PERSONAL REDEMPTION

 

PERSONAL REDEMPTION

John 17:17 [Jesus prayed] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

1Peter 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 

  God’s Holy Spirit works with mankind in both general ways and individually. The two common areas being experience and intellect, my being both.

  I was raised in a moral family. Aesop’s Fables, wise adages, and the 10 Commandments taught but unquoted were mainstays, and high on the list were examples. But other than public school morning ritual of the Lord’s Prayer and readings from Psalms plus an 8^th grade Gideons assembly, occasional C & E Methodist church visits, and my involvement in a Roman Catholic BSA troop, a picture Bible that Aunt Edith gifted, I received no regular church training. Ann and I were married at William Waters Methodist Church and attended until we took up water skiing and other activities. Challenging Biblical exposure came the Summer and Autumn of my 27^th year.

  Beginning October, 1955, I began 43 years employment by Western Electric, ATT, and Lucent and now receive my pension and benefits from them. To get ahead more quickly I took higher graded positions that most men there didn’t want as they were hot, oily, dirty, riskier, and involved more labor than street clothed bench-hand assembly. (By the time I attained upper pay grade with more responsibility/less labor older long-term employees contested my status doing so to no avail as they had never taken the necessary qualifying lower steps.)

  Irving Garfield “Bud” Bond was a senior grade 36 diecaster in the WECo. aluminum foundry. I was a grade 34 utility working various tasks as needed, sometimes substituting for those ill or injured.

  A lifelong reader I enjoyed my 2 breaks and lunchtime library time alone. That is, until Bud asked if he could join me. I agreed on a trial basis.

  Though I’d never heard “evangelical Christian” I soon discovered he passionately was one. Bud was neither loud or pushy. He was gentle and polite.

  The conversations were very interesting, but after 6 weeks I politely told Bud that I wanted to end our sessions. Bud asked why. I explained my respect for him and his beliefs but that I could not accept his basic premise that the Bible is the Word of God.

  In response Bud asked if I would read one more piece of literature, and then let him know if I still wanted to terminate our time together. The next day he handed me a 34 page 10 points booklet, 10 REASONS WHY I BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD, by William W. Orr.

  After reading the booklet I saw the obvious; I needed to personally reconcile with Sovereign Jehovah God Almighty. 12:30am driving home from work I made my clumsy plea to God and my life changed forever. All glory to Jehovah God Almighty, His son Lord Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit that indwells those who trust Him! (Eph.1:13)

EBB4

MY EYES

 

MY EYES

  Psalm 1:1-6 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

  Psalm 25:8-15 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 

His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 

  Jesus explained: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [Jn.3:3; Rom.12:1-2]

  When my husband and I were same area . . . if I looked his way his eyes would soon affectionately meet mine. It was always wonderful to see his eyes lovingly light up.

  It is so much more wonderful to know that my Heavenly Father is watching over me in live. May I always keep my eyes toward Him.

Leslie Nivens (12/12/1928 – 3/1/2020)

BIBLICALLY WOKE?

 

BIBLICALLY WOKE?

  Awoke this morning thinking about Bible characters, family and friends . . . wondering “Lord, is this a test or a rest? Or both?”

EBB4

6:12 IS GREEK TO ME!

 6:12 IS GREEK TO ME!

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

  I still hear the old explanation of not comprehending, “It’s Greek to me!” This for me being quite true about calculus, jazz, Mahjong and more. Once upon a time it was totally true about Scripture, but that changed when I believed God’s Word. With the personal realization of John 1:12 and 3:3 my vision changed. Then it increased when I was introduced to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries and Thayer’s Greek Definitions in hard copy volumes. Then a few years ago friend and brother in Christ Mark Welch introduced me to free wonderful e-Sword software (http://www.e-sword.net/downloads.html ), it containing Strong’s and Thayer’s to use with quick ease of move-to cursor.

  A bit of prudent advice: If you’ve been using regular dictionaries to define words in Scripture, please stop doing so. Such definitions may be strictly English and may have little or nothing in common with true original meaning. Also consider that English word meanings change over time. Have some not done so in your lifetime? (For you KJV fellows, consider the “gay” of James 2:3.)

  We elders well know of this issue as we speak English to English and at times due to vocabulary changes or lacks we are not understood by those younger or culturally different.

  Why am I writing on this topic? I’ve discovered individuals misinterpreting or confused about some Scripture, the underlying reason being they used current English dictionaries to define words in verses.

  For those interested I share several words from recent study of Ephesians 6:12.

“For^G3754 we^G2254 wrestle^{G2076 G3823} not^G3756 against^G4314 flesh^G4561 and^G2532 blood,^G129 but^G235 against^G4314 principalities,^G746 against^G4314 powers,^G1849 against^G4314 the^G3588 rulers^G2888 of the^G3588 darkness^G4655 of this^G5127 world,^G165 against^G4314 spiritual^G4152 wickedness^G4189 in^G1722 high^G2032 places.” 

wrestle: G2076 ἐστί; esti; es-tee'   Third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are: - are, be (-long), call, X can [-not], come, consisteth, X dure for awhile, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.

principalities: G746 ἀρχή; archē; ar-khay'  From G756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concrete) chief (in various applications of order, time, place or rank): - beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule. 

powers: G1849 ἐξουσία; exousia; ex-oo-see'-ah  From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

rulers: G2888 κοσμοκράτωρ; kosmokratōr; kos-mok-rat'-ore  From G2889 and G2902; a world ruler, an epithet of Satan: - ruler.

  Okay, no great surprises on “principalities” or “powers”, but aha! on “rulers” as Greek soubriquet for Satan. Also liked seeing that to “wrestle” is constant in this life, and can be profitable instead of weakening and destructive. Hopefully my English today is not Greek to you. Sometimes notes in response to DTs assert I speak a different language.

EBB4

For further study on topic, go to: http://www.gotquestions.org/Greek-Hebrew-Bible.html  

DETOURING FROM SUCCESS

 DETOURING FROM SUCCESS

“… I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for well-being, and not for calamity, in order to give you a future and a hope. When you call out to me and come and pray to me, I'll hear you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” (ISV Jer.29:11-13)

"[Jesus explained] Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you. Because everyone who keeps asking will receive, and the person who keeps searching will find, and the person who keeps knocking will have the door opened.” (ISV Mt.7:7-8; also note Rev.3:20)

  I know my, our, as Christians greatest goal should be to discern and implement serving God. (Rom.12:1-3) King Solomon lamented this dilemma, declaring "Utterly pointless," says the Teacher. "Absolutely pointless; everything is pointless. What does a man gain from all of the work that he undertakes on earth? A generation goes, a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises, the sun sets, then rushes back to where it arose. The wind blows continually—southward, then northward, constantly circulating—and the wind comes back again in its courses. All the rivers flow toward the sea, but the sea is never full; then rivers return to the headwaters where they began. Everything is wearisome, more than man is able to express. The eye is never satisfied by seeing, nor the ear by hearing.“ (ISV Eccl.1:2-8) and in the end deciding “Let the conclusion of all of these thoughts be heard: Fear God and obey his commandments, for this is what it means to be human. For God will judge every deed, along with every secret, whether good or evil.” (ISV Eccl.12:13-14)

  Brother Dave West via illustration candidly shares that he has the problem of distraction. Is he alone in this? It may not be INTERNET chasm sinkhole for you or me, but [___________].

 

EBB4

 

GotQuestions.org: What does it mean to be sanctified?

 

  To be sanctified is to be “set apart.” Synonyms for sanctified are holy, consecrated, and hallowed. The Bible speaks of things being “sanctified,” such as Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:23) and gifts to the temple (Matthew 23:17); days, such as the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8); names, such as God’s (Matthew 6:9); and people, such as the Israelites (Leviticus 20:7–8) and Christians (Ephesians 5:26).
  For a thing to be sanctified means it is set apart for a special use. Sinai was set apart from all other mountains for the giving of the Law. The temple in Jerusalem was set apart from all other locations for the worship of the one true God: “I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there” (2 Chronicles 7:16).
  Things that are sanctified are reserved for God’s purposes and should not be used for mundane tasks. The night Babylon fell, King Belshazzar “gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets . . . from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them” (Daniel 5:2). It was one of Belshazzar’s final acts, for he was killed that night by the invading Persians. God’s name is “hallowed” (Luke 11:2) and any flippant or disrespectful use of His name is profane.
  Jesus spoke of Himself as being sanctified in John 17:19; in other words, He is holy and “set apart” from sin. His followers are to be similarly set apart from sin and for God’s use (see 1 Peter 1:16).
  People who are sanctified are born again [John 3:3] and therefore part of God’s family (John 1:12; Hebrews 2:11). They are reserved for God’s use. They know “the sanctifying work of the Spirit” in their lives (1 Peter 1:2). They abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3). They understand they have been “called to be his holy people” (1 Corinthians 1:2).
  To be sanctified means that God has been at work in our lives. Under the Old Testament Law, the blood of a sacrifice was required to set things apart unto God: “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood” (Hebrews 9:22). Blood was sprinkled on tabernacle furniture, on priestly clothing, and on people. Nothing was considered sanctified until it had come in contact with the blood. This was a picture of the spiritual application of Christ’s blood for our salvation—we are “sprinkled with his blood” (1 Peter 1:2). Just as the temple of old was sanctified for God’s use, our bodies, temples of the Holy Spirit, are set apart for God’s holy purposes (1 Corinthians 6:19).
  To be sanctified means that God’s Word has had an effect on us. It is “through the word” that God cleanses us and makes us holy (Ephesians 5:26; John 17:17).
  God invites us sinners to come to Him “just as we are” and receive His mercy and forgiveness. When we are saved, the Holy Spirit begins His amazing work of transforming us into the image and likeness of Christ. To be sanctified means that God loves us too much to let us stay the same.
  The apostle’s prayer is for all believers, everywhere: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

+++

I’m building a topical file on the topic. Want it? Just ask. EBB4

 

KINSMAN-REDEEMER

 

גּאל

Ruth 4:1-22  And Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the kinsman גּאל ] ] of whom Boaz spoke came by. And he said, Such a one! Turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, Come sit down here. And they sat down. And he said to the kinsman, Naomi, who has come again out of the country of Moab, sells a parcel of land which was our brother Elimelech's. And I said I will tell it in your ear, saying, Buy it before those who live here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem, redeem it. But if you will not redeem, tell me so that I may know. For there is none to redeem besides you. And I am after you. And he said, I will redeem. And Boaz said, In the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must buy also from the hand of Ruth of Moab, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem for myself, lest I mar my own inheritance. You redeem my right to yourself, for I cannot redeem. And this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, to confirm everything. A man plucked off his sandal and gave it to his neighbor. And this was a testimony in Israel.

  Therefore the kinsman said to Boaz, Buy it for yourself. So he drew off his sandal. And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, from the hand of Naomi. And also Ruth of Moab, the wife of Mahlon, I have purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, so that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his place. You are witnesses this day. And all the people in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. May Jehovah make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, for these two built the house of Israel. And may you be blessed in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem. And let your house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, of the seed which Jehovah shall give you of this young woman.    

  And Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife. And when he went in to her, Jehovah made her conceive. And she bore a son. And the women said to Naomi, Blessed be Jehovah, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, so that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be to you as a restorer of life, …

  The Book of Ruth gives a delightful account of love in action. The Hebrew גּאל , gâ'al; gaw-al', “kinsman-redeemer”, is a delightful word describing a committed person then and another yet to come.  EBB4

FLOWERS FADE

 FLOWERS FADE

1Peter [ESV] 1:13-25 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children [Jn.1:12], do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance [Rom.12:1-3], but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 

who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 

  I dug up my beautiful miniature rosebushes and took them to my new apartment and set them out.

  I’ll have to make several trips, 40 miles each way, to tend and water them as I don’t know when the new apartment will be ready for me to move in.

  As I dug and replanted I knew some would die and I thought of Isaiah 40:6-8.

  How thankful I am that God’s Word never fades, dies, or changes!

Leslie Nivens (12/12/1928 – 3/1/2020)

READINESS

 READINESS

[Jesus plainly explained, declaring] “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” … Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ … “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (ESV, John chapter 3)

  As a Boy Scout I heard and still practice BE PREPARED. In my home library (By this I mean books scattered throughout.) I have books on how to fix things and how to prevent problems, recently adding Popular Mechanics ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE, “The only book you need in any emergency.”

  But viewing such helps with reality, I ask what good is surviving if in the end a person is eternally lost spiritually?

EBB4

CANON - ING

 CANON – ING

  2Timothy 2:15-17 Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. But shun profane, vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their word will eat like a gangrene; among whom are Hymeneus and Philetus, [and Joel Osteen et al, critiquing file available upon request]

  2Timothy 4:1-4 Therefore I solemnly witness before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is going to judge the living and the dead according to His appearance and His kingdom, preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear. And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths. 

  “canon” comes from the rule of law to determine if something is up to standard measure. For the professing Christian claiming they believe in the Word living (Jn.1:1) and written, the Bible (Jn.17:17; 1Thes.2:13) is that by which we do, or should, measure all things. All things meaning ALL THINGS.

  Relying on otherwise or mixing in other than sound doctrine is not relying on God’s Truth (Jn.17:17).    

  Doing so is chasing after personal desires in opposition to trusting the Lord; “thy will be done.”

  The opposition list is long and continually developing. It includes Facebook talisman (“Touch the _____), horoscopes, feel-good prosperity preachers and their wives, and a multitude of other misleading things. This includes a number of religious denominations.

  Reading and studying the Word equips us to recognize things good or bad whether personal (internal) or impersonal (external). Note Psalm 119.

  Let us live as Job, able to confidently say, “… let me be weighed in an even balance so that God may know my uprightness.” (Job 3:16)

EBB4

PSALMS

 

A STUDY OF THE PSALMS Dr. Jim Eckman INTRODUCTION • Title: The Hebrew title for this biblical book is Tehillim (“Praises”), songs of praise to God in public worship. The English title, Psalms comes from the Greek term psalmos, which translates song or praise. • Authors: David is the most common author of the 150 psalms (73-75), with other authors being the sons of Korah (11), Asaph (12), Solomon (2) and Moses (1). • As a hymnbook: The Psalms take the fundamental themes of Old Testament theology and turn them into songs of worship and praise. 1. There is one true God 2. The creation of the world and the fall of humanity 3. The Covenant of God with His people—to save them and through them to bring His light to the rest of the world. 4. Covenantal loyalty and obedience of God’s people 5. Eschatology—the coming Messiah, son of David, and His ultimate rule over all things. • Curses: The Psalms are filled with the call for curses on the enemies of God. These are to be understood as calls for God to avenge Himself, His name and His people. They are just and they are righteous, never vengeful. • Literary figures of speech: 1. Metaphor—a comparison. “The Lord is my shepherd. 2. Simile—a comparison using the words like or as. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water.” 3. Personification—human attributes are given to something nonhuman (e.g., animals, objects). “Light and truth” in Psalm 43. 4. Hyperbole—language of exaggeration. “My tears have been my food day and night.” • Structure: The standard Hebrew text divides the Psalms into five books. 1. Book 1—Psalms 1-41 2. Book 2—Psalms 42-72 3. Book 3—Psalms 73—89 4. Book 4—Psalms 90-106 5. Book 5—Psalms 107-150. Psalm 1: The Life That is Blessed I. The Way of the Righteous, 1-3 • The righteous lead an untarnished life, v. 1 • The righteous love to meditate on God’s Word, v. 2 • The righteous have success in life, v. 3 II. The Way of the Ungodly, vv. 4-6 • The life of the ungodly is worthless, v. 4 • The ungodly will not survive the judgment, v. 5 III. The Judgment: The righteous and the ungodly, v. 6 PSALM 2: The Coronation of God’s Son I. The source of the Rebellion, vv. 1-3 II. The response to the Rebellion, vv. 4-6 III. The King’s decree, vv. 7-9 IV. The call to Wisdom, vv. 10-12 PSALM 3: Confident Faith in the Midst of Adversity I. Adversity (and adversaries) cause the believer to focus on God’s plan, vv. 1-3 II. Confidence in God results from God’s present protection through answered prayer, vv. 4-6 III. Praying to the LORD produces deliverance from adversity, 7-8 PSALM 4: Safe and Secure in God’s Love I. God brings relief to His people, v. 1 II. Faith in God brings enablement to deal with antagonists, vv. 2-5 III. The faithful find joy in God’s provision of peace and security, vv. 6-8 PSALM 5: Deliverance from Deception I. The righteous pray and watch with confidence, vv. 1-3 II. The righteous pray with confidence as God deals with wickedness, vv. 4-7 III. The righteous pray with confidence that God will deliver them and judge the wicked, vv. 8-12 PSALM 6: A Prayer for Deliverance I. The chastened believer can only appeal to God, vv. 1-7 • The prayer for relief, vv. 1-3 • The appeal to God’s loyal love, vv. 4-5 • The expression of grief to the Lord, vv. 6-7 II. The confessing believer can expect deliverance from chastening, vv. 8-10 PSALM 7: Confident Trust in the LORD I. Those who trust in the Lord can expect deliverance, vv. 1-2 II. The righteous must be innocent to appeal for God’s vindication, vv. 3-9 III. Confidence in God is renewed when God foils the wicked, vv. 10-16 IV. The righteous sing praises to the Lord, v. 17 PSALM 8: The Majesty of the LORD I. Praise for the LORD’s majesty, v. 1b II. Praise for the LORD’s power and grace, vv. 1b-8 III. Praise for the LORD’s majesty, v. 9 PSALM 9: Confident Praise to God I. Praise to the Sovereign and Eternal Judge of the world, vv. 1-12 II. The Sovereign LORD will judge the wicked and fulfill the hopes of the oppressed, vv. 13-20 PSALM 10: God Defends the Helpless I. The faithful live in a world of oppression, vv. 1-11 II. The faithful can pray to God for help, vv. 12-15 III. The faithful have confidence that God will vindicate them, vv. 16-18 PSALM 11: Holding Fast to Faith in God I. God’s people hold fast to their faith, even when the social order is threatened, vv. 1-3 II. Their faith is in a God who is sovereign and who loves righteousness and hates wickedness, vv. 4-7 PSALM 12: Truth in a World of Deception I. In a time of deception and fraud, God’s people can only turn to Him, vv. 1-4 II. The LORD promises to deliver in times of tyranny, v. 5 III. The words of the LORD are faithful and a source of truth and comfort. vv. 6-8 PSALM 13: The Cry of the Afflicted I. Oppressed believers who feel abandoned by God must cry out to Him, vv. 1-2 II. Oppressed believers pray to God so that things do not get worse, vv. 3-4 III. Oppressed believers pray to God with confidence (in His loyal love), vv. 5-6 PSALM 14: The Folly of the Fool I. Humanity denies God and follows its perverse and corrupting ways, vv. 1-3 II. Perverse humanity persecutes the righteous, not knowing that God will defend them, vv. 4-6 III. The righteous long for that day of deliverance, v. 7 PSALM 15: The Worthy Worshipper I. God’s people examine their lives before worship, v. 1 II. God wants righteousness for His people, vv. 2-5

A THOUGHTFUL QUESTION

 

A THOUGHFUL QUESTION

 

For the Christian, is there really such a thing as “The morning after Christmas.”?

EBB4

WHAT ARE THE BASICS OF JESUS' TEACHINGS?

 

GotQuestions.org: What are the basics of Jesus’ teachings?

 

  The basics of Jesus’ teaching are profound yet simple enough for a child to understand; they are spiritual yet relevant to everyday life. Basically, Jesus taught that He was the fulfillment of messianic prophecy, that God requires more than external obedience to rules, that salvation comes to those who believe in Christ, and that judgment is coming to the unbelieving and unrepentant.
  Jesus Christ taught that everyone needs salvation and that a person’s station in life has no bearing on his or her value to God; Christ came to save people from all walks of life. Neither does anyone’s past sins play a part in his ability to receive forgiveness, and Jesus encouraged His followers to forgive others the same way (Matthew 18:21–35; Luke 7:47). Zacchaeus was a rich tax collector who was undoubtedly despised by everyone in his hometown (Luke 19:7), but Jesus spent time with him. Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9). The reason? Zacchaeus had trusted in Jesus, demonstrated by the fact that he repented of his past sins and pledged himself to a life of charity (Luke 19:8). “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost,” Jesus said to the critical observers (Luke 19:10). He didn’t care who that “lost” person was, rich or poor, male or female, beggar or king. Everyone needs to be born again (John 3:3).
  Jesus also taught the way to God is by faith, not through good deeds. He praised faith (Luke 7:9) and challenged those who relied on their works (Matthew 7:22–28). A rich young ruler once asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). Jesus responded with a question: “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). Christ was not denying His deity or His own goodness, but He knew this young man didn’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah. In His question, Jesus was pointing out that whatever this man thought made someone “good” was false, because no one can do anything to make himself good enough to inherit eternal life (John 14:6). The Jewish religious leaders at the time of Christ shared the young ruler’s perspective, teaching that keeping the Law of God could make one acceptable before God. There are scores of people still today who mistakenly think their “good” life and “good” deeds will be enough to get them into heaven.
  Jesus told this young rich man he must give up all of his wealth and follow Him (Mark 10:21). Jesus said this not because charity makes one righteous but because He knew the young man’s god was money. The young man only thought he was keeping the Law; greed was his undoing. He turned away from Jesus in sadness because “he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22). Christ taught that He alone is the source of eternal life. If someone wants to inherit eternal life, he must follow and worship Christ alone (John 6:45–51; 8:31; 10:27; 15:4, 14).
  At the core of Jesus’ teaching is the good news of the coming of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is mentioned over fifty times in the Gospels. Many of Jesus’ parables were about the Kingdom (Matthew 13:3–9; 13:24–30; 13:31–32; 13:33). As a matter of fact, Jesus said He was sent for the purpose of preaching the coming of the Kingdom (Luke 4:43).
  Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God had begun on earth with His ministry. The proof was evident: in fulfillment of prophecy, the blind were made to see, the dead were raised, and sins were forgiven. But Jesus also taught that there is an aspect of the Kingdom that is yet to come (Luke 9:27). His Kingdom is growing and someday will be visibly present (Luke 13:18–21). In what is commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer,” Christ said to pray for God’s Kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10). Jesus taught His followers to remember their calling: they are instruments of God’s grace as they share the good news of Christ’s coming. The more people become subjects of King Jesus, the more His Kingdom is visible to the world.

WHY DID JESUS COME?

 GotQuestions.org: Why did Jesus come? What was and continues to be His mission?

  Several times in Jesus’ life, He shows that He was a man on a mission. He had a purpose, which He intentionally fulfilled. Even at a young age, Jesus knew that He “must be about [His] Father’s business” (Luke 2:49, KJV). In the last days of His earthly life, Jesus “resolutely set out for Jerusalem,” where He knew He would be killed (Luke 9:51). It could be said that the fundamental mission of Christ’s time on earth was to fulfill God’s plan of saving the lost.
  Jesus put it this way in Luke 19:10: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus had just been criticized for going to the house of a “sinner.” Jesus responded by affirming His mission was to save people who needed saving. Their reputation for sinfulness was not a reason to avoid them; rather, it was a reason to seek them out. Many times during Christ’s ministry, He sought to forgive those whom the self-righteous leaders of the day shunned. He sought out and saved the woman at the well and the Samaritans of her town (John 4:39–41), the sinful woman with the alabaster jar (Luke 7:37), and even one of His own disciples, Matthew, who had been a tax collector (Matthew 9:9).
  In Matthew 9, once again Jesus was criticized for “eating with tax collectors and sinners” (verse 11), and once again Jesus responded by stating His mission: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (verse 13). Jesus’ goal was to save. It was a goal that He reached: “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4).

  All through the Gospels, we see Jesus call to repentance and forgive the worst of sinners. No one is too sinful to come to Him. In fact, He goes after those who are lost, as the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin show (Luke 15:1–10). In the story of the prodigal son, Jesus teaches that God will always welcome with open arms those who come to Him with a repentant heart (Luke 15:21–22; cf. Isaiah 57:15). Even today, Jesus continues to seek and save those who humbly place their faith in Him (Matthew 11:29; 18:3–4; Revelation 3:20).

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Jesus did not come or continue working to make us better persons or the world a better place!! EBB4

DAILY PONDRANCE

 DAILY PONDRANCE

Psalm [ESV] 118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

Romans 14:5-6a One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord.

Thinking, praying, waiting.

EBB4