The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Light

  • Barnabas

    “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.”

    Acts 11:24

    In the early church, persecution came. When the persecution came, the new Believers scattered, taking the name of Jesus with them. As they told others about Jesus, more people became Believers. “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord” (Acts 11:21). These new Believers turned unto the Lord. They changed the course of their lives to a direction that pleased the Lord. This is the message Jesus sent with Paul:“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18). The people needed to know the importance of turning from darkness to the Light (Jesus – see John 8:12: “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.”)

    Once the people turned to the Lord, one needed to teach them how to live this new life in Christ. Word reached Jerusalem of the many who had turned to Jesus. “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch” (Acts 11:22). Barnabas was sent. He was a man who lived out in his life the faith he had placed in Jesus. Remember what faith in Jesus is: Faith means “faith in Christ; the means of appropriating what God in Christ has for man resulting in the transformation of man’s character and way of life – also called Christian faith.” Barnabas was the kind of man who would be able to help the new Believers learn how to live this new way of life. “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23). Barnabas saw the grace of God in these new Believers. Grace means “especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.” Remember what Jesus taught. “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit” (Matthew 12:33). This “good fruit” was already being revealed in the people’s lives. Barnabas recognized in the Believer’s lives what had happened in their hearts. This greatly encouraged Barnabas!

    Barnabas also exhorted (encouraged) them. The new Believers must intentionally, with purpose of heart, cleave to the Lord. They would cleave unto means “to adhere to, persevere in: abide still, be with, cleave unto, continue in (with).” Barnabas taught them the importance of persevering and continuing to walk with Jesus.

    The next verse is pretty special. It tells us much about who Barnabas was and how God was so able to use him to help new Believers. “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:24).

    • Barnabas was a good man:There are not many men called good in the Bible. Barnabas was one. Good means “good and benevolent, profitable, useful.” Remember what Jesus taught: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45). Whatever is in the heart is what comes forth. Barnabas obviously had good in his heart.
    • Barnabas was full of the Holy Ghost: When something is full, there isn’t room for other things. To be full of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) means one has emptied himself of the world and the things of the world and instead replaced them with the things of God. Christians are commanded to do this. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Most people tend to focus on the first part of that verse, but they forget the command of the second part. That is a pretty important thing to remember! Being filled with the Spirit will enable one to serve the Lord – much like Barnabas!
    • Barnabas was a man of faith: Remember that faith is “appropriating what God in Christ has for man resulting in the transformation of man’s character and way of life.” Barnabas lived a transformed life. He had become more like Christ.

    Did you notice the result because of Barnabas’ life and conduct? We read that “much people was added unto the Lord”. What a statement! Because Barnabas chose to live a Christ-like life, being filled with the Holy Spirit, he was able to help many others come to know Jesus.

    Have you chosen to be good, emptied of self and filled with the Holy Spirit, and live a life of faith?

  • Follow Jesus

    “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him,Follow me.”

    John 1:43

    God’s people were to be watching and waiting for the day their Messiah would come. The last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, reminds us of that promise. “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple…”(Malachi 3:1a). God revealed that He would send a special messenger to prepare the way before God, Himself, came born as Jesus. The book of John tells us of this messenger who prepared the way, and for whom that way was prepared. “6. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light” (John 1:6-8). The man we call John the Baptist was that man sent from God who was the witness who told others of the Light. That light is Jesus (see John 8:12).

    John had baptized Jesus, recognizing that He was the Son of God (see John 1:34). “35. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36. And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:35-36). Notice that John the Baptist declared Jesus as the Lamb of God. Not only that, but we see that John had disciples. Disciple means “a pupil or learner; more in that it is one who adheres to and accepts the instruction given to him and makes it his rule of conduct.” These men had heard John’s teachings of repentance and had obviously adhered to his teachings. Notice what we learn as we continue. “And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:37). From John’s teachings, they understood they were watching for the promised Messiah, and then John declared Jesus was the Messiah. So, they followed Jesus. “38. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye?They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39. He saith unto them, Come and see.They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother” (John 1:38-40). Notice that these men left John to follow Jesus. John had done His job: he had directed the people’s attention to the Saviour of the world, Jesus. Notice that John’s disciples called Jesus Rabbi (Master); yet another indication that they had turned their focus from John to Jesus. They were ready to hear the teachings of Jesus now that they had met Him.

    After hearing the good news that Jesus was the Lamb of God and spending the day with Him, read what Andrew did. “41. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said,Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas,which is by interpretation, A stone” (John 1:41-42). After Andrew believed in Jesus, he immediately found his brother, Simon, and took him to meet Jesus. Today, when a person meets Jesus, becoming a Christian, the immediate response should be to introduce others to Jesus, too.

    “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him,Follow me” (John 1:43). Jesus called Philip, too. What did Philip do? “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). Philip understood that Jesus was the Promised One that Moses and the prophets had written about in the Old Testament. Immediately he went and found Nathanael to bring him to Jesus. (Remember, that is what Andrew had done. Andrew immediately went and found his brother, Simon.) “46. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!48. Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.49. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. 50. Jesus answered and said unto him,Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these” (John 1:46-50). After Jesus told him where he had been, Nathanael believed. Why do you think he would believe after hearing what Jesus told him? (Remember what he must have learned from God’s Word – just as we have learned this from God’s Word. “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” Proverbs 15:3.) Nathanael recognized that Jesus was the Lord. Remember that each person has the choice – to believe or not to believe. Nathanael believed.

    Have you recognized Jesus and chosen to follow Him?

    Have you then introduced your friends and family to Jesus?

  • The Messenger and His Message

    “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

    John 1:29

    God always keeps His promises. He promised from the beginning of time to send One who would deliver man from the bondage of sin and death (see Genesis 3:15). All throughout the Old Testament, one can read that God constantly reminded His people of that promise. When you study the Old Testament, you should recognize that God even added more clues to the specific details of that coming all throughout the Old Testament – so the people would be watching and waiting for that day. Specifically, so that they would recognize Jesus once He came. Read again how the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, reminds us of that promise. “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts”(Malachi 3:1). God revealed that He would send a special messenger to prepare the way before God, Himself, came born as Jesus. My messenger was “John the Baptist;” and the Lord, whom they seek, was “Jesus.” God compared the coming of Jesus with “a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap” (see Malachi 3:2). A refiner’s fire means “a precious metal that was heated until it became a liquid so that all of the impurities could rise to the top to be removed.” A fullers’ soap means “used to rub and scrub clothing until the stains were washed away.” Each of these can be compared to what Jesus would do when he came – remove the impurities and sin from man.

    Read another clue God’s people were to look for. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5). God told His people of “Elijah the Prophet” (the Messenger) who would come. About four hundred years passed between the Old Testament and New Testament writings. As you come to the New Testament, we are to recognize that God sent a messenger to prepare the way of the Lord – just as He promised He would do. In Luke 1, we read of an angel appearing to a priest, Zacharias, who told him that he and his aged wife would have a son, John. Notice the special son that this would be. “13. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John … 15. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord … 16. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:13-17). Understand that Elijah is spelled Elias in the New Testament. The son named John is who we have come to know as John the Baptist – for he preached and “baptized” repentance.

    “29. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 30. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water” (John 1:29-31). Jesus came just as God promised. John introduced Him. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29b). Understand that when Jesus came, He was as a refiner’s fire. Jesus and His Words purified some people, while others rejected Jesus’ Words. However, everyone heard of Him. “And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee” (Mark 1:28). If nothing else, Jesus draws man to a time of decision.

    The most important thing to recognize about this information can be summed up best by the words John recorded for us to read. “6. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:6-12). John did the job God had for him to do. He was a witness who told others of the Light, Jesus (see John 8:12). Jesus was in the world, and the world was made by Him, yet the majority of God’s people did not recognize or acknowledge Jesus when he came. However, those who did receive Jesus as the One promised from the beginning and believed upon Him, became the sons of God.

    Have you done more than heard of Jesus?

    Have you acknowledged and believed upon Jesus, becoming a child of God?

    How to be saved link.

  • The Handwriting on the Wall

    “And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;”

    Daniel 5:22

    Daniel was now an older man. King Nebuchadnezzar no longer ruled. A new king reigned in Babylon. His name was Belshazzar, and he was King Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson. We know little about him, except for the time he drank wine before his thousands. “1. Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 2. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein” (Daniel 5:1-2). Father in this verse means “grandfather.” King Belshazzar called for the vessels from the house of the Lord to be brought to him. Remember King Nebuchadnezzar had stolen the vessels from the Temple in Jerusalem (see Daniel 1:1-2). These vessels belonged in the house of the Lord and were consecrated to God (set apart for a special purpose). Recognize that Belshazzar misused these vessels. “They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone” (Daniel 5:4). Belshazzar was using them to praise false gods (of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone).

    Read what God did. “In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote” (Daniel 5:5). When King Belshazzar saw a hand writing on the palace wall, he was so scared that his knees began to shake together! He sent for his wise men to tell him what the message meant – with a promise of great reward (see Daniel 5:6-7). However, none of them could tell the king what the writing meant. This frightened King Belshazzar even more.

    Nevertheless, when the queen heard what was happening, she told the king that she knew of someone. “11. There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; 12. Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation” (Daniel 5:11-12). Notice the reputation that preceded Daniel! Also, recognize the confidence the queen had in Daniel – for we read the king then requested Daniel’s presence. If Daniel would give King Belshazzar the meaning, Daniel would receive great reward (see Daniel 5:13-16). However, Daniel did not want rewards for delivering a message from God to the king (see Daniel 5:17).

    The first thing Daniel did was remind King Belshazzar of his grandfather, King Nebuchadnezzar, and the response he had made when God spoke to and dealt with him (see Daniel 5:18-21; also see Daniel chapter four). Next, Daniel brought the responsibility of the writing upon the wall to the king. “22. And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 23. But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified” (Daniel 5:22-23). Daniel rebuked King Belshazzar for praising the gods of silver, gold, brass, iron, wood and stone, and not acknowledging God who had given him life.

    Nebuchadnezzar had humbled himself before God, but Belshazzar had refused.

    King Belshazzar had not believed in God like his grandfather, King Nebuchadnezzar.

    Read the message God had for King Belshazzar. “25. And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 5:25-28). King Belshazzar had been “weighed in the balances” by God, and Belshazzar had been found wanting (means “deficient; lacking; to fail”). Although Belshazzar had a great kingdom, he had rejected God. The God in whom Nebuchadnezzar, his grandfather, had believed and trusted. For that, God was going to take the kingdom from Belshazzar and divide it among his enemies.

    Belshazzar fulfilled his promise to Daniel, giving him honor and gifts (see Daniel 5:29). Recognize that it did not really matter that the king declared Daniel to be the third ruler in the kingdom. Why not? “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain” (Daniel 5:30). The handwriting declared King Belshazzar would lose his kingdom that night – and he did. He also lost his life. With that came the demise of the Babylonian reign. Belshazzar no longer lived, nor did he rule over Babylon any more.

    Nebuchadnezzar had a choice. He chose to believe in the one true God.

    Belshazzar had a choice. He chose to disregard the one true God.

    What choice have you made?

    How to choose wisely: Choose the one true God

  • 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.

  • Wicked Kings of Israel

    “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”

    Ephesians 4:18

    The following is an excerpt from “The Biblical Path of Life” Year Two, Quarter One – Lesson 2:

    “We read about the first three kings of Israel in our last lesson. See they are described as kings whom: “…did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin” (1 Kings 15:26). Remember that King Jeroboam made two golden calves, one in Dan and the other in Bethel, for the people to worship so that they would not return to the Temple in Jerusalem. This was sin in God’s eyes. Notice that each king after Jeroboam was compared back to him. … We will meet five more kings of Israel from 1 Kings 16.

    “Elah: When Baasha died, his son Elah became king (see 1 Kings 16:8). Elah’s servant, Zimri, conspired against him. Zimri was captain of half his chariots. After conspiring against him, Zimri killed him, becoming king in his stead (see 1 Kings 16:9-10).

    “Zimri: As soon as Zimri became king, he killed the entire house of Baasha, according to the word of the Lord (1 Kings 16:11-13). Why did he do this? “For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities” (1 Kings 16:13). Zimri was king for seven days. When the people heard that he killed Elah to become king, they made Omri their king. When the people did this, Omri went (and all of Israel with him) to besiege Tirzah. When Zimri saw the city was taken, he went into the palace of the king’s house and burned it — while he was still inside, killing himself (see 1 Kings 16:18). It was the Lord’s will that he die. Why? “For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin” (1 Kings 16:19). However, there was a division among the people.

    “Tibni: Half of the people followed Tibni to make him king, but the other half followed Omri. “But the people that followed Omri prevailed against the people that followed Tibni the son of Ginath: so Tibni died, and Omri reigned” (1 Kings 16:22).

    “Omri: The people made Omri king and he reigned for twelve years. He bought a hill in Samaria and built a city. “25. But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him. 26. For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities” (1 Kings 16:25-26). Omri died and his son, Ahab, reigned in his stead.

    “Ahab: Ahab, son of Omri, reigned over Israel for 22 years. “30. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. 31. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. 32. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him” (1 Kings 16:30-33). As we will find in our study, Ahab was a wicked king with a very wicked wife.

    “A Deeper Path: Notice that each generation seemed to be worse than the generation before them. When they rejected God and His commandments, the land filled with “darkness.”  See what Jesus said in John 3:19: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” 

    “Remember that Jesus came to set us free from that darkness to walk as His dear children in Him (the Light). “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

    “A Christian cannot walk in “darkness” (sin).  “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6).

    “As Christians (God’s people), we are to be different — not like the “nations” around us (as Israel’s kings chose to be). “17. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:17-18).”

    Are you like the wicked kings of Israel with their understanding darkened, because of the blindness of their heart?

    Or

    Are you light in the Lord, walking as children of light?

  • The Excellency of the Power of God

    “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
    2 Corinthians 4:7

    Paul had been called to be a light to the Gentile people, telling them of the Gospel message of Jesus. He wanted all to understand each person is a sinner (see Romans 3:23), and that all would die an eternal death unless they trusted in Jesus (see Romans 6:23). Paul understood the importance of teaching the truths of the Gospel message. “1. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:1-2).

    • Dishonesty means “shameful actions; disgraceful conduct; hidden things of shame; clandestine conduct of which disciples of Christ should be ashamed.”
    • Craftiness means “shrewd; unscrupulous; the employment of any or all means necessary to apprehend an end.” 
    • Handling the word of God deceitfully means “adulterating the word of the gospel (and its instructions of men in religion) with the notion of unjust lucre, gain or profit.” 
    • Manifestation means “to make visible or observable.” 

    Paul was not dishonest, crafty, or deceitful in the way he taught the Gospel or doctrines of Jesus. Instead, he made it not only visible in his life but also observable in his lifestyle. That is to be the conscience effort of each Christian – to tell others simply and honestly, without any trickery, about Jesus. However, more than that, we are to “flesh” it out – live it daily. So that all can see what God can, and will do, through Christian’s lives. Remember Jesus’ final instructions before he ascended into heaven: to be witnesses to the uttermost part of the earth (see Acts 1:8). Each Christian is responsible to share the Gospel message of Jesus.

    Paul continued. “3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Paul had not failed to tell others consistently about Jesus, so if they did not receive or understand the Gospel message it was because “the god of this world” (which is Satan) hid it from them. Remember how many had rejected Jesus – who declared to all, that He is the Light of the World. “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). Most people find it easier to believe a lie (remember Satan is the father of lies, see John 8:44), instead of the truth.

    Paul understood the heart of the message. “5. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:5-6). Only God can convict the heart of sin. Only Jesus can save. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Earthen vessels means “the human body as formed of clay and this feeble and frail.” Paul understood that it was not in his frail, human, body that the ability to save was given, but it is in the power of God alone. Yet God used Paul in his frailty to accomplish God’s plan.

    Is it difficult to allow God to use one to accomplish His plan? Paul declared that with every part of his being, he lived a life that revealed Jesus to any who saw him (see 2 Corinthians 4:8-11). But with that came much persecution and troubles on every side. Nevertheless, Paul understood the importance of putting his own flesh to death and living in the Spirit. “So then death worketh in us, but life in you” (2 Corinthians 4:12). Because Paul followed God’s will, not living for himself, others could see Jesus, which allowed them the opportunity to choose life eternal.

    Jesus is always the best example to follow. “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). Meat means “denotes sustenance; nourishment.” Jesus understood that pleasing God, doing the work He has for one, is very important – even life sustaining. We are to follow Jesus’ example. Christians are not to do what we want, but what God wants us to do. Jesus completed everything God wanted Him to do (see John 19:30).

    Have you allowed God to use you, in your frailty, to accomplish His plan for you as you share the Gospel message?

    How to be Saved

  • Iniquity Separates

    “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
    Isaiah 59:2

    Excerpt from Year Two Quarter Three, Lesson 3: Isaiah 40-66: Grace and Salvation

    “This section begins with a pointing out of the people’s sin. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1). Especially notice what the people had been doing. “Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God” (Isaiah 58:2). They had been seeking God and His ways – daily. Moreover, they were going to the Temple when required and performing their duties. We can understand that outwardly it appeared they were doing everything right: they were seeking after God, wanting to know His ways, going to the Temple, and doing what they were supposed to do. However, from God’s perspective, they were sinners who needed their sin declared aloud. Knowing what sin is was not enough. Going through the motions of religion was not enough. There was a serious problem! God was not pleased. “4b. … ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 5. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?” (Isaiah 58:4b-5)…

    “God wanted to see a people humbled before Him, seeking forgiveness for their sins. This would change their whole outlook. “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward” (Isaiah 58:8). Then God would hear them and answer them (see Isaiah 58:9-14).

    “God’s people had not yet learned how to do it correctly. Nevertheless, that could not stop God from doing all he planned. “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1). It was God’s people in the error. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). They were a sinful people, and everything they tried to do to become a righteous people failed. God was warning them again that because of their sinfulness, the enemy would come in and take them away from their homeland. But one day, in the distant future, God gives hope again, of one who can take their sin from them. “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 59:20). And this verse introduces us to what the rest of the book of Isaiah is all about.

    “Remember back for a minute. We read that God’s glory filled the Tabernacle when Moses completed it in the wilderness (see Exodus 40:34). God’s glory also filled the Temple that King Solomon built (see 2 Chronicles 5:14). We will read in Ezekiel how God’s glory departed before the coming invasion of the Babylonians to carry God’s people out of the land. Do you remember why the glory of the Lord departed? The people sought idols instead of watching for Jesus to come. Remember what we can read in John 1:14: “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.” Jesus came. He was God’s glory. Nevertheless, the world (as a whole) rejected Him. As we read Isaiah chapter sixty, we find a promise. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1). One day, Jesus will come again. And at that time, God will turn His attention back to His people, the Israelites. However, before that day comes, see what will happen. “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:2). The world will become a very dark place before the Lord returns to rule and reign. At that time, God will make Jerusalem what He had always intended for it to be – and the whole world will want to come and see it! (“… And they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel” Isaiah 60:14b.)” 

    Remember why it was that Jesus sent Paul to proclaim the message of salvation to all: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18).

    Have you turned from darkness to Light (Jesus), from the power of Satan unto God, receiving forgiveness of sin?

  • Do You Confess, or Deny Jesus?

    “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

    As you read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you learn of Jesus’ Teachings. More than that, as you read of Jesus’ Miracles, one can see the compassion of Jesus and the call to faith – to believe in Jesus. In Jesus’ Parables, He specifically wanted to teach His followers about heavenly things. However, more than that, 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.

    But did all believe? “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him” (John 12:37). Many did not believe though they saw many great miracles. Often times, those who did believe were afraid to admit that belief 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). Notice the reason those who believed because of Jesus’ words but 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 their belief 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. (Confess “means to agree with; confess publicly, acknowledge openly; profess ‘the Lord being Jesus.’”)  As you continue reading, see that Jesus cried out. One can almost sense His frustration in consistently declaring the truth, yet the refusal of most to act upon it. “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). Understand that 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 be revealed to mankind, as the “light into the world” for He had the words of life – if only one would hear them. However, if one refused, read what He declared. “48. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak” (John 12:48-50).

     God knew their hearts. If they rejected Jesus, God would judge them one day. Notice that Jesus declared that He spoke the words of God to the people.

    The following is a great example of one who heard of Jesus, went to see Him, and openly believed. We can read of this man, named Zacchaeus. Most people remember the children’s song that tells of him. And it is quite accurate with what the Bible teaches us. Jesus was passing through Jericho. “And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich” (Luke 19:2). He was a short man who could not see Jesus as He passed because of the crowd. So, “he climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see. And as the Saviour passed that way, He looked up in that tree, and He said, ‘Zacchaeus, you come down. For I’m going to your house today.’” Jesus went to his house, and Zacchaeus believed in Jesus. We understand this because Jesus declared, “This day is salvation come to this house …” (Luke 19:9b). Jesus added something very important for all to remember. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Remember that this is why Jesus came into the world.

    Have you openly believed in Jesus, or are you like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day who were afraid?

    How to be Saved

  • Nicodemus

    “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
    John 3:17

    Jesus had many personal encounters with different men and women – some who committed themselves to Him, and Jesus to them; and some, who did not.

    “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews” (John 3:1). The Pharisees were a part of the religious leaders of the day. Jesus had been teaching in the synagogues and the Temple. When Nicodemus had a question about Jesus’ teachings, he went to Jesus, Himself, by night for the answers. “2. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:2–3). See that Jesus knew the heart of Nicodemus. Nicodemus did not come to challenge what Jesus taught (as we know many religious leaders did), but he truly wanted to understand who Jesus was and why He had come. Jesus went straight to the heart of the matter. Unless a man gives up his old life, being born again, he cannot “see the kingdom of God.” See the following verse to understand “the kingdom of God”: “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Within you means “it is located in your heart and affections; not external.” The kingdom of God cannot be seen with human eyes. That is one reason we refer to being saved as “asking Jesus into one’s heart.” Jesus began to explain this to Nicodemus.

    “4. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit… 9. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10. Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” (John 3:4-6, 9-10). Even when Nicodemus did not understand, Jesus patiently explained.

    Jesus had often taught the people of things they knew, yet often they still did not understand. Nicodemus, a “master of Israel”, did not understand. Jesus took him back to the Old Testament Law that Nicodemus knew. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up” (John 3:14). Remember: After the people spoke against God in the wilderness, fiery snakes bit them. The people were dying because of snakebites. God told Moses to make a brazen serpent. This serpent was to remind them of their sin against God. Moses held it up, and anyone who looked upon that serpent held high did not die, even though the poisonous snake bit them. (Numbers 21:4-9 to remember the events). Because of this faith, they were physically saved. Jesus reminded Nicodemus of that event, for it took the same kind of faith to be saved from sin – faith in Jesus – for He would take the sin of man upon Himself as he was hung on the cross to die (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).

    Jesus explained this with the following: “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. 18. 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 3:15-18).

     Jesus explained it simply to Nicodemus: Jesus was the teacher from God who came to teach the world how to be saved from sin – to believe in Jesus, God’s Son, for by unbelief, they were condemned to eternal death. See John 3:19-21 to understand that Jesus was the Light who came into the world, and He acknowledged that man loved darkness (their sin) more than the Light (Jesus). As you try to understand Jesus as the Light, imagine a very dark room – with absolutely no light. In that room, one cannot see anything. However, if you turn on a flashlight, you can see the area where the light shines, revealing what was previously hidden. Jesus is just like that – He reveals what is hidden “because their deeds were evil.” Jesus came to drive that darkness away, revealing the sin that had to be removed – but only by the Light, Jesus.  

    We understand that Nicodemus at some point believed in Jesus by the following verses: “Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them)” (John 7:50). Nicodemus was one of the two that took Jesus’ body and buried it after His death upon the cross (John 19:38-39).

    Nicodemus became a Believer of Jesus.

    Have you chosen to receive the gift of salvation (life) by believing in Jesus?

    How to be Saved