The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Jesus

  • Who is Jesus?

    “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

    One cannot fully explain just who Jesus is in a brief summary. However, the Bible tells who Jesus is from the beginning through to the end. Nevertheless, for a brief sampling, read the following verses.

    1. Jesus is God’s Son
      • “For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (2 Peter 1:17).
      • When Jesus asked his disciples: “15. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:15-17).
      • Another answer by a disciple: “And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69).
    2. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life to bring us to God
      • “21. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:21-22). 
      • “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
    3. God sent His Son, Jesus, to save lost mankind
      • “16. 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. 17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).
    4. Jesus is God

    God is “I Am,” and He will be known as that forever. When Jesus declared He was God, He called Himself “I Am,” and the people understood what it was that He was saying (that He was God) – and many rejected Him because of that saying.

    Jesus’ Seven “I Am” Statements: 

    • I Am the Bread of Life: “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).    
    • I Am the Light of the World: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).    
    • I Am the Door of the Sheep: “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7).     
    • I Am the Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).     
    • I Am the Resurrection, and the Life: “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).     
    • I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: “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). 
    • I Am the True Vine: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman” (John 15:1).     

    5. Jesus’ Crucifixion: (in Matthew 27:32-56, Mark 15:21-41, Luke 23:26-49, and John 19:17-37)

    6. Jesus’ Resurrection: (in Matthew 28:1-15, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:1-10)

    We can read of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. Although the religious leaders thought they were destroying Jesus by His death, it was a fulfillment of God’s plan. Because of the sin of mankind, causing separation between man and God, Jesus came to “… lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Remember how Jesus described friends in that next verse: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). Today, we call one who has faith in God, believing in Jesus, a Christian. Jesus came to earth to die for the sins of mankind – for any one who would believe. As we learn about these scriptures, we find that they are the heart of the promise God made to Adam in the garden (Genesis 3:15), and all generations that would come. It is important to understand just what it was that Jesus did. After living a sinless life, He paid the penalty for sin. By paying for that sin, He is able to give eternal life to those who have faith in Him. If you have never heard, or have never truly understood what it was that Jesus did for you, these verses will help you hear and understand.  

    Do you know Jesus?

    How to be Saved

  • Family

    “For with God nothing shall be impossible”
    Luke 1:37

    Jacob’s family moved to Egypt to be with Joseph. Before he died, he blessed each of his sons. When he came to Judah, he not only blessed him, but also made a prophecy concerning his descendants. “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Genesis 49:10). God knew that His people (the Israelites) would reject Him as their king, hundreds of years before they actually did. He had already chosen a tribe to be the kingly tribe – the tribe of Judah. Not only would the kings come from this family, but Jesus (Shiloh) would one day descend from this tribe (Judah). This was to be The King they were looking for: “… and unto him shall the gathering (looking for) of the people be.”

    However, before Jesus came, remember David.

    King David (from the tribe of Judah) sat at his house, and he spoke to Nathan the prophet. “… See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains” (2 Samuel 7:2b). In the city of Jerusalem, David had set up a tent to house the Ark of the Covenant (which was a symbol of God’s presence among His people). David recognized God’s blessings, and he wanted to do something for God. God answered that night. David wanted to build a house for God that God declared was not really needed. The Ark of the Covenant had always rested in a tent. God reminded him that He had taken David from being a shepherd boy watching sheep to become the ruler over God’s people, Israel. God had always been with David, defeating David’s enemies, and He made David a great name. God went on to give David a great promise. “12. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. … 16. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever” (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Notice that God promised to build David a house – not a house to live in, but a dynasty, a kingly lineage. This promise was twofold. God established David’s family as the kings of Israel. God also promised that David’s son would build Him a house. David prayed to God thanking Him and praising Him. David’s son, Solomon, became the next king of Israel, and he built a beautiful Temple for God.

    Moreover, God would one day send His Son, Jesus, from David’s descendants: “… I will set up thy seed after thee …” (2 Samuel 7:12). Remember what Mary was told when the angel said that she would bring forth a Son. “30. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32). When she did not understand, the angel told her, “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

    God did just what he promised He would do. We see it confirmed: “… he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 23. Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus” (Acts 13:22-23). It is here that we see God kept his promise given to Jacob, David and Mary. It is Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Read how Revelation describes Jesus: “… behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David …” (Revelation 5:5).

    More than that, Jesus came so that we could be restored as part of God’s family – only by faith in Jesus. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26).

    Have you looked unto Jesus, believing in Him by faith, and becoming a part of God’s Family?

    How to be Saved

  • The Mediator

    “5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time”
    1 Timothy 2:5-6

    God’s people were in bondage in Egypt (they were slaves). However, God heard them cry out and rose up a mighty deliverer, Moses. Moses appeared before Pharaoh and told him. “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go …” (Exodus 5:1). Pharaoh’s response? “… I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go” (Exodus 5:2).

    God then revealed Himself with the Ten Plagues. What had God thought of Pharaoh’s rejection of and defiance of Him? “For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD” (Exodus 12:12). Not only would God reveal Himself mightily to Pharaoh, but also to His people.

    The tenth, and final, plague was an institution of the Passover, the death of the firstborn. It showed the mighty deliverance of God. The Israelites were to kill a lamb for each house and sprinkle the blood on the doorposts. The death angel would then “pass over” each house whose doorpost was covered with the blood. “For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you” (Exodus 12:23). Moses told the people to prepare.

    Read what happened on that night. “29. And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. 30. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead” (Exodus 12:29-30). The death angel went through the land killing each firstborn. The angel only passed over the houses with the blood of the lamb on the doorposts. After this, Pharaoh finally agreed to let God’s people go.

    This is one of many pictures throughout the Old Testament to reveal that Jesus would give His life for our salvation. See the fulfillment declared in the following Scriptures:

    • “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
    • “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).
    • “14. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16. 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. 17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:14-17).
    • “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
    • “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
    • “5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
    •  “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). Especially note “who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

    Jesus gave Himself a ransom to become the mediator between a perfect God and a sinful people. In these verses, one should understand that because of the one time shedding of blood by Jesus, anyone has the opportunity to be redeemed (saved) – if only one would believe.

    Do you believe Jesus is the Redeemer, your mediator between you, a sinful person, and God?

    How to be Saved

  • The Separation

    “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
    John 3:19

    While living in the garden and tending it, God gave only one command to Adam and Eve – do not eat of the fruit of one particular tree in the garden. “16. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17).

    Satan then entered the picture in the form of a serpent. “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1). Satan came to Eve under the guise of a serpent, and he challenged God’s Word as he spoke to Eve. He omitted some of the Word of God – just a couple of words. He questioned the Word of God. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6). Eve did not trust God’s Word. Eve was deceived. She took of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and then gave it to Adam who was not deceived, but took of it willingly. “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (1 Timothy 2:14). They chose to disobey God. (Remember Proverbs 3:5-6.)

    When man disobeyed God’s command, it separated them from God. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). It was then that their eyes were opened. “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons” (Genesis 3:7). They recognized they had sinned. Because of that sin, there was immediate separation from God. When man disobeyed God (sinned), his spirit was changed. Remember that before, Adam and Eve met with God in the cool of the day. “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8). Now, Adam and Eve hid from God. When confronted with their disobedience, they could have confessed their sin. Instead, they passed the blame – made excuses (see Genesis 3:9-13).

    Because they sinned, they hid from God. They now loved evil more than righteousness. “19. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” (John 3:19-20). Man was no longer perfect as when God created him. No longer innocent. They died spiritually. Man no longer possessed the same God-like character.

    After God cursed the serpent (Satan), God gave a warning and a promise of hope to all of mankind. “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). There would be a constant conflict between Satan and mankind – forever. Nevertheless, God promised that the war was won from this point. For He promised to send One to deliver mankind from Satan and the punishment for sin (death: see Romans 6:23) forever. God promised to send His Son, Jesus. Jesus came and defeated Satan.

    Although God cast them out of the Garden of Eden, remember God gave the promise of redemption through Jesus. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).

    Do you love the darkness or the light?

    How to be Saved

  • The Good News

    “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”
    Romans 10:13

    The sin of Adam (disobedience of God) separated all of God’s creation from fellowship with God. Adam and Eve immediately recognized that they were naked. They were no longer covered by the glory from God. So, they covered themselves with fig leaves. Man cannot appease God’s wrath by his own actions. God corrected this attempt at rectification by making coats of skins and covering Adam and Eve (see Genesis 3:21). This death helped reveal there was a cost for their disobedience (sin). From that day forward, man was born into sin.

    There is a simple way to understand and explain the separation of man from God, and the only way of redemption. It is simplified by colors. This incorporates the plan God has for anyone to believe in Jesus.

    Black – Sin: Romans 3:23

    Red – Jesus’ Blood: Romans 5:8

    White – Clean: Acts 3:19

    Blue– Faith:  Acts 2:41

    Green –Growth: 2 Peter 3:18

    How can we understand this?

    Black: Man’s Sin: Everyone has sinned. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God examines man’s heart and our deeds. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).  He says that not one of us have met sinless perfection. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10).

    Red: Jesus’ shed blood: The good news is that Jesus paid the price for man’s sin. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Moreover, He paid the price with his own blood. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

    White: Man is now clean:  The Good News is that if we ask, Jesus will forgive us for sin and cleanse us of that black, sinful heart. If we repent. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19). He gives us a brand new clean, white heart and when He looks at us, God sees Jesus Christ. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). We now have the ability to live a life pleasing to the Lord.

    Blue: Faith: The first act of obedience is baptism. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized …” (Acts 2:41). Baptism is a picture of dying to one’s old live and living a new life “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

    Green: Spiritual Growth: We then live a life that pleases Him “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). “4b. … even so we also should walk in newness of life. 11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:4b, 11). The more we learn about this new life, the more we will live like Jesus, which will cause other people to want this new life, too.

    All of this can be simply understood, and the invitation is available to anyone who will believe in Jesus. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). We just need to tell others about this wonderfully Good News!

    Have you told anyone the Good News of Jesus’ Salvation?

    How to be Saved

  • Real Meditation

    “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments”
    Ezra 7:10

    Today, not many people take time to study the Old Testament Scriptures. They are old, you know! It is all in the past. Who needs to know what happened hundreds of years ago? However, there are so many examples of people in the Old Testament who reveal to us the importance of not only what those words say, but also understanding how to implement the principles found within to each Christian’s life.

    Read what God told Joshua when He made Joshua the new leader of His people: “7. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:7-8). To meditate means “to ponder, to study; to speak and talk about.” We can read that there are several times Joshua not only read God’s Word, but he wrote it down, and even read it to God’s people. We can understand from this, that knowing God’s Word was very important to him. God told Joshua to be strong and very courageous. Sometimes it is hard to choose to do the right thing according to God’s Word. But God also told him to not turn from the right hand or to the left – encouraging Joshua to stay straight on in the Word of God. When Joshua did this, his way would be prosperous and he would have good success. When reading about Joshua’s life, he not only had a prosperous life but great success in accomplishing the things God had for him (remember he led God’s people into the Promised Land).

    The urgency of Christians today should be to prepare our hearts to seek and know God’s Word. With that preparation of the heart comes a necessity to obey and live out God’s Word in our lives. Once we begin to accomplish this in our life, we become a light in this world revealing Jesus in our lives. It is then that it becomes much easier to tell others about Jesus. That is exactly what Ezra 7:10 tells us we should do: “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments”

    Philip, who had grown up learning the Law and the Prophets that make up the Old Testament, recognized Jesus when he met him. He immediately found Nathanael and told him that he had found the one the Old Testament said would come: Jesus. “Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45).

    Paul preached Jesus to the people from the Old Testament (the Law and Prophets). “And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening” (Acts 28:23).

    Can you see the importance of knowing and understanding the Old Testament? It is all about Jesus.

    Read what the wisest man, King Solomon, wrote for us to read. “13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

    Have you taken time to meditate upon (“ponder: study”) the Old Testament?

    Do you understand it prepares our hearts to receive Jesus?

  • Be not Deceived

    “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
    1 Corinthians 15:33

    Jehoshaphat was a good king. Once he became king, he eliminated idol worship. He then strengthened the cities of Judah – physically and spiritually. By placing mighty soldiers in the different cities, he strengthened them physically. When he sent princes, priests, and Levites into every city teaching the Word of God to the people, he strengthened them spiritually. We understand that he was able to remain a good king even though he spent time with wicked King Ahab – the worst king of Israel.

    Although Jehoshaphat was considered a good king, we will learn what effect his relationship with wicked King Ahab (also Ahaziah and Jehoram) had upon not only his children, but also the whole nation of Judah. Godly people are to be set apart from the wicked things (and even people) of this world. We may not think these things affect us, but at the very least, it has an effect upon the people around us. King Jehoshaphat appeared to have kept his heart pure before the Lord – even with the relationship he had with wicked King Ahab, but we can read the devastating effect it had upon his children and the nation of Judah. 

    King Jehoshaphat should have enacted the words King David recorded many years before. “1. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. 2. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. 4. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 5. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked” (Psalm 26:1-5). If he had remembered lived by these words, not only would he have been an even better king, but also much heartache would have been spared. His son was a wicked king.

    Not only are those words recorded for us today as well, but the following verse must be remembered, too. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). This verse has often been translated into a modern proverb: “Bad company ruins good morals.” However, use the following definitions to help you understand this verse:

    • deceived means “to be misled or deceived”
    • evil means “evil works”
    • communications means “lifestyles, conversations”
    • corrupt means “to spoil or violate in a spiritual or moral sense”
    • good means “in a moral sense – good, useful, virtuous”
    • manners means “morals or character – this is the word from which ethics is derived.”

    After reading these definitions, we can understand this verse is a warning not to be deceived but to understand something – evil deeds and conversations (lifestyles) will spoil good morals and good character in a person’s life. We can also understand that we are to be very careful about the kind of people with whom we hang out, and especially to be careful of those that we choose as friends. 

    Nevertheless, see what we are exhorted to do in the following verse: “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:34). Often it is because of the choices and friends we make that keep us from being a good witness to others. It is a shame when Christians’ lives are contrary in any way to God’s Word. It is worse when that keeps others from the knowledge of God (being able to recognize their need for Jesus).

    It is a scary thing to say one knows of God, yet for that one to be ignorant of God. It is a shame for anyone in this day to be ignorant of the things of God – especially those who have “grown up in church” or have Christian parents who taught them the Bible. There are too many resources available to this generation. No one will be able to stand before God in ignorance – unless they so choose. As Christians, we should always tell others about the things of God and encourage other Christians to continue learning throughout their lives by prayer and the reading of God’s Word.

    Are you one who is not deceived, living a life that is a witness of Jesus to others?

  • Our Adversary

    “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”
    1 Peter 5:8

    Remember what every Christian should have already learned about Satan: when he became proud, wanting to be greater than God, he became God’s enemy (see Isaiah 14:12-16).

    When Jesus came to earth, He came to defeat Satan (the devil), once and for all. “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Not only do we learn that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, but we recognize just who belongs to the devil. (One who commits sin in this verse is one who practices or lives in a prolonged form of sin.) How can you tell the difference between those who belong to the devil and those who belong to God? “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (1 John 3:10). There is a definite distinction.

    What did Jesus say about the devil when He was speaking to the religious leaders? “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 are to recognize that Satan is a murderer, there is no truth in him, he only speaks of his own, and he is a liar. These religious leaders obviously were not in righteousness – which is the distinction between those who belong to God instead of belonging to the devil.

    What did Jesus do for those who wanted free from the devil? “14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15). Jesus became a man to destroy Satan (through Jesus’ death and resurrection). Each person is given the choice to choose the life Jesus offered (because of His death and resurrection) instead of the life into which they were born (lost and apart from Christ).

    The life Jesus offers is eternal. Read the promise to those who choose the life offered by Jesus. “29. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30. But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).  Christians are then able to understand that the promises of the life Jesus offered and gave are far superior to the life they had previously. For those who chose the life Jesus offers, they recognize that the life they lived until that time was only temporary, for it would have ended in the wrath of God and in eternal death. (“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)

    Once a person chooses Christ, they have a new life. (“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 then have a new enemy – the devil (Satan).

    As God’s enemy, the devil wants to destroy God’s people. (Read what we must know: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5:8.) Christians must be on guard, understanding our enemy wants to devour us. What is one thing Christians are to remember? “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9).

    Do you live a vigilant life, on guard, understanding the devil wants to devour?

  • Examples for Believers

    “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity”
    1 Timothy 4:12

    We can remember back to some of Jesus’ Disciples. They recorded for us their eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life. They understood the importance of just who Jesus is. They realized the importance of recording the life of Jesus. They had witnessed the events of His life – firsthand! They not only saw, but also understood and believed them.

    Read what John understood about the Word of God. “1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… 14. 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 1:1, 14). He understood the Word of God was Jesus, who was made flesh (a human), which dwelt among them. The disciples learned from Jesus. Read why John wanted to share his eyewitness account. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:1-4). John saw Jesus, recognized the truth He taught, and because of this, John followed Jesus.

     The followers of Jesus learned much from Him. They not only learned from Him, they then lived those things out in their lives. They began to teach others about Jesus. Paul became one who not only believed in Jesus, but he spent his life telling others about Jesus. One particular young man was Timothy. Paul gave Timothy some encouraging words by which many have been encouraged through the years. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Although Timothy was young, Paul encouraged him to be faithful. He was to be an example to all in every aspect of his Christian life.

    John knew Jesus and recorded things we must read to learn and grow in Him. Paul was another one who recorded many things we need to know about living a faithful Christian life. It is important to recognize those who know Jesus. This is part of learning how to understand and use the Word of God correctly. Christians are to recognize teachers today who know Jesus and share what they have learned from the Bible. There are many teachers in the world. We are to listen to the ones who truly know Jesus (are faithful Christians who believe the Bible is God’s Word), who teach the truth of Jesus, and live those principles 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, living those truths of the Bible out in their lives, follow them.

    Do you recognize true teachers of God’s Word, and do you submit to their teachings?

  • Testimonies

    “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

    Solomon was an exceedingly wise man. He was a very wealthy man. This was all because when God asked him what he wanted, Solomon asked for wisdom of God to rule His people. God then gave him wisdom and wealth beyond measure. All heard of King Solomon’s great wisdom and wealth. His fame spread throughout the world. The queen from Sheba went to meet King Solomon for herself. She saw all of his great wealth and asked him every question that was in her heart. When she could ask of no more to ask, she recognized something: “Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard” (1 Kings 10:7). But more importantly, she recognized God through Solomon’s life: “Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice” (1 Kings 10:9).

    When Jesus came, He preached to the people great things of God. He healed many. He wrought many miracles. Yet when the people came out to see a sign, instead of recognizing God through the life of Jesus, remember what He told the crowd. “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here” (Luke 11:31). Remember that the queen of Sheba (the queen of the south) acknowledged God when she met with King Solomon. Most of the people that went to see Jesus did not acknowledge God. Jesus is far greater than King Solomon; for Jesus is God. Because the people would not recognize Jesus, He declared that judgment would rise up and condemn them. They did not understand something very important: Jesus came so that all would have the opportunity to know God. However, each one must believe.

    Men wrote of what they had understood as they walked and talked with Jesus. We can remember Jesus’ Disciples as they recorded for us their eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life. They recognized the importance of just who Jesus is, that He was God come in the flesh. “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). They understood the importance of recording the life of Jesus as they witnessed the events of His life – firsthand! They not only saw, but also understood and believed in Jesus.

    John taught about Jesus was from his own eyewitness account. See why he wanted to share his eyewitness account. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:1-3).

    Although many did not understand just who Jesus was when He came, God’s Word helps us recognize those who did. They left a testimony that Jesus was God come in the flesh. More importantly, they explained to us that Jesus came to save people from their sin – if one will only believe. However, only those who believe Jesus is the Christ, that once and for all sacrifice for sins, will be saved. “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). 

    Are you one who has believed the testimony that Jesus is God?

    How to be Saved