The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Friends

  • Circles of the Christian Life

    “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

    2 Peter 3:18

    Consider ther following:

    Just as there are different growing stages for people, there should be different phases in a Christian’s life. Just as one does not want a baby to remain a baby but to grow up into a productive adult, so Christ would have His people not remain babes in Christ, but to grow. “But grow in grace, and inthe knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him beglory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). Life does not stand still. Therefore, Christians should continually grow. If they do not, they will begin to slide backward in that life in Christ. One way of looking at these different stages of growth in Christianity is to consider circles of nearness to Christ, Jesus being the center.

    Remember the five hundred who saw Jesus at once after His resurrection (see 1 Corinthians 15:6). Jesus revealed Himself to them. They were “brethren” who had believing faith in Christ. These could be included in an “outer circle of faith” – belonging to Him, yet far from Him. These could be compared to Christians in the church today who have believing faith, but do not walk in nearness to Christ. They are saved, maybe read the Bible occasionally, attend church, but that is pretty much it in their relationship with Christ. Much like a babe who hasn’t yet grown.

    Consider also the seventy whom Jesus sent forth to tell the people that the “Kingdom of God” had come near to them – for Jesus was there (see Luke 10:1-11). The people needed to receive Jesus as their Saviour. This seventy were ones who were trustworthy to be sent forth. They were worthy of service for Jesus, for they walked with Him. Today in churches, there are those who have a regular, faithful walk with Jesus worthy of being available servants to bring people to Jesus for salvation. These are in the closer circle where Jesus is in the center.

    We come to an even closer circle around Jesus. These were the twelve that Jesus called out to walk with Him for over three years during His ministry (see Matthew 10:1-7). They walked and talked with Jesus daily. These were Jesus’ friends. They would continue, becoming fit leaders for the new church, after Jesus’ ascension. Today, there are those who are not only saved, walk daily with Jesus, and are worthy to be leaders and teachers in the churches. They can also be called Jesus’ friends. “14.Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:14-15). These Christians are more like Christ because they are in that next ring of the circle – closer to Jesus.

    You then have a smaller, inner group that Jesus called apart at specific times to teach them things they would need to know in order to serve Him and lead others after He ascended. These were Peter, James, and John. They especially witnessed Jesus’ power over death (see Mark 5:22-24, 35-43). They observed a glimpse of Jesus in His glory (see Luke 9:28-36). These were the same three whom Jesus took to the garden that final night to pray. They did not quite measure up to what Jesus had wanted – for they fell asleep three times! Yet Jesus continued to teach them. These three continued serving Jesus after His ascension. Remember Peter’s amazing sermon at Pentecost (see Acts 2:14-40). “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). Many came to know Jesus because Peter was faithful. James became a martyr for His faith (see Acts 12:1-2). James was faithful to the death. John was the only Apostle who did not die a martyr’s death. He lived to record the book of Revelation for us to read today. Those who faithfully walk with Jesus, reading His Word, are able to reach a level of maturity where they can know Jesus and lead others to do the same.

    There is then the smallest circle of one on one with Christ. John is one to consider to have attained this continual faithfulness with Christ. When all of the disciples fled from Jesus the night He was arrested, there was one who remained – John (see John 18:15). He is the only disciple mentioned that was at the foot of the cross. He was the one whom Jesus asked to take care of His mother (see John 19:26-27). The love of Christ was predominant in that man’s life (see 1 John 4).

    • Are you saved, only having a saving faith, much like the five hundred?
    • Have you grown enough to bring someone else to Jesus as the seventy?
    • Do you walk in fellowship with Jesus daily, becoming His friend, as the group of twelve?
    • Are you one like the inner group of three, continually learning from Jesus and serving Him?
    • Has the love of Christ become predominant in your life?

    Having considered these things, in which circle do you fit?

    What can you do to advance to that innermost circle?

  • Jesus’ Prayer

    “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

    John 15:13

    We have heard all of our lives that God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to save us from our sin. But have you ever thought about how Jesus felt on the eve of that event? Consider Jesus’ prayer as He was about to give up His life – for us. As we read the prayer from His heart (see John 17), recognize how His heart was opened up and revealed for us to understand His heart’s desire as He prayed to His Father. If you take time to look back at Psalm 22, one can understand that Jesus knew of the suffering He was about to endure on the cross for our sins. This will help us understand more clearly the love Jesus had for us, His friends. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

    Understanding the suffering death He was about to endure, Jesus did just what we have learned that we should do – He took the issues of His heart to God. “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:1). (Preparationsmeans “preparing for a particular purpose”.) Jesus’ heart was preparing for the task at hand. “1. These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:1–4). Glorifymeans “to reveal the divine character and attributes of God”. (See John 2:11; John 11:40; John 12:23-35; John 13:31-32 of a few instances where Jesus glorified God.)

    Remember: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18). Jesus understood this and mentioned it in His prayer. He understood that His life here on this earth was to reveal God to man. “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” (John 1:14). The only way the world could be saved was to know God and what He did for mankind (sending His Son to be the propitiation for our sins). “9. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9–10). (Propitiation is “the means of putting away sin and establishing righteousness—only by Jesus presented as the righteous one, making payment for sin; once and for all”.) This was the work that God sent Jesus to do.

    Think about some of the finished work of Christ when He came. His miracles and messages, the training of His disciples for future work, and ultimately the required sacrifice. “11. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12. But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13. From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified… 17. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:11-14, 17-18). (See also Hebrews 9:24-28.)

    Recognizing this, we must understand that because of this finished work, Believers can have the gift of eternal life. “2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:2-3).

    Something exciting to consider: Believers are the Father’s gift to His Son, Jesus (see John 17:2, 6, 9, 11-12, 24 and especially notice that Believers today are included in John 17:20). We remember God’s gift to us (see John 3:16). But it should be special to us that we are God’s gift to His Son, Jesus. The only work we can do to achieve this status is found in John 6:29: “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” We must believe on Jesus.

    Have you believed, receiving the gift of eternal life, becoming one that Jesus prayed for in the garden?

    Have you become a gift from God to Jesus?

    http://biblicalpath.com/index.php/how-to-be-saved/

  • Do You Confess, or Deny Jesus?

    “32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”
    Matthew 10:32-33

    As you read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you learn of Jesus’ Teachings. More than that, as you read of Jesus’ Miracles, one can see the compassion of Jesus and the call to faith – to believe in Jesus. In Jesus’ Parables, He specifically wanted to teach His followers about heavenly things. However, more than that, in those parables, there was another call for a time of decision – to follow Jesus and His teachings, or to refuse them and thereby reject Him.

    But did all believe? “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him” (John 12:37). Many did not believe though they saw many great miracles. Often times, those who did believe were afraid to admit that belief in Jesus. “42. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43). Notice the reason those who believed because of Jesus’ words but were hesitant to admit that belief. They were afraid of their “friends” or “colleagues,” the Pharisees. It is important to recognize that no one should be afraid to acknowledge their belief in Jesus – no matter what one’s friends might say. (Remember what Jesus said in the book of Matthew. “32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” Matthew 10:32-33.) 

    See how Jesus responded to the lack of any of the chief rulers to confess. (Confess “means to agree with; confess publicly, acknowledge openly; profess ‘the Lord being Jesus.’”)  As you continue reading, see that Jesus cried out. One can almost sense His frustration in consistently declaring the truth, yet the refusal of most to act upon it. “44. Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world” (John 12:44-47). Understand that Jesus directed the people’s attention to God. When the people saw Jesus, they were in fact seeing God – for Jesus had come to the earth to be revealed to mankind, as the “light into the world” for He had the words of life – if only one would hear them. However, if one refused, read what He declared. “48. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak” (John 12:48-50).

     God knew their hearts. If they rejected Jesus, God would judge them one day. Notice that Jesus declared that He spoke the words of God to the people.

    The following is a great example of one who heard of Jesus, went to see Him, and openly believed. We can read of this man, named Zacchaeus. Most people remember the children’s song that tells of him. And it is quite accurate with what the Bible teaches us. Jesus was passing through Jericho. “And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich” (Luke 19:2). He was a short man who could not see Jesus as He passed because of the crowd. So, “he climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see. And as the Saviour passed that way, He looked up in that tree, and He said, ‘Zacchaeus, you come down. For I’m going to your house today.’” Jesus went to his house, and Zacchaeus believed in Jesus. We understand this because Jesus declared, “This day is salvation come to this house …” (Luke 19:9b). Jesus added something very important for all to remember. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Remember that this is why Jesus came into the world.

    Have you openly believed in Jesus, or are you like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day who were afraid?

    How to be Saved

  • Believe, by Faith

    “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
    Acts 15:11

    Jesus’ ministry began shortly after John the Baptist introduced Jesus saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29b). Then “… Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). There were many facets of Jesus’ ministry. Not only did he preach repentance to the people, but he healed many as well. “35. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:35-36). The words moved with compassion means “from the bowels; to feel deeply; to yearn, have compassion, pity.” Jesus saw the need of the people. However, especially notice that it took a decision on the part of the person, or persons, involved – to believe or not to believe. Remember: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

    Sometimes after Jesus healed someone, He would say to tell no one. However, oftentimes the one healed told everyone – insomuch that Jesus could not enter into the city for the crowds that wanted to see Him. This hindered Jesus’ ability to preach. “1. And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them” (Mark 2:1-2). Soon the crowds heard He was in town and went to find Him. “3. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:3-5). Four friends brought a man sick of the palsy to Jesus to be healed. Palsy means “the loss of motor power in the muscles or the voluntary muscular motion; equivalent to motor paralysis.” These friends lowered the sick man (who could not come on his own) through the roof because there were too many people in the house. Nevertheless, Jesus saw their faith. Faith means “faith in Christ to be able to work miracles or to heal the sick.” Do you remember what Jesus went about preaching? Repent. Repent means “to change the mind; regret or sorrow, accompanied by a true change of heart toward God; sorrow for unbelief and sin and turning from them unto God and the gospel of Christ.” Jesus wanted the people to turn from their sin. Therefore, he forgave those who came to Him in faith.   

    “But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7. Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:6). These scribes understood that it was only the Lord, “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases” (Psalm 103:3). Yet, they witnessed Jesus declare this man’s sins were forgiven. “8. And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9. Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10. But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11. I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion” (Mark 2:7-12).

    When Jesus forgave that man’s sins, the scribes were “reasoning in their hearts.” Amazingly, Jesus knew their thoughts and answered their unspoken questions. Remember: God knows all. In addition, to show these unbelieving religious leaders He had the ability to not only heal but also forgive sins, Jesus told the man to take up his bed and walk. And he did. All were amazed at this healing.

    Christians understand that sinners must be brought to Jesus. Just as these four friends brought their friend to meet Jesus, we, too, must bring our friends to Jesus. However, most importantly, we must understand that although the four friends brought this man with palsy to Jesus, this man had to decide for himself. He had to have faith in Jesus, believing His words. When the man obeyed, he was healed. It was not his friends’ faith that saved him. It was incumbent upon that man to decide whether he believed Jesus’ word or not. He had to act upon the word of Jesus. When he immediately arose, took up his bed, and went forth – that showed his faith in Jesus. No one had ever seen anything like that before.

    Remembering that Jesus came to provide salvation, if you do not tell your friends about Jesus, who will?

    How to be Saved