The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Twelve

  • Choose Christ

    “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

    John 20:31

    Jesus will be the final judge for each and every person (see John 5:22 and Revelation 1:18). Jesus gave us the terms of salvation. “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. See also John 6:40). The eternity of each individual is determined by what they do with Jesus: whether or not one receives Christ as their Saviour is the deciding factor. Once one hears of Jesus, a decision must be made. That decision determines one’s destination: heaven or hell.

    Jesus told us His judgment of two people while He was still here on the earth. Most people remember the thief on the cross. “42. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). Jesus declared this man’s eternal fate at that time. He would be with Jesus; for this man chose Jesus.

    The other man was Judas Iscariot. He is worth considering.

    In the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, many followed Jesus. Consider that Judas must have been one and heard Jesus’ teachings for he was called to follow Jesus. Judas walked with Jesus for about three years listening to Jesus teach. He saw Jesus heal many and saw Jesus for who He really is: the Son of God. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Judas had just as much opportunity as the other disciples to fully commit his heart and life to Jesus. Remember the privilege he had as he walked with Jesus as the chosen twelve. “14. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15. And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils” (Mark 3:14-15). Even with this, Judas needed to commit his own heart and life to Jesus. When Jesus asked His disciples a life-changing question, remember the answer given. “69. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?71. He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:69-71). Jesus knew their hearts, and He knew that Judas had not truly believed. With this information, Judas still had to make the choice for himself: believe in Jesus or reject Him. This was a perfect time for Judas to change his heart. Instead he choose to be a thief. “This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he (Judas) was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (John 12:6). Judas stole money from Jesus’ ministry. He decided to make money betraying Jesus to the religious leaders (see Matthew 26:14-16). “And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him” (John 13:2). The devil put betrayal into his heart. But recognize that Jesus still offered him a chance to change his mind by letting Judas know that He knew Judas’ plans. Judas still had a choice. “Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dippedit. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon” (John 13:26). Jesus knew Judas’ heart. Judas could have chosen Christ, asking forgiveness right then. However, when Judas did not repent (change his heart and mind), remember what happened. “And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him,That thou doest, do quickly” (John 13:27). Satan had opportunity to enter Judas. Judas then betrayed Jesus.

    Remember part of Jesus’ prayer in the garden that night before He was crucified. “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled” (John 17:12). Jesus knew that one of the twelve disciples would reject Him. “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9; see also John 1:18). Yet Jesus called Judas to be one of His twelve disciples, ultimately leaving Judas the choice.

    “3. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4. Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood…” (Matthew 27:3-4a). Afterward, Judas was sorry; for he saw that he was condemned. But it was too late. His choice had been made. Jesus declared that Judas was lost (the “son of perdition” see John 17:12).

    Many church goers appear to be in the same condition as Judas. Some have joined the choir. Others have a great part of service in their churches. They hear the Word of God preached and many sermons on redemption of what is required for salvation. Yet they continue in the same path, never choosing Christ. Just as Judas. For some, like Judas, they may wait until it is too late.

    Have you chosen to reject the sin of this world and accept Christ as your Saviour, choosing to walk with Him?

    How to be saved.

  • Circles of the Christian Life

    “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

    2 Peter 3:18

    Consider ther following:

    Just as there are different growing stages for people, there should be different phases in a Christian’s life. Just as one does not want a baby to remain a baby but to grow up into a productive adult, so Christ would have His people not remain babes in Christ, but to grow. “But grow in grace, and inthe knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him beglory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). Life does not stand still. Therefore, Christians should continually grow. If they do not, they will begin to slide backward in that life in Christ. One way of looking at these different stages of growth in Christianity is to consider circles of nearness to Christ, Jesus being the center.

    Remember the five hundred who saw Jesus at once after His resurrection (see 1 Corinthians 15:6). Jesus revealed Himself to them. They were “brethren” who had believing faith in Christ. These could be included in an “outer circle of faith” – belonging to Him, yet far from Him. These could be compared to Christians in the church today who have believing faith, but do not walk in nearness to Christ. They are saved, maybe read the Bible occasionally, attend church, but that is pretty much it in their relationship with Christ. Much like a babe who hasn’t yet grown.

    Consider also the seventy whom Jesus sent forth to tell the people that the “Kingdom of God” had come near to them – for Jesus was there (see Luke 10:1-11). The people needed to receive Jesus as their Saviour. This seventy were ones who were trustworthy to be sent forth. They were worthy of service for Jesus, for they walked with Him. Today in churches, there are those who have a regular, faithful walk with Jesus worthy of being available servants to bring people to Jesus for salvation. These are in the closer circle where Jesus is in the center.

    We come to an even closer circle around Jesus. These were the twelve that Jesus called out to walk with Him for over three years during His ministry (see Matthew 10:1-7). They walked and talked with Jesus daily. These were Jesus’ friends. They would continue, becoming fit leaders for the new church, after Jesus’ ascension. Today, there are those who are not only saved, walk daily with Jesus, and are worthy to be leaders and teachers in the churches. They can also be called Jesus’ friends. “14.Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:14-15). These Christians are more like Christ because they are in that next ring of the circle – closer to Jesus.

    You then have a smaller, inner group that Jesus called apart at specific times to teach them things they would need to know in order to serve Him and lead others after He ascended. These were Peter, James, and John. They especially witnessed Jesus’ power over death (see Mark 5:22-24, 35-43). They observed a glimpse of Jesus in His glory (see Luke 9:28-36). These were the same three whom Jesus took to the garden that final night to pray. They did not quite measure up to what Jesus had wanted – for they fell asleep three times! Yet Jesus continued to teach them. These three continued serving Jesus after His ascension. Remember Peter’s amazing sermon at Pentecost (see Acts 2:14-40). “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). Many came to know Jesus because Peter was faithful. James became a martyr for His faith (see Acts 12:1-2). James was faithful to the death. John was the only Apostle who did not die a martyr’s death. He lived to record the book of Revelation for us to read today. Those who faithfully walk with Jesus, reading His Word, are able to reach a level of maturity where they can know Jesus and lead others to do the same.

    There is then the smallest circle of one on one with Christ. John is one to consider to have attained this continual faithfulness with Christ. When all of the disciples fled from Jesus the night He was arrested, there was one who remained – John (see John 18:15). He is the only disciple mentioned that was at the foot of the cross. He was the one whom Jesus asked to take care of His mother (see John 19:26-27). The love of Christ was predominant in that man’s life (see 1 John 4).

    • Are you saved, only having a saving faith, much like the five hundred?
    • Have you grown enough to bring someone else to Jesus as the seventy?
    • Do you walk in fellowship with Jesus daily, becoming His friend, as the group of twelve?
    • Are you one like the inner group of three, continually learning from Jesus and serving Him?
    • Has the love of Christ become predominant in your life?

    Having considered these things, in which circle do you fit?

    What can you do to advance to that innermost circle?