My Thoughts

Monday, May 29, 2017

Jesus saves!  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.   For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).  “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons”  (Galatians 4:4-5).

Jesus saves!  “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11).  “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43).   Some did respond to God’s Good News!  “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’  Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:40-41).

Peter was sent to the Gentiles, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.  But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35).  Yet, most Gentiles today know Jesus only to use his name in vain!  In the first century, as well as today, those who were believers turned from Jesus to something less.  “For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt” (Hebrews 6:4-6) and “For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt” (Hebrews 6:4-6).  Yet, there were others who did not turn away.  “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.   But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul”  (Hebrews 10:38-39).

When thousands with full stomachs turned from Jesus, he turned to his apostles and asked them a question.  Peter’s reply should be ours, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

Here is why it should be our reply?  Jesus saves!