September 25th 2022
In This Life We Can Earn Rewards For Our Time And Place In Heaven!
Matthew 5:11 (NIV)
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
This does not sound like a good advertisement to try and attract people to come to your church and become followers of Jesus Christ. The first word “blessed” is attractive, but from there on it goes downhill. Most people do not want a blessing that causes other people to “insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you.” The key phrase here is “because of me.” So, we can relate the spurns of other people, as not being a personal attack, but instead a negative response to Jesus Christ. Remember, the people of Jesus days in this cursed world were very negative about Him, so much so, that they murdered Him!
Paul gives us a very good description of how taking Jesus Christ into your life changes you for the better and causes you to be happier in this life despite the possible rejection you may then experience. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-5).
Satan is allowed to roam this cursed world and Paul refers to him as “the ruler of the kingdom of the air.” In this world people either follow Satan or they become followers of Jesus Christ. Do not be confused there is salvation only through following Jesus Christ. No worldly religion can guide you through this mortal lifetime and allow you to end up in heaven. There is only one God, and He only offers one plan of salvation.
Now for more of the good news about the positive side of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews wrote about how Jesus’ followers will seek to help people who need some form of help. Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case--things that accompany salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Hebrews 6:10-11). God sees the good deeds that Jesus’ followers are compelled to do through the love we obtain through the inspirations the Holy Spirit directs us to do.
There was a time when Jesus still walked this earth, when some of those who had been following Jesus became confused about His message, and they decided to stop believing in Him. Then Jesus asked His twelve Apostles if they wanted to stop following Him too. From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:66-69).
Paul who was changed forever through discovering the truth about who Jesus, then wrote about how other believers recognized the change in him. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." And they praised God because of me. (Galatians 1:22-24). Saul who Jesus renamed Paul was convinced that the chosen people had the correct religion, which did not in their theology include Jesus as the Savior. When Jesus Himself corrected Saul’s belief by identifying Himself as the true Messiah to Paul.
In this cursed world today, there are more people who do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, than do believe it. Many such people are deeply religious, and they are following a theology based on some member of mankind’s idea of who or what a god (or gods) is the true ruler of this universe and has the capability of offering some form of salvation of our soul. Even atheists have religious belief system that teaches this life is all there is, and no one has an immortal piece that lives in some form of an afterlife.
Jesus summed up the whole story about who He is, and how all His followers will benefit by following Him in this cursed world. 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. 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. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." (John 14:2-7).
Salvation is an award, as no one who has a sinful nature can ever do enough good deeds to earn a place in heaven! As soon as we are born again through taking on Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are immediately destined to join Jesus in heaven when we die. In this life we can earn rewards for our time and place in heaven when we leave this life and start our immortal lifetime with Jesus. What a friend and brother we have in Jesus!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Matthew 5:11 (NIV)
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
This does not sound like a good advertisement to try and attract people to come to your church and become followers of Jesus Christ. The first word “blessed” is attractive, but from there on it goes downhill. Most people do not want a blessing that causes other people to “insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you.” The key phrase here is “because of me.” So, we can relate the spurns of other people, as not being a personal attack, but instead a negative response to Jesus Christ. Remember, the people of Jesus days in this cursed world were very negative about Him, so much so, that they murdered Him!
Paul gives us a very good description of how taking Jesus Christ into your life changes you for the better and causes you to be happier in this life despite the possible rejection you may then experience. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-5).
Satan is allowed to roam this cursed world and Paul refers to him as “the ruler of the kingdom of the air.” In this world people either follow Satan or they become followers of Jesus Christ. Do not be confused there is salvation only through following Jesus Christ. No worldly religion can guide you through this mortal lifetime and allow you to end up in heaven. There is only one God, and He only offers one plan of salvation.
Now for more of the good news about the positive side of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews wrote about how Jesus’ followers will seek to help people who need some form of help. Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case--things that accompany salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Hebrews 6:10-11). God sees the good deeds that Jesus’ followers are compelled to do through the love we obtain through the inspirations the Holy Spirit directs us to do.
There was a time when Jesus still walked this earth, when some of those who had been following Jesus became confused about His message, and they decided to stop believing in Him. Then Jesus asked His twelve Apostles if they wanted to stop following Him too. From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:66-69).
Paul who was changed forever through discovering the truth about who Jesus, then wrote about how other believers recognized the change in him. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." And they praised God because of me. (Galatians 1:22-24). Saul who Jesus renamed Paul was convinced that the chosen people had the correct religion, which did not in their theology include Jesus as the Savior. When Jesus Himself corrected Saul’s belief by identifying Himself as the true Messiah to Paul.
In this cursed world today, there are more people who do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, than do believe it. Many such people are deeply religious, and they are following a theology based on some member of mankind’s idea of who or what a god (or gods) is the true ruler of this universe and has the capability of offering some form of salvation of our soul. Even atheists have religious belief system that teaches this life is all there is, and no one has an immortal piece that lives in some form of an afterlife.
Jesus summed up the whole story about who He is, and how all His followers will benefit by following Him in this cursed world. 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. 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. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." (John 14:2-7).
Salvation is an award, as no one who has a sinful nature can ever do enough good deeds to earn a place in heaven! As soon as we are born again through taking on Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are immediately destined to join Jesus in heaven when we die. In this life we can earn rewards for our time and place in heaven when we leave this life and start our immortal lifetime with Jesus. What a friend and brother we have in Jesus!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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