November 9th 2014
Have You Answered The God Question In Your Life?
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Everyone must answer a question in their lifetime, and that question is “Does a God exist?” Some people choose to believe there are multiple gods, but if you think about it, that really does not make sense, as then, if so, they are really not all powerful, and thus, are really not much different than human beings. The second question everyone must ask and answer for themselves is, “Do you know God in a personal way?” Some worldly religions teach that god is not a personal god, and thus, everyone is treated with disrespect by such a god.
Of course, there are people who choose to believe there is no god. Such people are called atheists. Paul writes about such people in his letter to the church in Rome, in which, he says that there is no justifiable excuse for such a belief. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)
Then there are many people who do not want to “waste” their time trying to understand how everything got here, including themselves, or even why they are here living on this earth. We call such people agnostics. The majority of people today in the USA are most likely agnostics! This, I believe includes those people who do not choose a church to attend on a regular basis. I write here from personal experience, I was once one such person and it is a very lost feeling. Do not be duped, as I was, to not believe in God, because of other men, and what they choose to believe or not believe.
However, if your salvation has been awarded to you, because you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then there is a different story to follow! Paul wrote to the Galatians about this. So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God-- how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? (Galatians 4:7-9) Paul makes an important statement in these verses, which is “now that you know God—or rather are known by God!” Are you now known by God? Are you sure? You should be, because God has called you, just like Jesus did when He selected His Apostles!
John wrote some disturbing things; at least they make you take stock of your normal daily actions. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:10) John wrote that we are either “the children of God” or we are “the children of the devil.” Despite what John wrote, and I do believe the gist of it, I like to cling to the belief that we are sinners, but our sins are covered over by the shed blood of Jesus. I write this not in any way against what John wrote, but to allow grace to prevail. Forgive me, this thought process.
So, hopefully those reading this do believe there is only one God, and He is the God of the Bible. James wrote something interesting about such a belief, and that is that, just that is really not enough. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2:19) Are you in good company by believing what Satan believes? A memory comes to me, as I wrote this. A friend once said, well they felt safe, even though they never attended church that they helped other people, and led a good life, better than some other people, and they believed there is a god! At which point, I quoted this verse given to us by God through James, who was an earthly brother of Jesus.
Some other verses come to mind now that should be written here, which tell us what BELIEVING in Jesus as your personal Savior will get you, now and more importantly in the long run (long run = forever)! Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17) I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. (John 6:47) How was this paid for? God paid a ransom to save you...and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. (1Peter 1:18, NLT)
Since your salvation has been assured by Jesus death on that cross over two thousand years ago, and the God of the Bible called YOU to serve as His brother or sister, through His Son Jesus Christ, then your eternal destination is guaranteed, thus you are free from worry. Should you share this promise with people who may not believe it? Every day the Lord brings people into your life that (may) will never go to church, never read a Bible, or never watch Christian media. You are the only connection to God they have. God has put them into your life so that you can share with them the hope and love of Christ. Never forget, when your life is over the ONLY thing that will matter for eternity is those lives you impacted for Christ.
Matthew wrote about the Great Commission that Jesus commanded to His disciples. It says that all those called by the Father to serve as disciples are to tell His story to those who have not heard it, and retell it to those who have not yet believed it, or reacted to it! When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:17-20) Do YOU have doubts about your salvation, or about your award of heaven through grace? Matthew wrote, “They worshipped him; but some doubted.” Then Matthew wrote that Jesus said to all of them, “Therefore go and make disciples!”
“Go tell it on the mountain” or wherever you happen to be, today! This would be a good sacrifice of your time as we near this holiday season!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Everyone must answer a question in their lifetime, and that question is “Does a God exist?” Some people choose to believe there are multiple gods, but if you think about it, that really does not make sense, as then, if so, they are really not all powerful, and thus, are really not much different than human beings. The second question everyone must ask and answer for themselves is, “Do you know God in a personal way?” Some worldly religions teach that god is not a personal god, and thus, everyone is treated with disrespect by such a god.
Of course, there are people who choose to believe there is no god. Such people are called atheists. Paul writes about such people in his letter to the church in Rome, in which, he says that there is no justifiable excuse for such a belief. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)
Then there are many people who do not want to “waste” their time trying to understand how everything got here, including themselves, or even why they are here living on this earth. We call such people agnostics. The majority of people today in the USA are most likely agnostics! This, I believe includes those people who do not choose a church to attend on a regular basis. I write here from personal experience, I was once one such person and it is a very lost feeling. Do not be duped, as I was, to not believe in God, because of other men, and what they choose to believe or not believe.
However, if your salvation has been awarded to you, because you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then there is a different story to follow! Paul wrote to the Galatians about this. So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God-- how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? (Galatians 4:7-9) Paul makes an important statement in these verses, which is “now that you know God—or rather are known by God!” Are you now known by God? Are you sure? You should be, because God has called you, just like Jesus did when He selected His Apostles!
John wrote some disturbing things; at least they make you take stock of your normal daily actions. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:10) John wrote that we are either “the children of God” or we are “the children of the devil.” Despite what John wrote, and I do believe the gist of it, I like to cling to the belief that we are sinners, but our sins are covered over by the shed blood of Jesus. I write this not in any way against what John wrote, but to allow grace to prevail. Forgive me, this thought process.
So, hopefully those reading this do believe there is only one God, and He is the God of the Bible. James wrote something interesting about such a belief, and that is that, just that is really not enough. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2:19) Are you in good company by believing what Satan believes? A memory comes to me, as I wrote this. A friend once said, well they felt safe, even though they never attended church that they helped other people, and led a good life, better than some other people, and they believed there is a god! At which point, I quoted this verse given to us by God through James, who was an earthly brother of Jesus.
Some other verses come to mind now that should be written here, which tell us what BELIEVING in Jesus as your personal Savior will get you, now and more importantly in the long run (long run = forever)! Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17) I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. (John 6:47) How was this paid for? God paid a ransom to save you...and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. (1Peter 1:18, NLT)
Since your salvation has been assured by Jesus death on that cross over two thousand years ago, and the God of the Bible called YOU to serve as His brother or sister, through His Son Jesus Christ, then your eternal destination is guaranteed, thus you are free from worry. Should you share this promise with people who may not believe it? Every day the Lord brings people into your life that (may) will never go to church, never read a Bible, or never watch Christian media. You are the only connection to God they have. God has put them into your life so that you can share with them the hope and love of Christ. Never forget, when your life is over the ONLY thing that will matter for eternity is those lives you impacted for Christ.
Matthew wrote about the Great Commission that Jesus commanded to His disciples. It says that all those called by the Father to serve as disciples are to tell His story to those who have not heard it, and retell it to those who have not yet believed it, or reacted to it! When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:17-20) Do YOU have doubts about your salvation, or about your award of heaven through grace? Matthew wrote, “They worshipped him; but some doubted.” Then Matthew wrote that Jesus said to all of them, “Therefore go and make disciples!”
“Go tell it on the mountain” or wherever you happen to be, today! This would be a good sacrifice of your time as we near this holiday season!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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