This week will not be so much a Bible study as more of a think tank as we get ready to discuss salvation. For the past few months, I have seen come across social media many religions/denominations going online and "defending” their beliefs. Many claiming to be the only one way to get to Heaven. Many saying if you are not a part of our group, it is impossible to get to Heaven. Please note, I am not going to go into religion/denomination bashing. We are going to only use the Bible, (I use King James Version), to learn about salvation. I am going to state this. Our God does not need to be defended. Nowhere will we read in the Bible that we need to Defend God. There is one key point we will be looking at while discussing salvation. That is having a relationship with Christ and God. Now, we will be looking in the Old Testament, and of course, they did not have the chance to know Christ as we do. But they had a more direct line to God Himself. Look at all the Old Testament prophets that spoke to God directly. Adam and Eve walked and talked with Him. We will be discussing this in more detail. The purpose of this study is not for us to defend God, but to bring ourselves in a more personal relationship God and Christ.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
In almost every religion, Jesus is recognized. Some say yes, He is the Son of God, some only refer to Him as a prophet and recognize the miracles He did. That would conclude that Jesus is real. Simple as that. So now that Jesus makes the statement in John 4:16, we know that there is truth to that. So now we ask ourselves, how do we get access to Jesus, to go to God? I am glad you asked. But I am not going to answer that today. But I will say this. You can not just know of Him, but you must know Him personally.
Matthew 7: (21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Those verses in Matthew can be terrifying. Just knowing of Jesus, profit you nothing. He has to know you. Its kind of like this. Everyone knows who Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is. They are the current presidential candidates here in 2024. But do they Know you? Would they invite you into their home to live, eat and fellowship? The answer would be no. They do not know you, there is no relationship established between the two of you to have that type of fellowship. In the next few weeks, we will be discussing the same situation with us and God. Does He know you enough to allow you to enter His home and be with Him?
Get ready, we are fixing to become closer to Christ
COMMENTS
[ posted by Cindy, 10/15/2024 11:01 AM ]
Mike has some excellent points above.We have to start and have a relationship with God, and the Bible is our "instruction manual" for that. I am gonna go a bit off track today. As far as I know, no one has disproved that the Bible is not God given to people to relay His words. And a history of the God's world. The God of scriptures of old days is still the God today. Close to 40 people in the Bible spoke to God, Moses being the most. Not as many in the New Testament as in the Old Testament tho. God's Word has always been able to stand on its own. Jesus never had to defend Himself, He repeated God's Words. When Paul was imprisoned, he still defended his belief in the gospel he heard. Remember he sent letters out to nations to declare what the gospel was, about sin and repentance and a future salvation. The gospel has the power in it. Satan already knows we have been purchased by the blood of Jesus. That's why he and his evil cohorts work tirelessly to destroy us. He seeks and tries to destroy every single one of us. That's his only job. Believers in Christ and the Bible know God is working in their lives, which makes us different. We strive to read and understand God's words so we can stand firm in our faith and courage thru all the good and bad moments in our life. Leaning on God's promises and trusting Him helps us to persevere in those tests and trials. We become better Christians for our family and friends when we grow in God's grace so that we can extend grace to others also. We can share our belief to offer salvation to others, which is what God wants us to do. We are more effective to others when we are ready and know what God's words are to share His gospel. We are prepared to declare what the gospel says when asked questions about our faith. Or questions of who our God is. When we live in God's words, it pleases God. What we do speaks loudly, and louder than our words. People pay attention to that. We hope in the future of our salvation, in eternal life with our Father in Heaven and Jesus. Our faith is in the hope we put our faith in. Prov 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord. 1 Peter 3:13 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asked you a reason of hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that they falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. Col 1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth. Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudimentary of the world, and not after Christ. Phil 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; insdmuch as both in my bonds, and in defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that dilligently seek him. Eph 2:8 For by grace ye are saved through; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.