus because He was not what they wanted Him to be … a Great Warrior King … a 5-Star General … to defeat the oppressive Roman government ruling over them. Although, Jesus did come as a King to usher in the Kingdom of God, He did not fit their ideas of what Messiah ought to be. His Kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36) Rather, Jesus is a ruler of hearts … a mighty warrior who has defeated the oppression of sin in the human heart.

Reader, I encourage you to consider His visitation. Perhaps, Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart right now. Would you invite Him in for a visit? I pray you will not send Him away weeping or lamenting: “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace.”

Have a Blessed Day!

Condemn…

Condemn…

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. ~ John 3:17

I have read the discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus many times in this chapter of the Gospel of John; and the clarity of what Jesus said … the powerful implication of His words … continue to penetrate my soul. The mission and purpose of the Son of Man … the Messiah of God … the One and Only Son of God … is presented with complete translucence, and we would be wise to meditate upon these truths.

John 3:14-21 (CSB)

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish, but have eternal life. For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. This is the judgment: Light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does not come to the light, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

I encourage you to read Numbers 21:4-9, to see the Scripture Jesus referenced with Nicodemus. In this story we see the mercy of God toward those who exercised a simple action of faith to avoid death from the bite of a venomous serpent. Jesus points Nicodemus to Himself and explains that he, too, should believe in Him (the one who would be lifted up on cross) to avoid the penalty of death (condemnation) for rejecting the love and mercy of God. Indeed, this is the message of Jesus and the reason He was hung upon a cross. Those who look to Him … those who believe in His name … are no longer condemned for their rebellion against God. In Jesus, through His blood, atonement has been made. “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

Some of the sweetest words ever spoken were those of Jesus to a woman caught in the act of adultery. The account is found in John 8:1-11 when those who accused her of sin were convicted by their own. Jesus asked her, “Where are your accusers. Has no one condemned you?” She answered, “No one, Lord.” Then Jesus replied, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” My friend, when you put your faith in Jesus, He will not condemn you; rather, He will set you free! He is the only assurance for eternal life!

In Romans 8:1-4, Paul reminds us: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Paul asked and answered a rhetorical question: “Who then is the one who condemns? No one! Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34) Yes, God sent Jesus to save people from their sins … not to condemn them for their sins. Yet, let us remember that anyone who does not believe in Jesus remains in condemnation and judgment for their sin. Indeed, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)

1 John 3:19-24 (NIV)

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we keep His commands and do what pleases Him. And this is His command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.

Have a Blessed Day!

Savior…

Savior…

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. ~ 1 John 4:14

There are many nights that I have pondered this verse … praising God for the Apostles who were faithful witnesses of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! And the Beloved John had a special gift of articulating the intensity of all he experienced in the presence of Jesus. John saw the eternal being of Jesus – He who was, and is, and is to come….  

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life. The Life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you that we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make your joy complete. (1 John 1:1-4)

The Good News … the Gospel … could not be clearer than what John composed for us. The Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world! It was His great love that compelled the Father to do so. (John 3:16) Indeed, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10) This is so difficult to understand when we consider ourselves and our sinful nature. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Savior. The word resounds with joy! There is a reason for hope! Paul reminds us:

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)

So, I join with John and proclaim to you – Jesus Our Savior!

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him. Yet He is the image of the invisible God. (Colossians 1:15)

There was nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him. Yet no one ever spoke the way this man does. (John 7:46)

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)


Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem. Yet God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Surely, He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted. Yet for the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. Yes, He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. (1 Peter 2:24)

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Yes, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

My friends, we have a perfect Savior! Let us give thanks and praise to Him! Let us proclaim Him to those around us!

Have a Blessed Day!

Jesus Is The Messiah…

Matthew 16:15-16 (NIV)

“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”

In our Verse of the Day, Jesus asks His disciples a poignant question: “Who do YOU say that I am?” Let’s look at this passage to see the context:

Matthew 16:13-20 (NIV)

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, (Greek word meaning ‘rock’) and on this rock I will build my Church (community or assembly of called out ones), and the gates of Hades (Hell or the realm of the dead) will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.” Then He ordered His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah.

This question is one that every human will have to answer: “Who is Jesus?”  When Jesus inquired, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is,’ I believe His question was a general one to them.  The expression “Son of man” is used extensively in the Book of Ezekiel to address the prophet regarding what he is commanded to speak.  However, in the Book of Daniel, we see a different reference to the term: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Cf. Daniel 7:13-14)

The Aramaic phrase bar enash used here is translated as “son of man” meaning “human being.” But in the context, the ‘Son of Man’ referenced here was unique. This Son of Man was coming with the clouds of heaven; approaching the Ancient of Days (God) and entering His presence; was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; worshipped; having an everlasting dominion and kingdom. These attributes do not reflect the description of a prophet like Ezekiel or Daniel; rather, they refer to a special Son of Man … an extraordinary human being having great intimacy with the Father like a Son of the Most-High God Himself.  This was the Jewish understanding of the human being … the Son of Man … who would be the Anointed One … the Messiah of God … coming to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth.

So, at first, the question Jesus posed appears to be general. Who do people think the “Son of Man” spoken of by the Prophet Daniel is? But then Jesus personalized the question by asking, “Who do you say that I am?” By implication and self-reference, I believe Jesus was asking if they understood that HE is that unique Son of Man … the Holy One of God … the Messiah that Israel was looking for and expected to come … the One seen in the vision that Daniel described. And when Peter answered Jesus, “You are the Messiah … the Son of the Living God,” Jesus confirmed that Peter understood the connection because the Spirit of God had revealed it to him.

We need to remember that this revelation: “Jesus IS the Messiah” is still the role of the Holy Spirit to give each person. This testimony upon which we have built our faith must still be internalized and believed! Jesus the Messiah (Yeshua Hamashiach) is the foundation … the rock … upon which the message of the Gospel rests. And His physical resurrection affirms the claims of Jesus and His identity! Yet, the truth can still be rejected as an act of human will. “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Cf. Psalm 118:22-23) This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Behold, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; and the one who believes … who relies on it will not be shaken nor fear. (Cf. Isaiah 28:16) Now, note the theological connections that Peter would make with these prophecies a few centuries later:

Acts 4:8-12 (NIV)

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus IS “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

My friends, I hope that you will meditate on these things. Think about your own answer to the question Jesus poses to His followers: “Who do YOU say that I am?” How does your answer reflect your faith in God? It is my prayer that we, the Church, will never fail to proclaim the answer: “Jesus is the Messiah … the Son of the Living God!” And it is my prayer that we, the Body of Christ, will continue to be the living representation of Jesus in our generation as we have been called to do! Yes, I pray that our lives as believers would be sufficient evidence to lead those who do not know this truth to the One who answered: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one can come to the Father except through Me.” (Cf. John 14:6)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

 Therefore, I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:3

Rejoicing Over You…

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

Our Verse of the Day is quite an intriguing verse for us to ponder. And, of course, we should examine it within the surrounding context, so I encourage you to read the entire chapter.

In Zephaniah 3, the prophet is dealing with the “character” of the city of Jerusalem, and its inhabitants in general. Even more pointed, he calls out the princes, judges, prophets, and priests – leaders of the people and exposes their hardness, impenitence, and shamelessness. The prophet indicates that these people knew better (the Lord being among them); who taught them through His Word and warned them of judgment and punishment through His Prophet if repentance did not ensue. Yet despite His attempts at correction; Jerusalem remained unrepentant, and God declared a day of wrath would come upon them. Yet, the prophet reveals the heart of God is to preserve those who fear Him … the remnant who trust in the name of the Lord … who clothe themselves in righteousness. When God gathers and restores His people, we see how compassionate God is with those who love Him … the excitement He “feels” for them … the grace He lavishes upon them … and the restoration He will initiate for all that was lost!

To me, this chapter (and this verse in particular) is a reflection of how God longs for His people to seek and respond to Him. God delights in our obedience more than sacrifice. (Cf. 1 Samuel 15:22) His commandments are intended for wisdom and light. His discipline is for our understanding and correction. His presence is for our protection; and His power is for our salvation! Think about how awesome the love of God is that He will rejoice over you with singing! Now consider some related parables that Jesus taught:

Luke 15:1-7 (NIV) Parable of the Lost Sheep

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Luke 15:8-10 (NIV) Parable of the Lost Coin

Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Luke 15:17-31 (NIV) Parable of the Prodigal Son

When he came to his senses, the son said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So, he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So, they began to rejoice.

Throughout His Word, God affords us insight into His nature and character. God is holy; and He has ordained for us to be holy. His commandments communicate how sincere love is the standard. Yet, God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness; and forgiving of the disobedience, rebellion, and sin committed against Him. God knows how we are formed and remembers that we are but dust. (Cf. Psalm 103:14) He knows we are imperfect, but His desire is that we would but turn our hearts toward Him and respond to correction. This is the message God has sent to His people through all generations; and in these last days, He offers this grace to those who will place their faith in Christ Jesus – His Son … the One whom He sent! Every prodigal … every wayward sheep … needs to know the Father will rejoice over them when they return to Him. Jesus said, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which is lost!” (Cf. Luke 19:10) And that purpose has not changed! The will of the Father has not changed. Jesus has commissioned His Church to be His Body upon the earth. He charges every disciple … every follower … to “go and make disciples of all nations.” (Cf. Matthew 28:19)

My friends, I pray that as we meditate upon the Word of God brought to us by the Prophet Zephaniah, we will see its relevance in historical terms and its application for us today. God rejoices over those who respond to His correction. He delights in those who repent and place their trust in the name of the Lord. Indeed, the Father is concerned for each lost soul He sent Jesus to find and save! In Zephaniah 3, I believe we can see a picture of Jesus – who has taken away our punishment and turned back our enemy. We can see that Jesus is for us; and we should no longer fear the surrounding armies or forces of darkness. Jesus is our light! He is our Savior … the Mighty Warrior who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Cf. Hebrews 12:2) In His love, the Father will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing when you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Selah.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? ~ Romans 8:31-35

A Man on a Mission

Luke 19:10 (NIV)

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

In our Verse of the Day, Luke records for us a concise, one sentence mission statement. Jesus understood and made the purpose of His mission clear: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” And we, as born-again believers, are the evidence of His successful mission … a mission that was completed through His life, death, and resurrection! Indeed, the great news is that He found us and we are secure in Him! As we studied before: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (Cf. John 10:27-29)

But the message of the mission Jesus began did not end with His ascension into heaven. No, Jesus ordained that His disciples … His followers … His sheep should continue the mission:

Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV)

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1:6-9 (NIV)

Then they gathered around Jesus and asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After Jesus said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.

My friends, as believers we too have been commissioned to witness not only with spoken words but with actions that demonstrate our sincere love for others.  In this matter, Paul urges us “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received; to be completely humble and gentle; to be patient, and to bearing with one another in love. We are to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Cf. Ephesians 4:1-3) Paul further instructs us to speak the truth in love so that we will grow together to form a mature Body of Christ on earth. (Cf. Ephesians 4:15-16) These are powerful thoughts for our consideration; and I hope they stir each of us to be intentional today in our desire to fulfill and accomplish the mission statement of our Lord Jesus. He has sent us to seek and to direct the lost to Him for salvation; and I pray we will follow His lead each day. Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Citing Isaiah 52:7) But not all the Israelites accepted the Good News. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” (Citing Isaiah 53:1) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. ~ Romans 10:14-17

Sent To Save…

John 3:17 (NIV)

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

This verse is perhaps the greatest news to share with anyone who is struggling with their past failures and feeling unworthy of the redemption and reconciliation God the Father has offered to us through Jesus Christ!  Self-condemnation can be a vicious stronghold to break if our concept of a God is one of judgment and wrath alone.  To be sure, Scripture reveals both the judgment and wrath of God … but both are reserved for those who reject Christ Jesus … and do not place their faith in Him.  Indeed, this verse declares the kindness and love of God so that each person is given the opportunity to repent of their sins and failures.  Let’s look at this verse in context:

John 3:16-21 (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

God sent Jesus to be the atonement for the sins of the world. That is the purpose for which God gave Him.  It is the atonement of His blood that we are to believe and receive … to place our faith in Him and to proclaim His self-sacrifice as all-sufficient to pay our sin debt … to redeem us from the condemnation of sin.  Whoever believes in Him is no longer condemned! They have been set free … forgiven … released.  They are no longer under the law of sin (Cf. Romans 7:23-25) … but now abide under the law of liberty! (Cf. James 1:25) So the application here is to believe!  Believe the testimony of God regarding His Son whom He sent to be our Savior. “Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Cf. Romans 2:4) As the Apostle John expounded: when we reject the testimony of God about His Son, Jesus, we have in essence called God a liar….

1 John 5:9-12 (NIV)

9 We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which He has given about His Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

God does not want us to live under the weight of condemnation, but God has made it clear the decision that each human must make about Jesus.  Believe and receive eternal life OR reject and remain in condemnation.  God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Cf. Romans 5:8) A person is not condemned for what they have done … the sin they have committed … or their failure to live up to the moral law God has decreed; rather, a person remains under condemnation for rejection of God’s grace … for refusing the forgiveness and redemption He has offered to us through the death of His Son.  Think about it a moment.  God willingly sacrificed His One and Only Son for the sin of the world.  Jesus is the only atonement God would accept because of His own holiness.  The blood of an animal sacrifice is insufficient to purge sin. (Cf. Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 66:1-4; Hebrews 10) So when a person rejects what God has done … what has God ordained for true life in Him … He allows that person to receive the condemnation they refused to have propitiated on their behalf. When a person rejects Jesus Christ … they reject the Father as well. (Cf. John 5:22-24; 1 John 2:22-23) It is not a loving God that sends a person to hell; rather, it is a loving God who makes provision for a person to be saved from the condemnation and wrath of sin. That provision is His Son … Jesus!

Romans 8:1-10 (NIV)

1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set us free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.

Do you know anyone who feels condemned or has fallen into self-condemnation?  Share this good news with them!  God has made provision to remove all condemnation through Christ Jesus. Let condemnation be replaced with conviction! Yes, let conviction bring confession … so that we agree with God that His word and righteous decrees are holy and just. Oh, there is hope for the sinner who feels condemned! There is freedom for the captive and the broken-hearted! For the kindness of God is intended to lead us to repentance! God sent His light into the world, and His light has overcome the darkness! (Cf. John 1:5) Let us share that light with whoever will believe…. Amen.

So Now You Know ….

Have a Blessed Day!