The One Tragedy That Leads To Another

John 7:43 So there was a division among the people because of Him.

The Jews were divided amongst themselves because they disagreed about who Jesus was. They saw His works and His ways and came to varying conclusions. Some of the opinions and conclusions came as a result of jealousy and a refusal to break from tradition and the Law, and misunderstanding of God's Word. Many judged who He was based on who His parents were and where He came from; while others judged Him for the company He kept. Yet, there were some who saw the power behind the miracles and believed that He truly was the Christ. Nonetheless, the end result was division. Today, there is still division amongst the people. There are those who hear the message and by faith accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, while others choose to reject the message and remain lost. However, there is also another great tragedy we see today. There is a division that exists that does great damage to the cause of Christ. That division is seen amongst God's people. It is a division caused by preferences, legalism, and our refusal, at times, to love each other as Jesus commanded. We have silly arguments over doctrinal issues that will make not one bit of difference when we finally stand before the Lord. We create division when we insist on pushing our own personal convictions on others, and choose legalism over the liberty we have in Jesus. As if all this were not enough, we are judgmental toward one another and choose to gossip about each other, instead of going to each other in love and addressing our differences. We isolate people from fellowship simply because we do not like who they are or because of something they did that showed they were different than we are; and because they do not fit the perfect little mold we want our companions to fit. All of this goes back to a lack of a true personal relationship with Jesus, spending real time in His Word, studying it so that we learn who He truly is and who He truly wants us to be, as we represent Him in the world and amongst the brethren. It is far past the time that we stop doing that one thing that God says He hates...causing division amongst the brethren. It will lead to the greater tragedy of discouraging the unsaved from accepting Jesus as their Savior.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).

What Is Stopping Us?

John 7:14-15 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”

In Acts 4:13 the Word of God tells us, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus." Having read that, I ask these questions, "What is keeping you or me from preaching and teaching God's Word?" "Have we allowed man's opinions and standards to convince us that we are not capable of carrying out God's plan for our lives simply because we lack something man has decided we need in order to be qualified?" People marvelled at Jesus' teachings, because He had no formal education. Later men marvelled at how bold Peter and John were in proclaiming the Gospel. What qualified them to preach the Name of Jesus, and teach the Gospel? Did they have certificates and degrees from man made institutions? They did not. They were qualified because they had been with Jesus, and Jesus taught them the doctrine that came from the Father. As born again followers of Jesus we have the Holy Spirit, and we have access to the Word of God. If we choose, we can diligently search, study, and commit the Scriptures to memory. We can choose to allow the Lord to use us to teach and preach His Word. I am not saying that seeking an education is a bad thing. The Apostle Paul was an educated man and God used him in a great way. However, Jesus also used fishermen, men from different walks of life who were not educated, to turn the world upside down. I have known men who did not have "formal" educations; yet, God used them, and is using them, to be pastors, evangelize, preach the Gospel, and lead men and women to Christ. I say all this to ask us to consider this... "What is keeping you or me from committing ourselves to a life of service to God?" Do we want to be qualified to do greater things for God? Well, then it is time we stopped making excuses and started praying, studying God's Word and relying on the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our hearts to receive the best education any of us could receive; a genuine understanding and interpretation of God's Word. He has provided us with everything we need to go out and preach the Gospel message and proclaim His Name, for His glory. Do not let man's opinions or man made qualifications get in the way of what we know God has called us to do.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).

Do Their Opinions Matter?

John 7:12 And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.”

Proverbs 29:25 tells us, "The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe." Yet, how often do we refrain from speaking the Name of Jesus, or fail to do what the Lord has led us to do, simply because we feared what others would think of us or say about us? The truth of the matter is that people will have their opinions about us, and even talk about us, regardless of whether or not we do what is right before God. Jesus Himself was perfect and without sin. Yet, there were some who said He was good and others who called Him a Deceiver of the people. That did not deter Him from completing His mission here on earth for the Father. What is keeping us from living for Jesus and speaking His Name when He opens a door of opportunity? Is it our fear of what others will think or say about us? If that is so, let me ask us this question, "In the grand scheme of God's will and plan for our lives, if someone criticizes us for living for Jesus and for continually speaking His Name, knowing full well that our home and reward is ultimately found in Heaven, do men's warped opinions really matter?"

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).