John 8:12-13 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”
It was obvious that the Pharisees understood exactly what Jesus was claiming when He made the statement that He is the Light of the world. He was in the Temple area where the candles were lit and burning; a symbol of how God appeared and led Israel out of Egypt, as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In Exodus 13 we read the account of how God showed Israel that He was present with them, and how He was protecting them and guiding them. It was evident by the Pharisees' response that they knew that this was the reference Jesus was making, and that in saying what He said, He was claiming to be God Himself, and their Messiah. Yet, they chose to reject Him. Today, Jesus is still the Light who is ever present with those of us who have trusted Him, called upon His Name, and accepted Him as Savior and Lord. He has promised to never leave us, nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). He is our Protector. Just as He stood between Israel and the Egyptians in the wilderness; today He stands between us and the world, and reminds us that when tribulations come, we have His peace, and in Him we can overcome, as He has already overcome the world and its challenges and persecutions. God has also given us His Holy Word to be a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path, so that we do not stumble in darkness. Jesus is the Light who dispels the darkness and the fear associated with it. God has also given us the Holy Spirit to seal us and make our bodies His temple and dwelling place here on earth. The Light of the world wants to shine His light brightly through us so that we can be the light and salt He has called us to be; while at the same time He reminds us that He is always present, always protecting us, and always available to guide us.
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).
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Sunday, October 9, 2022
Children of the Devil or God?
John 8:15, 23 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 23 And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
The Pharisees debated with Jesus about who He claimed to be. In that exchange Jesus said something that sadly rings true of how some of us behave towards one another. We judge each other according to the flesh, being judgmental and condemning. Jesus made it clear to these Pharisees that He did not come to judge. However, He also made it clear that when He judges, His judgment is fair. He warned them of the danger they were facing of being eternally lost, and made it clear that they were of this world. In other words, they were the sons of the devil. Let us keep in mind that this passage is in the context of their attempts to trap Him with their hypocritical judgment of the adulterous woman. This should put us on notice that when we are judgmental toward one another, and show a lack of love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness toward one another, we are behaving like those who do not know Jesus. When we exhibit this type of behavior toward one another, we are behaving like the sons of the devil. This should never be the case for the child of God, since Jesus made it clear that the love we have, and demonstrate, toward one another is evidence to the world that we belong to Him. The choice is ultimately ours. We will either behave toward one another as children of the devil, and bring dishonor to the Lord's Holy Name, or as children of God, and bring honor and glory to His Holy Name.
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).
The Pharisees debated with Jesus about who He claimed to be. In that exchange Jesus said something that sadly rings true of how some of us behave towards one another. We judge each other according to the flesh, being judgmental and condemning. Jesus made it clear to these Pharisees that He did not come to judge. However, He also made it clear that when He judges, His judgment is fair. He warned them of the danger they were facing of being eternally lost, and made it clear that they were of this world. In other words, they were the sons of the devil. Let us keep in mind that this passage is in the context of their attempts to trap Him with their hypocritical judgment of the adulterous woman. This should put us on notice that when we are judgmental toward one another, and show a lack of love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness toward one another, we are behaving like those who do not know Jesus. When we exhibit this type of behavior toward one another, we are behaving like the sons of the devil. This should never be the case for the child of God, since Jesus made it clear that the love we have, and demonstrate, toward one another is evidence to the world that we belong to Him. The choice is ultimately ours. We will either behave toward one another as children of the devil, and bring dishonor to the Lord's Holy Name, or as children of God, and bring honor and glory to His Holy Name.
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).
Friday, October 7, 2022
Surrender to the Light
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life.”
Jesus made this statement right after dealing with the scribes and the Pharisees and their hypocrisy; and after showing mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness to the adulterous woman. Just as light exposes what is hidden in darkness, Jesus, the Light of this world, exposes what is hidden in the darkest depths of who we are. He brings to light the sin and wickedness that has been planted in our minds and exposes the wiles and schemes of the enemy. However, none of this is possible for us to see or comprehend unless we first call upon Him, accept Him as Savior and Lord, and then intentionally choose to surrender and follow Him. It is only when we walk in the light of Jesus that we are able to see the hypocrisy of the world and its ways, but more importantly, it is the only way we will see and recognize our own hypocrisy in dealing with others. It is only in the light of Jesus that we see how we should respond to others in a manner that demonstrates that Jesus is increasing in our lives, so that people see more of Him and less of us. There is much darkness in this world, and much darkness that dwells within each of us. It is only when we surrender our lives to Jesus that we will be able to see what needs to be exposed and given up to Him, so that we can truly be the light and salt we are called to be. Only then will He be able to use us to lead others to Himself, and only then will He be able to truly use us to encourage one another in a world that is filled with sin and darkness. Let us be the light we are commanded to be by surrendering our lives to the Light of this world, Jesus our Savior and Lord.
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).
Jesus made this statement right after dealing with the scribes and the Pharisees and their hypocrisy; and after showing mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness to the adulterous woman. Just as light exposes what is hidden in darkness, Jesus, the Light of this world, exposes what is hidden in the darkest depths of who we are. He brings to light the sin and wickedness that has been planted in our minds and exposes the wiles and schemes of the enemy. However, none of this is possible for us to see or comprehend unless we first call upon Him, accept Him as Savior and Lord, and then intentionally choose to surrender and follow Him. It is only when we walk in the light of Jesus that we are able to see the hypocrisy of the world and its ways, but more importantly, it is the only way we will see and recognize our own hypocrisy in dealing with others. It is only in the light of Jesus that we see how we should respond to others in a manner that demonstrates that Jesus is increasing in our lives, so that people see more of Him and less of us. There is much darkness in this world, and much darkness that dwells within each of us. It is only when we surrender our lives to Jesus that we will be able to see what needs to be exposed and given up to Him, so that we can truly be the light and salt we are called to be. Only then will He be able to use us to lead others to Himself, and only then will He be able to truly use us to encourage one another in a world that is filled with sin and darkness. Let us be the light we are commanded to be by surrendering our lives to the Light of this world, Jesus our Savior and Lord.
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).
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Restoration, Not Condemnation
John 8:10-11 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
The woman's accusers dispersed after Jesus exposed them for their hypocrisy. What is interesting about this incident is that Jesus spent more time dealing with the accusers than He did dealing with the accused. When the Lord finally turns His attention the this woman, He turns to her with love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. However, He also holds her accountable when He tells her to go and sin no more. Although He was the only One who was truly in a place to judge her, He chose mercy, grace, and restoration. The ones who were just as guilty of sin as she was, were ready to have her judged, condemned, and stoned. Sadly, this is still the case far too often today. Instead of showing the same grace and mercy that we are shown every single day, by God Himself; we often choose to be judge and jury, and pronounce condemnation. In the process, we miss an opportunity to do what is most often in the heart of God when it comes to dealing with those who stumble and find themselves entangled in sin. Instead of helping them to be loosed and restored, we condemn and cause further pain by rubbing salt in the wound. Jesus made it clear that He came not to judge, but to seek and save those who are lost. Do not get me wrong; a day is coming when the Savior will return, not with mercy and grace, but with power and judgment. Nonetheless, for the time being, let us be more like Jesus, by holding each other accountable, but for the purpose of restoration, not condemnation.
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).
The woman's accusers dispersed after Jesus exposed them for their hypocrisy. What is interesting about this incident is that Jesus spent more time dealing with the accusers than He did dealing with the accused. When the Lord finally turns His attention the this woman, He turns to her with love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. However, He also holds her accountable when He tells her to go and sin no more. Although He was the only One who was truly in a place to judge her, He chose mercy, grace, and restoration. The ones who were just as guilty of sin as she was, were ready to have her judged, condemned, and stoned. Sadly, this is still the case far too often today. Instead of showing the same grace and mercy that we are shown every single day, by God Himself; we often choose to be judge and jury, and pronounce condemnation. In the process, we miss an opportunity to do what is most often in the heart of God when it comes to dealing with those who stumble and find themselves entangled in sin. Instead of helping them to be loosed and restored, we condemn and cause further pain by rubbing salt in the wound. Jesus made it clear that He came not to judge, but to seek and save those who are lost. Do not get me wrong; a day is coming when the Savior will return, not with mercy and grace, but with power and judgment. Nonetheless, for the time being, let us be more like Jesus, by holding each other accountable, but for the purpose of restoration, not condemnation.
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).
Friday, September 23, 2022
Best to Err on the Side of Grace
John 8:6-9 They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.
It is both amazing and frightening what we see when we look into the mirror of God's Word. These imperfect and hypocritical men were ready to have someone stoned for her sin, when they too deserved to be stoned for their own sins. We do not know what Jesus wrote on the ground, but we do know that there were other occasions that the finger of God wrote in the presence of men. The first time God used His finger to write His commandment on tablets of stone. These ten simple commandments should have made us very much aware of our own imperfections and should have made us aware of how much we need the Savior. The other occasion we know of was when God wrote on the wall of the king's palace in Babylon, pronouncing His judgement upon Babylon and its king. Here we see that whatever Jesus wrote on the ground made each of these men very much aware of their own guilt and made them walk away in shame, as now they had no real standing in being judgmental toward someone who was no greater sinner than they were. We must be careful about how we deal with those who sin against us or with those of whose sins God allows us to be made aware of. We are to always first examine ourselves, realizing that we are just as sinful and guilty, then approach the other person with humility, for the purpose of reconciliation, restoration, or both. If the other person chooses to remain in their sin, then there are appropriate steps outlined for us in God's Word. The point is that even when we are holding others accountable, we must do it in love, and not with hypocrisy and ulterior motives. When it is all said and done, God knows the heart and knows all about our sins, just as much as He knows the other person's. As one of my former pastor's used to say, "If we are going to err, it is best to err on the side of grace."
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).
It is both amazing and frightening what we see when we look into the mirror of God's Word. These imperfect and hypocritical men were ready to have someone stoned for her sin, when they too deserved to be stoned for their own sins. We do not know what Jesus wrote on the ground, but we do know that there were other occasions that the finger of God wrote in the presence of men. The first time God used His finger to write His commandment on tablets of stone. These ten simple commandments should have made us very much aware of our own imperfections and should have made us aware of how much we need the Savior. The other occasion we know of was when God wrote on the wall of the king's palace in Babylon, pronouncing His judgement upon Babylon and its king. Here we see that whatever Jesus wrote on the ground made each of these men very much aware of their own guilt and made them walk away in shame, as now they had no real standing in being judgmental toward someone who was no greater sinner than they were. We must be careful about how we deal with those who sin against us or with those of whose sins God allows us to be made aware of. We are to always first examine ourselves, realizing that we are just as sinful and guilty, then approach the other person with humility, for the purpose of reconciliation, restoration, or both. If the other person chooses to remain in their sin, then there are appropriate steps outlined for us in God's Word. The point is that even when we are holding others accountable, we must do it in love, and not with hypocrisy and ulterior motives. When it is all said and done, God knows the heart and knows all about our sins, just as much as He knows the other person's. As one of my former pastor's used to say, "If we are going to err, it is best to err on the side of grace."
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).
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Unequal Justice Is Not Justice
John 8:3-6 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.
The scribes and Pharisees continually tried to find ways to trap Jesus. In today's verses we see their lopsided attempt to trap Jesus using the Law. Interestingly, there is no mention of the man who was also guilty of adultery. The requirement, in truly applying the Law, was that both were to be brought forth and stoned. Sadly, this is still the approach taken today within the church. Today, there are local churches that wrongfully go after, discipline, and outcast certain individuals or families, but give a pass to others who openly sin and deserve to be corrected. Loving each other includes holding each other accountable and correcting each other, in love; not just by pointing out each others shortcomings, but by coming alongside each other and helping to restore one another back into fellowship with the Lord. Far too often, mercy and grace are given or denied, not on the basis of God's Word, but on the basis of favoritism, and based on who belongs to the "club". What the scribes and the Pharisees did not calculate was that they were trying to use God's Word to trap God Himself. How foolish are we Christians today to misuse God's Word and think that somehow the Lord is blind to our favoritism and hypocrisy. One day, we will all give account for how we use God's Holy Word to instill our own form of unequal justice, which is not justice at all.
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).
The scribes and Pharisees continually tried to find ways to trap Jesus. In today's verses we see their lopsided attempt to trap Jesus using the Law. Interestingly, there is no mention of the man who was also guilty of adultery. The requirement, in truly applying the Law, was that both were to be brought forth and stoned. Sadly, this is still the approach taken today within the church. Today, there are local churches that wrongfully go after, discipline, and outcast certain individuals or families, but give a pass to others who openly sin and deserve to be corrected. Loving each other includes holding each other accountable and correcting each other, in love; not just by pointing out each others shortcomings, but by coming alongside each other and helping to restore one another back into fellowship with the Lord. Far too often, mercy and grace are given or denied, not on the basis of God's Word, but on the basis of favoritism, and based on who belongs to the "club". What the scribes and the Pharisees did not calculate was that they were trying to use God's Word to trap God Himself. How foolish are we Christians today to misuse God's Word and think that somehow the Lord is blind to our favoritism and hypocrisy. One day, we will all give account for how we use God's Holy Word to instill our own form of unequal justice, which is not justice at all.
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).
Friday, September 16, 2022
They Silenced One of Their Own
John 7:50-52 Nicodemus (he who came to Him before, being one of them) said to them, “Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” They answered him, “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.”
In earlier verses we read of a division among the people because of personal opinions about who Jesus was. The chief priests and Pharisees desired to get their hands on Jesus, but would not dare. Instead, they tasked the officers with taking Him captive and doing their dirty work. However, the officers, being impressed with the way Jesus spoke (although it did not change their hearts) refused to take hold of Him. The Pharisees, being upset, insulted the intelligence of the people and basically put down the officers, accusing them of being deceived. Now we have Nicodemus, who was also a Pharisee, and who questioned them in respect to how they should give Jesus a fair hearing, in accordance with the Law. Their response to him revealed what was truly in their hearts. They were not one bit interested in the truth, but in meeting their own agenda, even if it meant rejecting and silencing one of their own. Sadly, this is still seen today within the church. There are some who will overlook the truth in order to avoid "disturbing the apple cart". They will allow sinful behavior, based on who is the offender, and instead quickly silence the one(s) who come forth in light of the truth. They will allow division, rather than confront what the Word of God clearly states should be confronted; in love of course. The Pharisees had their own agenda, their own club, and anyone who dared disturb their hypocrisy with truth was immediately silenced or outcast. We must be wise and careful to examine a matter based on God's truth, and not our own personal agendas. Let us not silence the voice of truth when it speaks out for the glory of God and His church.
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).
In earlier verses we read of a division among the people because of personal opinions about who Jesus was. The chief priests and Pharisees desired to get their hands on Jesus, but would not dare. Instead, they tasked the officers with taking Him captive and doing their dirty work. However, the officers, being impressed with the way Jesus spoke (although it did not change their hearts) refused to take hold of Him. The Pharisees, being upset, insulted the intelligence of the people and basically put down the officers, accusing them of being deceived. Now we have Nicodemus, who was also a Pharisee, and who questioned them in respect to how they should give Jesus a fair hearing, in accordance with the Law. Their response to him revealed what was truly in their hearts. They were not one bit interested in the truth, but in meeting their own agenda, even if it meant rejecting and silencing one of their own. Sadly, this is still seen today within the church. There are some who will overlook the truth in order to avoid "disturbing the apple cart". They will allow sinful behavior, based on who is the offender, and instead quickly silence the one(s) who come forth in light of the truth. They will allow division, rather than confront what the Word of God clearly states should be confronted; in love of course. The Pharisees had their own agenda, their own club, and anyone who dared disturb their hypocrisy with truth was immediately silenced or outcast. We must be wise and careful to examine a matter based on God's truth, and not our own personal agendas. Let us not silence the voice of truth when it speaks out for the glory of God and His church.
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).
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