Eternal Life

The Needles Eye and Salvation

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples
“How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”
And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them,
“Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!                            
And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”   And Jesus looking upon them saith,
“With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
Mark 10:23-27

Jesus has just spoken with a young man of  great wealth.  He has asked Jesus how that he might inherit eternal life.  Jesus basically tells him that he must obey the Ten Commandments.  When he said that he had been obedient since youth Jesus told him to  go and sell all that he had.  That was too much and he went away.

By his leaving as he did shows us that his heart was away from God so he had not been obedient to the first four of the Ten.  His heart was on His wealth.

Jesus then teaching His disciples that it is hard for the rich to get into heaven, then they ask Him, “Who then can be saved?”

What is that “Needles eye”?  A camel and a needle?  A camel passing through a needle’s eye?  I have known some who say that there is a small gate in the walls of Jerusalem called the Needles Eye Gate, and they say that for someone take a laden camel through that gate they needed to unload all their packs, for the camel to get through.   There are also some who believe that The Needles Eye is exactly that and shows us that we cannot save ourselves, by unloading our sins, but solely by the power of God and His grace.  Jesus said,  “Come unto Me all of you who are burdened, and heavy laden and I will give you rest’

With God nothing is impossible; even getting a camel through the eye of  a needle; and especially a rich man to receive eternal life through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  He died, He was buried, and He rose again.

The Hardest Thing For Humanity To Do

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Jesus said unto him, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.”
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.  Then said Jesus unto His disciples,
“Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, “Who then can be saved?”  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,
“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:21-26

Jesus has just given to the rich young man words of great instruction, and He does not give himself to the word and will of the Lord.  The man had asked Jesus, “What thing might I do that I might receive eternal life?”   Jesus’s answer is basically telling him to obey the law.  Jesus only uses the last six of the 10 Commandments, sums it all up by saying, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  The young man said that he had been obedient to live by them since his youth until this day, then he asked, “What do I lack?”

Jesus gives him an answer that is quite hard to conceive, and is very difficult for someone who has many things materially, yet that is not   this man’s main problem.  He does not need to be perfect, he needs Jesus.  He only sees Jesus as a good man.  He sees his wealth as being more important than repentance, and faith in God or His Son.

Remember the young man was asking what he had to do to have or to earn eternal life.  The Law says, “Obey every commandment, and you will be saved, or right with God.”  James, the brother of our Lord teaches that if we break one law we are guilty of breaking the whole law (James 2:10).

All of Adam kind (mankind) are condemned, and headed toward eternal torment except they are perfectly keeping every law of God which is impossible.  Only one Man has been faithful to the obedience to the Law of God, and that was God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ.

You cannot earn eternal life.  It is a gift given by God the Father, and the Son to come to earth to die in our place, be laid in a grave, and to be raised by the Spirit of God, never to die again.  Doing so secures our eternal life when we ourselves to Him, and eternal salvation.

The hardest thing for mankind to do is to stop working for their salvation.  We cannot save ourselves from our set path, since we were born into sin, and all its darkness, and condemnation.  Some of you reading this may think that God will see all my good works and deeds, and they will outweigh the bad I have done.  Not so.  If you flaunt your good works before God, He will declare unto you, “O do not know you,”  and you will be cast out into eternal torment.

Jesus is the only was to heaven and to eternal life.  He paid our sin debt which was death, an eternal death which separates from God.

Believe Him.  Call on His name, and be saved by grace through faith in Him alone.  With God all things are possible.

The hardest thing for you to do is to give up trying to earn your salvation from death.  If you will do so though you will find yourself eternally blessed through Christ Jesus.

Not Only Forgiven, We Are Also Justified

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.  Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.  And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.  But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, ‘I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.’ ”  And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:42-48

On the Acts 13 and verses 38 through 52 “Through the Bible Day by Day,” by F. B. Meyer, Meyer has written…

The doctrine of justification by faith, so closely associated with the work of Paul, is here stated for the first time. In Jesus there is forgiveness. For those who trust in Him past sins are absolutely put away, never to be named again, never to be brought up at any future judgment day. Our record is as clear as the sand which has been swept smooth by the ocean waves. We are not only forgiven, but justified. We are treated as though we had never sinned, and are justified from all things. It is a present fact. You may not feel justified or forgiven, but if you are trusting in Jesus, you are at this moment as certainly and as fully justified as have been the saints in heaven.
Pride, as well as jealousy of the Gentiles who were crowding into the fold, stirred the Jews to antagonism, but they could not eradicate the seed which had been so profusely scattered. Large numbers believed, and as they experienced salvation in Christ, they discovered that they were in line with an eternal purpose. This is the meaning of ordained in Act_13:48. If with such slight opportunities, the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, Act_13:52, should we not possess the same experience?

The Gospel of Jesus Christ was first to be taken to the Jewish people, but we can see that many rejected. Then the Gospel was given to the Gentiles. All people in any nation on earth can call on the name of Jesus Christ and be forgiven and Justified.

Not only is there forgiveness of sin through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, those who believe are Justified, declared righteous by God Himself.

This Book and Eternal Life

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.
John 20:30-31

John loved  the Lord Jesus. He believed the words Jesus spoke, the life He lived, and he believed in the death of Jesus, His burial, and in His resurrection. After the empty tomb was discovered by Mary Magdalene and the others that were with her, Peter and John raced to the tomb, where John beat Peter to the empty grave John stopped, and Peter went on in, finding the head covering wrapped in a place alone, but the linen burial clothes were like the body of Jesus disappeared within them.

John notes that many other signs and miracles were done by Jesus before His death, but they are not all written in this book. This book is written so that in the reading of it that the reader would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. All four of the Gospel accounts -Matthew, Mark, Luke,  and John – show His Deity, but none so clearly and powerfully as John.

This is the first one of the Gospels I suggest that a new believer read, study and hear. Do not begin in the Old Testament you will get bogged down, and lose interest. Read John’s Gospel account, and then read First, Second, and Third John. Then you can read the other three Gospel accounts, and the other New  Testament book of Acts, all the other Letters [Epistles], and the Revelation. Just a suggestion,  but whatever you do if you are new to the faith of Christ Jesus, read the word so you will be empowered and led by the Spirit of God. After this you can read the Old Testament,  and be greatly blessed reading Genesis through Malachi.

These words of John were written so that those who believe will have eternal life. Life in and through the Lord Jesus begins the moment you believe Him. Believe Him, and you will live forever with Him.

Dying and Living

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.  Thou shalt call, and I will answer Thee: Thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
Job 14:14-15

People all over this planet earth have believed that there is life after we die. Is  this true? If it is true how can we know for certain that we will live again.

Job was a godly man. He is declared as a just man, by God Himself. Yet God has given Satan permission to do harm to Job, to bring glory to the LORD Almighty. Now Job is wanting to have never been born, and to die rather than to continue suffering as he has been.

Job asked the question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” The best answer to this question is, “Not in this world as it is now.” In the Old and New Testaments we have a few examples of a few who died and were given life again, but then they died again. “It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment” Hebrews 9:27. Death is a certainty. It is even more certain than taxes. There is a one hundred percent chance that you and I will die. But what then?

Death came to us because of sin. Sin came to us because of the first man, Adam who did not obey the Creator concerning the trees in the middle of the Garden of Eden. So, because of one man, the first man, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. No one is born into this world without sin – with one exception.

“Not in this world, as it it is now” was the answer. However, the Creator made Adam and Eve with eternal souls, so we all have eternal souls. The Creator who is God is eternal, and He made us in His image, and after His likeness, so that includes being made for eternal living. So the answer to the question, “Is there life after death?” is Yes!

Eternal life is meant to be spent with God, always in His presence and glory, yet, because of our sin we would not be able to go spend eternity with Him except He make a way for us; and He did, and He does have a way, One way, and that is through the One who was the One who made all things (John 1:1-5), and all things were made by Him, and for Him. His name is Jesus. We can know that there is life after death, because Jesus Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He came out of the grave alive, and He lives forever more. He was seen by over five hundred witnesses who saw Him in His resurrection body.

Job said, “All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come” and that should answer the question of whether there is life after death. That change comes when we are raised when Jesus comes again. It does not answer the question of where you will spend it though.

There are two places that are eternal, Heaven or Hell. Heaven is the place of our Lord Jesus Christ who tell us that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except  through Him (John 14:6). Jesus will come again for those who are His – that is those who have given themselves to Him confessing that He is Lord, and believing that God has raised Him from the dead (John 14:1-4; Romans 10:9-10).

Hell is the appointed place for Satan and his legions. It is a place of eternal fire and torment, and there will be no relief. It is also the eternal home of those who deny and reject the free gift of grace God gives us in His Son Jesus Christ. You have a choice – Heaven or Hell

Keep Yourselves In The Love Of God

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:17-21

Search the Scriptures

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father hath sent Me.  And the Father Himself, which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape.  And ye have not His word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not. Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.  And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.  I receive not honour from men.
John 5:36-40

To Have Everlasting Life

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: He that cometh from heaven is above all. And what He hath seen and heard, that He testifieth; and no man receiveth His testimony.  He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him.  The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 3:31-36

By the Righteousness of The One

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:18-21

Two Foundations

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to Me, and heareth My sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: he is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.                                                         Luke 6:46-49

Jesus is speaking of two different hearts.  Everyone who says, “Lord, Lord” will not enter His kingdom (Matthew 7:21). Just because one professes “Jesus is Lord” does not make it so.

Doing what He says is the fruit of our confession of Jesus. Believing Him and doing is the work of God which brings forth fruit of salvation, and Jesus is Lord of one’s life.

The one who lays the foundation of faith in Him, plus nothing, minus nothing, will have the faith that stands the test and trials of every storm, wind and rain, and flood.

If we say “Jesus is Lord” then let us build on that foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). He is the exclusive way, the only way to God the Father, eternal life, peace and joy (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

Which Ones?

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

And, behold, one came and said unto Him, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” And He said unto him,
“Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but One, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”
He saith unto him, “Which?” Jesus said,
“Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
The young man saith unto Him, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Jesus said unto him,
“If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.”
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.                                              Matthew 19:16-22

There is an eternal peril who have possession of great riches, in material things. There is also eternal peril to those who do not have those possessions.

The “rich young ruler” who came to Jesus supposed that he could have eternal life by doing something good. He asked Jesus, “…What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” That is an assumption that most people make; that eternal life is attainable by some good deed.

If we look at the commandments Jesus gave to the young man, they are four of the final six of the Ten Commandments, and all have to do with how we treat our neighbor. The rich young man believes he has been obedient to all those Jesus has mentioned; and Jesus has not mentioned the first of the Commandments which have to do with our relationship to God.

This young man’s relationship with God was not what it ought to be. He had riches which blinded his eyes to God and to seeing Jesus for who He truly is.

We of Adam’s race must realize that all things are God’s. What we have in our possession, and under our feet is not ours. No matter whether you are a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ or an non theist – All Things are God’s.

Would you like to have eternal life? Then be perfect. That is not going to happen except by realizing you are imperfect, lost, dying in sin, and calling on the name of Jesus Christ who died on the cross  for our sins, was buried, and He rose again; and in doing so gives eternal life to all who have received Him.

The Great Shepherd and His Sheep

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Jesus answered them,
“I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of My sheep, as I said unto you.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.                                                                    John 10:25-30

They have shown not only doubt, but also great contempt for Jesus and His teachings; not believing His words or His works. The religious rulers who worshiped their religion rather than the One who deserved the worship.

They had just asked, more like demanded, that Jesus show them He was the Messiah. They wanted Him to do some glorious thing. They were blind to the truth of who is was and is. He had already did mighty works which they tried to contribute to the power of the devil. They were in truth rejecting the teachings of Moses, and they claimed to be his disciples.

These verses of our text today are from the “Good Shepherd” text where Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd” (v. 14), and all who hear His voice are His sheep and they follow Him.

From the text above let us glean a few things from it.

First, Jesus works in His Father’s name, and the works He does is His witness as to who He is.  Second, these accusers do not believe Him and are not His sheep.  Third, Jesus’s sheep hear His voice, Jesus knows them, and they follow Him. Fourth, He gives those who are His sheep and follow Him eternal life. Fifth, all those who are His sheep will never perish, neither will they ever be plucked out of His hand. Sixth, it is His Father who gives Him these sheep. Seventh, none is able to pluck them out of the Father’s hand. Jesus then tells us that He and the Father are One.

When you receive eternal life is at that moment you have in repentant faith called on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving His gift of grace given us by the death of Jesus on the cross, His burial, and He rising from the grave, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father (Hebrews 1:1-3). Do you hear His voice? Call out to Him.

An Already Condemned World, Loved By God

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but He that believeth not is condemned already, because He hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.                   John 3:17-21

There are many who believe that God in the Old Testament, and God in the New Testament are two separate persons. That, however, comes from an ignorance of the Old Testament.

God in the Old Testament is a God of love too. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, it was God’s love that provided covering for their sin and nakedness. It was His love that saved Noah and his family to redeem Adam’s race.

Because of Adam’s sin in the garden we were all born into sin. Born with a sin nature, separated from God, condemned for eternity. This message is prevalent through out Scripture. It is also clearly seen that God loves the race of Adam – that is people from every tribe, tongue and nation.

In His love God sent His only begotten Son to be our Redeemer, so that through Him we might have everlasting life.

There are many who love their sin and darkness more that they do the light, glory and forgiveness of God. They love darkness rather than light. They love their own way rather than God’s way; therefore, they continue in their condemnation.

The answer for Adam’s race is hear the words of Jesus Christ, call on His name, repenting of your sin, believing Him and He will hear you and give you life eternal.

See Romans 8:1.

Flesh and Bone, Resurrected Lord and Savior

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them,
“Peace unto you.”
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And He said unto them,
“Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have.”
And when He had thus spoken, He shewed them His hands and His feet. Luke 24:36-40

Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters. Psalm 114:7-8

I, for one, am amazed at the nay sayers who try to argue against the fact  of the truth of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.

Some try and tell us that He was only raised in spirit. I say to that “Why does a spirit need raised?” Are spirits not alive  and never die? Jesus appearing to those folks above, “for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see Me have.”  Then forty days later ascended to glory in that same flesh and bone body in the presence of all those who were with Him. He is alive, because He is risen.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the bedrock foundation of the Christian faith. Without the death of Christ on the cross, His burial, and the proof of who He is by the resurrection of Jesus Christ we are still gravely in need (1 Corinthians 15).

Believe on the name of Jesus, our resurrected Lord and Savior, call on His name and He will give you everlasting life (John 3:16).

That You May Know for Certain

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. Luke 1:1-4

Arise, O God, plead Thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth Thee daily.
Forget not the voice of Thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against Thee increaseth continually.  Psalm 74:22-23

The only way to know for certain of God, the power of His word, and the truth of who Jesus is is to read the Scriptures, hear the Scriptures, and believe  the Scriptures as the Spirit of God opens your eyes and your heart to who He is.

Jesus Christ died for your sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He was raised again and came out of that stone cold grave alive; and He forever lives, and reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords.  Call on His name today and be delivered from the darkness, and evil of your sin.

Coming To Jesus

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,
“Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall be all taught of God.’ Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me.
Not that any man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God, He hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.”  John 6:43-47

He That Believes On The Son

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

He that hath received His testimony hath set to His seal that God is true. For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.  John 3:33-36

What Is Your Answer to His Question?

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

And it came to pass, as He was alone praying, His disciples were with Him: and He asked them, saying,
“Whom say the people that I am?”
They answering said, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.” He said unto them,
“But whom say ye that I am?”
Peter answering said, “The Christ of God.” Luke 9:18-20

Know That You Have Eternal Life

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.”  1 John 5:11-15

The Accuser of the Unbelieving

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.  And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men.  But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
I am come in My Father’s name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.  For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me.  But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?”   John 5:39-47

Who is born of God?

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth Him also that is begotten of Him. 1 John 5:1
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?  Verse 5
He that hath the Son hath life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.  Verses 12 – 13
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.  Verse 20

As I was reading the first epistle of the apostle John I noticed once again the important emphasis he puts on Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The title of this post is “Who is born of God?” That is a question we all must answer, and know ourselves. Are you, have you been born of God?

In chapter 5 verse 1 John writes “Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” and he goes on stating that to love the Father (the One who begat), is to love the Son (the One who is begotten). If we love the Father we will love the Son; and on the other side too; if we love the Son we love the Father. These are the one’s who are born of God.

We learn in the five verses above too, that Jesus Christ the Son of God is the One who overcomes the world, and through Him we do too. In Him we have life, and without Him is no life. Without life in Him there is only death. Through Jesus Christ and Him alone can we have the true assurance of eternal life, and we can know quite well that we will live with Him eternally.

In knowing Jesus we receive understanding from Him knowledge of who He truly is. In Christ Jesus we are in the True God, and have eternal life. The moment, by grace through faith, you turn from your sin to Christ calling on His name for salvation you receive eternal life.

Who is born of God? If you have not been born of God will you call on Him today?

God Does Not Condemn You

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”  John 3:17-19

The truth of the matter is we were all condemned through the sin of Adam and Eve while they were living in paradise. They had it made and chose to believe the lie of the serpent rather than the One who walked with them in that beautiful paradise.

Because they chose to sin against God they condemned the whole race of Adam – that is you and me. Since that sad day every child ever born into this world is in a condemned state, spiritually dead, separated from God, and headed to an eternity separated from good and from God, to a burning eternal fire.

For Adam and Eve God sent the means of redemption through the shed blood of innocent animals (possibly lambs) a covering for their sin. For us today, He has given us His Son Jesus Christ.

For all who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, believing that He died on the cross for our sins, that He was buried, and that He rose from the grave bodily we can have eternal life with Him. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). God does not condemn; He delivers us unto eternal life.

Will you call on His name today, believing Him? He will hear and He will deliver you from condemnation.

Look Who Comes to Jesus

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“Then drew near unto Him all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, ‘This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.’ ”  Luke 15:1-2

The lesson Jesus teaches  following the above words was to all who would and will hear. There are so many that will not hear the words of life which Jesus speaks, that they continue on the path that leads to eternal destruction and Hell.

Those who came to Jesus that day were ones whom the religious leaders, and most of the Jewish population despised and hated. The were Jews who were working for the Roman government collecting taxes from their fellows Jews. Many considered them as traitors. That is the “Publicans” in verse 1.  They came to Jesus and to hear Him. Levi other wise known as Matthew was one who followed Him.

“Sinners” would most likely include the murderers, thieves, adulterers, child molesters, rapist, and all the outcasts of this society, and society of 2021. These came to Jesus. Many heard Him, followed Him and have eternal life.

Jesus still calls all who are lost, no matter what your sin might be, to come, hear Him, and choose to follow Him doing His word, walking His way and doing His will.

Call out to Him for salvation. He will hear you.

We Don’t Know When, So Be Ready

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.”  Matthew 25:13

None of us know the time of our death. Neither does anyone know the time of the Lord’s second coming.

Just as one must be prepared for dying we need to be prepared for the coming of the Lord. One is closely associated with the other.

Please understand. It has been said that there are only two things which are certain in the life; and that is death and taxes. We all will die in this physical body. The heart will beat its final beat; and we will breathe our final breath. Are you ready?

The greatest preparation we can make for death is to call on the name of Jesus when we realize that we are lost, condemned, dying law breakers, headed to eternal judgment. Calling on Jesus who bled and died on the cross as the ultimate payment for our sin, and was buried carrying away all our sin, our shame, our guilt and condemnation, and then He rose from the grave justifying forever those who will come to Him.  See Matthew 26 through 28.

When you call on His name you are then prepared for death and for the coming of the Lord.

Hatred, Deceit, and Repentance

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“…Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.”  Proverbs 26:26

“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”  Acts 26:19-20

Let us pray that all hatred that is covered by deceit be exposed. Christian first, in our own hearts and lives; then in the world and its wicked system that hates all things godly and holy.

May we also pray for the “Heavenly vision” which is the redemption of the lost through the Lord Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection; that the condemned, the hopeless and the helpless might come to faith in Him receiving forgiveness of sin, for their sanctification, and eternal life through Him.