Wednesday, April 30, 2014

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Gospel of Matthew 24:37)



These words were spoken by Jesus in reference to His second coming. He came the first time to give His life on the cross in payment for sin (God cannot sweep sin “under the rug”). He will come again to judge and to rule. He compares conditions in the world at the time of His future coming to those in the days of Noah. “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” With this opening we might expect a reference to the moral corruption of the world but this is not what Jesus had in view. It will be a time when all things appear normal!! “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matthew 24:38,39). Just as few were prepared for the Flood, so also few will be prepared for His second coming.

The Hollywood blockbuster Noah, is at variance with much of the biblical account (read Genesis 6) but this is of little consequence as few in Hollywood (or elsewhere) consider the Flood little more than a fable. Jesus however, did not regard it a fabricated children’s story.  It was a warning. He came 2000 years ago and has promised to return. He will keep His word. He always keeps His word.

Are you ready? You can be ….. Jesus wants you to be ready.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life



“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (Gospel of John 3:16)

Belief in Christ is more than simply believing that Christ existed. Even demons believe in God and “tremble” (James 2:19)! To believe in Christ is to have faith in Christ.Faith, in the general sense is simply “trust.” When someone says, “I have faith in you” they are in effect saying that they trust you; they have confidence in you; they believe you are telling the truth. The Bible applies the same basic meaning. It’s a matter of trust. I believe God. I believe what God’s tells me in the Bible about Christ. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that when He died on the cross is was as my substitute.

This faith is biblical. I’m placing my trust in what God says in His Word, the Bible. 

This faith is personal. I’m not just believing a fact. I’m believing a person. I’m placing my trust in God.

This faith is exclusive. I’m placing my trust in Christ alone. I do not come to God on the basis of good works, saints, Mary or any church etc.  I come to God on the basis of Christ alone. 

This faith is acceptable. God will accept all who come through faith in Christ. 

God does not want to condemn you! He wants to forgive you. He wants to cleanse you. He wants you to be with Him forever but, not your terms. To have faith in Christ is to come to God on His terms. 

Will you place your faith in Christ ALONE?

Monday, April 7, 2014

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (Gospel of John 3:16)





In the last issue we pointed out that Jesus dealt with man’s root sin problem when He gave His life on the cross. He is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” But, if Christ takes away the
sin of the world is it not then implied that all are automatically forgiven, that all are right with God? The answer is NO! God can forgive because of Christ but He will only forgive those who place their faith in Christ. He gave the Son that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Christ paid the penalty for sin but only those who believe in Him will avail of His sacrifice.



But this sounds too easy. Far too simplistic! Is this all that God demands? Faith in Christ and nothing more!!!? What about good works?  Should I not strive with all my might to keep the “10 commandments” and get my life cleaned up first? Isn’t there some religious thing I must do? Surely there be more than faith in Christ alone!!! The answer is NO! On this point the Bible could not be clearer and more emphatic. In fact, any addition to faith in Christ is a perversion! Good works, religious activity, giving of money, going to church or trying your very best will not be accepted by God. “Good works” cannot earn salvation. Your eternal standing before God hinges on whether or not you have faith in Christ.


Next time we will look at what the Bible means by “faith in Christ”?