The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Jews

  • Wisdom or Power?

    “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

    1 Corinthians 2:5

    Paul began the first book of Corinthians addressing a problem. He wanted the Believers (Christians) to understand what was important: the preaching of the Gospel Message. Paul later summed up what that Gospel Message is in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: “… that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”. These are the basic truths of the Gospel Message. Paul emphasized the power that is in that salvation. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). See the following to help understand what this verse means:

    • preaching means to speak intelligently about the word of the cross
    • cross means the whole passion of Christ and the merit of His sufferings and death
    • them that perish means exposed to eternal death
    • foolishness means foolishness or absurdity
    • saved means those who have obtained salvation through Christ and are kept by Him
    • power means a person in whom the power of God is manifested

    Jesus came to pay the penalty for “them that perish”, taking that eternal death away from any who would only believe. The “power of God” was then revealed in those who believed in Christ’s work on the cross: “the whole passion of Christ and the merit of His sufferings and death”. Each Believer was changed.

    There were a couple of groups in that day (and in our day) that could not get past this “foolishness” of the preaching of the cross. “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:22). The Jews were bound in their religious system and the outward showing of the rituals of the Old Testament Law. The Greeks sought after wisdom. Wisdom means “the knowledge of how to regulate one’s relationship with God; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual). What did Paul want them to understand? “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23). The message of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection would not be accepted by the “religious” Jew, for they were bound in their religious system, having to “do” something. The Greeks thought it was just absurd to believe that one must trust in Christ as apposed to intelligently gaining their own salvation, in their own way. Both groups did not understand that it is only through the cross, in the “power of God” (see 1 Corinthians 1:18) that one is saved. Paul further explained this to help them understand: “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25). Neither the wisdom of man or the strength of a religion can save one. It is only by faith in Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross.

    Paul explained this further. “1. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). Paul shared “Jesus Christ, and him crucified” which is the “the testimony of God”. Paul did not use fancy teaching or enticement to help them understand the Gospel Message. “4. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). Demonstration means “manifestation”. Because Paul just preached the truth of Christ, a Believer’s (Christian’s) faith was not by man’s reasoning or wisdom. The Spirit of God is manifested, and one can choose to believe. It is then that the power of God is acknowledged in that life. We call this becoming “saved”. All men need the salvation provided by Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. However not all will receive it. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). The preaching of the cross reveals the only means of salvation. Remember how Paul taught this in Romans. “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. 11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:8-13). Salvation is not of any man – not even Paul. Each person must choose to believe by the correct faith – faith in Jesus’ completed work on the cross.

    Does your faith stand in the wisdom of men?

    Or

    Does you faith stand in the power of God?

    Click here to find the way to Salvation by faith.

  • A Called and Beloved People

    “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.”

    Romans 9:25

    Why is it important to read and understand the book of Hosea in the Old Testament? God revealed to Hosea that one day the Gentiles would be included as His people. Understand that Gentiles are any peoples who are not Jews (Israelites). “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved” (Romans 9:25). (Osee is “Hosea”.) This verse is in reference to Hosea 2:23: “And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.” Today, we can become the beloved of God. The word beloved in this verse means “to love or delight in.”

    Read the following quick summary of the book of Hosea:

    God told Hosea to take Gomer, a “wife of whoredoms”, for his wife in the days of Jeroboam II. Gomer had a son, Jezreel; a daughter, Loruhamah; another son, Loammi; each child represented a relationship between God and His people (see Hosea 1). A warning was given. God revealed His love for His people in the taking away then restoring their necessities. By doing that, He would remove their allegiance to Baal, restoring them as His people (see Hosea 2). Hosea was to love his wife, buying her back, displaying the love God had for His people (see Hosea 3). Hosea told the people that because of their apostasy, God would allow troubles (see Hosea 4). Judgment would fall upon the priests, the house of Israel, and the house of the king. Yet when they sought God, they would not find Him, for He would withdraw from His people. Hosea revealed that God’s wrath would be poured out upon them “till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face” (see Hosea 5). Encouragement to return to the Lord was given, along with a reminder of the failings of man’s ability to keep their part of the covenant with God (see Hosea 6). ALL of the people had turned from God, and none had returned. For this, God would send destruction (see Hosea 7). Why? “For Israel hath forgotten his Maker”. We then read a listing of the sins, punishments, and the reasons for punishment (see Hosea 8). Recognize the utter rejection of God’s people described during the time of discipline, “My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him” (see Hosea 9). “Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity.” Yet they are encouraged to “break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD” (See Hosea 10). Important reminders: “When Israel was a child, then I loved him” and “my people are bent to backsliding from me” (see Hosea 11). God reminded them from which they came, yet in spite of their faithless behavior, God still called for their return to Him (see Hosea 12). “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help” (see Hosea 13). The call to repentance: “O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.” What God would do if they would only return: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (see Hosea 14).

    As we glimpsed at Hosea’s personal life knowing the problems that God allowed, recognize that he was still faithful to obey God’s call upon his life. He willingly married an unfaithful wife, just as God willingly chose a people He knew would be unfaithful to Him. Remember the progression in the departure of God’s people from Him. Slow, yet ending in complete separation from Him. Even with the continual cry to seek God, repent, and turn back to avoid discipline, we found God knew that His people would refuse and continue in their path of sin — directly away from God and his mercy.

    Just as the Israelites were told of their sin and called to repentance, the same call is now extended to us today. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). All are guilty of sin, and there is a penalty to pay. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). In addition, God provided One (Jesus) who paid the penalty for us — if only we would receive. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Just as God extended a call to the Israelites, warning them before judgment would fall, God warns us today. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). What response does God require? “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). What are we to do with that information? “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). As we recognize that because of the rejection of God by Israel, God then allowed the Gentile people to have an opportunity to belong to Him. If we will only seek Him, repent, and turn our lives completely over to Him. The process is the same, and the eternal salvation is yet to be seen. Nevertheless, we know that God told us to seek Him, while He may be found.

    Have you recognized God’s call upon your life, then responding not only to the call for salvation, but in service to Him?

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

  • Seek the Lord While He May be Found

    “6. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
    Isaiah 55:6-7

    In the Old Testament, God’s people were primarily Israelites (Jews). There were rare exceptions when a Gentile left their people (and their false gods) to become one of God’s people who believed in the one true God (Ruth is an excellent example of this!). However, it was foretold that there would one day be a time when the invitation to join God’s family would become an open invitation to the Gentile people – until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled. We live in those days. Moreover, it appears that those days may be coming to a close very soon. See the following verses: “25. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26. And so all Israel shall be saved …” (Romans 11:25-26a). When God’s people rejected Jesus as their Messiah, declared vividly when Jesus was crucified, God began to close the door of salvation for the Jewish people “blindness in part is happened to Israel,” opening the door of salvation wide open for the Gentiles. The tables were turned: mainly Gentiles would be saved and few Jews during this time in history. However, soon the door will close for the Gentile nations, and God will open the door of salvation wide for the Jewish people. This is already beginning to happen.  

    A primary place this is told of is in the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah chapters 54-55, we see a picture of the restoration of Israel that would happen one day, and a calling of the Gentile people. “Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee” (Isaiah 55:5). The following verses are a great invitation. “6. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7). Notice the urgency in calling upon the Lord while He may be found. One cannot delay!

    Why do we need to turn to the Lord for forgiveness? “8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater” (Isaiah 55:8-10). What does this mean?

    When a person understands they are a sinner and that they need a Savior, they hear from someone about the Word of God (telling of Jesus’ atoning death), and that Word goes into the heart of a person much as a seed enters the soil. The watering of God’s Word causes the seed to bud. A person is then saved. It does not make sense to the average person (God’s ways are higher), but when they only believe, God can do His work! See what we understand just happened in that heart. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). When God’s Word is accomplished in the heart, that person is no longer a condemned sinner, but a new creature in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). How does one feel after they have asked Jesus into their heart? “For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12).  The whole earth will rejoice!

    Have you allowed God’s Word into your heart, believing in Jesus?

    How to be Saved