Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” [1]
“The emphasis is on the fact that children will receive and don’t feel they have to earn everything they get. Children are in a place where often all they can do is receive. They don’t refuse gifts out of self-sufficient pride. So we must receive the kingdom of God as a little child – because we surely will by no means enter it by what we do or earn. We must come to God with a faith that trusts God just like a little child trusts his father – and leave all the problems up to daddy.” [2]
Jesus told a highly educated theologian named Nicodemus, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” [3]
“Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus shattered the Jewish assumption that their racial identity – their old birth – assured them a place in God’s Kingdom. Jesus made it plain that a man’s first birth does not assure him of the kingdom; only being born again gives this assurance.
Being born again isn’t simply a moral or religious reform, but the bringing of new life. To belong to the heavenly kingdom, one must be born into it. This isn’t something that we can do to ourselves.” [4]
“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’” [5]
“Jesus was emphatic in saying that man does not need reformation, but a radical conversion by the Spirit of God. We must be born of water and the Spirit.
No man in the world can make himself to be born of God; though he should struggle never so much, he could never accomplish what is beyond his power. (Spurgeon)
Without the new birth of the Spirit, the flesh taints all works of righteousness. Yet, everything that a Spirit-led man does can be pleasing to God.” [6]
“Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” [7]
[1] Mark 10:15
[2] Enduring Word Commentary
[3] John 3:3
[4] Enduring Word Commentary
[5] John 3:5-6
[6] Enduring Word Commentary
[7] 2 Corinthians 5:17
Friday, May 15, 2015
Monday, May 4, 2015
Divine Revelation in the Last Days
Have you ever experienced a light bulb moment? The dictionary defines a light bulb moment as a moment of sudden inspiration, revelation, or recognition.
Simon Peter had a light bulb moment when he confessed faith in Christ. Flesh and blood did not reveal the deity of Christ to Peter. The Heavenly Father did. [1]
Do you know for certain that Christ is the Son of God? There is a huge difference between knowing about Christ and knowing Christ.
One day, many followers of Jesus forsook Him. This falling away is recorded in John 6:66. Is it coincidence that 666 is the number of the anti-Christ? [2] Don’t ever forsake the Lord. Follow Him!
Jesus asked His remaining disciples if they would leave Him too. [3] Peter replied to Jesus, “You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that You are the Holy One of God.” [4] Notice, Peter said, “We believe and KNOW that You are the Holy One of God.” Do you believe and KNOW that Jesus is the Holy One of God?
I cannot think of a worse scenario than to know information about Jesus but not KNOW Him as Lord and Savior. Knowing information about Jesus does not save you. Jesus does. Many know about God, but they do not know Him. They have the right book and the right God but lack divine revelation.
The first sign Jesus gave His disciples of the end times was, “Watch out that no one deceives you.” [5] Jesus warned that many would come in His Name and claim to be the Messiah. [6] These deceptions flow from the deceiver and his minions. The first four words that the evil one spoke to our first mother, Eve, were, “Did God really say?” [7] Jesus called the devil a murderer and the father of lies. [8] Jesus said that he is a thief who steals, kills, and destroys. [9]
Satan’s propaganda against God and the Bible are strong because his time is short. He wants the world to be a culture of lies against God and His people. But Satan will fail. The Lord will throw him into the lake of fire. [10]
How fitting that the last book of the Bible is entitled, “Revelation.” Revelation means to uncover, unveil, and reveal. We need revelation from Jesus to know and stand for the truth. The reason Jesus gave us the book of Revelation is to help us stand for God during the last days. The Book of Revelation begins with these words: “The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place.” [11] Jesus said we will be blessed if we read Revelation aloud and take it to heart. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” [12]
As far as true and false prophecy goes, the Bible says that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” [13] A true prophet of God will tell people to witness for Jesus. The Church functions as a prophet when it calls people to believe in Christ.
Paul said that God revealed Christ to him so that he could reveal Christ to the nations. [14]
Christ revealed Himself to me when I was nineteen. My first light bulb moment was when I declared Jesus as my Lord and me as His servant. After that, when I read the Bible, I could understand and enjoy it. After that, I knew that the trees, grass, and squirrels were God’s creation. The Bible says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. [15] God’s creation speaks day and night for Him.
Have you experienced a light bulb moment from Jesus?
The Bible says that “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love Him. God reveals these things to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” [16]
Would you like to see things that your eyes have not seen? Would you like to hear things your ear has not heard? Would you like to receive thoughts that never came to your mind before? The Bible says that no one knows the thoughts of God except His Spirit.
Salvation is meant to be only the first of many light bulb moments from God. He wants to keep revealing His thoughts and ways to us. God wants to reveal Himself to us so that we can reveal Him to others. Are you willing to reveal what you know about God with others?
Many people in our neighborhoods are in the dark. They need us to turn the light on for them. Let’s do it! Amen.
[1] Matthew 16:17
[2] Revelation 13:18
[3] John 6:67
[4] John 6:68-69
[5] Matthew 24:4
[6] Matthew 24:5
[7] Genesis 3:1
[8] John 8:44
[9] John 10:10
[10] Revelation 20:10
[11] Revelation 1:1
[12] Revelation 1:3
[13] Revelation 19:10
[14] Galatians 1:16
[15] Psalm 19:1-3
[16] 1 Corinthians 2:9-11
Simon Peter had a light bulb moment when he confessed faith in Christ. Flesh and blood did not reveal the deity of Christ to Peter. The Heavenly Father did. [1]
Do you know for certain that Christ is the Son of God? There is a huge difference between knowing about Christ and knowing Christ.
One day, many followers of Jesus forsook Him. This falling away is recorded in John 6:66. Is it coincidence that 666 is the number of the anti-Christ? [2] Don’t ever forsake the Lord. Follow Him!
Jesus asked His remaining disciples if they would leave Him too. [3] Peter replied to Jesus, “You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that You are the Holy One of God.” [4] Notice, Peter said, “We believe and KNOW that You are the Holy One of God.” Do you believe and KNOW that Jesus is the Holy One of God?
I cannot think of a worse scenario than to know information about Jesus but not KNOW Him as Lord and Savior. Knowing information about Jesus does not save you. Jesus does. Many know about God, but they do not know Him. They have the right book and the right God but lack divine revelation.
The first sign Jesus gave His disciples of the end times was, “Watch out that no one deceives you.” [5] Jesus warned that many would come in His Name and claim to be the Messiah. [6] These deceptions flow from the deceiver and his minions. The first four words that the evil one spoke to our first mother, Eve, were, “Did God really say?” [7] Jesus called the devil a murderer and the father of lies. [8] Jesus said that he is a thief who steals, kills, and destroys. [9]
Satan’s propaganda against God and the Bible are strong because his time is short. He wants the world to be a culture of lies against God and His people. But Satan will fail. The Lord will throw him into the lake of fire. [10]
How fitting that the last book of the Bible is entitled, “Revelation.” Revelation means to uncover, unveil, and reveal. We need revelation from Jesus to know and stand for the truth. The reason Jesus gave us the book of Revelation is to help us stand for God during the last days. The Book of Revelation begins with these words: “The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place.” [11] Jesus said we will be blessed if we read Revelation aloud and take it to heart. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” [12]
As far as true and false prophecy goes, the Bible says that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” [13] A true prophet of God will tell people to witness for Jesus. The Church functions as a prophet when it calls people to believe in Christ.
Paul said that God revealed Christ to him so that he could reveal Christ to the nations. [14]
Christ revealed Himself to me when I was nineteen. My first light bulb moment was when I declared Jesus as my Lord and me as His servant. After that, when I read the Bible, I could understand and enjoy it. After that, I knew that the trees, grass, and squirrels were God’s creation. The Bible says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. [15] God’s creation speaks day and night for Him.
Have you experienced a light bulb moment from Jesus?
The Bible says that “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love Him. God reveals these things to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” [16]
Would you like to see things that your eyes have not seen? Would you like to hear things your ear has not heard? Would you like to receive thoughts that never came to your mind before? The Bible says that no one knows the thoughts of God except His Spirit.
Salvation is meant to be only the first of many light bulb moments from God. He wants to keep revealing His thoughts and ways to us. God wants to reveal Himself to us so that we can reveal Him to others. Are you willing to reveal what you know about God with others?
Many people in our neighborhoods are in the dark. They need us to turn the light on for them. Let’s do it! Amen.
[1] Matthew 16:17
[2] Revelation 13:18
[3] John 6:67
[4] John 6:68-69
[5] Matthew 24:4
[6] Matthew 24:5
[7] Genesis 3:1
[8] John 8:44
[9] John 10:10
[10] Revelation 20:10
[11] Revelation 1:1
[12] Revelation 1:3
[13] Revelation 19:10
[14] Galatians 1:16
[15] Psalm 19:1-3
[16] 1 Corinthians 2:9-11
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)