Entering the Kingdom of God.
We need to enter the Kingdom of God, to walk in the power of God. But how can we enter God’s Kingdom here on earth? One might think long hours of meditation and prayer might be the path to follow. Many eastern religions would certainly say that meditation is a path to higher enlightenment. Is this what the Christ of the Holy Bible teaches? The Kingdom of God is inside of the Christian believer.
Luke 17: 20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
It’s as if we have a precious jewel within us, more priceless and beautiful then any diamond or ruby a person could imagine, and it is closer than the palm of our hand. But we do not know how to gain access to it. So instead we search for treasures of much less value, at a far greater distance, and much more difficult to obtain.
Isaiah 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
We labor for that which satisfieth not, and go to great lengths, to obtain that which has little or no value.
Proverbs 17: 24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
People make long pilgrimages, many times to the most remote places on earth, seeking wisdom, and to perhaps hear a word spoken by a so called, holy man.
Back to how we enter, the Kingdom of God. Jesus had this to say.
Luke 18: 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
Simply, the Kingdom of God is entered by reading the word of God, and then believing what we read. Little children believe what their parents tell them. Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, no matter what they are told, children will believe what they are told by their parents. Unfortunately parents tell their children less than the truth. We have a Father in heaven who cannot lie. The children of Israel could not enter the promised land due to their unbelief. Jesus went on to have this to say about God’s kingdom.
John 3:5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Water here can signify baptism, a sign that we have believed Jesus came to die for our sins. And he mentions being born of the Spirit.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Jesus said to enter the Kingdom we must be born of the Spirit. Peter writes of being born again by God’s word, and Jesus had this to say concerning his word.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Jesus was the Word of God. John 1: 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Everything we know about Jesus, who he was, and what he has done for us, comes from the word of God. Everything we have become through Christ, all the benefits, blessings, inheritance, and power we have as children of God, we learn through the word of God. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the end all and everything to a Christian, and he is the Word of God.
Lets enter into the Kingdom of God, by reading the word of God, and believing, what we read. We are righteous, holy, forgiven, co heirs, possessors of all things, highly favored, richly blessed, sons and daughters of the living God.
Can we feel younger as we grow older?
Is it possible to grow older, and yet feel younger? Man has been in search for the fountain of youth since time began. Science now believes that with the proper diet, nutrient supplements and replacement surgery, a man or woman could possibly live for centuries. I do not believe God wants us to live for hundreds of years. But he does want us to be in good health, youthful and vibrant, for the time we do spend in our physical bodies. How can this be obtained? Is eating right and the proper amount of physical exercise, the key to youthful living as we grow older? Jesus said, John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Satan is the thief who comes to try and steal us of our health, and all the blessing we have in Christ. Back to the question of physical exercise and proper nutrition being the keys to youthful living. Paul stated, 1 Timothy 4:8 “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Physical exercise does profit the body, but little in comparison to the benefits godliness has to our well being. And concerning the proper diet, vitamins, minerals, supplements? Jesus said, Mathew 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” And this also in Mark 7:15 “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” We should be aware of what we put into our bodies, but again, physical exercise and right eating are nothing, in comparison to godliness, to our well being. We need to put our faith in God, and not the things of this world, to keep us healthy and strong. There is no disease or sickness in God’s kingdom. Is it possible to live in God’s kingdom now? Before the return of Jesus? Luke 17:21 “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” The kingdom of God is inside of those who have made Jesus their Lord and Savior. Does that mean we could actually have youthfulness and good health all the days of our life? Deuteronomy 34:7 “And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.” You are probably saying, oh come on, that was Moses, who am I? Luke 7:28 states, “For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” We can do it! We just need to have more faith in God’s word, then in the negative words of this world. Proverbs 18:20-21 “A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Life and death are in the power of God’s word. Isaiah 40:29-31 “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” And in Psalm 103:1-5 we read, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” If we say, I feel old, we will feel old. If we say, I can’t do what I use to, we won’t be able to. Lets let God fulfill his promises, in us. Lets not restrict what God can do for us and through us. Lets not be like the children of Israel. Psalm 78:40-41 “How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.” Lets not limit God! Mark 11:23 “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”
How to know if God is talking to you.
How can we know if God is talking to us? Can we rely on a voice in our head being the Holy Spirit, guiding and directing us? Often I have read or heard someone saying God spoke to them. At times, TV evangelist appear to get a message from God, concerning money or financial advice. They are given a specific dollar amount to collect, that will create some miraculous breakthrough in peoples lives. Pastor and ministries can lead followers down all manner of dead ends, and into many false teachings, by proclaiming they have received a word from God. God is not a distant Father, he delights in talking to his children. I often thought prayer was a very one sided conversation. I spoke to God, and in turn was answered by a room full of silence. This is not the case. If we have been blessed to have earthly fathers who we are close with, and had many personal conversations with, this is how God wants us to talk with him, and how he wants to talk with us. If our earthly father or mother, or grandparent is no longer with us, we might reflect on many of the conversations we had with them, recalling many of the words we said to them, and what they in return spoke to us. God is not at this time with us, in a physical sense. John 4.24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” God is a spirit. He has for now given us his Holy Word, to speak to us in great detail. Through it he can speak to us on almost any topic we could possibly imagine. John 6:3 “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Back to the question of knowing if a voice in our head is from God, Jesus had this to say. John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jesus said if you continue in my word, you shall know the truth. We will know if a thought or voice is truth from God, if it conforms with his word. The more God’s word dwells inside of us, the better we will come to know our Heavenly Father, and our older brother Jesus. What might a conversation with God sound like? Father I’m worried about work. They told us today their will be layoffs announced next week, what if I am one of them? John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” I know, but we just bought this new house, and now this! Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Well that’s what I am doing, but can you give me a sign, will I be laid off? Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” So your saying, even if i am laid off, you can make it work out OK? 2 Corinthians 1:20″ For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” But what about in the mean time? I mean food and gas prices are both going up, and Timmy is going to need new clothes for school. Mathew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Well I know you are right, thanks Dad for reassuring me. One more thing though, tomorrow I have to give a presentation to the board, and I’m worried I might not do well. Mathew 6:34 “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Thanks again Dad, I am going to try and relax and trust that your in control. Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
Coexist
We have all seen the bumper sticker or logo that features all the religions of the world, and spells out the word, coexist. This sounds like a wonderful, utopian idea. If only all the religions of the world could emphasize their similarities, and stop focusing on their differences, perhaps we could have peace and security. I believe the Holy Bible gives a picture of this happening, but the outcome is not what people expect. A charismatic leader, who brings a message of peace and coexistence, may be ready to emerge. What might bring us all together? A doctrine of love, and of working together to finally produce peace and happiness? Is man truly capable of such a religion? And what would this one world religion look like? Will it be harsh and authoritarian? Certainly not at first. I believe it will be as gentle as a dove, and appear to be full of goodness and truth.
2 Corinthians 11:13-1513 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
How can we possibly avoid such deception? It will not be easy.
Mathew 24: 24-25 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.25 Behold, I have told you before.
Here we have the Lord Jesus describing false Christs, and false prophets, showing great signs and wonders, and Paul describes them as appearing as ministers of righteousness. Jesus also added, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Paul tells us their end will be according to their work. I believe this is a major key in recognizing them. They will be preaching a false gospel of salvation, for the planet, and for individuals, through works. This is why a Christian who holds to the truth, that salvation comes only as a gift through faith in the finished work of our Lord Jesus on the cross, will be persecuted. We will be pictured as part of the old age, an age when religious differences brought about war and suffering. The world will be at peace under this new religion, but it will not be a genuine peace, nor a lasting utopia.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
The world will be at apparent peace and safety, and how could anyone not want to be on board, with such miraculous results? Again those that are unable to see the light, Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light, must be dealt with.
John 16:1-3 1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
Revelations 6:9-11 9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Before they would go so far as to put a backward Christian to death, this benevolent religious and political world power, will give all a chance to show their allegiance to its wonderful rule of peace and prosperity.
Revelations 13: 11- 18 11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Verse 13-14 states again, this religious power will deceive them that dwell on the Earth, through the miracles it performs. Verse 15 states, all that would not worship the beast, true Christians, should be killed. And finally, the mark of the beast, would have to do with the number 666.
Exodus 31: 15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
We are in the sabbath day, Jesus has provided a rest for his people,all those who believe he has provided salvation, through his finished work on the cross. The world will be working out their own salvation.
Hebrews 4:10-11 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
God stated back in Exodus, whosoever doeth any work on his sabbath , shall surely be put to death. This will be the challenge we face. This is the second death, that those that fail to receive the greatest gift ever given, will experience. We may have to endure for a moment, the first death, at the hands of the beast. But fear not.
Luke 21:16-19 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
God is not punishing sinners at this time.
God is not judging and condemning people or nations for their sins at this time. I recently heard a preacher on the radio state, if God does not punish the United States for its sins, he owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology. People and nations seem to be sinning more openly and brazenly then ever, but the world has always been in a fallen state,
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
A time is coming when God will pour out his wrath upon an unrepentant world, but thankfully we continue to live in a time of grace.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Now is the day of salvation, not of wrath. John 3:16 may be the most famous and well know verse in the bible, but verse 17 is also significant.
John 3:16-17For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Jesus came not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. It is God’s desire that all mankind receive the gift of salvation.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
God is long suffering, he punished sin on the cross, and has held out his loving hand to all mankind for nearly 2000 years. When Jesus was born the angels proclaimed, Luke 2: 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
God proclaimed peace and good will toward men when Christ was born. That peace, and good will, is still with us today.
If God were to punish sinners himself, then no man could stand before him spotless. It is true that many people who have given their hearts to the Lord sin less then people who have not, but make no mistake, his children stand before him spotless due to the fact that we have been washed clean by the blood of Jesus, and not by our own righteousness. Galatians 2:21 “For if righteousness comes by the law Christ is dead in vain.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
This is the key fact, when God’s long suffering and patience does come to an end, he will not punish the world for their sins, but rather for their sin! All of us deserve to be punished for our sins, Christ was just and suffered for us the unjust. 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.
God is not randomly punishing sinners for their sins. He will one day punish the world for its sin. The sin of not accepting Jesus suffering and death, the sin of not accepting God’s free gift of salvation.
You can be saved, Now!
God wants you to accept his free gift of salvation, right now. You do not need to be in a certain frame of mind, or a particular place in life, all you have to do is ask and receive. It is also important to know, you do not have to be right with God to receive salvation. Do not think, I must clean myself up, and repent of my sinning, before I can receive salvation. Jesus said this in the gospel of Mark,
Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard [it], he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, BUT SINNERS to repentance.
God cannot work with a person that thinks they are good, but rather with a person who recognizes they are a sinner.
Luke 18:10-14 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
You might be thinking, well I am a particularly grievous sinner, no way can I come and ask God for forgiveness. This is what Satan wants you to think. God has this to say,
Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Salvation is a free gift!
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The other extreme that Satan wants you to believe is, you are already pretty good, and don’t have much to repent of.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Jesus came, and did not do away with the law, but rather kept it perfectly, as an example of how incapable we are of keeping it to God’s standards.
How then can you be saved,and sealed for eternity?
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
It is that simple. The Bible from start to finish is a testimony to God saying something in his word, and man choosing whether or not to believe it. If you do not believe Jesus is the Son of God, and died for your sins, and rose from the dead, and sits at the right hand of the Father, then all the good works in the world will not earn you eternal salvation. If you do believe those things, then tell God you believe them, and you will receive the free gift of salvation. When you begin to comprehend how much you are loved, and how good God is, you will begin to want to change your life, of your own free will.
Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
God will now begin to work with you, changing you from the inside out. How do we fully come to know, and understand, how good and gracious God is? Through his word. We begin to take on the mind of Christ, as we fill our minds more with his Spirit, and less and less with the spirit of this world.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
You are now a child of God, read his word and believe, as a little child, all his promises and blessings. If you read about a blessing God has for the righteous, then believe it is now yours, because it is!
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
If you read about a curse God proclaims upon sinners, then know that you are not included, and have no part in it.
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
This is the Good News! You have all the blessings of Christ, and none of the curses of the law, you are a child of God, with all the benefits that come with it! You will begin to have the heart and mind of Christ. And you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! Amen.
Mixing grace with the law.
It is important to remember as Christian’s we are under the new testament covenant of grace, and not mix the free gift of grace with the law. Paul asked the Galatians, ” Are ye so foolish, having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. ” Romans 3:28. Jesus compared mixing faith with works, like mixing leaven into bread. “Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” Matthew 16:12. Their doctrine is still preached today, the doctrine of righteousness through works of our own. Lets look at the difference between being under the law and under grace.
Deuteronomy 21:18-21
18If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:19Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;20And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
Luke 15:11-20
11And he said, A certain man had two sons:12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Under the law, the rebellious son was taken by his parents and stoned to death. Under grace, the same rebellious son is ran to by his father, who throws his arms around him with hugs and kisses.
Lets look at one more example of law and grace.
Leviticus 20:10And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
John 8: 3-11
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Jesus himself wrote the ten commandments on stone, and delivered them to Moses to give to the people. Here, when confronted with the ridged requirements of these same laws, we do not find Jesus pointing to the tablets engraved in stone, instead we find him stooping down and writing in the dust, and showing compassion and forgiveness. Lets all live under that same new covenant of compassion, and trust in the finished work of our Lord, and not mix grace with the law.
Galatians 2: 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Giving thanks.
THE KING AND HIS FRIEND
An African king had a close friend who had the habit of remarking “this
is good”, about every occurrence in life no matter what it was. One day
the king and his friend were out hunting. The king’s friend loaded a
gun and handed it to the king, alas he loaded it wrong , when the
king fired it, his thumb was blown off.
“This is good!” exclaimed his friend.
Horrified and bleeding, the king shouted, “How can this be
good?”, and the king locked his friend in prison.
A year later the king went hunting by himself. Cannibals captured
him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some
wood, set up a stake and bound him to it. As they came near to set fire
to the wood, they noticed the king was missing a thumb. Being
superstitious, they untied the king and sent him on his way.
Full of remorse the king rushed to the prison to release his friend.
“You were right, it was good” the king said.
The king told his friend how the missing thumb saved his life and
added, “I feel so sad that I locked you in jail. What a foolish
thing to do”
“No! this is good!” responded his delighted friend.
“Oh, how could that be good my friend, I did a terrible injustice to you, while I
owe you my very life”.
“It is good” said his friend, “if I were not in jail, I would have been
hunting with you, and I would be dinner!”
Source unknown
Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Can sin seperate us from God?
Sin separates man from God. Can a born again Christian, a son or daughter of God, be separated from God by sin? Jesus said he would never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5. God will never turn his back on us, but we can turn our back on him. When we sin, we are forgiven. Jesus already has paid the price for that sin on the cross. We should not feel ashamed, or dirty, or worthless, because we are not yet perfect. It is Satan that makes us feel that way, not God. After Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, the first thing they did was hide themselves from the presence of God.
Genesis 3: 7And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.8And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden
If we sin, and do not understand that we have already been forgiven, we will also want to hide from God’s holiness. Satan is called the accuser of the brethren. He loves to try and separate us from our Father, and from the Lord Jesus.
Revelations 12: 9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Satan was cast down, when he was defeated at the cross by Jesus sacrifice for us. We hand power over to him, when we let his voice separate us from the love of God. God does not want us to hide from him. Instead he wants us to thank him, that our sins are forgiven, and ask him to help us overcome that area of weakness in our lives.
Hebrews 4: 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Satan wants us to hide from the presence of God after sinning. He wants us to think, we are hopeless sinners, why bother trying, and that God is angry with us. Theses are all lies! Ezekiel 13:22Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:
God tells us to come boldly to the throne of grace. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus for making this possible.
Romans 2:4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
True repentance comes from coming to a full understanding of Jesus complete, full, and finished sacrifice, for all our sins. And for God’s perfect love for us.
Psalm 103: 12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we never again have to be afraid of our Father, and hide ourselves from his presence.
How does God correct us?
How does God correct his Children? Does God correct us by punishing us with physical, emotional or financial trials and adversities? Are sickness and disease, trials and tribulations, God’s way of helping, and correcting us, if and when we go astray?
Psalms 103: 13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
God is our Father, he loves us more perfectly and completely then we love our own children. The above verse says he pitieth his children . He does not look at us, and scrutinize us, and expect us to be perfect, like he is. He remembers that we are but dust.
John 16: 33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Jesus told his disciples in the world there would be tribulations. We are not isolated from every problem in the world, but they are not punishments. God is love and light, and wants us to dwell in his light.
1 John 4: 8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
If any of us have been blessed to be parents, we know we always want the best for our children. God always wants the best for us.
Matthew 7: 11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
What about correction then. We may need to be corrected at times, to help us grow and mature from children, into the kings and priests, our Father intends us to be.
Hebrews 12: 8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
The above verse states God chastens us for our profit, to be partakers of his holiness. How does he go about this chastening?
2 Timothy 3: 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
God does not beat his children, with pain, or sickness, or punishing of any type. Our Father gently corrects us, by sitting down and explaining our errors through his Holy Word. Picture a father who kneels down, takes his son or daughter by the hand, and gently corrects by explaining. You might be thinking, what if the person does not listen! What if this gentle approach is not severe enough to get our attention. If this describes us, the Bible says we are being foolish.
Proverbs 17: 10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
If God were to beat a hard headed person with a hundred stripes, that person will curse God, and become all the more stubborn. This in not our Fathers way.
Romans 2: 4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
It’s God’s goodness, not his sternness, that leads us to want to repent and improve, and become more like he is.
2 Samuel 22:36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Hebrews 4: 12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
God will correct us, encourage us, instruct us, lift us up, and teach us about himself, and about who we are in Christ. All through his Holy Word. We need to spend time in God’s word, to see how good God is, and how much he loves us.
Psalm 119: 105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Saved By Faith In Christ 