He Who Believes

John‬ ‭3:36‬ ‭- He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

Yes, ...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ‭‭(John‬ ‭3:16‬) ... yes, God loves all people and ...is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2Peter‬ ‭3:9‬) However, He will not wait forever.

Jesus will return someday and by all the signs in today’s world, how there is much disruption, it will be sooner than later (all the more reason to seek Him now while you still have the time).

 

This is why it is important to know Jesus with all your heart, not just what your church might say about Him but what He says in His Word about who He is. 

It is important that one be familiar with the Word of God. This Book shows all aspects of Him, is filled with exciting and interesting accounts (I don’t like the word stories) of people whose lives were changed or destroyed by either knowing or rejecting Him in both the New and Old Testaments. It’s rich with history. It’s rich with encouragement and promises for true believers. It is also filled with admonishment for those who think a life without Christ is okay. God is both loving and judgmental. One will be confronted some day by one or the other.

Jesus will return as a thief in the night. But for those who understand the signs of the times and know Jesus, the Holy Spirit of God will show us in His Word these signs...and He will not come as a thief for us...only those who do not know Him.

John 5:24 - “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

What Shall I Render to the Lord?

Psalm 116:12-17 - What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? 

   I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. 

   I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all His people. 

Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints. 

   O LORD, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. 

   I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

What does all this mean? As I read this this morning I thought of all the people who have gone before the Lord and received their salvation. They have met with God, recognized Him, called upon Him, chosen His free gift of salvation and now serve Him.

What happens when this free gift is received? The main thing is outright acknowledgement of God our Father, Creator, Redeemer. We recognize Him as sovereign over all. We see His hand in all things. Our hearts and minds change through Him. We grow in the knowledge of our Lord. We begin to know truth. Yesssss. We recognize how flawed our thoughts and hearts once were. And this is all good.

We will pay our vows...we will bring to Him a heart of thankfulness for what He has done in us. We will rejoice in our salvation, which only comes from Him. In this world we can be successful, but it ends when our lives end. Salvation through Christ brings a different, lasting type of success. Wise Solomon came to this conclusion:  “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?” Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3,13-14)

There truly is nothing more important in this life than to walk with God. Only one who has chosen this course can understand this. 

At first it seemed curious the statement: Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. In the context of the other verses, I see this as the rejoicing that God and the angels do when one comes to Christ. We are now His saints and we have given up our old lives, the old man has now become new. We have died to ourselves and have become alive in Christ. This is precious to Him. 

I am reminded of the one stray sheep Jesus referred to:

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!" I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:4-7)

I imagine He leaves that sheepfold daily for that one lost sheep. That prodigal son or daughter. That one Saul who would be made Paul. He knows them all by name. 

When we give in to His calls, His outstretched hand, He loosens the bonds of this world and its lies and death. As the song goes: 

All I once held dear, built my life upon

All this world reveres and wars to own

All I once thought gain I have counted loss

Spent and worthless now compared to this...

Knowing You, Jesus

We become His! The price of His death was paid for us. Can we even fully understand this? God Himself came down from the throne of heaven to live on this earth that He might die for all mankind...all who would seek and serve Him. Who does that? This is hard: He is God to those who do seek Him. If one does not, He is not their God and we are not His child. He died for all, but not all will receive. Not all will give up that old life for a new, sure, everlasting life. 

So, He continues daily to call. Daily He reveals Himself. He works to break hard hearts, that none would perish. He longs to hear the call of the seeking heart and the final words of joyful thanksgiving for the free gift, His salvation. Will you render your life to the Lord? To render means to give up and yield, break down. Will you render to the Lord for the benefits He offers you? His gift. His life. Freedom in Christ. Everlasting life.

Psalm 107:8-11 - Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons—because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High...

Bible in a Nutshell

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

I found this one day and stored it away to share. How one verse of scripture can be explained by many others. This is the one scripture that says it all. My comments are in red. If it seems like too much scripture, let me just add that scripture will always speak for itself. They are God's words and more powerful than my own. (I have to say that I did not include all of the scriptures suggested because some were repetitive.)

Bible In A Nutshell by Naveen Balakrishnan

John 3:16-3:16!

1.      God’s GRACE (v. 16a) - For God so loved the world ...

Deuteronomy 7:8 - ...but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage...

Besides the bondage of addictions, it is the bondage of wrong thinking, ignorance as it were of the truth of God's word. This ignorance can be an innocent type of ignorance...until you have been exposed to the truth.

Jeremiah 31:3 - The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

He draws us. We do not find Him. Anyone who has received Christ will understand this. 

Malachi 1:2 - "I have loved you," says the LORD. 

He loved us first. Can you honestly say you have told the Lord you love Him?

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1John 4:9-10, 19 - In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We love Him because He first loved us.

While we were yet sinners...He loved us. Think about those people who you find difficult to be around or those who are known criminals or murderers. God loves even them. 

2.      God’s GIFT (v. 16b) - that He gave His only Begotten Son 

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

John 1:14 - And the Word became 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.  

2 Corinthians 9:15 - Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 

He gave His only Son. He sacrificed Him so the world could be saved. And Jesus allowed Himself to be sacrificed...greater love...Jesus tells us: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

3.      God’s GOSPEL (v. 16c) - that whosoever believeth in Him 

Joel 2:32 - And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. 

John 3:36 - He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

Acts 16:30-31 - And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Galatians 2:16 - knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 

2Corinthians 4:3-4 - But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Believing in Christ is more than saying you know who He is; it's having the faith of a mustard seed, the openness of a child, to know that you know in your heart that He has called you and responding in an act of faith. The act of faith is done in your heart first and then confessed publicly. It is not by your good deeds or works in this world, being a good person, donating money to worthy causes or belonging to a church; Jesus did the work...you just need to receive what He has done in your heart. He will guide your heart after that. 

4.      God’s GLORY (v. 16d) - should not perish but have everlasting life 

1John 5:11-12 - ...God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

John 10:27-28 - My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

Romans 5:21 - so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

John 17:3 - And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Oh, the glory of God, that we should have everlasting life! We obviously will not see that until we die and we can only hope that today we are in right relationship with Him to receive this everlasting life. This life is given to us through Jesus; it is a gift; we cannot buy it or work for it. It all depends on whether we have chosen to receive Christ, live for Him, know His will for our lives and be obedient to His will. Then our good works are relevant because the works are done through God's power in us and for Him as our Heavenly Father.

Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Behold and Believe

John 5:24 - Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

The Apostle John used the word or a form of the word "believe" 93 times in his Gospel.  This particular word is defined as having faith in, entrusting or having the assurance of.  This word is used so many times in one book to describe Jesus Christ I think we might want to pay close attention to it.

I still think of the family in our church that I've mentioned.  Words like "Jesus will see us through this" and "...yet will I trust You. You are my foundation, my hope and my deliverer" are the words being spoken amid the sorrow and grief.  They are hanging on to the very words of God.  They are believing.  And what's more is people are noticing.  I'm assuming they mean the hospital staff which is amazed at the love and strength being shown to and through these people.  Praise God!

I mentioned yesterday my faith that waivers in some areas of my life.  Areas I know God is working to change.  I'm glad we are always subject to change and discipline.  I'm glad that I'm not looking anywhere but to our Father in heaven for these changes.  These words are added encouragement after yesterday's blog!

Jesus was born, lived, died and rose again.  Anyone can believe that and many will agree with this statement, but it goes much deeper than just an acknowledgement.  Is there anyone in your life you can say for certain will always be there for you?  You might say yes, your spouse has always been a comfort or help to you in a time of trouble.  But anything could happen to change that situation, as seen by this week's tragedy.  However, there is One who will always be beside you--"there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."  (Proverbs 18:24)

God has promised so many years ago that "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5)  This promise is for us today as well--but we must put our trust, our faith and our assurance in Jesus Christ alone.  We must admit we are sinners, repent of our sins, humble ourselves (so important) and call on the name of Jesus to redeem or free us from our sin.  Then these assurances are ours!  There is only one ultimate gift and that is the gift of salvation of Jesus Christ and the liberation that comes in acknowledging and receiving Him as Lord and Savior.  

Put your life into one person's hands, the One who created this universe and knows all the hairs on your head, who has known before the beginning of time every thought you would have or every word you would speak from your first day till your last.  The One who knit you in your mother's womb, whose thoughts of you are precious. The One who knows the number of your days.  If He knows all this and feels this about you, doesn't it stand to reason that He would also know your needs and desires?  He can be trusted with your life; He will guide you better than any earthly person can.

Hear this word that you might believe and have everlasting life.  Put your trust in Him and He will give you new life, a life full and blameless in His eyes.  This life will be vibrant, stronger and full of hope and peace, despite trials.  Call out to Him today.  He is anxiously waiting  to become everything you will ever need.  You need only ask Him to come into your life, forgive you of your sins and open your heart to receive more and more of Him.  It's a relationship He desires with you, not religion or denomination. He wants to commune and speak to you.  Receive Him.

John 10:28-29 - And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 

Lord God, I ask that You speak Your glorious word into someone's heart this day.  Reveal Yourself to them in a special way that they would know You are speaking only to them and calling them into a relationship with You.  Let them behold the Lamb of God who was slain from the foundation of the earth.  Remove the walls of doubt and mistrust in what You are able to do in their lives.  Build their understanding of who You truly are, that they might receive You and receive the ultimate gift of eternal life in You.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

Believe

John 5:24 - Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

The Apostle John used the word or a form of the word "believe" 93 times in his Gospel.  This particular word is defined as having faith in, entrusting or having the assurance of.  This word is used so many times in one book to describe Jesus Christ I think we might want to pay close attention to it.
I still think of the family in our church that I've mentioned this week.  Words like "Jesus will see us through this" and "...yet will I trust You. You are my foundation, my hope and my deliverer" are the words being spoken amid the sorrow and grief.  They are hanging on the very words of God.  They are believing.

Jesus was born, lived, died and rose again.  Anyone can believe that and many will agree with this statement, but it goes much deeper than just an acknowledgement.  Is there anyone in your life you can say for certain will always be there for you?  You might say yes, your spouse has always been a comfort or help to you in a time of trouble.  But anything could happen to change that situation, as seen by this week's tragedy.  However, there is One who will always be beside you--"there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."  (Proverbs 18:24)

God has promised so many years ago that "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5)  This promise is for us today as well--but we must put our trust, our faith and our assurance in Jesus Christ alone.  We must admit we are sinners, repent of them and call on the name of Jesus to redeem or free us from our sin.  Then these assurances are ours!  There is only one ultimate gift and that is the gift of salvation of Jesus Christ and the liberation that comes in acknowledging and receiving Him as Lord and Savior.  

Put your life into one person's hands, the One who created this universe and knows all the hairs on your head, who has known before the beginning of time every thought you would have or every word you would speak from your first day till your last.  The One who knit you in your mother's womb, whose thoughts of you are precious. The One who knows the number of your days.  If He knows all this and feels this about you, doesn't it stand to reason that He would also know your needs and desires?  He can be trusted with your life; He will guide you better than any earthly person can.

Hear this word that you might believe and have everlasting life.  Put your trust in Him and He will give you new life, a life full and blameless in His eyes.  This life will be vibrant, stronger and full of hope.  Call out to Him today.  He is anxiously waiting  to become everything you will ever need.

John 10:28-29 - And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.

Lord God, I ask that You speak Your glorious word into someone's heart this day.  Reveal Yourself to them in a special way that they would know You are speaking only to them and calling them into a relationship with You.  Let them behold the Lamb of God who was slain from the foundation of the earth.  Remove the walls of doubt and mistrust in what You are able to do in their lives.  Build their understanding of who You truly are, that they might receive You and receive the ultimate gift of eternal life in You.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.