Salvation

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GOD’S WRATH

(John 3:36) Whoever believes in the son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

God is just. So, to think that there won’t be a reckoning for our sins is foolish.  Especially since he sent his Son to provide us with a way to avoid his judgment, and not only to avoid his judgement, but to be completely forgiven of our sins and become his children for all eternity.

Here in this life, we are all subject to the good and bad parts of life.  The difference is that God’s children, though they will die like everyone else, will go on to eternal life with their creator.  Those who reject what Jesus has offered will not see this eternal life, and they will be subject to God’s wrath.

All throughout the Old Testament, we have stories that tell of God’s wrath. For instance, the flood in which all but eight of the people on the earth were drowned, the destruction in Egypt when Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites leave, and Korah’s rebellion where the earth opened and swallowed up his whole clan (see Numbers chapter 16). Being under the wrath of God is a terrible thing.  This is God’s world, and he has the right to judge his created ones.  Aren’t we glad that he is long-suffering, gracious and full of love for us.

God has provided an easy way for us to avoid his wrath.  All we need to do is to accept the work of his Son who died for our sins.  Then we can begin a restored relationship with our God.  The only difficult part is that we must humbly acknowledge that we have sinned, and that we need forgiveness. We must repent.  If we refuse to acknowledge our need for Jesus, we will have to pay for our sins. The pride of mankind will lead us down a path of destruction. Wisdom says humble yourself and come join the children of God.  I can personally vouch that you will not be sorry.  It is the only logical choice.

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LOVE IS FOREVER

(1 Corinthians 13:13) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.

These words, from the Apostle Paul, are at the end of what has been called the love chapter.  If you think about it, of the three: faith, hope and love, only love will remain in eternity.  Faith is about believing in God.  When we are constantly in his presence faith will not be required.  Likewise, hope will be fulfilled when all of God’s plan is accomplished.  What will endlessly remain is love.

I often write about God’s love for us because love is the guiding factor in Jesus’ coming to earth to redeem us.  The Apostle John points this out with his statement in John 3:16, “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.”  And again, in his first letter John writes, “Dear friends, Let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7&8)

I wholly believe that God created the heavens and the earth because of his love; and in his love, he made his eternal plan for us.  When all is said and done, God’s pure and eternal love will be continually over his children.  Here in the world, we have just a taste of God’s love; but when we are with him in heaven, his love will be the atmosphere that surrounds us, and it will never end.

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THE DANGER OF THE UNSAVED WORLD

(Ephesians 4:17-19) So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.  They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.  Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

Isn’t it interesting that the world around the Ephesian Christians sounds like the present-day world?  Think about the words “futility of their thinking”.  In our times there seems to be frequent opportunity to form the question, “what were they thinking”?  As you read through today’s scripture, I think you’ll find that the Apostle Paul clarifies why the thinking of the world of today is illogical. 

Paul wanted the Ephesians to be careful to not fall into the darkened understanding and separation from the life of God that was going on all around them.  The world has definitely not changed regarding its spiritual condition.  Therefore, Paul’s warning is as significant for God’s children today, as it was in his day.

The common statement, “we are in the world, but not of the world,”2 is relevant.  We are members of God’s eternal kingdom, and no longer of this fallen world.  We are the redeemed, so therefore, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into living as Jesus taught us.  Jesus said that we are salt and light to the world around us.  So not living as the unsaved world is paramount.  We cannot be salt and light for our neighbors, if we are living the same life as those who live in darkness.

2 see Jesus’ prayer in John Chapter 17

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 TO OBEY

(1 John 2:3-6) We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.  Who ever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.  But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them.  This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

When you think about the word obey, what comes to mind?  Do you cringe or perhaps get defensive?  These are normal reactions from us humans.  We don’t like someone telling us what to do. In order for us to want to obey God’s commands, a relationship of love and trust must develop.  I found this truth to be very helpful while working with children.  First, build a relationship with them, and then classroom control will be much easier.   We are much more likely to obey God’s commands, if we first enter into a relationship with him.

John tells us that if a person says they know God, but they don’t do what he commands that person is a liar.  I had an exchange with a young man once that illustrates this truth.  I asked him how he was doing with the Lord.  His response was that he was doing great with the Lord.  I knew that he was intimidating others to gain what he wanted from them, and he was selling drugs.  I therefore knew that he was lying about his relationship with the Lord.  At least I knew how to pray for him.

What are God’s commands? Jesus gave us a simple answer to this question and that is to love God and to love others.  Obeying these simple commands is not that simple because it requires us to surrender our will to God.  We give God the center place in our lives, and he teaches us how to love others.  That is not easy, but it is the best way to navigate this life.

 When we let go and put our trust in God, life becomes so much sweeter.  That’s why the song says, “Trust and obey – for there’s no other way – to be happy in Jesus – than to trust and obey.” *

*Song: Trust and Obey – written by John Sammis

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LOVE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

(Romans 13:8-10) Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.  The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “you shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no harm to a neighbor.  Therefor love is the fulfillment of the law.

In its simplest form the definition of righteousness is doing what is right.  These words from Paul’s letter to the Romans connect us to the relationship of love and righteousness.  If we love, we will be motivated to do the right thing toward others. If we don’t love, the desire to do right is overshadowed by the desire for self-indulgence.  Therefore, we can conclude that love is necessary in our quest to be righteous. 

When we love others, we please God because we are following his commands.  Jesus said that loving God and loving your neighbor covers all the commands of God.  In the familiar scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Paul defines love.  This is a great passage to help us clarify what it means to love others.

To achieve righteousness, these scriptures give us all that we need.  The Holy Spirit will work God’s love into us.  The more we humble ourselves, and receive the work of the Holy Spirit, the more we will be filled with God’s love and be vessels of his love to others.

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THE FLOOD

(Genesis 6:5&6) The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.  The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.

God set in motion a plan to bring a worldwide flood on the earth that would reboot his creation.  The flood would eliminate all of mankind, sparing only eight people. Before the flood people lived 800 to 900 years, but after the flood, man would be allowed only 120 years of life.  Rain did not fall on the pre-flood world because water came from springs in the ground, but since the flood, rain has been the method for watering earth.  The sons of God no longer married the daughters of man as was done before the flood.  These are only a few of the changes that God made. I assume there were many.

I tried to figure out how long the preflood world lasted.  My best guess is somewhere in the range of 1,600 years. To get an idea of how long that is count back 1,600 years, and you’ll find yourself in the year AD 425.  That is around the time of the fall of the Roman Empire.  God was surely patient with those early humans.

I have heard people say, “I can’t believe that a loving God would wipe out all those people.”  Well perhaps he was simply showing them mercy.  They were living in a world where every heart was bent on evil, and their life span was hundreds of years. That sounds like the flood must have brought them relief.  I’m reminded that death is only part of the physical world.  When they died, their spirits went to the spirit realm.

 God never lost sight of them, and he didn’t annihilate them.  Peter tells us in his first letter: (1Peter 3:18-20) For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.  He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.  After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits – to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built…

God created this world, and he has always loved his created ones.  He is working out a plan that is way beyond our understanding.  Remember, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

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OUR WORTH IN GOD

(1Peter 1:3-5) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.  It is reserved in heaven for you, who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

I am a common person.  I am not of wide renown, but just one of billions of people who are currently walking the earth.  My distinctions are that I’m a male of considerable age who has led an average life. That is my earthly existence. 

The one distinction I didn’t mention is that I am a Christian, a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ.  I am a child of the living God sealed with his Holy Spirit.  I have been granted eternal life through the redemptive action of Jesus Christ the Son of God.  I have an inheritance from God my Father reserved for me in heaven.  This distinction is not exclusive; it is offered to all who will receive him.

(1 Peter 2:9) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Our worth as the common people of the earth may say we are of little consequence, but in contrast we are of great worth to God. Christians are God’s children, a people of his own, destined to live with him in his eternal kingdom.

Knowing our true worth, let us walk with confidence as we negotiate this new year, and let us proclaim the virtues of the one who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.  

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THE FEAR OF THE LORD

(Proverbs 1:7) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and all the features that now exist on the earth.  According to the Word, all these things he spoke into existence.  There is one exception- the creation of man.  God formed man with his hands from the soil of the earth.  There was something about mankind that required his personal touch.  After the completion of creation, the Bible focuses on God’s interaction with mankind. 

God created a special garden for the first man and woman; he gave them purpose by commanding them to keep and till the earth and to populate the earth, and he gave them one thou shalt not.  He told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  They eventually decided to ignore God’s warning, and they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  That decision was the first sin, it brought separation between God and his created ones, and evil and death to all of creation. God brought judgement on Adam and Eve, but he immediately began his plan to redeem them.

From that very day and continuing to today, sin has wrought immense havoc on the earth.  There were times when God had had enough and brought judgement to the people. The worldwide flood was the first example.  Only eight people survived to repopulate the world.  Sodom and Gomorrah experienced annihilation as God rained fire and brim stone upon them.  There are other recorded examples of God’s sovereign interventions that demonstrate his power over his creation.  Through it all, God’s plan of redemption for his people was progressing.

Finally, God’s plan to redeem us was completed with the coming of his Son.  Jesus lived for 33 years among us and then he even experienced death.  His death was not the same as ours, in as much as he who was without sin, took our sins upon himself.  Then the power of God raised him from the dead.  God’s plan to redeem us from our sins was completed. 

So, let’s visit our topic of fearing the Lord.  Should we fear God?  Yes, the one who has ultimate power over his creation deserves reverent respect.  We should also love God.  He gave us life, redeemed us from our sins and rebellion, forgave us, and offered us a life in heaven with him for all eternity.  All of this is because he loves us and has always desired to be with us.

Unlike other things we fear that make us want to run away, the fear of God should draw us closer to him.  He is the eternal source of truth and knowledge.  It is foolishness to deny God his desire to be close to us.

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THE WONDERFUL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

(Isaiah 9:6&7) For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

This prophesy about the birth of Jesus, that Isaiah wrote some 700 years before he was born, refers to the eternal kingdom of God that Jesus will establish and rule over.  This is the kingdom that all believers will inhabit forever.  As I read these verses from Isaiah, I find excitement, great comfort, and peace for my soul.

Christmas always leads me to reflect on what Jesus accomplished during his time with us.  He taught us how we should live, and he showed us his power over creation. Most of all he paid for our sins and restored us to fellowship with our creator.  Yet this was just the beginning of what God has planned for his redeemed children.

Isaiah let us know that in eternity we will be governed by our loving savior.  Jesus will be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.  Can you imagine a king who loves his people and cares for them. There is comfort in knowing that our king Jesus is all powerful, a Father who will never leave us or forsake us, and one who insures eternal peace for all.  Jesus’ birth is the beginning of all our hopes and dreams being fulfilled.  Thank you Jesus for our salvation and, beyond our imagination, eternal life.

May your Christmas be filled with celebration as you explore the wonders of the wonderful meaning of Christmas.

       MERRY CHRISTMAS

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LIVING A GODLY LIFE – OUR OBLIGATION TO JESUS

(2 Peter 1:3-8) His divine power has given us everything we need for a Godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I often write about the grace and love we have in Jesus, and that we have been forgiven of our sins through Jesus Christ.  I love to dwell on the good news of what Jesus has done for us, but what do we owe him in return.  Our salvation is a gift, and Jesus has done all that is necessary for us to receive it.  All we need to do is believe.  Peter points out, “His (Jesus’) divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life.”  Don’t we have an obligation in response to what Jesus has done for us?  Shouldn’t we endeavor to lead a Godly life? 

Peter thinks so because he tells us, “Make every effort to add to your faith …”  Then he gives us a list of what we are adding: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love.  These qualities are all about what it means to live a Godly life.  Peter knew that these qualities don’t appear in our lives instantaneously.  That is why he said, “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure…” 

I owe it to Jesus to make every effort to lead a Godly life.  For I truly love Jesus, and I desire to be increasingly closer to him. However, I understand that I am relying on his divine power to accomplish the goal of living a Godly life.