2024-05-31
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Today’s topic asks very fundamental questions: Why believe in Jesus Christ? We must look at MT 22: 14, “Many are called but few are chosen.” This verse occurs at the end of Christ’s story about the wedding feast, to which a mixed group of non-believers and believers are invited. Some will not be allowed to remain with the others, and others will be--based on their willingness to live righteously or not to do this. Sadly, more people will reject Christ’s teaching than will accept it. Before a potential believer can accept Him, they need to prayerfully ask just Who Jesus is. In LK 22, Jesus was led before the council of elders of the people, chief priests, and teachers of the law. Vs. 67-70, “’If You are the Messiah,’ they said, ‘Tell us.’” Jesus replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe Me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” “You say that I am.” JN 14: 6 [Christ speaking], “I am the way, the truth, and life, and no one comes to the Father except through Me.” 1 TIM 2: 5 says that Jesus is the Mediator between God and men. 1 JN 4: 14-16 tells us that Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. It boils down to if a person has faith in Jesus and His word. JN 1: 1-5, “In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” This is the description of the Trinity, three personalities in One God--the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. There is nothing inconsistent in these depictions from the statement in the OT in DT 6: 4-5, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”
From where does faith come? Only one Source provides it—God! Some people will accept God’s prompting through the Holy Spirit and others will reject it. Over the history of mankind, many rejectors have made it very difficult for those who believe. That kind of opposition is the work of the evil one, and those who believe should not be afraid of it any more than Jesus was. Here’s why: 1 JN 4: 4, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (evil spirits), because the One Who is in you (the Holy Spirit) is greater than the one who is in the world (Satan).” One of our homework questions in the Bible class I’m in at Lakeside Church was: “What would you ask God when you get to heaven?” I guess mine would be Why are some people rejecting Christ and how does God decide who will accept Jesus? But we are not entitled to an answer and must understand that. God is sovereign!
My understanding is that rejecting Christ results in great tragedy, personally, in our communities, and nationally. It can mean, as we learn in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus [LK 16: 19-31], that one has crossed the line of no return. It can result in God’s judgment [2 PET 2: 9] and can even result in the consequences of sin on us or on our children [EX 20: 4-6]. The consequences of unbelief are a terrible option. And then, there is the unforgiveable sin: LK 12: 10 [Christ speaking], “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” Our time on earth is a time of testing, and those who pass can look forward to heavenly eternal peace and contentment. They have won the victory over sin and death that Jesus won [1 COR 15: 50-58] with His atoning sacrifice on the cross and resurrection to heaven!
PRAYER: O most Holy Lord, we must acknowledge the great gift that You have given to us through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are eternally forgiven, justified in Your sight, and given salvation. Moreover, we have been created to endure through our earthly challenges and to win the victory He has won for us over sin and death. We are given the hope of the resurrection [1 PET 1: 3] through Your mercy and grace. We follow: PS 107: 1, “Say, ‘Thank You,’ to the Lord for being so good, for always being a loving and kind Father.” We offer You praise for giving us this amazing opportunity through our Lord Jesus. This prayer is offered in His holy/mighty name. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I am overjoyed to share this passage with you: COL 3: 1-4, “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on the things above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things above, not on earthly things. For you have died, and your life is not hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is your life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.” This is the promise those who accept Christ into their lives can anticipate. Next week, I have been commanded to write about the future victory celebration with Jesus and how Jesus helps believers to strengthen their faith and intervene in our lives. It is only appropriate that we offer Him praise and thanks for His presence in our lives!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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