The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Jesus

  • Christmas Time

    “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
    Luke 2:10

    This has been another crazy year. Many things continue to feel uncertain. So much has changed. It is hard to believe that the year 2021 is almost over. Does it feel like Christmas time?

    Have you ever watched A Charlie Brown Christmas? As it opens, Charlie Brown is declaring to Linus, “I think there must be something wrong with me. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel. I just don’t understand Christmas, I guess.” He then continues by telling Linus all of the things he likes about the Christmas season, but that he still isn’t happy. “I always end up feeling depressed,” declares Charlie Brown. Linus tells Charlie Brown that only he could turn a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem.

    If you remember how the show progresses, Charlie Brown is in charge of the Christmas program. He finds that everything he does turns into a disaster. In the midst of it all, he declares that he really doesn’t know what Christmas is all about. He then cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who can tell me what Christmas is all about?!”

    Linus steps up declaring that he knows what Christmas is all about. One should remember what Linus quotes to everyone who is there: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:8-14).

    Most people in the world today seem to forget: What Christmas is all about. In the cartoon A Charlie Brown Christmas, the point is made. It is not the giving and receiving of Christmas gifts, the sending of Christmas cards, the commercialism that Christmas has become, and not even the Christmas programs that people try to make happen. The simplicity of the Christmas message is lost on the masses. It is purely what the angels told the shepherds in the field that night so long ago: “For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ” The good tiding of great joy was the birth of Jesus, the Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. One must understand that Christmas is about the greatest gift ever given: Jesus. God so loved us that He sent His only Son. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God revealed His love for us by sending His only Son to die for our sin. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Then one must believe that Jesus did die to pay the penalty for our sin. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). He came to die (because of our sin), so that we could have life (because we cannot pay the penalty for our sin). Whoever will believe in Him, though they were dead in their sins and trespasses, yet shall he live. (Remember what Jesus declared to Martha, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” John 11:25.) Each person must understand that Christmas is remembering the giving of the greatest gift. God gave His only Son, Jesus. What is one to do with that important information? “9. 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” (Romans 10:9-10). This message of Jesus is the tidings of great joy! To all people!

    This gift is available to anyone. But this gift must be received by one who would only believe.

    Do you know what Christmas is all about?

    Have you received God’s gift (Jesus) into your heart and life?

    How to be Saved

  • The Heart of the Matter

    “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!”
    Deuteronomy 5:29

    Do you remember the first murderer in the Bible? His name was Cain. He had a brother named Able. We do not read much about them, but what we do find in God’s Word should help us much if we will only understand.

    “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD” (Genesis 4:3). We read that Cain understood he was to bring an offering before God, so he brought an offering. “And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering” (Genesis 4:4). Abel, too, understood he was to bring an offering. However, we can read a difference. The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. Why? “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4). There is something very important to consider here. One must remember that God does not only look upon outward actions, He looks upon the attitude of the heart. Remember what we can read: “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Man looks on the outside, God looks on the heart.

    God knew Cain’s heart. God knew Abel’s heart. It is always a heart issue with God. We can see what comes from Cain’s heart as we continue to remember. “But unto Cain and to his offering he (God) had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell” (Genesis 4:5). Cain was angry. Read the warning God gave Cain: “6. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7. If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Genesis 4:6-7). If Cain would respond correctly to God, he would be accepted of God. On the converse, if he did not respond correctly sin lie at the door. Cain had a choice: To obey God, or allow the sin to rule his life.

    Read what Cain chose: “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him” (Genesis 4:8). He chose to kill his brother, Abel. When God came to him, he immediately had a choice. He could confess and ask forgiveness. “And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). Do you think God would have forgiven Cain if he had only asked? Remember: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Instead, Cain lied to God. “And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden” (Genesis 4:16). Cain chose to leave God.

    See what Jesus said about Abel in the New Testament: “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar” (Matthew 23:35). Jesus declared Abel was righteous. Next, read some insight we gain on Cain in the New Testament: “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous” (1 John 3:12). Cain was of the wicked one, Satan, and he killed his brother because he chose his own works, which were evil.

    Remember what God later told Moses: “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!” (Deuteronomy 5:29).

    Have you realized that God sees the heart and not the outward acts of your attempts at righteousness?

    How to be Saved

  • A Personal Testimony

    “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
    John 14:6

    There was a very religious man, a Pharisee, named Saul. He witnessed an amazing defense of the Gospel Message of Jesus by Stephen that ended in Stephen’s death. When Saul heard of this new “way,” he actively sought to stop it. Although this may have sounded commendable, he was wrong in his thinking. Saul set out to persecute this new way, putting people in prison (see Acts 8:3). However, in reality, see what this caused: “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).

    Saul received special permission to go to Damascus to bring any of “this way,” bound to Jerusalem. As he went, he saw a great light and heard Someone call out his name. When Saul asked who it was, he found out it was Jesus, the one whom Saul was persecuting. When he heard from Jesus, Himself, Saul had much to consider. Jesus told him, to go to the city and wait (see Acts 9:6b). Saul went to the city and waited. “And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink” (Acts 9:9).

    The Lord sent a certain disciple named Ananias to see Saul. Saul received his sight, and more importantly, he received Jesus into his heart and life. Soon, he was no longer called Saul, but Paul. He became a voice preaching the truth of Jesus. He recorded much of the New Testament for us to read today.

    Later, when he was given the opportunity to share just what had happened to him before a great crowd of people (who wanted to kill him), see how he did this.  

    • Paul briefly reminded them of the sinner he was,
    • He spent time explaining the specific call Jesus made to him,
    • He told of his personal response,
    • Then, he told of the particular job Jesus gave to Paul to accomplish with his life. 
    • Paul briefly reminded them of the sinner he was:

    “1. Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you … 3. I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. 4. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5. … and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished” (Acts 22:1-5). Gamaliel was a doctor of the Law of Moses, and he had at one time been Paul’s teacher. Remember Paul was one of the religious leaders that had hated the Christians. Before Jesus called Paul, Paul persecuted any who believed or taught of “this way.” “This way” in verse 4 refers to what Jesus had said in John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  Jesus is The Way. 

    • He spent time explaining the specific call Jesus made to him & he told of his personal response:

    “6. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8. And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 9. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. 10. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. 11. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. 12. And one Ananias, a devout man … 13. Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.” (Acts 22:6-15). 

    • And then the particular job Jesus gave to Paul to accomplish with his life:

    Paul (Saul) was saved when Jesus called him, and he responded to that call. However, God had a job for him to do. “18. And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. … 21. And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles” (Acts 22:17-21).  Jesus called Paul, he believed and was saved, and then God sent him to preach Jesus – primarily to the Gentiles.

    This is a good basis for anyone to use who will give their testimony of the time they gave their heart and life to Jesus. Spend time understanding how to simply share. A personal testimony of when Jesus called upon one’s heart is pivotal in witnessing to someone else. 

    Have you ever shared your personal salvation experience with anyone else?

    How to be Saved

  • Jesus, our Redeemer

    “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
    Ephesians 2:13

    In the book of Ruth, after reading about Ruth and Boaz, we see the parallel to the redemption Jesus did for us on the cross. Ruth was drawn to God and His people. She found out about a kinsman redeemer; Ruth was to go to him, uncover his feet, and lie down, and he would tell her what to do. The same thing happens when we come to Christ. Notice the ones who came to Jesus’ feet and what He did for them. “And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them” (Matthew 15:30). When they believed, they were not only healed but redeemed (saved).   

    God brings us to Him (sometimes through unusual circumstances):

    “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). There is another verse to see. “12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:12–13).

    Jesus is our Redeemer:

    “The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate” (Psalm 34:22). There is another verse to see. “13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13–14).  

    God reveals the need for redemption, if only we will ask:

    “6. They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 7. None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: 8. (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever)” (Psalm 49:6–8). See also the following. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). There are more verses to see. “8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9. 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” (Romans 10:8–10).

    God reveals the price for redemption was paid by Jesus’ death on the cross and we are then made His own:

    “18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (1 Peter 1:18–20). See also: “8. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:8–11).  

    Why and what should we do?

    “11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11–14). Then we are to show the world what Jesus can do for them. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18).

    Have you believed in Jesus by faith, having then been redeemed, becoming a Christian?

    How to be Saved

  • Search the Scriptures Daily

    “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
    Psalm 119:11

    Christians know that God’s Word is the Bible. We must also recognize the importance of using it correctly. In order to understand the correct way to use God’s Word, one must first know what it says. Each Christian should have their own personal copy of the Bible realizing the importance of not only having it, but also reading it and knowing what it says.

    How do Christian’s learn what God’s Word truly says? “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Read the Bible, search it, and understand what it says. It is important to learn how to compare Scripture to Scripture. The Bible is the best commentary on itself!

    As one searches the Scriptures, one is to remember it and hide it in one’s heart. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). When a Christian has the Word of God in one’s heart, what are they to do with it? “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). One must allow God’s Word to direct their life. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).

    Much as Christians are to learn how to understand God’s Word, they are to learn how to use the Word of God correctly. Christians are to recognize those who know Jesus, and to recognize true teachers of God’s Word. There are many teachers in the world. We are to listen to the ones who truly know Jesus (are Christians), teach the truth of Jesus, and live those truths out in their lives. “7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation … 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:7, 17). If they teach the true Word of God, living those truths out in their lives, follow them.

    What is the most important thing we should understand about knowing and living by God’s Word?  “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). It really does not matter what one thinks, it matters what God said in His Word. Once we understand this, we have a hope the world does not have. We know from reading the Bible that God promised Jesus from the beginning of time. God gave His Son, Jesus, to bring us to a relationship with Him. This can only be obtained by understanding the Gospel Message. “1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Why doesn’t everyone in the world understand the importance of the Gospel Message? “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). Satan does not want anyone to know the simplicity of the Truth of the Gospel Message. That is why it is important for us to first live a life that reveals Jesus, and then tell the world what Jesus has done — so that they, too, may be saved.

    Do you search the Scriptures daily, understanding and sharing the Gospel message?

    How to be Saved

  • The Wedding Garment

    “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
    Matthew 22:14

    Jesus told many parables. It is important to know that a parable is a “heavenly story with an earthly meaning.” Because our earthly minds cannot understand heaven or the things of God, Jesus often told parables to the people, particularly to help his disciples understand what He was trying to teach them.

    One such parable was about a marriage and a wedding feast. “2. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3. And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6. And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them” (Matthew 22:2-6). First, understand that the King is God and His Son is Jesus. The marriage (the wedding) was for the King’s Son, Jesus, to the Christians (all those who belong to Jesus through His Salvation). When salvation through Jesus was offered to the Israelite people, the Israelites overwhelmingly rejected Jesus. This is pictured when those were “bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.” When the King sent other servants, they made light of it a first, but they eventually treated the King’s servants “spitefully, and slew them.” What did the King do? “But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city” (Matthew 22:7).

    When they rejected the King’s Son, Jesus, salvation was then made available to the Gentile people. This is pictured when the King spoke again to His servants. “8. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage” (Matthew 22:8-9). The servants went out to tell any and all to come to the marriage supper with the King’s Son, Jesus. “So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests” (Matthew 22:10). Any who received the invitation came.

    Read what happens next: “11. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14. For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). No one can join the wedding without a wedding garment. Any not clothed with the righteousness given by Jesus will be cast “into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

    We can understand: “If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked” (2 Corinthians 5:3). Remember how to be clothed? “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10). Salvation by faith in Jesus is the only way to be clothed in righteousness. Read how Peter described himself and others who obtained this righteousness. “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1).

    We can also remember the picture of Joshua when Satan accused him before the Lord. Jesus (his Advocate) defended Joshua. “3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 4. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment” (Zechariah 3:3-4). Jesus took away Joshua’s iniquity (his sin) and clothed him with the righteousness only found in Jesus Christ.

    Will you be found without a wedding garment,

    or

    Will you be clothed by Christ’s righteousness?

    How to be Saved

  • The Individual’s Choice

    “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”
    Ezekiel 18:20

    God wanted Ezekiel to make it clear to His people that God saw everything. Because God sees all, Ezekiel was to make sure the people understood that God also sees each individual and judges them accordingly. Especially notice the following: “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). When a person chooses to reject God, that soul dies. It is an individual choice each person must make. (“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23.)

    Understand this better with the following: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezekiel 18:20). Each individual is accountable to God for his or her life – not the life of their father: God has no grandchildren, only children. (“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.)

     “But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” (Ezekiel 18:21).    Remember what is clarified even better in the New Testament for us: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).  And also: “9. 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 … 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9-10, 13). 

    God then made a specific call to His people: “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:30). It was up to each individual person to repent and turn from his or her sin (transgressions) and turn to Him – even as it is today. Remember: the people of Israel were evicted from their land because of their sin against God, forsaking Him for idol worship, and refusing to repent. However, the children who came after them would not be held accountable for their parents’ sins. Each one of them had the choice: the choice to repent and turn to God.

    God never changes. God wanted to save people in the Old Testament times, New Testament times, and He still wants to save people even today. However, God allows each person to choose – to believe, or not to believe. We should know all have sinned (remember Romans 3:23). But we should recognize how to have life eternal. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Whosoever believes in Jesus can have life! Instead of choosing continual sin, one must choose Jesus by faith: then he or she can have life. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

    There is an amazing picture of this in the Old Testament. It is a picture of God seeing an individual and holding him accountable for sin. Almost everyone is familiar with an event that happened in Genesis chapter four. God had accepted Abel’s offering and not Cain’s. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts …” (Hebrews 11:4). Cain became angry. God gave Cain a warning:  “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Genesis 4:7). Cain had an opportunity right there to change his heart and to choose right. God warned that if he did not, sin was there waiting. Nevertheless, Cain had the choice to rule over that sin. If you remember, Cain ignored God’s warning and allowed sin to rule in his life. Cain rose up and killed his brother. He went out from the presence of the Lord – never to return.

    Have you chosen a life in obedience to Jesus by faith, knowing it is only then you will have eternal life?

    How to be Saved

  • A Christian’s Duty

    “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
    Ecclesiastes 12:13

    Can you name any of God’s commandments? Without knowing what God’s commandments are, people would never understand they have sinned. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). One must first recognize that they are sinners. That comes by knowing what God’s Law says, for God’s Law reveals sin. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The penalty for breaking God’s Law is death. What do you do with that information? One should understand that Jesus came to die on the cross to take away that sin. He then offered eternal life for anyone who would receive it.

    However, it takes faith to accept that gift of God’s grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). That guarantees that anyone who asks in faith can receive. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). That person is then called a Christian. What happens for those who trust in Jesus? “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). Understand that when Jesus died on the cross, we were set free from sin; Christians no longer live under the Law. “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet” (Romans 7:7). God’s Law is still important. That Law was given to keep man in constant awareness of how far he had fallen short of God’s glory and the terrible price that had to be paid to bring man back into right standing with his Creator (Jesus’ death on the cross). God’s Commandments also remind us that God is perfect and righteous, and we are a people with the propensity to sin.

    Christians are to live as if they belong to God. We should “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23). Christians can now claim new lives, so we must then live new lives. “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). Christians are now able to live new lives of obedience to God and His commands.

    God then does something special for those who belong to Him.

    God has now written His Law on the Christian’s heart and mind. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” (Hebrews 10:16). His Spirit lives inside each Christian, constantly reminding him or her of God’s will. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). We are then able to please God in the following of His Law that is written in our hearts. This is because we have been encouraged to do the following: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). We must hide God’s Word in our hearts so we will not sin against God but live for Him.

    “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Understand that fearing God does not mean being afraid of Him. Fear means “morally to revere; a dread of His wrath; and a reverence of His majesty.”  It is knowing what God expects of Christians and then doing it.

    Do you read God’s Word daily, hiding it in your heart so you can live a life pleasing to Him?

  • A Heart of Unbelief

    “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
    James 1:8

    The Gospel Message of Jesus is available to anyone who will receive it. However, one must not only believe that message, it then must be received into one’s heart and life by faith. “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). When one does not believe, it does not profit them. See why not: “Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief” (Hebrews 4:6). We can read in the next verse that there is a cry for one not to harden their heart (so that faith can enter in). See how this is described: “12. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-13). One who rejects the Gospel message of Jesus has departed from the living God in unbelief. There is no hope for such a one. Remember, in the Old Testament God’s people were to obey and follow God, waiting for Jesus to come.

    One cannot help but remember back to the Bible and a very real example of one without faith. His name was Saul, the first king of Israel. He was physically, everything a people could want in a king. He was good-looking, and he stood head and shoulders taller than anyone else did. However, what kind of a man was Saul really?

    In the administration of his kingdom, we find out that Saul demanded obedience to his command. He even promised death to anyone who defied his command. In one instance, it turned out to be his son, Jonathan, who had unwillingly disobeyed his father’s command. When the king was prepared to kill his son, the people stepped in and saved his life. Shortly thereafter, God required King Saul’s obedience in a matter. But when Saul disobeyed God, God did not demand his death. God is forgiving and although there was discipline for disobedience, God gave him a second chance.

    God told Saul to go and utterly destroy Amalek and everything they had (for they were God’s enemies). He was even to kill the king. Saul gathered the people and went to Amalek. They took the city. “But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly” (1 Samuel 15:9). Saul did not obey God’s command. God declared that Saul had turned back from following Him, and not performed His commandments. When confronted with the truth of the matter, Saul lied. Read his response when questioned by Samuel, God’s prophet. “20. And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal” (1 Samuel 15:20-21). Did you notice that King Saul blamed the people for his disobedience? Because of his disobedience to God this time, God removed the kingdom from Saul and his family. Samuel told him that because he had rejected the word of the Lord, God had also rejected him from being king.

    It was not until the punishment had been uttered that Saul admitted his fault. “And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice” (1 Samuel 15:24). Samuel completed the job that Saul was to supposed do. Samuel killed the king of the Amalekites.

    Shortly after that, God chose a man after His own heart, David. Saul spent the rest of his kingdom not trying to please God, but trying to destroy David. This caused his kingdom to become one mainly of defeat. We do not hear of him seeking after God until right before he died in his last battle. When the Philistine army gathered together against Israel again, Saul gathered all of Israel together. He was afraid. Saul wanted a word from God, but he did not receive one: for God did not answer him (see 1 Samuel 28:6). Saul then searched and found a woman who had a “familiar spirit” (means a necromancer or sorcerer; a witch). Saul disguised himself, went by night, and found her. He sought the world’s ways of seeking answers instead of waiting upon God.

    We can understand that the main problem of Saul was that he had no spiritual foundation on which to build a godly life. Sure, he was God’s chosen man to be king of His people, but Saul never sought God or His wisdom with all of his heart. When David came into Saul’s life, many of Saul’s insufficiencies (his lack of faith and obedience to God) revealed themselves. Saul openly became a double-minded man. He was a soldier pursuing David as if he were Saul’s enemy one day, yet the next he would acknowledge that God was with David. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). We can recognize that Saul had no faith.

    Are you one with no faith, like Saul who departed from the living God in unbelief?

    Or,

    Have you received the Gospel Message of Jesus, by faith, into your heart and life?

    How to be Saved

  • The Biblical Path of Life

    “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

    Do you read the Bible?  Do you understand what you read when you do take time to read it?

    The Bible is the Word of God. It has been preserved for us to read, but very few people read and understand what the Bible has to say to us today. According to most statistics, young people are growing up and leaving the church and faith in God by the droves. The main reason can be found in the lack of knowledge and understanding of what one believes about God and why. Not many people take time to gain the information only found in the Bible that one needs to live in today’s world.

    Growing up in a Christian home is no guarantee that one understands the Bible, or knows how to live a Christian life. Being saved as a young child, I learned many Bible “stories,” but it wasn’t until later that I began to understand how all of these stories fit together. When I saw a timeline throughout Bible history, it helped me begin to understand how all of those “stories” were connected together. I also began to understand that Jesus was planned from the beginning of time to redeem mankind because of sin. I wanted to know and understand more of the Bible, so I began to study.

    The most important thing about studying the Bible should be to learn the basics of the Bible and how it should be applied to Christians’ lives. A good Bible study needs to be more than a compilation of “stories” we have always heard. The word “story” even brings to the hearers’ mind that they are make-believe. Many people do not even understand that the Bible is not just a compilation of popular Bible “stories” or favorite Bible passages. The Bible is not full of “stories” but actual events in real people’s lives. Children, as well as adults, need to understand that each of these events all fit together as part of a bigger picture – much like pieces of a puzzle. Not only do these events interlock, but they also have a purpose: to reveal Jesus and why He came.

    It is very important to read God’s Word and be in a good Bible study where you can learn more about Jesus. One important goal each Christian should have is to know and understand more about the Bible. The more you learn about the Bible, the more you begin to understand that it is so much more than just a collection of events in people’s lives that lived long ago. In the Bible Study called The Biblical Path of Life, you can search and find out why the people who lived in the Old Testament times wanted to obey God. You can learn how they knew He would one day send Jesus. It is there one can see what happened to His people when they obeyed God’s Word, and even what happened when they forgot God’s Word. As you read the New Testament, you begin to recognize when people began to understand that Jesus was the One who was to come (the one promised in the Old Testament). These events will be an encouragement to you, for it is then that one can understand God is with those who love Him, seek to please Him, and that God takes care of His people. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). It is then that one begins to understand how to live a Christian life pleasing to God in the world today. The Bible means nothing to us if we do not apply the principles within to our lives to become more like Christ.

    All people, especially children, are capable of learning so much more. The Biblical Path of Life is one such study meant to simplify the understanding of the Bible making it relevant to a Christian’s life — young or old — by comparing Scripture to Scripture. Christians should understand just how important their Bible is and become familiar with it. Everyone should understand the importance of reading God’s Word!

    Even beginning readers should be encouraged to read their Bible. At first, even the youngest readers will be hesitant to read. Nevertheless, with a little encouragement and help, they can become excited about reading their Bible. No one is too young (or old) to begin to love the Word of God or to learn the principles found within God’s Word!

    In order to encourage people to know more of the Bible, I have posted blogs to motivate people to dig a little deeper into their Bible’s and study. Feedspot has recognized www.biblicalpath.com as one of the top 100 Bible Study Blogs. My hope is that by being listed here, many more people will be encouraged to read and understand what God’s Word has for people who are searching in these days.

    Do you take time to read your Bible, discovering God’s plan in these days?

    How to be Saved