The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Jesus

  • Live by Faith

    “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”

    Habakkuk 2:4

    What is faith? Many speak of their “faith” today. But not many mention what that faith is. Or where it is placed. We can learn many things about the faith as described in the Bible. Faith means “a term indicative of the means of appropriating what God in Christ has for man resulting in the transformation of man’s character and way of life; Christian faith; a firm and confiding belief in Jesus and His gospel…” Notice that faith is belief in Jesus and His Gospel (His atoning death, burial, resurrection, and His return one day). But faith is much more than that. It is also the appropriating what God has for each individual life, resulting in the transformation of that person’s character and that person’s way of life.

    Read some insight we have on faith mentioned in the Old Testament. “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).

    • Upright means “ethically; a moral life; to declare right.”
    • Just means “lawful; righteous; God himself is the standard for ethics and morality.”

    Consider one who is lifted up and is not upright. This is one who has chosen to live as they so choose. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). This death can be speaking of more than this life; it can also speak of eternity. Remember what Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). The Bible teaches us that there is either eternal death or eternal life. The difference is belief in Jesus, which makes one just before God (see Romans 5:8-9). Becoming just (righteous) is obtained by faith in Jesus. This helps us understand that Habakkuk 2:4 describes two peoples: one who is “not upright”(one who is lost and apart from Christ); and one who is “just” (one who has received the righteousness of Christ by faith). The one who continues “not upright” will end up in eternal death.

    Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted in the New Testament three times, helping us understand it even better. The first time Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted is in the book of Romans. “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). The book of Romans explains that justification before God is by faith in Jesus, alone. This is salvation.

    The second place Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted is in Galatians. “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:11). The book of Galatians teaches one who has trusted in Jesus how to then live that life out of faith while living here on this earth. Read the following example of this: “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). A Christian no longer chooses to please self, but to please Jesus, who “gave himself for me.” We read in Habakkuk that the “just” will live by his faith. Once one has obtained faith by belief in Jesus (salvation), each Christian is to learn to live his faith in Jesus. A Christian must “hold fast” to the things that are to be learned from the Bible (see 2 Timothy 1:13). Once we learn these things and begin to live by them, what happens to that Christian life? The righteousness of God is then revealed in that Christian’s life.

    The third time Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted in the New Testament is in the book of Hebrews. “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38). Understand what happens if a Christian becomes fearful and does not move forward in their Christian walk by faith. God is not pleased when a Christian does not continue forward in their Christian walk but draws back (this means they go into apostasy – forsaking the ways and truths of God’s Word). To encourage Christians, we can read of a whole chapter listing people who forsook the pleasures of this world to seek after and follow God and His Word (see Hebrews 11). Read the key to living by faith: “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).

    Once a Christian understands how to live and walk by faith, what will they have? “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). These things should help every Christian understand the importance of living by faith and not forsaking the teachings found in God’s Word. Why is it important to live by faith? “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). Each Christian’s goal should be to be found “unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

    Have you believed in Jesus by faith?

    Have you chosen to appropriate that faith into your life by continually living for Him?

    Link to learn How to be Saved

  • Now is the Day

    “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

    2 Corinthians 6:2

    The kings of Judah repeatedly wavered between worship of God and idol worship. They often led the people in idol worship. This was in direct disobedience to what God commanded and required of His people (see Exodus 34:10-17; Deuteronomy 29:10-29). King Manasseh (the worst king of Judah) led the people deeply into idol worship. He was very wicked, and although he humbled himself before God and took away the strange gods from the land, his son Amon restored them once he became king. Amon died after being king for only two years, and his son, Josiah, became king of Judah. Because the people were so deeply involved in idol worship, they should have expected God’s judgment. Judah had witnessed God’s judgment fall upon Israel for their departure from God as they were carried captive by Assyria (see 2 Kings 17:6-18). Judah, too, had forsaken God and disobeyed His commands. God sent a prophet named Zephaniah to speak during the reign of King Josiah.

    Zephaniah declared the words from God: “I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD” (Zephaniah 1:2). The people should have recognized the severity of this warning; especially after having witnessed what the Assyrians had done to Israel, the kingdom to the north. However, Zephaniah explained further what God would do. “I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem …” (Zephaniah 1:4a). God was speaking in judgment against the nation of Judah and the city of Jerusalem.

    Zephaniah listed six particular things that God would deal with; things God wanted them to understand (see Zephaniah 1:4b-6):

    1. “4b. and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place”. God is dealing with their idolatry.
    2. “and the name of the Chemarims with the priests”. The word chemarims means “priests who led the people in idolatrous worship.” God would deal with the priests who led the people in this idol worship.
    3. “5. And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops”. The people were involved in astrology (think horoscopes): worshiping the sun, moon, and stars.
    4. “and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham”. The word malcham means “the national idol of the Ammonites. Another name for Molech.” These people had a “religion” where they worshiped God and Molech. They had forgotten: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4). They compromised wanting to have a part in both. Remember of what they were warned: “14. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; 15. (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 6:14-15).
    5. “6. And them that are turned back from the LORD”. This is apostasy – one who knew God but turned their back on Him, forsaking Him. Read some insight in the New Testament as to how God feels about this. “20. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them” (2 Peter 2:20-21).
    6. “and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him”. This is describing one who has never known the Lord. This had happened before. “…and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). Ones we call lost.

    Because the people had continually rejected God as their Lord, God would now be to them a judge. However, before judgment would fall, there was an invitation to return to Him. “2. Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you. 3. Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger” (Zephaniah 2:2-3). Those who turned to God were “hidden” in the day of His anger.

    What is the importance today of remembering the words Zephaniah declared from God to the Israelites? Paul preached on Mars Hill to all those who met together to discuss their gods and philosophies of the day. He called their attention to the altar of the “unknown god” to teach them of the God they did not know: “27. That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being … 29. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:27-31). Paul pointed them to Jesus.

    “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (2 Corinthians 6:2). The invitation to come is still given today.

    Have you heard the invitation to seek after God only, by recognizing Jesus as your Lord?

    What is the invitation?

  • Who is Jesus to You?

    “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?”

    Matthew 16:15

    Most people remember that Micah was the Old Testament prophet who declared Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2). But other than that, most people do not take time to hear the message God gave Micah to deliver. Micah called the people to “hear” God’s Words. He warned them that God saw their sin, and judgment was coming because of habitual sin. He declared that there would be a time that the Jewish people would not be considered a people (Assyria and Babylon carried them captive from their land, ending the kingdom years). However, God promised that He would restore them as His people – one day.

    After hearing that God would discipline His people (showing He truly loved His people), remove idol worship from them (only allowing place to do what is right – worshiping the one and only true God), and promising to restore them one day, recognize something else. “18. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 19. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19). Did you notice the final question Micah asked as he was closing the book? He asked “Who is a God like unto thee?” God in that verse means “might; power; strength.” God wanted to be more than a name to His people, He wanted to be a reality to them – someone they deemed as all powerful; one who can do anything. God would never fail to keep a promise He made to His people, so they were to live on that hope, remembering to watch for that Promised One (Jesus who was to come). No matter how far away from God the Israelites strayed; God would not forsake His people forever. One day, when they recognize Jesus as their Lord (see Hosea 5:15 and Philippians 2:6-11), God will fulfill His promise to them. Because He is a merciful God, He will take those sins and cast them into the depths of the sea, where they can never be retrieved – never to be seen again. The book ends with this reminder: “Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old” (Micah 7:20). This is another reminder that God will keep His promises – including sending Jesus.

    Just as Micah called God’s people to “hear,” we too, are to “hear” God’s Words today. Even Peter, as he preached in the early church, said. “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe” (Acts 15:7). Peter understood the importance of preaching the Gospel message so people could believe. What is the word of the Gospel? How can one believe?

    There is nothing anyone can do (no works: see John 6:28-29) that can save anyone. How then can one be saved? One must recognize his or her sin, asking for forgiveness from God, and believe that He will save one (through faith in His Son, Jesus). Only belief in Jesus as the One who came to pay the penalty for sin can save. Jesus told them how. “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). Once one recognizes that a life apart from Jesus, there is a decision to be made. One must decide who Jesus is to him or her. Remember what Jesus asked his disciples. “13. When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14. And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 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 revealeditunto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-17). Each person must choose if they will recognize Jesus for who He is: “the Christ, the Son of the living God”. Christ means “anointed, that is, the Messiah.” Messiah means “Christ, the anointed; the Saviour of the world.” Just as God’s people in the Old Testament had to decide just who God was to them, today, one must decide who Jesus is to them. Is He your Saviour, the one who came to forgive your sins, giving you a new life in Christ? “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).

    Be encouraged to understand the importance of hearing and obeying God’s Words, deciding who Jesus is to you. Also, remember that Christians are to be living examples in the world today. What kind of an example do you want to be? One like Judah and Israel (who failed miserably and were eventually carried away from their homeland, disciplined), or do you want to be an obedient example, like Jesus – who obeyed his Father unto death, even the death of the cross (see Philippians 2:8).

    Who is Jesus to you?

    Find out How to be Saved Here

  • What is Required

    “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

    Micah 6:8

    Micah was an Old Testament prophet. He called the people to “hear” God’s Words that God gave Micah to deliver. He warned the people that God saw their sin, and judgment was coming because of habitual sin. Micah spoke mainly to Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. King Hezekiah heard the message from God delivered by Micah, and this prompted King Hezekiah to make great reformations in Judah (see Jeremiah 26:18). Because Hezekiah sought God during those days, God defeated the Assyrian army for them (see 2 Kings 18-19).

    Like many prophets before him, Micah reminded the people where they had failed, calling for the people to repent and to have a right relationship with God. Recognize just how foul the people’s understanding of God had become. “6. Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? 7. Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” (Micah 6:6-7). They honestly had become so influenced by the bad kings (think of King Ahaz who offered his son as a sacrifice to the god Molech), that they actually believed God would accept the sacrifice of a firstborn child to gain forgiveness from God. By asking these questions of God, they revealed their hearts toward God.

    It would be good to remember back to King Saul. He thought the offering was more important than obeying God’s Word. Samuel reminded him that it was a right heart, not outward actions that God wanted. “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). These thoughts help us understand the Old Testament viewpoint that religious ritual devoid of spiritual reality and a life that is dedicated to the Lord is worthless (see Psalm 40:6-8; Isaiah 1:10-20).

    What does God want? What does He require? God had already told them what He required of them – they had just chosen to disregard God’s commands. “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8). This is the same message God had preached to the people from the beginning of time. All God expects from His people is for them to walk humbly with Him. Remember the following: “4. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7). After reading how far the people had gotten from God, can you understand why God wanted them to constantly talk about His commands and teach them to their children? Then they would constantly be reminded of what God’s Words were. Even with the Law in the Old Testament, the people did not understand that they could not become a righteous person in and of themselves. “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). All of the Law was to reveal that they were a sinful people who had nothing to offer, but deserved the penalty of death before a Holy God. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

    Remember Cain. He rose up and killed his brother because God did not accept his sacrifice. Cain had a religious ritual, but he did not have a spiritual reality – coming before God with a true heart. God saw Cain’s heart (which was revealed to us by the killing of his brother). Where does this leave one?

    Remember what Jesus said when the people asked what work they needed to do. “28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28-29). Later, Paul and Silas tell a man what to do when he asks: “30. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:30-31). Faith is the opposite of works. One must believe on Jesus because He is the one who paid the penalty for sin (His death on the cross), enabling one to be saved. It is then, and only then, that one is able to do what God requires: “to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God” (see Micah 6:8). When you read Galatians 5:22-23, this explains that these actions are only enabled by the Holy Spirit which is given to one when they are saved.

    Have you trusted in Jesus, enabling you to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

    How to be Saved

  • Obedience to Salvation

    “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

    Philippians 2:12

    Jesus is the ultimate example on how Christians are to live in this world. Hence the name Christian; Christ-like. Paul spent much time recording many instructions and examples of what to do.

    When you read Philippians 2:6-8, you are to understand Jesus is God. He stepped away from His throne in glory “… and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7). Jesus took the form of a servant (while remaining God), and was made in the likeness of men (while remaining God). Jesus had to become a man in order to pay man’s penalty for sin: death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Now does that verse make a lot more sense?

    While Jesus lived in the form of a servant, made in the likeness of man, He was obedient to His Father, God. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). It was then that he paid the penalty for man’s sin, providing the opportunity of eternal life. Jesus died so that anyone who would trust in this act of “payment for my sin”, could gain salvation. This is the Gospel message. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth …” (Romans 1:16). Salvation here means “of spiritual and eternal deliverance.” How does one gain eternal deliverance? By trusting in Jesus as one’s Lord.

    Once one believes that Jesus died upon the cross to pay for sin, then trusting in Jesus as one’s Lord, there is a growing process that is to begin. One of the first things a Christian is to learn is to walk in obedience to God’s Word. One who belongs to Christ must learn to joyfully surrender to His will. Jesus was willing to lay aside His glory for a time, becoming a man, in obedience to His Father. Christians are to lay aside the sinfulness of this world, in obedience to God, our Father, understanding one day we will be with Him in heaven. “12. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:12-13). One of a Christian’s greatest concerns should be to not live a disappointing life for Christ. God is good in that He will place other Christians in our lives to help and encourage us.

    There are many lives recorded in the Bible that also help us understand how to live as a Christian. Paul was one of the great ones. He understood the importance of obedience, and recorded the following to help us understand. “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Work out means “to work fully, that is, accomplish; by implication to finish… perform, work out.” It is important for Christians to accomplish, finish, what God has for us to do. It emphasizes that it is our responsibility. Salvation here means “of the present experience of God’s power to deliver.” This helps us understand that we are not doing it alone – for God’s power is helping us. We are to not come short of what God has for our lives here on the earth, today. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). God working in me emphasizes that God enables us; for we cannot do it on our own. But He allows us to accomplish things for Him while we are on this earth – if we will only obey Him. All that we accomplish for the Lord here depends upon His working in us to accomplish His plan.

    Read what the writer of Hebrews left to encourage us as he came to the close of the book. “20. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21). A Christian can be “perfect in every good work” (complete, accomplishing everything God wants us to accomplish on this earth). Note that it is doing His will, and recognizing that Jesus is the one who accomplishes these things in our lives. We cannot do it alone.

    There are no shortcuts to working out one’s salvation. It is a constant, day by day, working at growing in a more Christ-like life. It is much like working out a temporary survival in this wicked world. The greatest thing to understand is that Christians have been given the Holy Spirit within to teach us and lead us into the truths found in God’s Word. Our hope of surviving today is knowing that we have a permanent home with Jesus one day.

    Have you learned to obey the Lord, enabling you to work out your own temporary survival (salvation) in this wicked world?

  • To Confess, or Not to Confess

    “42. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

    John 12:42-43

    Jesus’ Miracles revealed His compassion and the call to faith – to believe in Jesus. However, many did not believe even though they saw many great miracles. Yet, Jesus still taught them.

    As Jesus taught by parables, it was almost like He was speaking in a riddle, or a secret code. It was intended specifically for Believers to enable them to understand His teachings. This was so they could hear and grow in their faith, because the lost world does not understand the things of God (see John 12:39-40). Although Jesus wanted specifically to teach His followers about heavenly things, in those parables, there was another call for a time of decision – to follow Jesus and His teachings, or to refuse them and thereby reject Him. This helps us understand that the miracles Jesus did, and the many parables Jesus taught, were very important – for many people believed upon Him, becoming His followers. We can also read that not all who saw and heard believed in Jesus.“42. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43). (Confess “means to agree with; confess publicly, acknowledge openly; profess ‘the Lord being Jesus.’”) There were many among the chief rulers who believed because of Jesus words; however, they were hesitant to admit that belief. They were afraid of their “friends” or “colleagues”, the Pharisees. It is important to recognize that no one should be afraid to acknowledge that they believe in Jesus – no matter what one’s friends might say. (Remember what Jesus said in the book of Matthew. “32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” Matthew 10:32-33.)

    See how Jesus responded to the lack of any of the chief rulers to confess. “44. Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world” (John 12:44-47). Jesus cried out. One can almost sense His frustration in consistently declaring the truth, yet the refusal of most to act upon it. Jesus directed the people’s attention to God. When the people saw Jesus, they were in fact seeing God – for Jesus had come to the earth to tell mankind, as the “light into the world” that He had the words of life – if only one would hear them. Jesus knew their hearts. If they rejected Jesus, God would judge them (see John 12:48-50).

    Remember how simple it is to become a Christian once one is called. “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 10:9-13).

    Not only did Jesus call the people to a time of decision, to believe in Him or to reject Him, Jesus taught them what they must do. “23. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Luke 9:23-25)

    Have you been called to belief in Jesus?

    Have you forsaken the world to follow Him?

    Click here to know how to be saved.

  • The Biblical Path of Life

    Year Three, Quarter Two

    Now available on Amazon.

    The Biblical Path of Life is a clear and concise study that simplifies the understanding of how the Bible fits together as a whole. The lessons are organized into a few main points, with key verses explained helping one comprehend it better. It compares Scripture to Scripture, revealing that the entire Bible is to introduce one to Jesus and make known the need of Him in one’s life.

    In this third year of this three-year study through the Scriptures, we continue our study of the New Testament (having completed the Old Testament in Year Two). After looking at the life of Jesus as recorded in the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we reach the book of Acts. It is the only book in the New Testament division of History. As we learn about the early days of the church, the spread of the Gospel message is better understood. In those beginnings, thousands were saved at one time becoming disciples of Jesus. Once persecution began and people were killed for their faith, the Gospel message was spread into the known world, and the disciples of Jesus were called Christians. We will witness the great transformation of one of those persecutors as he, himself, became not only a Christian, but in our future studies we will learn that God used him, Paul, to write most of the books in the New Testament.

    This study is for:

    • An individual,
    • A family,
    • A small-group Bible study, or
    • A Sunday School program for all ages.

    The Bible is the most important thing we can to know, for it reveals what God expects from His people. In order to know how to live a Christian life that is pleasing to God, we must first understand what His Word says.

    A Review for The Biblical Path of Life – Year Three, Quarter Two


    “The Biblical Path of Life” brings the Bible to life as you learn how wonderfully everything fits together and how it reveals God’s plan through the ages for man’s redemption.
    Even though I have taught and/or been a student of this study for many years I am constantly learning new things each time I go through the study. “The Biblical Path of Life” has truly grown my faith and matured my walk with the Lord over the years. The Lord is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him!

    ~Donna from Oklahoma

    Click here to learn how to be saved.

  • From Death to Life

    “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

    1 Corinthians 15:22

    Remember Adam, the first man. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). God created man, breathed life into him, and man became alive. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27). Adam was made in God’s image. He was perfect, created in righteousness.

    Then sin entered into the world by one man, Adam. Everyone born after Adam was born after the image of Adam. “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth” (Genesis 5:3). Just as Adam was in the image of God, Adam brought a son after his likeness. We are all born in the image of Adam, bearing the image of sinful man. We no longer bear the image of God. Because Adam’s sin was passed on to every one born, death passed to all, along with separation 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). However, God gave Adam a promise that He would send One to restore that broken relationship (see Genesis 3:15).

    We can also remember Abraham, and the promise God gave him – the promise of a Son through whom all of the world would be blessed (the promise of Jesus – see Genesis 12:2-3). Abraham lived by faith, looking forward to Jesus. He believed the promise God gave, and Abraham was called the friend of God. “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23). We are to have the faith of Abraham. “6. Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness… 8. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed” (Galatians 3:6, 8). God preached the Gospel message to Abraham.

    After Moses led the people out of bondage in Egypt, God gave Moses the Law. Without the Law, mankind did not know how sinful they were, or how far they were from God. “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). In that Law, sin was revealed. We can read how God revealed mankind’s sin to them through the centuries by the Law. However, it was not revealed without the promise that He would send One who would deliver mankind from their sin and death caused by that sin.

    Having remembered these things, see how it is recorded in Romans. “19. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:19-21). In these verses we can understand that God never intended for man to live perfectly under the Law, for it is impossible. However, the intent of that Law is to reveal to mankind their need for grace – only provided by the Savior, Jesus. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).

    God revealed the last Adam. The last man Adam would be life giving. “21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive … 45. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 45-47). Adam brought death because of disobedience (sin), but Jesus brought life through obedience.

    The key to regaining the likeness of Christ and losing the image of Adam is trusting in Jesus by faith. When Nicodemus came to Jesus asking who He was, Jesus explained to Nicodemus. But more than that, Jesus told Nicodemus what he must do (speaking of Himself in the following verse). “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:15). He also gave Nicodemus this warning: “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).

    Remember also the encouraging words Jesus gave to Martha when her brother Lazarus had died. “25.Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26).

    Do you believe this?

    What must one believe?

  • Paul’s Opportunity

    “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”

    Acts 26:28

    The following tells of one time when Paul gave his personal testimony of when Jesus called upon him, and Paul answered that call, trusting in Christ. Recognize a simple pattern.

    • 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 the particular job Jesus gave to Paul to accomplish with his life.

    This is a good basis for anyone to use who will give a personal testimony. A personal testimony of when Jesus called upon one’s heart is pivotal in witnessing to someone else.

    When given the opportunity, Paul gave his personal testimony before the rulers:

    • Paul briefly reminded them of the sinner he was:

    “4. My manner of life from my youth, … that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 7. … For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 8. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9. I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities” (Acts 26:4-11). Paul acknowledged that he was a sinner. He even worked against the spread of the Gospel message.

    • He spent time explaining the specific call Jesus made to him:

    “12. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13. At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said,I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18. 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 26:12-18). While Paul was yet in sin, Jesus called upon him to be saved (“sanctified by faith that is in me”).

    • He told of his personal response:

    “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). Paul was obedient to the call. He was saved.

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

    “20. But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. … 22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23. That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles” (Acts 26:20-23). Even though many wanted to kill Paul for obeying God’s command to go and tell the Gentiles about Jesus, Paul never quit.

    We then read the response of Festus. “24. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness” (Acts 26:24-25). Art beside thyself means “to be mad; to rave; a person who speaks and acts in such a way that they appear to others as being out of their mind.” Mad means “to rave as a maniac; madness; insanity.” Festus just thought Paul was out of his mind – crazy. Or did he? Festus did not treat Paul as a prisoner who was crazy. It is very possible that Festus felt the conviction of this Truth Paul declared, and he did not want to admit this Truth.

    • And then Paul invited Agrippa to respond to the Gospel message:

    “26. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:26-28). What was Agrippa’s response? “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (see Acts 26:28). Instead, he rose up and went aside, agreeing that Paul had done nothing worthy of death – or even bonds (means “without freedom”).

    Jesus called Paul, he believed and was saved, and then God sent him to preach Jesus – primarily to the Gentiles. He even spoke to rulers. His testimony of believing in Jesus allowed him to be a witness for Jesus so they could know how to be saved. His example is a good formula for anyone to use who will give their personal testimony of the time they trusted in Jesus. A personal testimony of when Jesus called upon one’s heart is pivotal in becoming a witness for Jesus.

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

    How To Be Saved

  • A Witness

    “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”

    1 John 5:10

    When Jesus taught as he walked on the earth, there were times that many followers left Jesus. One of those times, Jesus asked His twelve disciples if they were going to leave Him, too. Read Peter’s response to that question. “68. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68-69). They recognized that Jesus was Christ, the Son of the living God who had the words of eternal life.

    The Apostles were eye-witnesses of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection. These eye-witnesses were commissioned to go and tell all of the world of Jesus and what He had done to bring salvation. Jesus gave them the following words just before he ascended into heaven after his resurrection. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). They boldly proclaimed the truth about Jesus’ life and why it was that He had come to earth. “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). They not only believed God’s Word and who Jesus is, but they made it known to all. “10. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:10, 12). They were true eye-witnesses of Jesus to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Even when imprisoned, see what the Apostles were told to do. “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:20). Many of their testimonies are recorded in the Bible for us to read today.

    What does this mean to me?

    Are there any witnesses today who can declare that Jesus is Christ, the Son of the living God?

    Remember that right before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His followers that they would receive power, after the Holy Ghost came upon them. This happened to all Believers all at once in the upper room at Pentecost (see Acts 2:1-8). Today, when one believes in Jesus, by faith, God’s Spirit (the Holy Ghost) enters that heart and life. “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:22). This Spirit from God is the witness in one’s heart and life that we belong to God. When one believes in Jesus, by faith (see Romans 10:8-13), that one has the salvation that the Apostles taught and is now recorded in the Bible. “14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:14-16). It is then that we become the sons of God, having been adopted into His family. This Spirit confirms this to us. “6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:6-7). When we trust in Jesus, we have the witness of His Spirit in our hearts that we are sons of God.

    It is at this point (with the Holy Spirit in one’s heart) that that one becomes a witness for God – for we have His witness in our hearts. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son” (1 John 5:10). It is then that we are able to do what the Apostles did immediately after Jesus ascended into heaven – become witnesses of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This is how the Gospel message of Jesus is spread throughout the world. From each Christian to those who live in this world apart from the saving message of Jesus.

    Have you trusted in Jesus, having His Spirit in your life, allowing you to be a witness to others of salvation?

    FInd out: How to be saved.