Jesus, The Add On???  Really??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #343

 

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12 

Jesus is the only way of salvation—the only way to heaven—the only way to be God’s child—the only way to have new life, hope, joy and peace “that passeth all understanding”!  But we are living in a culture where even the church seems to be ready to abandon the truth of the Gospel, and keep adding things, activities, exercises that are attempting to fill the void in mankind; when only Jesus can and will fill that void.  As it’s often been said, we have a “God-sized hole/void”, and only God can fill that void!  But it seems that we are surely trying to fill it with anything that makes no call of repentance and faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for sin—His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice. The angel told Joseph that the issue was sin; not diet, exercise, meditation, or even fellowship and “love”!  Oh, the things that we are excusing and even promoting that violate God’s Word, but we call it “love” and press on, instead of seeking God’s “approval”!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.”   Matthew 1:21

It’s God’s plan not man’s, yet we keep on trying to make it more palatable, that which even Jesus said would repel people.  Why do we think they killed Him and most of the prophets and preachers throughout scripture.

“If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

 The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not

him that sent me.”  John 15:18-21

It’s part of the message that Jesus gave to Nicodemus, but we conveniently leave off part of “God so loved”!  And God does love, but Father God and Jesus Christ the Son are “the same yesterday, and to day and forever…”! (See Hebrews 13:8). Will we preach Jesus—the only way?  What are we tacking on to Jesus!  Yes, Jesus loves me and you, yet He also makes it clear over and over again that you must choose between the straight road or the broad one—God’s way or the world’s, and the consequences will follow your choice.  (see Matthew 7:13-28)

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”  John 3:16-21

So, how do we choose right?  We must seek Jesus and His cross!  Dying to self and giving our life to Jesus, and seeking His will, His way, His truth, and reflecting His life before a lost and dying world by speaking “the truth in love”!  But never change His truth to try and attract a crowd!  It will never work, because it isn’t what He called us to do or to share.  We must share His truth His way.  Paul gives us great advise as He shared with his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy—dig into God’s Word not the world’s!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Study to shew thyself approved

unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”   2 Timothy 2:15

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:15-16

May we be found faithful to God’s Word!  May we learn to measure by HIS WORD not popular opinion, trends, fads, or what is the top thing on social media!  It’s so easy to buy into the cutesy, tear-jerking stories and form opinions that are 180 degrees away from what God has said.  But so many go on feeling rather than the facts and truth of The Word of God!  I know I harp on that, but oh, my friends, we must wake up, repent, and turn from our own wisdom to pursue God’s!  I’d like to close with an amazing passage from Daniel—a young man probably still in his teens, but a young man who knew his God—one who had made up his mind to serve God not man!  This passage is Daniel’s prayer of praise to God for answered prayer.  Who is your God? (See Daniel 1:8)

“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might

are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth

the deep and secret things:

he knoweth

what is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom

and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:19-23

I would encourage you to read through the book of Daniel, even just the first 6 chapters and you’ll find a young man, and his friends, who were committed to their God, to His ways and they always stood firm and never took credit for what God did; even to such a degree that others saw in them the character of God.  But don’t miss the lesson that we must, I say must, learn, and that is when we go God’s way, we will face opposition, hatred, jealousy and we must be like Daniel and his friends and press on faithfully.  Paul reminds us of just that, and I’ll leave you with these thoughts to ponder.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forthunto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize

of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14.

Amen and Amen!!!