Don't Be Too Quick to Assume

John 9:1-3 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."

There truly is nothing new under the sun, to include how quickly we make assumption about what we think we know or what we think we understand; especially when it comes to assuming why God is doing what He is doing. Because of what the general belief was about sin and how it affected people, the disciples made an erroneous assumption that this man's blindness was either the result of his or his parents' sins. Far too often we come to wrong conclusions because our human, sinful, tendency is to think the worst of someone, rather than think the best; even though God commands us, in His Word, to think of others as better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). He also tells us that love thinks no evil (1 Corinthians 13). On the flip side of this coin is the fact that we must also be careful to not presume to know what God is doing, or why He is doing what He is doing, when it comes to the allowance of suffering in our lives or someone else's. There are often times when God allows things that do not seem to make sense to us, or do not seem fair. Yet, God knows exactly what He needs to allow to bring glory to Himself. Not to mention the fact that He promised to work all things together for good, to them who love Him, and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). So before we start making false assumption about other people's situations or suffering, to include our own, why not first turn to God in prayer and ask Him. He may reveal the reason, or He may not. In the end, it is best to simply trust that whatever He is allowing and doing will turn out for the best and always for His glory.

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).

We Serve One Who Is Alive

John 8:53, 56, 58 "Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Today there are many who are no different than these Jews. These Jews stood before God, in the flesh, yet they gave greater reverence to one who once lived, but is now dead. As a result of their unbelief and their choice to be stiff-necked toward the truth of who Jesus was, and is, they remained enslaved to the Law and to sin. If we are not careful we can easily fall into the trap of finding our importance and significance in the religious rituals and legalistic rules we make up for ourselves, which in and of themselves are dead. There are far too many Christians who measure their "level of Christianity" based on how well they keep God's Law. Although the Law is dead to us, and we have been set free in Christ, the Law still serves a purpose. It is a reminder of how incapable we are of keeping God's Law, and should make us all the more grateful for the fact that in Christ we have been given life; and that we do not serve a Law that brings death, but serve a God who is alive, and is our Living Hope. The Word of God is very clear that if we love God and love our neighbor, we fulfill the Law. Rather than deceive ourselves by thinking that religious rituals, church attendance or our own good works (without faith), are what give us life and status, let us instead remember that we serve a Living God in who we have life eternal. Therefore, let us put away our sad attempts at finding importance in who we think we are based on superficial credentials, and live a life that exalts Jesus, who gave His life for us so many years ago, but today is very much alive.

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).

Death Is Defeated

John 8:51 "Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death."

These Jews were completely missing the point of what Jesus was saying to them. The word "keep" means "to guard or to attend to carefully". It means that we are to not only pay close attention to and understand it, but also obey it. It is important to understand that what Jesus spoke of here was not physical death. Physical death, today, is unavoidable, unless the rapture happens. Outside of that, we will all see physical death. However, for those of us who have trusted, believed, and called upon the Name of Jesus, and accepted Him as our Savior, we will never see spiritual death. This is what Jesus spoke of to these Jews. Their lineage could not save them. No matter how much they tried to keep the Law, which they could not, that would not save them. No matter what traditions they made up, it was pointless as far as salvation was concerned. The point being that eternal life, an escape from eternal death, can only be found in Jesus, and Him alone. Although we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, none of our works can add to our salvation. Our works can do nothing to add favor to us in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. All the favor we will ever have has already been bestowed upon us by what Jesus did for us on the cross. When He said it was finished, it was finished. The only thing our works prove is our faith; but only when done by faith, and as a byproduct of our salvation. The bottom line is that there is no condemnation for those of us who have heard His Word, believed it, and followed it unto salvation. If we have done that, then the Spirit has sealed us, indwelt us, and we are now a child of God forever; and death can no longer have us. If we are to show forth evidence of that, then we are to love Jesus, not just by being hearers of His Word, but also by being doers of His Word. In Jesus, death is defeated, and by His grace we share the victory!

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).