Simply Walking With Jesus

 

In the midst of all the flimflam surrounding religion and religious organizations, the simple message of God’s Word is being lost. Is it possible to simply be a Christian in the 21^st century? Can we avoid being entangled in and weighed down by all the trappings and innovations of man which have found their way into religion over the past 2000 years?

I believe “yes,” and can be accomplished by taking an “island approach” to Christianity. What do I mean by that? Supposed there was an isolated island filled with people who knew nothing of Jesus. Then, one day a chest washed ashore and contained within it a copy of the Bible. The islanders began reading this book with great interest. After months of careful study, they came to the point of faith (believing), turned from their sins, confessed their faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, were baptized into Christ, and began worshipping God together and committing themselves to the moral standards contained in the Scriptures. Question: What denomination were these islanders when they obeyed the gospel? What “brand” of Christian were they? It’s a silly question, isn’t it? They would not be a part of any denomination, sect, or party. They would simply be Christians and Christians only. If people on an isolated island can be “Christian Only,” then why can’t all Bible believers be “Christians Only” where they live? The fact is, we can. However, it will require to do what the islanders did …open the Bible, unite on what it teaches, leaving behind those practices and doctrines that are not found therein. (John 17:20-21)

[Luke 24:13-24] On the road to Emmaus is a fascinating story where two of Jesus’ followers were walking along with Jesus after His resurrection, but they did not realize who Hie was. “But their eyes were restrained, so they did not know Him” (v.16). So, were these disciples “blinded”? One might think so, but for what Jesus himself said, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” (v.25). They simply did not believe it. They did not see the Christ, who stood right next to them, because they did not expect to see Him. They were, “slow of heart to believe,” which intensifies His judgment that they were not spiritually alert.

Imagine, walking along side Jesus and not even realize who He is. Conversing with the Master and not conscious that you are speaking with the Savior. I wonder, does this ever happen to us in our walk with Jesus? Do we fail to “recognize” Him in our life? Have we heard His words so often that we dismiss the power and authority of His message? Have we walked with Him so long and He has become so familiar that we are no longer attracted to His presence?

As one proceeds through the book of Mark, allow your heart to fall in love with Jesus once again. If you have taken your eyes away from Him, it’s time to look at Him again. If you have grown complacent in your walk with Christ, it’s time to pick up the pace and move on.

If you have never really looked at Him, it’s time to start looking at the One who brings salvation to all who believe. Allow Jesus to open your eyes, refresh your heart, and revive you to become spiritually alert to his presence in your life on a daily basis.

[Joshua 1:9] Joshua was taking over the leadership of the people of God and knew that Moses left some pretty big shoes to fill. But God gave him the assurance he needed to lead the people into the promised land. He told him, “…Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” We are all on the road to forever; walk with Jesus and he will lead us into the promised land.

PAID IN FULL

 

After living what I felt was a “decent” life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a courthouse. The doors opened, and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around, I saw the “prosecutor.” He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He was definitely the evilest person I had ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me; I felt I knew him. He looked at me and smiled!

The corner door flew open and there appeared the judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. As he took his seat behind the bench, he said, “Let us begin.” 

The prosecutor rose and said, “My name is Satan, and I am here to show you why this man belongs in Hell.” He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and times when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down I sank in my seat. Satan told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about, and I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t look at anyone — even my own attorney. As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at my attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had changed. Satan finished with a fury and said, “This man belongs in hell! He is guilty of all that I have charged and there’s not a person who can prove otherwise.”

When it was my attorney’s turn, He asked the judge if he might approach the bench. The judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan and beckoned him to come forward. As he got up and started walking, I was able to see him in his full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar. This was Jesus my Lord and Savior representing me.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the judge, “Hi, Dad.” He then turned to address the court. “Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned. I won’t deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished.” Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, “However, I died on the cross to pay the punishment he deserved… so that he might have eternal life. He has been baptized in My Name and his sins have been washed away. He accepted Me as his Savior, so he is mine.”

[Revelation 20:11-15] My Lord continued, “His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand this yet. Your Honor, I ask for mercy and your grace for this man who has lived in faith awaiting the day he receives Your promise of everlasting life.” As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, “There is nothing else that needs to be done. I’ve done it all.”

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips… “This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full. Case dismissed.”

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, “I won’t give up, I will win the next one.” I asked Jesus, “Have you ever lost a case?” Christ lovingly smiled and said, “Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, “PAID IN FULL.”

(Jude 20-25) Jesus can and will present you before God, faultless, to be with Him forever.

The Hour Has Come

 

"The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified" (John 12:23). Previously, the time had not been right, but now it was time for Jesus to be glorified through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. These things were necessary before the gospel could be preached in its fullest sense to the Jews and Gentiles.

(John 12:24) "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain" - As a grain must "die" in order to germinate and ultimately produce fruit, so Jesus must die in order to bear much fruit (i.e., the salvation of lost souls through His blood). Jesus speaks these words to illustrate the fact that only through His death could His work be completed and glory come. In any seed is the germ of life, but only when it is planted (i.e., it “dies" to itself by ceasing to exist as a seed as it opens up and sprouts) is fruit able to be produced. If a seed remains unplanted it will not "die" but instead remain fruitless. Jesus knew it would be difficult for His disciples to accept the idea of Him dying, yet He wants them to understand that such is necessary to fulfilling God's plan. If Jesus had not died, then He would not have born any fruit in the form of saving the lost.

(John12:25) "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (Matthew 16:25). This paradoxical statement simply means that a servant of God who appears to have little concern for the preservation of his earthly life is really guaranteeing himself eternal life in heaven. Certainly, Jesus has His own death in mind, though this is a general principle. On the other hand, if a seed "saved itself," it would remain as one grain until it rots. But, if it gives up its life-germ in good soil, it will multiply itself indefinitely from one planting generation to the next.

(John 12:26) "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also" - Those who are truly faithful to Jesus will follow Him in doctrine, disposition, and duty. Jesus wants His disciples to follow Him in fruit-bearing self-sacrifice. One of the greatest joys of following Jesus is the expectation of being with Him in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8-10). It is foolish to claim to be a servant of Christ while refusing to do His will. The Father will honor those who serve Jesus with the gift of eternal life and the glory of a home in heaven (1 John 2:4).

[John 15:8] “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.” Christians are attached to Jesus. The Son of God will provide strength and nourishment to Christians, as Jesus is the vine, and we are the attached branches (John 15:1-6). Branches that do not bear fruit will be pruned or removed from the vine, so they do not take away from other branches that are bearing fruit. When a child of God bears fruit, it proves itself. And God is glorified. Apple trees bear apples and prove themselves to be “apple” branches. If it is receiving the proper nourishment, the branch will produce a glorious apple. When the child of God does what one should, one produces fruit that glorifies God. When the world sees these fruits in us, they will glorify God who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:17-19). Salvation is the fruit of Christ - through His death, burial, and resurrection - fulfilling God’s plan of reconciliation.

How Do You Value Your Soul?

 

A man owned 80 acres of land, some of the best in the county where he lived. The wheat planted was green and looked great, and the price also looked great at $8.50 a bushel. But then, one of his neighbor’s called him on his cell, “Have you seen your wheat? The geese are about to eat all your wheat!” Taking a short trip in his pick-up, he looked and sure enough it appeared 30 of the 50 planted acres had been grazed to the bare ground. Geese were marching across the field ten abreast and the line seemed to be a quarter of a mile long. When he drove his pick-up toward them, they took flight, and the sky blackened. It looked like 10,000 geese (preacher’s count) had all risen at once. He had thought to himself, this year looks like I will make a good profit from my crop. The wheat looks good, my opportunity for marketing at a fair price seems excellent, and I may even be able to make enough to store some until next year. “Wow!” he thought, “relax and enjoy the fruit of your labor.” Then, God sent geese. “Fool!” echoed in his mind (Luke 12:20). God reminded the man of what is mine and what is His. “I give and I take away” (Job 1:21). One never really owns anything. God is in control of everything and generously allows us to use his temporal blessings. If God takes care of the birds of the air, why should one worry about themselves? After all, aren’t we humans greater than animals? “…blessed be the name of the Lord.”

[Revelation 20:12-15] In a sermon titled “When the Books are Opened,” by V.P. Black, he observed the following: “My friends, I say to you without the least fear of exaggeration that many will never realize they are lost until those books are opened. Many will learn when the books are opened that the most important thing in life was not their job; it was not their home; it was not their loved ones; it was not their friends; it was not their money; it was not their property. The most important thing is your soul, and if you don’t learn it in this world, you will learn it when the books are opened.” (“Truths That Lead to Eternal Life” p.164) Obviously, we need to learn the value of the soul before the books are opened on the Judgment Day. On that day, it will be too late to do anything to save our soul. However, we currently hold in our hands the Book that has the power to save our soul. James wrote, “Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). Again, I repeat, before the books are opened on that final day, we need to open the Book and learn the value of the soul. The value of our soul is priceless, and Jesus has paid that price.

Concerning the soul, Jesus declared, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Clearly, Jesus knew the value of the soul. However, in context, the rich young ruler did not (Matthew 19:16-22). I know this because he chose earthly possessions over eternal salvation. Obviously, the majority of people in the world today are making the same mistake as the rich young ruler did. They are laboring for that which perishes rather than that which endures forever (John 6:27). Furthermore, concerning the soul, Jesus declared, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Sadly, many are more worried about losing their riches in an earthly fire than they are about losing their souls in the eternal fire of hell. Clearly, they have missed the value of the soul. It is my prayer that we will each examine ourselves and make sure that we have put the proper emphasis upon the soul that will never die. One day we will all discover and agree on its value of eternal life or eternal suffering and shame. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).