August 18th 2019
Has Following Jesus Really Purified Your Life?
Luke 6:47-49 (NIV)
I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
Jesus often talked about building your life on the foundation available only through Him. You must be saved before you can be able to build on Him as your foundation in this lifetime! While you are still living in this cursed mortal world, you must have Jesus Christ as the center of your life! When problems come your way, Jesus tells us in the selected verses about avoiding destruction from these problems, as Jesus said it, “When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” What foundation is your house (earthly life) built upon? Have you committed your entire life in service to Jesus? Do you expect to be served by others in this lifetime, or are you trying to be in service to others?
We live in a time where there are many factions at work, which will keep us separated from other people groups, and it makes us suspicious of their intentions toward us. Some sectors of society in the USA today, feel this suspicion toward the police and even other governmental groups, whose primary organization is meant to protect all citizens from the criminal element that resides in this country. Paul wrote about similar problems that existed in Colosse during Paul’s time serving there. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:11-13). Paul is trying to convey that Christians should not view other people groups as being different than they are, because we are all meant to be serving Jesus, and thus, we are all part of one body, the body of Christ.
Titus also wrote about how Christians should be different than anyone who has not yet been saved by accepting Jesus as their Savior. Titus pointed out how having Jesus running your life will change your entire outlook on life. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:14, KJV). What does Titus mean by stating how your life will be affected by Jesus coming into it, when he wrote, “that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people.” We are now peculiar, because we no longer fit into the secular society, because we should no longer be driven by worldly desires. Jesus told His disciples about seeking first what God wants for you, and then, God will give you enough worldly stuff. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33). We can see this being exemplified in the Old Testament accounts that when God’s people tried to do what He wanted, and they worshipped Him they had good stuff from a worldly perspective.
In this “me to” environment we see today it becomes more difficult for anyone to conduct themselves in a humble way. Many people are asking “what’s doing this good deed going to do for me?” Jesus told us that we need to be humble people, and we must be child-like. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15). This child-like attitude it seems means for us to be receptive to following Jesus, and for His followers to be intent on doing good, because that is what Jesus did when He walked this earth as a man. Micah also wrote about this humble attitude. He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8). Followers of God were to “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” So, times have not really changed that much from what God expected His followers to do, and now what followers of Jesus are expected to do!
When John the Baptist was walking this earth and preaching about the fact that the Messiah was coming soon, he also echoed this idea that salvation was near. In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matthew 3:1-2). Many people today do not really like the idea that “the kingdom of heaven is near." Many people who believe in God or a god or gods, do not really want their chosen god or even God to be too near. They prefer a distant God that does not meddle in their chosen lifestyle. Some people are “proud” of their chosen lifestyle, even though it is offensive to God/Jesus!
I am glad that God is not a just God, but instead He is a merciful God. For it is only by mercy that God brought Jesus into this world to die for sinners. Jesus told a parable about an unjust judge, who only helped a woman who kept returning to request justice. Jesus said that God will answer your prayers and see that you get justice and get it quickly, because you have accepted His mercy through accepting salvation earned and granted by His Son’s perfect sacrifice. I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). We have been granted mercy from God because of what Jesus did, and therefore, even sinners will be welcomed into heaven. But then, there is that word “however” which always causes us to stop and think. The question Jesus poses after He explains the meaning of the parable, see Luke 16:2-8 to read this parable in context!
The quest is, “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Luke 6:47-49 (NIV)
I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
Jesus often talked about building your life on the foundation available only through Him. You must be saved before you can be able to build on Him as your foundation in this lifetime! While you are still living in this cursed mortal world, you must have Jesus Christ as the center of your life! When problems come your way, Jesus tells us in the selected verses about avoiding destruction from these problems, as Jesus said it, “When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” What foundation is your house (earthly life) built upon? Have you committed your entire life in service to Jesus? Do you expect to be served by others in this lifetime, or are you trying to be in service to others?
We live in a time where there are many factions at work, which will keep us separated from other people groups, and it makes us suspicious of their intentions toward us. Some sectors of society in the USA today, feel this suspicion toward the police and even other governmental groups, whose primary organization is meant to protect all citizens from the criminal element that resides in this country. Paul wrote about similar problems that existed in Colosse during Paul’s time serving there. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:11-13). Paul is trying to convey that Christians should not view other people groups as being different than they are, because we are all meant to be serving Jesus, and thus, we are all part of one body, the body of Christ.
Titus also wrote about how Christians should be different than anyone who has not yet been saved by accepting Jesus as their Savior. Titus pointed out how having Jesus running your life will change your entire outlook on life. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:14, KJV). What does Titus mean by stating how your life will be affected by Jesus coming into it, when he wrote, “that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people.” We are now peculiar, because we no longer fit into the secular society, because we should no longer be driven by worldly desires. Jesus told His disciples about seeking first what God wants for you, and then, God will give you enough worldly stuff. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33). We can see this being exemplified in the Old Testament accounts that when God’s people tried to do what He wanted, and they worshipped Him they had good stuff from a worldly perspective.
In this “me to” environment we see today it becomes more difficult for anyone to conduct themselves in a humble way. Many people are asking “what’s doing this good deed going to do for me?” Jesus told us that we need to be humble people, and we must be child-like. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15). This child-like attitude it seems means for us to be receptive to following Jesus, and for His followers to be intent on doing good, because that is what Jesus did when He walked this earth as a man. Micah also wrote about this humble attitude. He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8). Followers of God were to “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” So, times have not really changed that much from what God expected His followers to do, and now what followers of Jesus are expected to do!
When John the Baptist was walking this earth and preaching about the fact that the Messiah was coming soon, he also echoed this idea that salvation was near. In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matthew 3:1-2). Many people today do not really like the idea that “the kingdom of heaven is near." Many people who believe in God or a god or gods, do not really want their chosen god or even God to be too near. They prefer a distant God that does not meddle in their chosen lifestyle. Some people are “proud” of their chosen lifestyle, even though it is offensive to God/Jesus!
I am glad that God is not a just God, but instead He is a merciful God. For it is only by mercy that God brought Jesus into this world to die for sinners. Jesus told a parable about an unjust judge, who only helped a woman who kept returning to request justice. Jesus said that God will answer your prayers and see that you get justice and get it quickly, because you have accepted His mercy through accepting salvation earned and granted by His Son’s perfect sacrifice. I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). We have been granted mercy from God because of what Jesus did, and therefore, even sinners will be welcomed into heaven. But then, there is that word “however” which always causes us to stop and think. The question Jesus poses after He explains the meaning of the parable, see Luke 16:2-8 to read this parable in context!
The quest is, “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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