February 28th 2016
"For Where Two Or Three Gather Together As My Followers, I Am There Among Them."
Matthew 18:20 (NLT)
John 3:17 (NIV)
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Many people believe there is only one God, but many such people cannot believe there is only one Savior. Some of these people call themselves Christians, and of course, that makes no sense at all! If you are trying to follow Christ, then and only then, are you a Christian! Some people are confused about what following Christ actually means, as they do not know Jesus, they just know about him. “To know, know Him, is to love, love Him, and I do!” Do you know Jesus? There are many true stories about Him in the Bible, have you studied these stories?
Paul wrote about his feeling for Jesus and how he loved Him, and Paul did this after Jesus struck Paul down and temporarily blinded him, because Paul was persecuting the Christians of Paul’s day. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no-one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. (2 Corinthians 5:14-16)
Note what Paul wrote here about how followers of Jesus should conduct themselves. They “should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again.” This is a difficult suggestion that Paul is making here, as we still have to contend with our inborn sinful nature. Thus, repenting is a difficult task, as we will still be tempted by Satan to be a part of this cursed world. So repentance is a continual work in progress, as we should be trying to become more Christ-like every day! How is your walk with Christ coming along? Pray every day for the guidance of the Holy Spirit! If the Holy Spirit is indwelling you, then you have the opportunity to allow this Spirit to guide and direct your life.
John wrote about how Jesus is not only the perfect sacrifice, but He is also the Creator. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14) Isn’t that interesting, and kind of mind blowing. This also ties into the thought expressed above about getting to know Jesus through allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and direct your life, yes, to direct your current earthly life. You do not have to wait until you die to be with Jesus. In the title of this commentary we read how Jesus will be with those who gather in His Name. Where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." Matthew 18:20 (NLT)
John also wrote about how Jesus is the gate through which His followers can enter into salvation. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. (John 10:9) Do you know the way to that gate, named Jesus? The Apostle Thomas once said he did not know where Jesus was going, so how could they follow Him there? Jesus answered “You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:4-6)
Do not worry, you do not need to know how to get to Jesus when you leave this earthly cursed life, because Jesus has promised to come and get you, and lead you there, immediately when you leave this earthly life. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-3) Jesus will know when you die, and He will come back and escort you to heaven to be with Him forever! Now that is an offer you cannot refuse.
Peter wrote about this great gift from Jesus to all His followers. Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. (2 Peter 1:2-7)
Are you able to harness your energy and take advantage by practicing self-control in all that you do? Many people today seem to be angry too often, and waste their time with petty disagreements and use up their energy being angry with almost everyone. Paul warned the early church about sinning by letting their anger control them, instead of them being in control. And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27, NLT) Do not put yourself in a position where your guidance is coming from Satan, instead of Jesus!
Can you become an overcomer that Jesus was defining to John, when He told him, what was instore for those who could accept the salvation that Jesus offered? He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning Sulphur. This is the second death." (Revelation 21:6-8)
Jesus came into this world to offer salvation through His perfect sacrifice. Have you accepted it yet? If not, why not? For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Let Jesus save you too!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Matthew 18:20 (NLT)
John 3:17 (NIV)
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Many people believe there is only one God, but many such people cannot believe there is only one Savior. Some of these people call themselves Christians, and of course, that makes no sense at all! If you are trying to follow Christ, then and only then, are you a Christian! Some people are confused about what following Christ actually means, as they do not know Jesus, they just know about him. “To know, know Him, is to love, love Him, and I do!” Do you know Jesus? There are many true stories about Him in the Bible, have you studied these stories?
Paul wrote about his feeling for Jesus and how he loved Him, and Paul did this after Jesus struck Paul down and temporarily blinded him, because Paul was persecuting the Christians of Paul’s day. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no-one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. (2 Corinthians 5:14-16)
Note what Paul wrote here about how followers of Jesus should conduct themselves. They “should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again.” This is a difficult suggestion that Paul is making here, as we still have to contend with our inborn sinful nature. Thus, repenting is a difficult task, as we will still be tempted by Satan to be a part of this cursed world. So repentance is a continual work in progress, as we should be trying to become more Christ-like every day! How is your walk with Christ coming along? Pray every day for the guidance of the Holy Spirit! If the Holy Spirit is indwelling you, then you have the opportunity to allow this Spirit to guide and direct your life.
John wrote about how Jesus is not only the perfect sacrifice, but He is also the Creator. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14) Isn’t that interesting, and kind of mind blowing. This also ties into the thought expressed above about getting to know Jesus through allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and direct your life, yes, to direct your current earthly life. You do not have to wait until you die to be with Jesus. In the title of this commentary we read how Jesus will be with those who gather in His Name. Where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." Matthew 18:20 (NLT)
John also wrote about how Jesus is the gate through which His followers can enter into salvation. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. (John 10:9) Do you know the way to that gate, named Jesus? The Apostle Thomas once said he did not know where Jesus was going, so how could they follow Him there? Jesus answered “You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:4-6)
Do not worry, you do not need to know how to get to Jesus when you leave this earthly cursed life, because Jesus has promised to come and get you, and lead you there, immediately when you leave this earthly life. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-3) Jesus will know when you die, and He will come back and escort you to heaven to be with Him forever! Now that is an offer you cannot refuse.
Peter wrote about this great gift from Jesus to all His followers. Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. (2 Peter 1:2-7)
Are you able to harness your energy and take advantage by practicing self-control in all that you do? Many people today seem to be angry too often, and waste their time with petty disagreements and use up their energy being angry with almost everyone. Paul warned the early church about sinning by letting their anger control them, instead of them being in control. And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27, NLT) Do not put yourself in a position where your guidance is coming from Satan, instead of Jesus!
Can you become an overcomer that Jesus was defining to John, when He told him, what was instore for those who could accept the salvation that Jesus offered? He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning Sulphur. This is the second death." (Revelation 21:6-8)
Jesus came into this world to offer salvation through His perfect sacrifice. Have you accepted it yet? If not, why not? For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Let Jesus save you too!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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