The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Gospel

  • Hold Fast

    “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”
    Hebrews 10:23

    Have you ever had someone make fun of you, or laugh, at you because you have chosen to live a Christian life? Have you especially noticed it when you attempt to tell someone about Jesus? Although it may be hard to understand why this happens, we are to try to share what we do know of the Gospel message with those who need it. As we tell them about Jesus, we are to recognize that many will not comprehend what we are telling them. The world we live in today is ruled by the devil. God has given him temporary domain. Jesus described the devil in the following: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). We should not be surprised when the world is full of people who do not see a problem with mocking, laughing, or insulting others – especially when that one has Biblical convictions. We are warned that some will speak lies about those who live faithfully for Jesus. Those people follow the ways of the devil, the prince of the power of the air. However, remember the following: “2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others” (Ephesians 2:2-3). Keep in mind that you too, before becoming a Christian, walked in the ways of the world. It is then that we should have an even deeper burden to tell them about Jesus. Remember that is what Christians are to do. “14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15. And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:14-15). A preacher here means “to herald (as a public crier) especially divine truth (the Gospel message of Jesus).” All Christians are to tell others about Jesus.

    However, some will not hear this message. They feel there is no place in their hearts or minds for the Gospel message of Jesus. Why is this? “3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Because Satan (the devil) does not want anyone to believe in the glorious Gospel of Christ.

    What is one to do in this situation? “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” (Hebrews 10:23). The word faithful means “constant in the performance of duties or services – like a faithful servant.” In addition, the word faithful means “as God with His promises.” When we understand the faithfulness of God, it helps us as we “hold fast the profession of our faith.” That means we have, and retain, the faith we have of the Gospel of Jesus (that He died to cleanse us from our sin). We are to do this without “wavering.” The word wavering in this verse means “steady, without giving way.” Understanding this should help us not be concerned when others do not understand our desire to live a life pleasing to Jesus. Christians are to remain faithful in our obedience to God and His Word – even when it may seem difficult. There are many examples of faithful Believers listed in Hebrews chapter eleven (the chapter following this verse that reminds us of the importance of holding fast the profession of our faith without wavering). This chapter is often called the “Hall of Faith” because of the many faithful listed there. Anytime one needs encouragement to be faithful, go and reread Hebrews 11 – you cannot help but be encouraged!

    Have you committed to be faithful to the Lord, no matter what may happen?

    How to be Saved

  • The Mystery of All Times

    “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
    I Timothy 3:16

    At some point in one’s life, a person become cognizant that there is something off – that they may be a good person, but that it isn’t enough in the grand scheme of things. They begin to recognize sin. Sin means “missing the true goal and scope of life; offense in relation to God with the emphasis on the resulting guilt. See Romans 3:23.” The realization of sin (and the conviction that follows) may come through a dream, a crisis in one’s life, a “light-bulb” moment (a time when something you heard before is suddenly understood), a conversation, a world-event, a simple call (that recognition of personal sin) during a reading of God’s Word, or many other instances. Keep in mind that at this point, reason may try to set in, justification in one’s mind. Sometimes they are words from loved ones declaring that this is a “crazy” idea – not acceptable in the world today. They may have you consider your future – job, family, your lifestyle, etc. There may be many who try to dissuade you! They may even give you an “alternate solution” for your current conviction; to challenge its reality and validity (some may mock by saying that the Bible is a book of myths and legends, and that no one should believe it). However, there must be a certain amount of understanding of the life choices one makes – the penalty for sin and the reward for Faith.

    When one feels this “bothering” (conviction of sin), they need to understand why. One should search out this matter, understanding the mystery behind it: the greatest mystery of all time, which many do not understand — because it must be revealed to them. What is this great mystery? “26. Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26-27). Notice that this great mystery has only been made known to “his saints” (Christians, those who trust in Jesus). It has been hidden from everyone else (the lost, those who are not Christians – those apart from Christ), and they cannot understand this mystery. This lack of understanding is the condition of one who becomes under conviction of sin. It is important that one set out to understand this great mystery. 

    The question is, “How does one understand the great mystery of all times and the things of God?”

    It is important for that one who feels this conviction to go to one that can help him find the answer to this mystery – a Christian; one who has God’s Word, the Bible. What does this person have the ability to do? “25. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith” (Romans 16:25-26). Only by the gospel message of Jesus Christ being preached (declared from the Bible by individuals) can this great mystery be understood. It is revealed in Jesus and made known to us through the Scriptures. And the desire to discover the answer comes with that conviction. “44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:44-45). Anyone who is drawn by God wants to know this great mystery. It is then that the search begins. That is when the mystery will be revealed: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (I Timothy 3:16)

    Jesus is the answer to the greatest mystery of all times.

    Have you the desire to search out the greatest mystery of all times?

    How to be Saved

  • A New Creature

    “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
    2 Corinthians 5:17

    Have you ever heard something that scared you? I mean really scared you?! What do you think of the following?  “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). Believing in Jesus, having eternal life sounds wonderful! But did you notice the second part of that verse? If one does not believe in Jesus, they won’t see life (won’t live with Him for eternity). However, the worst part is the final part of that verse. If one doesn’t believe in Jesus, the “wrath of God abideth on him.” What an awful thought!

    If that doesn’t scare you, try this one. “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2). There is so much more to believing in Jesus than just saying you believe in Jesus. Notice that in that verse it said the Gospel was preached (the Gospel message is that all are sinners and Jesus died on the cross to take away that sin). Did you also notice that the same Gospel that was preached did not profit some of them? What made the difference? In some of them, it was not “mixed with faith in them that heard.”

    One problem is that many say, and really think, that they believe in Jesus. However, one must really understand what that means. Hearing and saying one believes is not enough. The missing part is that it has to be mixed with faith when one hears. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). The whole chapter of Hebrews 11 reveals people who pleased God because of the faith they had in them (the faith of the Gospel message). That faith was revealed in their lives. The people listed in that chapter had forsaken the old way of life (living according to the world) and had lived a new life pleasing God. This change is revealed in the following verse: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). One who has the faith to be saved must completely forsake the old life in every way. That one can then live a new life in Christ.

    Have you believed the Gospel message having it mixed with faith?

    Are you a new creature living a new life in Christ?

    How to be Saved