Category: The Gospel

Those who want nothing to do with God will have their wish granted for all eternity..

There are only two kinds of people in the world – those who acknowledge and love God and those who refuse to do so. The essence of sin is trying to live without reference to or in outright rebellion against God. We try to create for ourselves a world without God. This is what the media does continually in its many movies and TV shows. The actors generally portray life without any reference to God at all. This is a fantasy with enormous consequences.

In spite of there being abundant evidence of the Creator all around us, many of us refuse to recognize or honor him. Instead we live with an inborn hostility toward God.

King David wrote the following verses in one of his many psalms or songs of praise to God.

Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! 2 God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. 3 But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one! Psalm 53:1–3 (NLT)

Sadly, we come into this world alienated from our Maker because of the sin that has been handed down from previous generations going all the way back to Adam. Unless God comes to our aid, all of us are born into and remain in the group who refuse to acknowledge, love, and serve God. Hearing, understanding, believing, and receiving the gospel message that Jesus died for our sins and rose again as the Lord of lords is the turning point for those whose hearts are open.

John Chapter One makes an insightful comment about this condition of mankind in general that wants nothing to do with God, which in his day included most of his own Jewish people.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:10–13 (NASB95)

Why would God care about the rebellious inhabitants of the world who turned their backs on him? It is quite impossible for us to fathom the depths of love that motivated our Creator to send his only Son to come into this world as a human and give away his life to provide forgiveness for our sins and reconciliation to God.

When the Creator in human form arrived on the earth, only a very few recognized and honored him. The same is true today.

Those who through revelation from God see him for who he is and surrender their hearts and lives to him will receive eternal life.

Those who refuse to acknowledge and serve him remain in a perilous condition of spiritual blindness and are hurtling toward an eternity without God. There will be no one in the lake of fire who ultimately did not choose to go there.

Those who opt to live without reference to God here on earth will have their wish fulfilled for all eternity.

And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 (NLT)

The big difference will be that, before going to eternal destruction, they will finally understand the truth. There is a God who made it possible for us to know and love him and to live forever in the joy of his presence. This understanding will no doubt make existence apart from God unbearable, a continual gnawing at the soul. Would anyone in their right mind choose that?

Nevertheless, the choice is ours – an eternity of joy or one of painful regret.

Perhaps you are as I was. I did not know God, but I wanted to know him, if he were real. I asked this God I did not yet know, if he could hear me, to come into my life and reveal himself to me. Amazingly, he overlooked my hubris of questioning his existence. He did not upbraid me for my unbelief and many sins. He simply came into my life and began to remove the scales from my spiritual eyes and soften my hardened heart. Within a very short time, he completely opened my eyes so that I knew (and know still) that he is indeed the risen Lord! I cannot express properly the joy that I experienced on finding out that the God of the Bible loves me and revealed himself to me! I wanted everyone to know him.

That happened over fifty-four years ago, and I have never regretted becoming a follower of Christ.

There is nothing more important than knowing, loving, and serving God.

If you have never put your faith and allegiance in the risen Lord Jesus, you are most likely among that group of people who are trying to live independently from the Creator. Isn’t it time to put up the white flag of surrender? Here is a sample prayer you can use right now, if my words have impacted you.

Prayer

God, I have tried to live without you long enough. Forgive me for being a rebellious creature. I acknowledge that Jesus died for my sins and rose again as the Lord of lords. I come to you now, Jesus, and ask you to come into my life and reveal yourself to me more fully. I want to know you and serve you the rest of my life. I want to be forgiven. I want to be in right relationship with Father God. I want the Holy Spirit to live inside me. I want to know what it is like to experience the joy of your presence and the peace that passes understanding. I give you my life and receive yours. Amen.

Here is a verse from the Bible with which you are no doubt familiar. Think about its significance for you now that you have asked Jesus into your life.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)
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Does God Know Who I Am?

When the Holy Spirit opens our eyes and understanding to know Jesus’ identity as Savior and Lord, he also shows us that God has known all about us for a very long time, as far back as before he created the heavens and earth.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:4–5 (NLT)

Modern astrophysics has taught us that earth and its inhabitants are insignificant blips on God’s radar in the vast ever-expanding universe. They think he is much too busy governing the universe to take any notice of them and their unremarkable daily routine. But the Bible says that God watches over the earth and those who live here from his throne on high. (Isaiah 40:22) Jesus told us:

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:29–31 (NLT)

When we are confronted with the astounding revelation that God knows us intimately and cares about even the smallest details in our lives, it has a life-changing effect.

When Jesus met Nathanael, he told that man things about himself that only God would know, which transformed him from being a skeptic to a believer.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” John 1:47–49 (NASB95)

I have a friend whose wife had just gotten a terrible diagnosis and prognosis regarding cancer. In the midst of processing all that, in his heart he heard God say, “I know about this.” He told me that when he heard the Lord say that, his faith in a good outcome went through the roof. In fact, God completely healed her of stage-four cancer afterward.

Knowing that God knows and cares about us and our situation is transformative.

When Jesus met Peter, he let him know that God knew all about him, too.

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). John 1:40–42 (NASB95)

When Jesus spoke prophetically to Peter, it was not some “parlor trick” designed to awe him into being a disciple. God does not do things that way. The words Jesus told Peter were important at the moment and would be in the future. By changing his name, Jesus altered his destiny. Peter would become a man of faith and stability eventually, which was important for him to know later, especially after he denied even knowing Jesus. When God tells us who we are, it supersedes every other thing ever told us.

Only God has the right to tell us who we are because only he truly knows who we are now and whom he will transform us to become.

When the Holy Spirit reveals Christ’s identity to us, it not only recreates our spirits through what is called the new birth, but it also marks us as one of God’s chosen ones.

And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Ephesians 1:13–14 (NLT)

Jesus looks for those whom God has called and who will respond in faith to the gospel message. He understands that his heavenly Father has chosen certain ones to belong to him. When our Lord sees faith spring up in a person, he recognizes them to be part of that group his Father has given to him.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. John 10:27–29 (NASB95)

Revelation therefore reveals Christ to us and shows who we are, too.

In the New Testament, any blind person who came to Jesus requesting that his eyes be opened received what he requested. Should we think God would do any less for us? If you have yet to see Jesus in a way that opens your eyes to his true identity and makes you want to worship and serve him, you can ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes. That is what I did over fifty-four years ago. God mercifully opened my previously blinded spiritual understanding to reveal Jesus to me in a life transforming way. He will do the same for you. He is no respecter of persons.

Prayer

Jesus, I want to open my spiritual eyes so I can know, believe, and serve you. Jesus, I acknowledge that you died for my sins, rose again as the Lord of all, and are calling me to be part of your people. I receive all you died to give me, and I give myself to you. Holy Spirit, come into my life and change me on the inside, Make me a follower of Jesus. Help me to boldly tell others about you. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer and meant it, God will surely do his part to open your spiritually blind eyes. Please let me know when this happens for you.

For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40 (NLT)
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Is God Willing to Involve Himself in Our Everyday Problems?

Many people do not believe that God is interested or wants to be involved with our everyday affairs and problems, as if his attention, time, and resources were limited. Perhaps we think we are not worthy of his consideration. What Jesus did at the wedding feast of Cana says otherwise.

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2  and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3  The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” John 2:1-3 (NLT)

Jesus’ first miracle is extremely intriguing on several levels. First of all, of all the things he could have done that day, he went to a wedding. We might think that Jesus was totally consumed with heavenly things, walking about with a halo over his head and hands clasped in prayer continually, but that would be inaccurate. Jesus was involved in everyday concerns that matter to the average person. We are not provided with many snapshots of his personality, but I would be greatly surprised if he were not thoroughly enjoying himself and feeling very comfortable at the party. It appears that the guests were drinking wine in large quantities because they ran out, a big “no-no” for the hosts, which put them in an embarrassing situation. Apparently Mary, Jesus’ mother, felt sympathetic toward their plight and asked her son to do something.

Secondly, even though he already had begun his public ministry and had disciples, he still spent time with his mother. Perhaps she was a disciple, too, but based on other passages, I think not at this point. Jesus was most likely fulfilling a family obligation to honor a friend’s family by attending the wedding feast.

Even though Jesus was fully committed to the kingdom of God, he never lost sight of taking care of his family and being with friends.

He loved his Mom, but he looked to his heavenly Father for direction for his ministry and words. Mary’s request for him to come to the wedding host’s aid, was not part of his divine agenda, it seemed.

“Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5  But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:4-5 (NLT)

When we know someone loves us deeply, it gives us boldness to ask him or her for favors and blessings, not out of a desire to abuse the relationship, but because we are confident in the strength of our relationship. Jesus indicated that he did not wish to do anything, but she put him on the spot by simply telling the servants to do anything Jesus told them. Our Lord had the option of doing nothing, but he decided to honor his mother’s request. We learn from this that we do not need a specific instruction from God to help someone. Jesus responded to the need, which resulted in his first public miracle.

Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7  Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8  he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. 9  When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10  “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” 11  This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. John 2:6-11 (NLT)

God is sovereign over all things, but within his lordship he leaves room for us to take initiative.

This is not presumption, but faith. God will work with us in a dynamic partnership when we respond lovingly to needs. He ordains the means as well as the ends. This should give us great confidence as we pray.

This miracle tells us a whole lot about God’s heart for people. God cares about our everyday problems.

He is not watching impassively from heaven. He is right in our midst. We also learn that Jesus (God) is not nearly as bent out of shape about some things as we tend to be. These people were probably a little tipsy. They had drunk up all the wine, and we have to think the host thought he had enough on hand for the entire feast. Nevertheless, instead of piously telling the crowd that running out of wine was probably God’s will because they had been drinking too much, he made between 120 and 180 gallons of the best wine ever! Obviously God is okay with people having a good time. Even though he commands us to avoid becoming drunk with wine (Ephesians 5:18), he provided those party goers with enough wine to get thoroughly inebriated, if they so desired. I wonder if we need to adjust our view of God? If you think he is a stern kill-joy, think again.

Application

What do we learn from this passage that we can apply to everyday life?

  • God cares about the everyday aspect of our lives.
  • God cares about social gatherings and what is needed to make them successful.
  • God will respond to our prayers, even if it seems our request may not be exactly what he was planning to do. Sometimes God tests our resolve and our faith in his loving kindness.

God is not as tense about things as we might imagine. Those who approach life rigidly and legalistically do not understand his heart and misrepresent him to the world.

  • God is willing to demonstrate his love and power in everyday life as a testimony to his goodness, love, and power to save us.

This is the Jesus we preach. This is the Jesus of the Gospels. It’s no wonder people still love and follow him.

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Have I Really Been Born Again?

According to Jesus, we cannot enter the kingdom of God unless we are born again.

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5 (NLT)

Many commentators understand that Jesus’ phrase “being born of water” refers to our natural birth. Those who are only born physically only have ordinary human understanding and life. We remain unconnected to unable and to comprehend the things of the Spirit of God.

We must be born again merely to become aware of God’s kingdom, much less to enter it.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (NLT)

It is only after the “wind” of the Holy Spirit blows upon us and causes our spirits to be reborn that we are able to see and experience the realities of God’s kingdom. The Hebrew and Greek words for “spirit” also can mean breath and wind.

The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 (NLT)

God breathed upon Adam, thus imparting spirit to his lifeless body, causing him to become a living soul (mind, will, and emotions – personality). (Genesis 2:7)

The Holy Spirit “blows” or “breathes” upon us when we are born again, re-birthing and reconnecting our previously “dead” spirits to God, from whom we partake of his never ending life.

After experiencing this divine wind or breath from God, our spiritual eyes are opened to the things of God. (Ephesians 1:18) For the first time, we begin to see who Jesus is more clearly. We start to grasp some of the beauties and glories of God. It is not uncommon for people to say that everything seemed new and different after being born again. That certainly was the case for me.

The new birth is the gateway into following a path on a lifelong journey in pursuit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ more fully.

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ Philippians 3:7–8 (NLT)

The new birth is not anything that we can deserve, earn, or accomplish on our own. It comes from God in a most mysterious way. Jesus said that we cannot explain how it happens any more than we can control the wind. We cannot make it happen for ourselves or anyone else. We can only share the gospel and lead people to God. After that we and they depend wholly on God with whom that heavenly transaction must take place. Our job is to receive his words, believe on his name, ask him for forgiveness, and present ourselves to him. Jesus said that if we seek God, we will find him. If the Spirit is nudging us to seek God, I believe it is a sure sign that he is at work in our lives. By all means respond, as King David did.

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8 (NLT)

Jesus promised that he will not turn away anyone who seeks him.

However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. John 6:37 (NLT)

Those who are merely born the natural way will die twice. The first death is the natural end to physical life that we must all experience. The second death is the lake of fire, God’s punishment for those who rebel against him and refuse his gracious offer through the gospel.

Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14–15 (NLT)

Those who are born twice, naturally and from heaven, will only die once. We will escape the fiery wrath of God when we put our faith and loyalty in Jesus, who paid the price for our sins already and promised that we will never come into judgment ever again.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. John 3:16–18 (NLT)

If we are not sure if we have been born again, it is a good chance that we have not.

If what I have written in this article seems foreign to your experience, it may mean that God has much more for you, if you will seek him with all your heart. Don’t let the day go by without inviting Jesus to be Lord of your life. Tell him that you give yourself to him and receive all he died to give us. He will take all we are, warts and all, and give us all he is. We will receive his righteousness and life. It’s called the New Covenant, the great exchange! If we do our part, he will be sure to do his. Wait for it.

Prayer

Jesus, I don’t know if I have been born again. You said we cannot enter your kingdom or truly know you without this happening. You also said you will never reject anyone who comes to you. I come to you now. I want this new birth. I want to have my spiritual eyes opened to see your kingdom. I want to be part of the family of God. I ask you to come into my life and forgive all my sins. I give you my life and acknowledge that you are my Lord. Come, Holy Spirit, do your unseen work inside of me. Amen.

If you prayed this sincerely, hold on to your hat! God is going to do something amazing in your life. Wait for it. It is on the way.

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Has Jesus Called You?

Jesus personally calls every disciple, just as he did Philip.

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” John 1:43 (NLT)

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul wrote these encouraging words.

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. Romans 8:29–30 (NLT)

Christianity is not a religion devised by men as a way to reach God. It is a relationship initiated by God who came looking for us.

God knows each of us by name and chose us before he even created the world.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:4–5 (NLT)

At some point, he calls each of his chosen ones to belong to his family. This is when eternity intersects our historical timeline.

I recently attended a funeral of a dear friend at which a song was played that touched the hearts of many there. The chorus was repeated over and over again: “God is watching us from a distance.” It seemed to bring comfort to those present, probably because it is nice to consider that God cares, but the theology was poor. If God is watching us from a distance, it is because we don’t know him. God is not distant. He is very much present in the lives of those he called.

One of the most recurrent phrases in the Bible spoken by God to us is: “I am with you.” One the titles given to our Lord by the angel who appeared to Mary was Immanuel, which means God with us. (Matthew 1:23) But God is not with everyone. He remains at a distance from those who do not acknowledge and receive him. He does not know them in a saving way at all.

Jesus uttered these sobering words about the last judgment when he will separate those who know him from those who do not.

But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:23 (NLT)

How can we move from being one of the “not known” into the group with whom God dwells and knows by name? Most people do not even care, but if we do, it is a good sign.

If we feel drawn to Jesus, it is because God is at work in our lives.

For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. John 6:44 (NLT)

If we are being drawn by God, it is because he called us to be his son or daughter. Our responsibility is to respond to that call. Those who respond prove that they are among the chosen. Jesus said that many are called, but few are chosen. This is because not all who hear the gospel are able to receive it, only those in whom the Holy Spirit is at work. Have you heard the Lord calling you to become his follower, or are you content to know him from a distance, which amounts to not knowing him at all?

Prayer

Jesus, I want to be among those who know you and are known by you. I feel the tug of the Holy Spirit upon my heart; so, I come to you now, asking you to come into my life and reveal yourself to me. Open the eyes of my heart that I might see you for who you truly are. I want to be your follower. Forgive my sins and send your Holy Spirit to live inside of me. Thank you that you promised that you will never turn away anyone who comes to you. Amen.

Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never send away. John 6:37 (NET)
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Who Is Running the Show?

As we watch the world in which we live apparently spinning out of control, we face a huge question. Is Jesus really who the Bible says he is? Is he truly the resurrected Lord who has authority over everything, or is he merely a religious symbol or a peaceful refuge to whom we can escape when our emotional tanks are running on empty? The Gospel of John supplies us with an answer in the very first chapter.

Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was there with God in the beginning. 3 Everything was made through him, and nothing was made without him. 4 In him there was life, and that life was a light for the people of the world. 5 The light shines in the darkness,♦ and the darkness has not defeated it. John 1:1-5 (ETRV)

Jesus, the Word of God, the Logos, the Son of God, the Creator of the all things. By creation rights, he has complete authority over what he made. It all belongs to him.

The author of Hebrews makes the amazing claim that everything and everyone that exists is being constantly upheld or sustained by the Creator. He did not “wind of the clock” and walk away. The clock cannot run without his continuing input of life and energy.

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power... Hebrews 1:3 (NASB)

This means that, in agreement with the Second Law of Thermodynamics or entropy, the heavens and earth require a continual input of energy from an outside source to keep it going. This is provided by the Source of Life itself, Jesus the Creator God.

This is the second reason he is in control of all things. He not only has the right of ownership as the Creator; he also controls through being the continual Sustainer of everything. Without his second-by-second input, everything will fall apart.

Lastly, after his resurrection from the dead, Jesus was declared to be the Lord of Lords.

and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:4 (NLT)

Jesus’ lordship is qualitatively different from his role as Creator and Sustainer. He was the first two things before becoming a human being. His lordship as the risen Son of God, the promised Messianic King, is directly related to his humanity. As the risen human/divine King of Israel in the line of David, he has been made the Lord of Lords.

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7  Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8  he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9  Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11 (NLT)

When Jesus walked this earth during his public ministry, he was never a victim of the plots and attempts on his life by his enemies. Not until it was the absolutely perfect time for him to be offered as the Lamb of God for our sins did he allow himself to be taken and crucified. But this was also part of the plan.

But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24  But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. Acts 2:23-24 (NLT)

Therefore, his control was and is absolute because he is the Creator -Sustainer – Redeemer – Lord. Nothing can happen without his permission, and all things ultimately work for his glory and according to the counsel of his will. (Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11)

No matter what is happening in the world in which we live, we should remind ourselves that Jesus “has this.” It is his world. He created it. He sustains it. He oversees everything. His kingdom shall prevail. He shall be glorified. There is no doubt about it. Therefore, we can be at rest. He is.

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (NASB95)
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Be Appropriately Provocative

Paul concluded his personal testimony by relating how God commissioned him to take the gospel to the Gentiles, which angered his Jewish listeners, who regarded the Gentiles as being relatively worthless, like dogs. They still thought that Israel was the center of God’s plan to redeem the world, not realizing that their rejection of their Messiah would remove them from the equation. (Matthew 21:43) The New Covenant would bring all peoples to God – Jew, Gentile, slave, and free. (Galatians 3:26-29)

Here is what Paul said.

I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’ ...‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’” 22  The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!” 23  They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air. Acts 22:18-23 (NLT)

Why did Paul say what he knew would anger his listeners? Didn’t he understand that we should gently lead people to receive the gospel? Was he led by the Spirit or just being inflammatory? Let’s assume he was led by the Spirit. So why would God lead the apostle to be so provocative?

Paul addressed one of the major sins blocking Jews from receiving the gospel – the racist assumption that Jews were superior to the Gentiles because of God’s choice of that nation to husband the scriptures and provide a line for the birth of the Messiah. They falsely believed that God did not plan to include the Gentiles in the blessings of Abraham, even though the Bible plainly said he would. (Isaiah 49:6) In their pride and arrogance, the Jews hated the idea of non-Jews being included in God’s kingdom.

Paul knew his statement would anger his listeners, but he said it anyway to confront them with the sin that was dragging them to hell.

In today’s politically correct world, Christians are warned that we must “color inside the lines” and not say certain things – or face the consequences.

What are the egregious sins of those who hate the gospel today? Abortion, homosexuality, and transgenderism immediately come to mind. If we call out these sins, we will surely set off an explosion of hatred and persecution, and yet these sins, and others like them, must be confronted if our listeners have any hope of repentance and forgiveness from God.

Christians are called to be unafraid of being appropriately provocative by speaking truth to our culture in a loving way, regardless of the consequences. It’s part of the cost of discipleship and is one of the reasons we need to be led by and baptized in the Holy Spirit.

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Pray for Boldness

God wants us to pray for boldness. After being threatened and commanded to keep quiet about Jesus, the disciples met and spoke the following prayer.

And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30  Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31  After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31 (NLT)

When we face threats and intimidation, it is time to pray for courage and boldness.

Someone once said that there are no “closed” countries, only intimidated disciples. Satan will try to intimidate us into submission to fear with the threat of violence or some other form of persecution. What if those first believers had kept quiet after this warning from the Jewish leaders?  We don’t know how the Spirit would have handled that, but thankfully they refused to buckle to the pressure. Their boldness eventually cost almost all of them their lives. Jesus knew this would happen, but he called them to be his witnesses nevertheless. He is calling you and me as well. Will we be faithful to this challenge? We can start by praying for boldness to preach the gospel and witness to the truth. Jesus also wants us to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which provides us with strength and power to do the job.

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now...8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:4-5,8 (NKJV)
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How Much Will This Cost?

Paul continued his personal testimony by explaining how God called him to put his new faith in Christ into action.

“Then he [Ananias] told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. 15  For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. 16  What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’ Acts 22:14-16 (NLT)

Hearing and understanding the gospel will result in obedience to the Lord, or I am merely a consumer of religious stories.

Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. Romans 1:5 (NLT)

Consumer Christianity has mass marketed a version of Christianity that only requires faith without obedience. Sadly, this is not real faith. It is fantasy posing as faith.

But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. James 2:18–24 (NASB95)

Disciples are called to formally and publicly declare our allegiance to Christ through water baptism and to be a witness to others of the truth of the gospel for a lifetime.

If we correctly share the gospel, our hearers will know that following Christ is like signing a blank check, which the Lord will fill in and cash as he sees fit.

Paul was warned that he would face hardship and suffering as Christ’s servant and messenger. This did not stop him from making an immediate surrender to the Lord and the call God. When we share the gospel we should make certain that our hearers understand the enormous price tag associated with being a disciple.

If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 (NLT)
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What Is the Point?

Paul continued his testimony to the Jews in Jerusalem who were seeking to kill him by relating what his encounter with Christ years earlier meant to him. When Jesus addressed Paul after knocking him from his horse on the road to Damascus, the future apostle asked a revealing question.

“I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’ Acts 22:10 (NLT)

It is all well and good to have a religious experience like Paul’s. Plenty of celebrities bandy about the name of God in their award acceptance speeches, but a bigger question is, “What difference has our relationship with God made in our lives?” Sadly, many who profess to be Christians live as though they are not. If our professions of faith have made little or no difference in how we live day to day, we have to ask ourselves, “What’s the point?”

If the gospel never properly impacted my life, perhaps it is because it was never properly presented to me.

We live in a consumer-oriented world in which we receive appeals from various people and companies to purchase or use their products, based on what it will do for us. If I first heard the “gospel” as a sales pitch instead of a call to surrender to the Lord of lords, perhaps I see Jesus more as a benevolent genie or fairy godmother than as the Lord of my life.

That was not the case with Paul. His encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus profoundly altered the course of his life. From the very beginning, Paul understood that this person who so overpowered him was the “Lord,” who has the right to command our lives from this moment forward. He understood that following Christ potentially could cost him everything, but that it would be worth it to serve the him.

The point of the gospel and a good testimony is that we now recognize that Jesus is the Lord .

In fact, the essence of the gospel is in these three words – Jesus is Lord.

When we share our testimonies, we should include how we, as did Paul, came to this realization. Knowing that Jesus is Lord is vastly different from knowing him as savior. Being forgiven makes no demands upon us, but when we surrender to Jesus the Lord, are lives are no longer our own. Perhaps this is a good time for each of us to consider if this is actually our story. If not, now is the time to make Jesus our Lord, too.

Prayer

Jesus, I never completely realized that your being the Lord means that my life belongs to you. I surrender to you every aspect of my life from this day forward. Help me to faithfully love and serve you. Amen.

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