Posts Tagged ‘ Believe ’

Advent 2022 – Day 25: John 3:16-18

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 3:16-18, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Jesus came to live amongst us, teaching the truths of God and proving them with miracles, signs, and wonders.

Whether we grow up surrounded by religious teachings or nothing spiritual, it can be difficult to comprehend salvation.

Jesus explained to Nicodemus, and thus to us, that it is pretty simple how to be saved, but we make it oh so difficult.

Yet, God came to us, showing us we saved only by believing in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

If we don’t choose to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, fully God and fully man, who is the God we have all sinned against, that He died for our forgiveness and restoration to Himself, and that He bodily rose back to life, we remain condemned to the wrath of God for our sin.

If we don’t believe all of that, we are in danger of not being saved.

Jesus is full of grace, and He is our only source of hope and forgiveness.

God came to us as a man to save us by taking our punishment on Himself, and we must believe this to be saved.

It is not difficult to understand, but we don’t want to admit our faults or that it can be so easy to be saved yet difficult to live by God’s standard.

May we seek the Lord who has saved us from wrath and given us the path to eternal life.

Advent 2022 – Day 24: John 3:13-15

No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

John 3:13-15, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Jesus came to live amongst us, teaching the truths of God and proving them with miracles, signs, and wonders.

Even the religious elite could see it, but they could not understand without help.

And Jesus was that help to Nicodemus and others willing to listen, but we tend to be an obstinate lot.

Yet, God came to us, showing us how we are to be saved.

What does Jesus tell us about salvation?

He tells us that only Jesus has made the trip from heaven and back, that only those who believe in Him can ascend.

He tells us we must believe He is the only source of salvation, and it is in His death on the cross we find forgiveness and are saved.

God came to us as a man to save us by taking our punishment on Himself, and we must believe this to be saved.

Maybe people who lived in Old Testament times did not understand this in detail, but they knew where salvation was found: in God alone.

Christ has come and given us the Holy Spirit who leads us to Christ’s cross and forgiveness of sins and hope for eternal life.

May we seek the Lord who has saved us and shown us the path to eternal life.

Advent 2022 – Day 21: Matthew 2:22-23

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Matthew 2:22-23, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Jesus came to live amongst us, bringing danger to His earthly family.

Though one danger may pass, it does not mean all danger is gone.

We still see that God protects His own.

The one who tried to kill fellow image-bearers in an attempt to destroy God had died, but his just as twisted son took his place.

God once again sent a dream to Joseph to protect this family. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were still not completely safe, but in this moment we can see that God keeps His promises.

God was not surprised by any of the events surrounding the birth and early childhood of Jesus. In fact, He had it prophesied centuries earlier.

There were still those who would hurt the young Jesus and God’s faithful servants.

Yet, God came to us, showing His omniscience and omnipotence, that He knew it would all happen but that He would stop our enslavement to sin and rebellion.

This world may not be safe, and we also know that this world is not our home, but we can rely on the promises and prophecies of God.

Again, Christ has shown us how to live and trust and love in the midst of danger.

May we seek the Lord who has saved us from sin and shown us His power over time, death, and evil.

VerseD: Isaiah 55:11

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11, ESV

God sent His Truth into the world. The gospel will be preached to the whole world, and all will bow before Christ.

Choose Life now. Choose love and God’s Way.

VerseD: 1 John 4:15

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

1 John 4:15, ESV

We must acknowledge that Jesus is the second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God who is God, or we do not have God in our life.

VerseD: Psalm 23:1-2

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:1‭-‬2, ESV

God’s grace and mercy are in full effect on our lives when we put our faith in Him. Only then do we find His peace.

VerseD: Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 28:7, ESV

We often act like we can control our lives, doing what we can to make sense of the world.

Only with God are we strong enough for this life and to make it to the next. May we trust in Him and praise Him with all we are.

VerseD: John 5:24

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:24, ESV

We like to think we are basically good, but we have inherent sin that separates us from God and has us under His judgment.

If we believe the truth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as our only means of salvation, then we are saved.

VerseD: Romans 10:10

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:10, ESV

Loving God is believing His Word – both Scripture and the Person of Jesus Christ. Our only means of salvation is to believe in Christ’s atonement and confess it to others that they may believe!

VerseD: 1 Samuel 2:2

“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”

1 Samuel 2:2, ESV

We must get over ourselves and this world. We are not in control nor able to save ourselves.

There is one God, our sovereign King, Creator, and Savior.