April 26th 2020
The Peace Of God, Will Guard Your Hearts And Your Minds In Christ Jesus.
1 John 5:5 (NIV)
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? The answer to this question is the most important question you will ever be asked while you are still alive in this cursed world! The only Way to heaven is for you, or any of us, to go to heaven, when we die to this mortal world and pass on to the next world is that we believe that Jesus is the Way. Yes, believe it there is another world where all the immortal souls will go to when you die in this mortal world! John poses the question, “Who is it that overcomes the world? He then immediately answers this question by writing “Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” Well as I have written often in previous commentaries this is a difficult teaching, as it means that all other religions are worldly ideas based only on the ideas of mankind, and avid following of such religions will lead those followers to hell when they die not to heaven. The only Way to heaven is by believing that Jesus Christ is the ONLY Savior that God has supplied to all of mankind. Again, as John wrote, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. “
In line with this belief Jesus referred to His current, and future followers as those who are capable of being the light needed to direct other people toward Jesus as the only one to follow to heaven! "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16). Does your light shine and light the Way toward Jesus? Most of us have difficulty in thinking of ourselves as being good enough to direct people toward Jesus, when we are not sure we are on the narrow path that leads to salvation. Please work on getting this idea out of your mind, as it does eliminate you from being involved in evangelism!
Most of us fear that term of being “called” by Jesus to serve Him as we do not feel good enough, or we may not believe we know the Bible well enough. Paul wrote about this calling idea, and he should know a lot about it, because Paul, or should I say Saul, was called when he did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, and Paul became the most prolific New Testament writer. So, how was Paul trained after he was called by Jesus? And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). Note here, Paul wrote that he was called, and we also if called, will be called, as “those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Therefore, if you accept the call from Jesus to serve, it is because Jesus loves you (us). It has been stated somewhere that God does not always call those who are prepared, He often prepares those who accept the call!
If you believe that God/Jesus created mankind in His image and likeness as the Bible teaches, then it is easy to believe we are all children of God! That is what I believe, what about you do you believe we evolved from microbes to mankind, and thus, we are just the highest form of animal, or do you believe, as the Bible teaches that we’re part of a “special creation” endowed with God-like capabilities, and in possession of an immortal piece we call our soul? Animals do not possess this immortal piece, and that is what separates us from them, and allows us to be referred to as the children of God. Our intelligence was endowed into mankind from the beginning during the creation week.
All of mankind was given a freewill so we can decide what we will believe in this mortal world, even whether we believe there is a God who is in control of this universe. What do you believe, what are you willing to accept about how and why you are alive and living in this world? The Bible teaches we were a special creation from the mind of Jesus, and thus, we are His brothers and sisters, thus we are automatically created through childbirth, as the children of God! Now that is a story I want to believe! What about you can you accept what the Bible plainly teaches that we are all the children of God! John wrote about this idea as a fact that we all have the same brother called Jesus and therefore we share a heavenly Father/God, which makes us all be the children of God. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:11-12).
We live in a world that is less than perfect, in fact it is difficult for most people to accept that loving God created it. But if we know and accept the Biblical story about sin coming into the original perfect world Jesus created, and thus it became a cursed world and no longer perfect. Paul wrote about this situation for us. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. (Romans 8:20-21). Notice that Paul assures us that even though this world is cursed, we can still remain the children of God. Paul went on to write about how we should be able to live in this cursed world without being complainers. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. (Philippians 2:14-16). This world is still a beautiful place and we can be incredibly happy here, when we wait for the time when God/Jesus will create a new world to replace this old war torn one!
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:1-2). Someday we will see Jesus as He is which John who spent earthly time with Jesus wrote for us. During this very trying time of isolation, dwell of the fact that this too will end, but it may not be over soon. Therefore, we need to remember that Jesus is only a prayer away, and while this pandemic will not likely end soon, we can rely on Jesus always being available to be with you wherever you are. When it is time for you to leave this world Jesus will come to take you to where He is! He promised us, His followers that wonderful guarantee! Paul wrote about being able to have a peaceful feeling even during trying times like these. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7). Your heart and mind are being capable of peace, because “the peace of God, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 John 5:5 (NIV)
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? The answer to this question is the most important question you will ever be asked while you are still alive in this cursed world! The only Way to heaven is for you, or any of us, to go to heaven, when we die to this mortal world and pass on to the next world is that we believe that Jesus is the Way. Yes, believe it there is another world where all the immortal souls will go to when you die in this mortal world! John poses the question, “Who is it that overcomes the world? He then immediately answers this question by writing “Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” Well as I have written often in previous commentaries this is a difficult teaching, as it means that all other religions are worldly ideas based only on the ideas of mankind, and avid following of such religions will lead those followers to hell when they die not to heaven. The only Way to heaven is by believing that Jesus Christ is the ONLY Savior that God has supplied to all of mankind. Again, as John wrote, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. “
In line with this belief Jesus referred to His current, and future followers as those who are capable of being the light needed to direct other people toward Jesus as the only one to follow to heaven! "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16). Does your light shine and light the Way toward Jesus? Most of us have difficulty in thinking of ourselves as being good enough to direct people toward Jesus, when we are not sure we are on the narrow path that leads to salvation. Please work on getting this idea out of your mind, as it does eliminate you from being involved in evangelism!
Most of us fear that term of being “called” by Jesus to serve Him as we do not feel good enough, or we may not believe we know the Bible well enough. Paul wrote about this calling idea, and he should know a lot about it, because Paul, or should I say Saul, was called when he did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, and Paul became the most prolific New Testament writer. So, how was Paul trained after he was called by Jesus? And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). Note here, Paul wrote that he was called, and we also if called, will be called, as “those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Therefore, if you accept the call from Jesus to serve, it is because Jesus loves you (us). It has been stated somewhere that God does not always call those who are prepared, He often prepares those who accept the call!
If you believe that God/Jesus created mankind in His image and likeness as the Bible teaches, then it is easy to believe we are all children of God! That is what I believe, what about you do you believe we evolved from microbes to mankind, and thus, we are just the highest form of animal, or do you believe, as the Bible teaches that we’re part of a “special creation” endowed with God-like capabilities, and in possession of an immortal piece we call our soul? Animals do not possess this immortal piece, and that is what separates us from them, and allows us to be referred to as the children of God. Our intelligence was endowed into mankind from the beginning during the creation week.
All of mankind was given a freewill so we can decide what we will believe in this mortal world, even whether we believe there is a God who is in control of this universe. What do you believe, what are you willing to accept about how and why you are alive and living in this world? The Bible teaches we were a special creation from the mind of Jesus, and thus, we are His brothers and sisters, thus we are automatically created through childbirth, as the children of God! Now that is a story I want to believe! What about you can you accept what the Bible plainly teaches that we are all the children of God! John wrote about this idea as a fact that we all have the same brother called Jesus and therefore we share a heavenly Father/God, which makes us all be the children of God. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:11-12).
We live in a world that is less than perfect, in fact it is difficult for most people to accept that loving God created it. But if we know and accept the Biblical story about sin coming into the original perfect world Jesus created, and thus it became a cursed world and no longer perfect. Paul wrote about this situation for us. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. (Romans 8:20-21). Notice that Paul assures us that even though this world is cursed, we can still remain the children of God. Paul went on to write about how we should be able to live in this cursed world without being complainers. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. (Philippians 2:14-16). This world is still a beautiful place and we can be incredibly happy here, when we wait for the time when God/Jesus will create a new world to replace this old war torn one!
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:1-2). Someday we will see Jesus as He is which John who spent earthly time with Jesus wrote for us. During this very trying time of isolation, dwell of the fact that this too will end, but it may not be over soon. Therefore, we need to remember that Jesus is only a prayer away, and while this pandemic will not likely end soon, we can rely on Jesus always being available to be with you wherever you are. When it is time for you to leave this world Jesus will come to take you to where He is! He promised us, His followers that wonderful guarantee! Paul wrote about being able to have a peaceful feeling even during trying times like these. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7). Your heart and mind are being capable of peace, because “the peace of God, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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