Ever since “the fall,” salvation has always been available through God. The requirement for salvation has always been faith. The object of faith for salvation has always been God. In the Old Testament it was God the Father; in the New Testament it is Jesus Christ, His Son. No one, either before Jesus’ death or since Jesus’ death, would ever be saved without the resurrection of Jesus. His death paid the penalty for past sins of Old Testament saints and future sins of New Testament believers.
Do you remember the account of Abraham? In Genesis 15:6, Abraham believed in the Lord and was credited for being righteous. He was “saved” because he believed and trusted in God and God saw him as righteous, meaning right – not wrong- according to His eyes. In Isaiah 69:10, Isaiah says, “I delight greatly in the Lord: my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness…” Isaiah’s faith in god made him righteous and “saved.” Even King David, in Psalm 86:1-2, cried out to the Lord and was saved through his faith. There are plenty of other Old Testament heroes that are saved through the simple act of having faith in God (By faith, Abel…by faith, Enoch…by faith, Noah…by faith, Sarah…by faith, Isaac… by faith, Jacob…by faith, Joseph…by faith, Moses…by faith, Rahab…etc.)
And, to answer your question directly, all the Old Testament believers who followed Abraham in his faith in God and also had faith in God also enjoy eternity with Jesus. Ephesians 2:8 states, “For it is by grace you have saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God.”
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Monday, 31 January 2011
How do we know if God is real?
Awesome question! So, let me answer your question with a question. How do we explain the complexities of our world and how everything just all seems to work together? Think about it … the DNA molecule, as small as it is, has more information in it than the most powerful computer microprocessor. How can we explain that? Think about our universe … did you know that there are over 350,000,000,000 galaxies in our universe? Think about the lowly caterpillar…did you know that it has 228 distinct and separate muscles in its head? Your own body is the most complex piece of engineering ever created; even the most advanced robots can’t duplicate everything your body can do or experience.
So, how did this all happen? Was it all just by luck or happenstance? Think about this planet. Why does it rotate at just the right speed and how does gravity work so that we aren’t all flung into space? Our planet spins at 1000 mph! Try staying on a merry-go-round without holding onto something and see how long you last. Why are there seasons? How does a plant defy gravity by drawing water upward from the ground into their stems and veins? Why don’t spiders get stuck on their webs???
I could go on and on but here’s the Biblical answer to your question: We know that God is real because He reveals Himself in three ways: in His creation, in His Word, and in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:20 puts it this way, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
Look at the history of humans. Every culture or every civilization throughout history has valued certain moral laws and they are surprisingly similar from culture to culture. For example, the idea of love is universally esteemed while the act of lying is universally condemned. How do we explain this morality – this knowledge of what’s right and wrong -across cultures unless we can point to a Supreme Moral Being who gave us such scruples.
Also, if you look at all the different cultures from the most primitive bush-people in the remotest parts of the world to our most advanced countries, we all have cultivated a system of worship. Yes, it may vary, but almost every civilization believes in or has a sense of a “higher power” that is an undeniable part of being human. Those of us who know Christ understand that God created us “in His own image.” (Genesis 1:27)
Next, we have to look at the Bible and see how God revealed Himself to us through His Word. Throughout the Bible, the existence of God is a self-evident fact. Just look at Genesis 1:1 or Exodus 3:14.
Finally, God reveals Himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ. There is no doubt, even among secular (non-Christian) historians that Jesus Christ existed. Did you know that Jesus fulfilled every single one of the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah? Did you know that Jesus also kept the Old Testament law perfectly? How about all the miracles he performed? Everything Jesus did authenticated, or proved, He was the Son of God. The most important being that three days after he was crucified, Jesus rose from the dead, a fact affirmed by many witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6).
Of course there will be many skeptics and the Bible also addresses those people (Psalm 41:1, 1 Corinthians 1:18). No matter how much evidence is presented, they will choose not to believe.
The bottom line is this: It all comes down to faith. Do we choose to believe in the Bible or do we choose to believe something else? Hebrews 11:6 addresses this perfectly:
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
I believe in the God Most High. I believe that He sent His One and Only Son to die for my sins. I believe that through the power of God’s forgiveness of sins, I am saved and that I will have eternal life with God in Heaven when my time here on earth is done. And, I believe that God’s gift of grace and mercy is given to anyone and everyone who will accept it. You don’t have to earn it! God willingly gives it to you; all you have to do is accept it. Are you ready to accept God’s gift to you?
So, how did this all happen? Was it all just by luck or happenstance? Think about this planet. Why does it rotate at just the right speed and how does gravity work so that we aren’t all flung into space? Our planet spins at 1000 mph! Try staying on a merry-go-round without holding onto something and see how long you last. Why are there seasons? How does a plant defy gravity by drawing water upward from the ground into their stems and veins? Why don’t spiders get stuck on their webs???
I could go on and on but here’s the Biblical answer to your question: We know that God is real because He reveals Himself in three ways: in His creation, in His Word, and in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:20 puts it this way, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
Look at the history of humans. Every culture or every civilization throughout history has valued certain moral laws and they are surprisingly similar from culture to culture. For example, the idea of love is universally esteemed while the act of lying is universally condemned. How do we explain this morality – this knowledge of what’s right and wrong -across cultures unless we can point to a Supreme Moral Being who gave us such scruples.
Also, if you look at all the different cultures from the most primitive bush-people in the remotest parts of the world to our most advanced countries, we all have cultivated a system of worship. Yes, it may vary, but almost every civilization believes in or has a sense of a “higher power” that is an undeniable part of being human. Those of us who know Christ understand that God created us “in His own image.” (Genesis 1:27)
Next, we have to look at the Bible and see how God revealed Himself to us through His Word. Throughout the Bible, the existence of God is a self-evident fact. Just look at Genesis 1:1 or Exodus 3:14.
Finally, God reveals Himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ. There is no doubt, even among secular (non-Christian) historians that Jesus Christ existed. Did you know that Jesus fulfilled every single one of the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah? Did you know that Jesus also kept the Old Testament law perfectly? How about all the miracles he performed? Everything Jesus did authenticated, or proved, He was the Son of God. The most important being that three days after he was crucified, Jesus rose from the dead, a fact affirmed by many witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6).
Of course there will be many skeptics and the Bible also addresses those people (Psalm 41:1, 1 Corinthians 1:18). No matter how much evidence is presented, they will choose not to believe.
The bottom line is this: It all comes down to faith. Do we choose to believe in the Bible or do we choose to believe something else? Hebrews 11:6 addresses this perfectly:
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
I believe in the God Most High. I believe that He sent His One and Only Son to die for my sins. I believe that through the power of God’s forgiveness of sins, I am saved and that I will have eternal life with God in Heaven when my time here on earth is done. And, I believe that God’s gift of grace and mercy is given to anyone and everyone who will accept it. You don’t have to earn it! God willingly gives it to you; all you have to do is accept it. Are you ready to accept God’s gift to you?
Monday, 6 July 2009
Is it okay to kinda be scared to talk about Jesus? … I want to tell my friends. I don’t know what to say.
I hope that the TRACK lessons, and especially the game we have been playing in Small Group, give you some ideas on how to talk about Jesus (build a friendship, bring them to TRACK or a cool church event, or share God’s story), but I also want to share something with you from the Bible.
Put this letter down, and go to the Gospel of Mark, and read chapter 9, verses 14 through 24.
Did you catch verse 24? “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Even during the days when Jesus walked the earth, it was difficult to understand Jesus completely. Jesus is the Son of God, and although the Bible gives us everything we need to know about Jesus, there is much that we wonder about! We just can’t understand God completely, our brains just ain’t good enuf! That also means our faith can be challenged. And it means it can be difficult to talk about Jesus and our faith to others, even our close friends!
It is absolutely OK to kinda be scared to talk about Jesus BUT you don’t have to be!! Here’s what I mean … the Holy Spirit has come to give us power to help share the Gospel and talk about Jesus. God the Father doesn’t speak to us in loud words anymore (like He did with Adam and Eve), Jesus doesn’t walk the earth anymore (like He did 2000 years ago), BUT the Holy Spirit is right now our helper and our counselor and our guide as we connect with other people. That’s very cool! And remember, there is a time to talk about Jesus, there is a time to be like Jesus in action instead of word, and there is a time to just be a kid having fun and not worrying about it at all! Let the Holy Spirit guide you! (And talk to your mom and dad about this, too!)
Put this letter down, and go to the Gospel of Mark, and read chapter 9, verses 14 through 24.
Did you catch verse 24? “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Even during the days when Jesus walked the earth, it was difficult to understand Jesus completely. Jesus is the Son of God, and although the Bible gives us everything we need to know about Jesus, there is much that we wonder about! We just can’t understand God completely, our brains just ain’t good enuf! That also means our faith can be challenged. And it means it can be difficult to talk about Jesus and our faith to others, even our close friends!
It is absolutely OK to kinda be scared to talk about Jesus BUT you don’t have to be!! Here’s what I mean … the Holy Spirit has come to give us power to help share the Gospel and talk about Jesus. God the Father doesn’t speak to us in loud words anymore (like He did with Adam and Eve), Jesus doesn’t walk the earth anymore (like He did 2000 years ago), BUT the Holy Spirit is right now our helper and our counselor and our guide as we connect with other people. That’s very cool! And remember, there is a time to talk about Jesus, there is a time to be like Jesus in action instead of word, and there is a time to just be a kid having fun and not worrying about it at all! Let the Holy Spirit guide you! (And talk to your mom and dad about this, too!)
Monday, 29 June 2009
How big is the shield in Bible times?
Shields came in different sizes depending on what position you took in battle. Those soldiers that were at the front of the line had full length shields to protect their entire body. Those in back had smaller shields that allowed better hand-to-hand combat. They were also lighter so that it only took one arm to hold so that they could hold a sword in the other.
Because you asked, “How big is THE shield in Bible times,” I’m going to assume you are referring to the shield of faith. I’ll answer that with a question to you: How big is your faith? My shield is HUGE!!!
Because you asked, “How big is THE shield in Bible times,” I’m going to assume you are referring to the shield of faith. I’ll answer that with a question to you: How big is your faith? My shield is HUGE!!!
Sunday, 14 June 2009
If I am alive when Jesus comes again, how will I know it’s him so I can follow him?
I want to answer this in two ways. (1) How can you recognize Jesus? (2) How can you recognize the deceiver (the antichrist)?
(1) How can you recognize Jesus?
When John was on the island of Patmos, Jesus came to him in a vision. At first John was terrified. Revelation 1:17 says that John fell at Jesus’ feet as if he was dead! I remember when I was 16 and backpacking in the woods. I ran into a bear, and it charged me. I was so scared it felt like my legs were full of sand and I couldn’t move at all! Well, John was so scared that he completely fell down.
Right away (still in verse 17), Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” Still, don’t you wonder why someone who has spent his whole life following Jesus would be so afraid of Jesus? Verses 12 through 16 tell us what John saw, and help us to understand. When John turned to see Jesus, John saw the light from seven great lamps. If you take seven really strong lights and look directly into them, maybe that’s kind of like what John saw! Standing in that super bright light was Jesus, his eyes “were like blazing fire,” his head and hair “white like wool.” Jesus’ feet were “like bronze glowing in a furnace.” His face was “like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” Everything, including Jesus, was just bright, bright, bright!
Then in Revelation 19:11-16, John writes about Jesus’ return. John describes Jesus as a rider on a white horse, and he gives Jesus several different names in those verses – that’s to try to describe how awesome Jesus is. Jesus is called “Faithful and True” and “Word of God” and Jesus has written on him two other names. One is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” and the other one we don’t know (vs. 12). It says that Jesus is wearing a robe, and he is being followed by the armies of heaven, all on white horses, and all wearing clean, white robes. Wow! What a picture!
Remember, this is from John’s vision. Jesus doesn’t have to look exactly like that for this to make sense. Maybe that is exactly how Jesus will appear, or maybe John is simply doing his best to describe for us the awesomeness of Jesus’ return. John is definitely more concerned with what happens than exactly what Jesus look like.
So if you ask me how we will recognize Jesus when he comes again, I think we can know the answer from how John describes Jesus – Jesus will be absolutely unmistakable! When we see Jesus, even though right now we don’t know exactly what he will look like, we will for sure know it’s him!
(2) How can you recognize the deceiver (the antichrist)?
The Bible also doesn’t tell us exactly what the antichrist looks like. But John in his letters (1 John and 2 John) does say some important things that will help us know who the antichrist is so we don’t follow him. The Bible doesn’t say exactly, but the antichrist may be one person, or it may be a group of people. It doesn’t matter, though, because the Book of Revelation tells us that Jesus wins and Satan loses!
1 John 2:22 and 1 John 4:3 and 2 John 1:7 tell us clearly how to know who is the antichrist. Those verses tell us that those who deny that Jesus is our Savior, that Jesus is real, or who say that Jesus didn’t really come to earth are the antichrists. Wow! So what does that mean for you and me? Don’t ignore Jesus, or don’t accept a substitute religion that will turn your attention away from Jesus. That is what we would do if we were to follow the antichrist.
So what do you do? You do what you are doing right now. You are doing the right thing because you have faith in the right person – Jesus. Continue to ask me hard questions – that’s good. Continue to learn – that’s good too. Continue to worship God. Continue to have faith in Jesus – even though you can’t exactly understand everything about God and faith – that is exactly what faith is. You see, our Lord did not give John the command to write the Book of Revelation, or tell us about antichrists, or tell us about his return just to satisfy our curiosity. He has two reasons for sharing that stuff with us. One is to challenge us to be faithful to him. The other is to encourage us with the message that Jesus wins, Satan loses. Cool, huh?
(1) How can you recognize Jesus?
When John was on the island of Patmos, Jesus came to him in a vision. At first John was terrified. Revelation 1:17 says that John fell at Jesus’ feet as if he was dead! I remember when I was 16 and backpacking in the woods. I ran into a bear, and it charged me. I was so scared it felt like my legs were full of sand and I couldn’t move at all! Well, John was so scared that he completely fell down.
Right away (still in verse 17), Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” Still, don’t you wonder why someone who has spent his whole life following Jesus would be so afraid of Jesus? Verses 12 through 16 tell us what John saw, and help us to understand. When John turned to see Jesus, John saw the light from seven great lamps. If you take seven really strong lights and look directly into them, maybe that’s kind of like what John saw! Standing in that super bright light was Jesus, his eyes “were like blazing fire,” his head and hair “white like wool.” Jesus’ feet were “like bronze glowing in a furnace.” His face was “like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” Everything, including Jesus, was just bright, bright, bright!
Then in Revelation 19:11-16, John writes about Jesus’ return. John describes Jesus as a rider on a white horse, and he gives Jesus several different names in those verses – that’s to try to describe how awesome Jesus is. Jesus is called “Faithful and True” and “Word of God” and Jesus has written on him two other names. One is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” and the other one we don’t know (vs. 12). It says that Jesus is wearing a robe, and he is being followed by the armies of heaven, all on white horses, and all wearing clean, white robes. Wow! What a picture!
Remember, this is from John’s vision. Jesus doesn’t have to look exactly like that for this to make sense. Maybe that is exactly how Jesus will appear, or maybe John is simply doing his best to describe for us the awesomeness of Jesus’ return. John is definitely more concerned with what happens than exactly what Jesus look like.
So if you ask me how we will recognize Jesus when he comes again, I think we can know the answer from how John describes Jesus – Jesus will be absolutely unmistakable! When we see Jesus, even though right now we don’t know exactly what he will look like, we will for sure know it’s him!
(2) How can you recognize the deceiver (the antichrist)?
The Bible also doesn’t tell us exactly what the antichrist looks like. But John in his letters (1 John and 2 John) does say some important things that will help us know who the antichrist is so we don’t follow him. The Bible doesn’t say exactly, but the antichrist may be one person, or it may be a group of people. It doesn’t matter, though, because the Book of Revelation tells us that Jesus wins and Satan loses!
1 John 2:22 and 1 John 4:3 and 2 John 1:7 tell us clearly how to know who is the antichrist. Those verses tell us that those who deny that Jesus is our Savior, that Jesus is real, or who say that Jesus didn’t really come to earth are the antichrists. Wow! So what does that mean for you and me? Don’t ignore Jesus, or don’t accept a substitute religion that will turn your attention away from Jesus. That is what we would do if we were to follow the antichrist.
So what do you do? You do what you are doing right now. You are doing the right thing because you have faith in the right person – Jesus. Continue to ask me hard questions – that’s good. Continue to learn – that’s good too. Continue to worship God. Continue to have faith in Jesus – even though you can’t exactly understand everything about God and faith – that is exactly what faith is. You see, our Lord did not give John the command to write the Book of Revelation, or tell us about antichrists, or tell us about his return just to satisfy our curiosity. He has two reasons for sharing that stuff with us. One is to challenge us to be faithful to him. The other is to encourage us with the message that Jesus wins, Satan loses. Cool, huh?
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