The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Free

  • The Marks of a True Believer

    “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”

    John 8:31

    Jesus taught the people the way of salvation – only through true belief in Jesus that brings a change of heart and life (see John 8:1-32). At this point, many believed. “As he spake these words, many believed on him” (John 8:30). This is the first step of salvation. However, Jesus wanted them to understand it was more than a “mental assent” to Jesus. Belief demands a changed life that begins in the heart (see Romans 10:9-10). In these teachings, Jesus taught them much more than the way of salvation. He revealed to them the ways to identify true salvation – in their own lives and even in the lives of others.

    We remembered the step of salvation: “As he spake these words, many believed on him” (John 8:30).

    Jesus continued with the first mark of true salvation: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31). Indeed means “truly; of a surety.” For those who truly give their hearts and lives to Jesus, making Jesus the Lord of that life, it is only natural that one must continue in Jesus’ Word (see 2 Timothy 3:14-17). One must read and learn more about the Bible. As one learns more about the Bible, that life is changed from the inside out. One learns to walk like Jesus (see Colossians 1:10; 2:6-7, and Ephesians 5:8).

    The next thing Jesus emphasized was knowing the truth: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Make you free means “to liberate; the result of redemption.” Knowing the truth of God’s Word gives Christians much freedom. Jesus fulfilled the Law for us, setting us free to walk with Him according to His Word (see James 1:22). Christians are to continue in that liberty. Paul later emphasized the importance of keeping one’s liberty and not returning to the bondage of the Old Testament Law (see Galatians 5:1).

    The Pharisees challenged Jesus: “They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?” (John 8:33). If you know the history of the Israelites at all, this statement might make you laugh. This nation had been in bondage many times through the years. For example, Moses led them out of bondage in Egypt (see Exodus 5-14). Think of the times of the Judges where God had to send deliverers many time to free the from bondage. Even in the days of the Pharisees who challenged Jesus, God’s people were under the bondage of Rome.

    The bondage the Pharisees were referring to was something completely different than what Jesus was trying to get them to understand. “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34). Jesus came to set them free from the law of sin and death (see Romans 8:2). With that freedom comes an understanding that we are to no longer be servants of sin. Later, Paul taught more on this subject (see Romans 6:12-14). All of Romans chapter six will help in the understanding of the importance of not allowing sin to rule a Christian’s life. Christians are to yield to righteousness.

    Jesus taught that true Christians will hear God’s Word: “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:47). People had come to Jesus before this to hear the Word of God (see Luke 5:1). Jesus later calls Christians His sheep: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). We know that the Bible is the Word of God.

    A Believer must keep His Word, for it is a proof of the salvation in the heart. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death” (John 8:51). Why is it so important to keep His Word? “21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23. Jesus answered and said unto him,If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:21-24). Manifest means “to disclose (by words): appear, declare (plainly), inform.” Not only does keeping His Word show that we love Him, but Jesus said He would manifest Himself to those who keep His Word. Obedience to God’s Word is a key mark of one who is a true Believer (see 1 John 2:3-6).

    When others see you, do they find the marks of a true Believer?

  • God Loves You

    “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
    Romans 5:8

    What does it mean when someone says that God loves you?

    Paul was zealous for God. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees (this means he was very religious!). He knew God’s Word – better than most people. He went to the Temple (church to us today) all of the time. And when there was a new Way (Christianity) in town, he fought against it. Read what Paul wrote, “13. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14. And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers” (Galatians 1:13-14). In his persecution of the church of God, he even imprisoned those who believed in Jesus.

    Paul went on a special trip to find more of those who believed in Jesus, when he met Jesus for himself. He found out just how much God loved him. See how he understood what Jesus did for him: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God showed Paul how much He loved him by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for Paul, a sinner. That changed Paul’s life! He no longer went about persecuting those who gave their hearts and lives to Jesus, he became one of the most well known preachers in the New Testament! He completely changed.

    Paul penned the book of Romans for us to read. Within that book, one cannot help but recognize the sinfulness of people, the penalty of death for each person because of that sin, and the need of the Saviour, Jesus (the only One who can take away that penalty of sin). He explained the reason Jesus came into this world. Remember that God gave His Son, because He loves you!

    With that thought in mind, see the following: “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” (2 Peter 3:9). God is waiting for you to come to repentance and know His Son, Jesus.

    When should you answer His call? “(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.)” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Today is that day. Do not wait! 

    Read the following message Paul preached to those who placed their faith and trust in Jesus: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Romans 6: 22).

    Now can you see just how much God loves you?

    How to be Saved

  • Lesson 13 (Lesson 26): Jesus in the Old Testament: Jesus Fulfilled the Law

    Key Verse

    “2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”  Romans 8:2-3

    Read the Key Verse with them.  Help them understand that Jesus set us free from the law that condemned us to death because of our sins.  We could never fulfill that law, but Jesus did and paid the penalty to save our life.

    Summary:  We have been learning about the first five books in the Old Testament, the books we call The Law.  In those books we watched as God gradually, over time, revealed himself to mankind.  He allowed us to see that He is perfect and sinless, and also, we saw just how sinful man is.  God showed from the beginning that it took the shedding of blood to cover man’s sins.  He, at the same time, revealed that He would one day send the perfect once and for all sacrifice to take away man’s sin.  Today, we see in Hebrews 10, that that law was just a picture to help us understand just what it was that Jesus had to fulfill completely in order to take away our sins.  When we accept the gift God gave us in His Son, Jesus, he then writes His law on our hearts.  Then we have no excuse.  We know.  We are to live our lives pleasing God.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  In the books of the law, we saw the importance of recognizing sin and even the cost of sin – the shedding of blood.  It was just a picture for us to understand what Jesus one day did on the cross.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 26 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 26 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For this lesson I cut out a very large heart out of construction paper (as big as the whole sheet).  We then cut out some preprinted verses (that I had made) and glued them on the heart.  We then added stickers of different verses (purchased through Oriental Trading).  The idea is to remind them of the importance of hiding God’s Word in our hearts (memorizing Scripture verses).

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural. Today, have them draw a large heart and write some of God’s commands on it to remind them that we are to write God’s Word on our heart so that we won’t sin against Him. You may also want to let them make a Bible marker with Psalm 119:11 on it to keep in their Bibles to help them remember to hide God’s word in their hearts.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.