Is Just Believing Enough To Give Us Eternal Life?

Every now and then you hear someone say something like, "Just Believe."  Or "just have faith." Is it possible that believing is all we need to gain heaven? Jesus said something that makes you wonder if it is true.

"Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life." John 6:47.

The quote above is from a passage below where Jesus is teaching some difficult truths.

"VERY TRULY"
Jesus is telling something that is the purest truth. These are not only the words of the man who never lies but out of all the words he ever said these are words we should especially pay attention to. It is like he is saying "I am telling you something that is more important than any other thing you will ever hear."

"I TELL YOU"
Consider the source.

"THE ONE WHO BELIEVES"
This belief is not your church's creed, it is not something cultural, it is not your parent's belief or the teachings of society- you must be the one who believes. You personally must accept this as true, it must become your belief because you must be the one.

"HAS"
The word has is not the same as hope. It is a word that means you possess something now. Jesus did not say will have some day in the future, but as of the moment of belief, you will have something.

"ETERNAL LIFE"
Jesus taught eternal life is a reality. This must be more than eternal existence but life and the life implied here must be a life of blessing beyond anything we can understand.

JESUS TELLS US WHAT TO BELIEVE IN
Belief itself is not sufficient, but it is what you believe in that counts. Trusting in the wrong thing will fail us.

Man people are confused about what to believe in but the context of the verse Jesus makes it clear. it was after performing a miracle of feeding thousands with a few morsels Jesus claims to be the Bread of life. Jesus said we have to believe in him; we have to believe in his deity, that he is God expressed in human flesh. And that he is the one who gives life.

" No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever..."

Jesus claims to be the giver of life from heaven. In the language and culture of the day, this was a claim to be God, the people of that time and place understood this was what he was saying.

The Bible teaches that as a sinless man Jesus alone was qualified to pay for our sins and his resurrection proves the sufficiency of his death on our behalf and that only belief in him gives us salvation.

Believing is enough if we believe in the right thing.

If you want to learn more about how to have eternal life see the tab above for the Gospel.
Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

To learn about my books of poems visit my website, A.E. Dozat.com.

 (c)Adron Dozat 5/21/16

What Will Fix The Empty Dryness I Feel Inside?

Many of us feel that our lives are messed up, empty, powerless, and dried up inside.  Can we find something that will not only fill us up with meaning and fix our brokenness but also make our lives a benefit to those around us?

Jesus was all about this very thing.  He promises that we could have "Rivers of living water flowing from out of us."

"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." John 7:37-39.

First, it is a promise.
It is a promise based on God's Word in the Old Testament, and Jesus makes the statement strong so that there is no doubt that he is guaranteeing the promise. He promises that if we come to him then blessing (living water), which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, will come out of us.

Second, it is a Metaphor
Jesus described physical things we understand so we can discover spiritual truths; here drinking means taking in, an act of accepting and receiving.  Water is life giving, we die without it; and spiritually Christ is life giving by his offer of eternal life. (John 3:16.)

Third, it is Simple
Drinking is something we all can relate to, and something we all need to do. It is common.  Jesus is saying that anyone can come and anyone can partake of his life.

Fourth, it is an invitation
Jesus is always saying to people, "Come to me..." He said it to the fisherman, to the tax collection, the seekers on the way, and other times. (Mark 1:17, Luke 5:27, John 1).  It was a core to his message that we come to him.

Fifth, it is a call to Faith
The hardest part is faith.  We think we must come and do something.  We think we need to make ourselves better first.  We think salvation and blessing is the result of great deeds of sacrifice and charity.

Jesus only said believe. God is always generous; he gives life, love, the air we breathe, all that sustains us, but we think he stops being generous when it comes to salvation, forgiveness, and blessing.  Jesus paid for our sins in his death and the resurrection ratifies God's acceptance of that payment.  God is generous to give salvation, and a new life to any who will accept and receive it by coming to Jesus.

If you have not yet come to Jesus and want to know more see the tab above for the Gospel or contact me. 

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Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

Adron

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Who Gives Eternal Life To Our Soul?

Do we earn eternal life or do we receive it? And if we receive it then who could possibly give it to us?

We find clues in the dialogue Jesus had with this opponent in John 10.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." John 10:28.

JESUS DID NOT SAY

     * That we earn eternal life.
     * That we go somewhere for cleansing first and then to heaven.
     * That angels, saints, or patriarchs grant it.
     * That everybody would have eternal life.
     * That our good deeds balance out our bad deeds and buy us eternal life.

JESUS' CLAIM INFERS THIS

     * To do something only God can do- to give eternal life.
     * To be all-knowing since he said he knew his sheep.
     * He claimed to possess eternal life.  To possess eternal life he would have to be God.
     * To give life away, to have command and authority over life he would have to be God.
     * Authority to forgive a lifetime of sin.  Sin condemned the sinner to judgment. To be able to give eternal life he had to have the authority to forgive sin, so he would have to be God.
     * Equal power with God, because he said no one would snatch his sheep out of his hand, or else he would have to say no one but God can snatch them out of my hand, but he says no one.

JESUS' WORDS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FIRST CENTURY.

People look for Jesus to say these three words, "I am God." He wouldn't say that.  In the first century, gods were cheap and petty.  Everybody claimed to be some kind of god, all the Caesars, Pharaohs, kings, and generals.  If Jesus said I am god the Roman and Greek people of his day would have said, "So what?" and it would have ended there.

Jesus used unmistakable word pictures that his Hebrew audience would never miss then or today, and his reference to shepherd and sheep is clear in their minds of God the Shepherd in Psalm 23.

The people took up stones to stone him because as they said, "We are not stoning you for any good work, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10:33.

TODAY
Jesus gives his sheep eternal life.  The question is, "Are you his sheep?"  Sheep follow the shepherd in the Middle East if you are one of his sheep you are his follower.  To follow Jesus you first have to know him.

Jesus invites us to him he said "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls," Matthew 11:27-29.

To learn more about the plan of salvation click the tab above for the Gospel.

(c) Adron5/16/15

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Is Jesus All About The Here After, What About Life Now?

We live in the real world and though we think about what happens to us after we die we have needs for God's help today, and we need new life in us right now.  So does Jesus offer anything for me here and now?

JESUS SAID
"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." John 7:38. NIV.*

A LITTLE CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND
Many times Jesus spoke in word pictures to give power to his statements.  This statement was made at the end of the feast of the tabernacles, a time of celebration where one act of worship was to draw water and pour it out on the altar as a sacrifice.  Water is essential in the arid region and represented life.  The act of pouring water on the altar symbolized giving one's life to God.  It was also a memorial of the time that God provided water for the people in the wilderness by his miraculous powers.

WATER
Clearly, water represents life especially in such a dry region; it was sought, valued, and fought over.

RIVERS
Those who believe in the person and work of Christ are promised rivers- not just a tap, or a trickle, or a well, but plural rivers; and notice the absence of specific number given, there are countless rivers of blessing.

LIVING WATER
Water is life-giving and life-sustaining but this water is more, it is the Holy Spirit, (see vs 39).  Believing in Christ is like having life itself in us and it is busy; it is trying to bless us and others; it is trying to be life.  

WILL FLOW
Stagnate water is dead and even poisonous.  Flowing water is healthy, it is filtered and aerated by rolling over river rocks, and purified by the UV light of the sun. Flowing water is the best.

Flowing water is going somewhere; it has a direction, it can do things and take things with it. It leaves a mark on the landscape.

Flowing water is almost irresistible.

The water metaphor speaks of His Spirit entering our lives and becoming a force of abundant blessing to us and those around us.

FROM WITHIN THEM
When we come to Jesus we become a co-worker with him in blessing others.  We get his new life in us in exchange for our old life which he takes to the cross.   We become the sources of blessing that Jesus spoke of when he said, "You are the light of the world," and "You are the salt of the earth."   Jesus life is within us; we are his hands and his feet in this world.

ALL JESUS ASKS
His words were, "Whoever believes in me..."  Jesus asks us to believe in who he is and what he did for us when he died in our place for our sins.  We must believe not with an in your head knowledge way but with an in your heart and with all your soul way of believing.

Jesus offers us something now in this life; he said it like a promise that these rivers of living water will flow. It is a waste to delay coming to him and to delay the flow of blessing.

Spend time reading his words and reading the accounts of his life in the gospels to understand better who he is and what he has done for you.

To learn more about coming to Jesus click on the tab above for "The Gospel."

*There are many references in scripture to water that Jesus may have referred to such as Isaiah 58:11 Joel 3:18; Zechariah 14:8; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Isaiah 44:3; Isaiah 55:1 and Zechariah 14:8, to name a few.

Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful to you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

(c) Adron 1/25/15

What Can Satisfy The Need Of My Soul? John 6:35.

We feel that something deep inside is missing in our lives and we long for meaning, purpose or fulfillment. Our efforts and searching leave us empty but Jesus had an answer.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND
After Jesus performed the miracle of feeding five thousand people with a few loaves and fishes the people wanted to make him king but their motivations did not please the Lord. They did not care that the power of God was with him but that they were getting free food. His response to them explains his purpose.

"Then Jesus declared I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never become hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35.

BREAD
Ancient bread was not like the commercial product on the shelves of modern grocery stores but a more substantial food; it might be made of multiple grains, nuts, and fruit, it was a basic food that was a staple in the diet that ensured survival.

BREAD OF LIFE
Jesus said is that he, like this bread, is the essential satisfaction of the ultimate need. He gives life to those who are spiritually dead; and once he gives them the life he continues to provide and be the fulfillment of that life.

Our sins make us spiritually dead but only Jesus can make us spiritually alive.

HUNGER AND THIRST
The hunger and thirst are not for the physical food of this world but it is the hunger of the soul and the thirst of the spirit. It is the hunger for meaning and purpose and the thirst for righteousness. Jesus satisfies all our needs, our longings, and desires.

COME AND BELIEVE
Jesus invites us to come to him; to believe in who he is and what he did for us. He died to pay for our sins so we can have life.

To learn more about how to have Jesus as your savior see the tab above titled Salvation.

(c) Adron 1/14/14

Why Do People Say Jesus Loves You?

People say Jesus loves you, but what did Jesus actually say? What did he mean?

"Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13.

GREATER
Greater is a comparison word, referring to something that is bigger, better, or more noble than others of its kind. If you could quantify love and measure it this love would go beyond all others.

LOVE
The love of Jesus is more than just feelings; his love is always associated with actions, (see also John 3:16). Here he says his love will be shown by his laying down his life.

NO ONE
Christ claims a unique love that no one else has, it is truly a one of a kind love. No one can love you more than Jesus does.

LAY DOWN
The term "lay down" may be a direct reference to laying down on the cross when the Romans nailed you to it for execution. This is a deliberate and premeditated action, not a spur of the moment or spontaneous thing. Christ, in this verse, speaks as a prophet and is foretelling his own death.

HIS LIFE
It is a mistake to think Jesus' life was taken from him as an act of injustice. His life was given by him. He had only one life to give and in giving it he gave everything. Jesus said, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord, I have authority to lay it down and I have power it take it up again. This command I have received of my Father." John 10:18. 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN
When Jesus lay down his life he gave it up for us, he became a sacrifice to ransom us from judgment and pay for our sins.* He allowed himself to be nailed to a Roman cross and endured a horrific death as our substitute. His death not only pays for our wrongs against God but gives us eternal life to enjoy him and his love forever.

Jesus does not force his love on us because to force himself on us is the opposite of love; instead he offers his love to us. We can accept his love or reject it, the offer is there but the choice is ours.

To learn more about having the love of Jesus in your life see the tab above titled The Gospel. .

* Ephesians 1:7 "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance of the riches of God's grace."

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Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

You can contact me through comments or the email link. If you live near Columbia MD I would be glad to meet you and discuss how you can know for sure that you may have eternal life.

Adron

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What Did Jesus Mean by "I am The Good Shepherd?"

Many of us have seen pictures of Jesus as a shepherd, often with the lost lamb. It is beautiful but what Jesus said about his role of a shepherd is either blasphemy or awesome.

"I am the Good Shepherd, the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11, NIV.

US TODAY
The people then who heard Christ say these words heard them in a different way than we do today. When a person in the 21st century comes across these words of Jesus they think it is a parable and that Jesus is saying that he cares sacrificially for those who follow. Of course, that is true- Jesus is the good shepherd who cares for the sheep, but there is much more.

THEY THEN
To the person in Judea, the words would be a claim to being divine. They would associate with the famous shepherd in the book of Psalms. Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my Shepherd." The people of the first century would think of the good shepherd as that same shepherd. Jesus knew this when he said he was the good shepherd; we miss it today but in the terms and vernacular of the times he was claiming to be God.*

SHOCKING
His listeners would have been shocked but the following words were more shocking. The "good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep"; this is the opposite of conventional thought. If Jesus identified himself as the Good Shepherd (God) then to say he would die for the sheep is hard to understand because it is incredible to think the holy all-powerful Lord would die at all but less understandable that God would die for something like ignoble humble sheep.

GOD- THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB
Besides sheep were used as a sacrifice to God to pay for sins and to make fellowship offerings, Jesus turned that all around.

This is where Christ differs from religion. In all religions, mankind performs rites and makes sacrifices to come to God but Jesus teaches God sacrifices himself to become the sin offering lamb to bring mankind to him.

He said something similar in Matthew 20:28, "The son of man came not to be served but to serve and give his life a ransom for many."

The Apostle Paul puts it in a few words, "For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh." Romans 8:3 

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who dies on the cross to be the sacrifice to pay for the sins of the sheep- us.

To learn more about what Jesus did on the cross for you go to the gospel tab at the top of this page.

For more study on God as Israel's Shepherd see also Ezekiel 34; Isaiah 53; Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 23.

(c) Adron 6/9/13

What Did Jesus Say Condemns A Soul?

Condemned, judged, and punishment are words that say one is not going to heaven. What does it take to get condemned? Do we break a bunch of rules or live a really nasty life? Jesus said one thing condemns us.

"For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only son." John 3:17-18. NIV.

GOD'S PURPOSE
God sent the son to save the world. He could do no more. His son paid for the sins of humanity by taking all their sin on himself on the cross and enduring the wrath of hell. There is nothing bigger, better or more the Lord can do to save sinners.  He offers to take our sin and give us his righteousness.

Notice the two words, "Through him." The Lord made salvation for mankind through the work of Jesus on the cross. We are saved through Christ. "Through" means entry into something that causes you to exit on the other side. So we enter salvation trough Jesus. He said, "I am the door..."*

GOD ASKS US TO BELIEVE
This is belief that acts. You may say a chair will hold your weight but you do not put that belief into action until you sit in the char. We must believe in Jesus' work on our behalf by trusting in him to save us and not our own efforts.

THE CONDEMNED
If we reject his sacrifice for us we keep our sins and sin's condemnation, but...

If we believe in the Savor, and God's promise to accept the sacrifice of his son on our behalf, and trust in him for salvation we will not be condemned, because Jesus took the condemnation for us.

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More can be said about this verse, but space here is limited. Print the verse above and read it a few times asking God to show you more of its meaning. In fact it is good to read all of John chapter 3.

If you are interested in learning more about the plan of salvation click on the tab titled The Gospel.
*John 10:7

____________________________ 

Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

You can contact me through comments or the email link. If you live near Columbia MD I would be glad to meet you and discuss how you can know for sure that you may have eternal life.

Adron

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What Gives Eternal Life? John 10:28

Is eternal life earned because we do a bunch of good things to please God? Do we earn it by keeping some rules? Does it just happen like some spiritual evolution? Jesus had a shocking explanation.

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one shall snatch them out of my hand."  John 10:28. NIV.

Jesus claims to be the one who gives eternal life. This is saying several things.

• To give eternal life he has to be God.
• He can't give what he does not possess, so Jesus must be eternally alive: also he must have known that the resurrection was in his future.
• Eternal life is a gift, not something earned or merited, it is given and he is the one who gives it.

He uses two phrases, eternal life and never perish, there is no doubt that he means living forever, without the fear of death or annihilation.

NEVER PERISH
There is a threat, it seems that the opposite of eternal life is to perish. The Bible teaches that we are sinners and need to be saved from the judgment of our sins, because our sins deserve punishment.

HOW DO WE GET HIM TO GIVE IT TO US?
He invites us to come to him and receive it. He says, "To as many as received him who believed in his name he gave the right to become the children of God, born not of the flesh but of the spirit.*"
And he said, "Come unto me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest for your souls.*"
He waits for us to respond to his offer he says, "Behold I stand at the door and knock if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into him and dine with him and he with me.*"

CAN WE UNDO IT?
He is the security of eternal life, we don't hold onto him he holds onto us, no one shall snatch us out of his hand. Neither we nor any enemy can undo being in his hand.

Jesus made salvation for us when he died to pay for our sins and rose from the grave. He did the work- all we need to do is receive the gift of salvation.

To learn more about how to get saved click on the tab The Gospel above.

* John 1:12, Matthew 11:28-29, Revelation 3:20

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Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

Adron

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What Does Jesus Promise Me?

The world is full of religions, wise men, teachers and preachers, all want us to do something or be something. It is intelligent to ask ourselves this question, "What makes Jesus' teaching so different that it has something for me?"

He offers something that no one else does.

"Come to me all who are wearied and burdened and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28, NIV.

THE ULTIMATE CLAIM
The last five words should be an alarm. Christ is claiming to do something that only God can do. Many wise men say they will show where you may find rest, or show the way of rest, or teach a method of finding rest. A person may say I will show you a place to rest, or sit down and take some rest but Jesus is saying something far deeper, claiming to be rest.

Jesus claims to be rest because he says that if we come to him he will take the burden away. The words of christ are the words of God because he says I will GIVE you rest, only your creator can do that. The burden of sin against a Holy God can only be resolved by that same Holy God, so he is offering you something only God can offer.

HISTORIE'S MOST VALID CLAIM
When asked if he was the one to come Jesus said his works spoke for him, he raised the dead, healed the sick, blind, and lame; he walked on water, stilled the storm, cast out demons, fed the multitudes and after dying on the cross to make atonement for our sins he arose from the tomb and ascended to heaven. His life endorsed his statement, if any could give you rest it is Jesus.

FOR YOU
To those of us who are wearied and worn out by struggle to make sense out of life or who are trying to be better people he is offering rest from our struggle.

To those of us who are burdened by our guilt or feel the weight of bad choices he is offering the removal of that weight.

HIS PROMISE
He is offering to give rest, we always want to earn God's favor but Jesus is offering to give it to us freely , all he asks is that we come and receive it.

____________________________ 

Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

You can contact me through comments or the email link. If you live near Columbia MD I would be glad to meet you and discuss how you can know for sure that you may have eternal life.

Adron

Use the buttons below to share this with your social networks.

Did Jesus Say Everyone Goes To Heaven?

Some people say that if God is good and loving then he will not send anyone to hell. Others say God will let everyone in heaven after they are punished. Jesus had a different view.

"Someone asked him, "Lord are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to him, "Make every effort to enter by the narrow door, because many I tell you, will try to enter but will not be able to." Luke 13:24. NIV.

These words of Christs suggest that there is a way in and many miss it.
     * He did not suggest one door of many but just one door alone.
     * He did not say it is always open.
     * He did not say you can enter later.
     * He did not say the door is closed now but will be open later on.

He did say make every effort to enter by the narrow door.

The person asked if only a few people are going to be saved. Jesus indirectly answers yes only a few, but you pay attention for yourself and strive to enter by the narrow door.  Jesus was more concerned about the questioner than the question. We might be asking will many be saved but Jesus says to us, "You be sure to come in."

That narrow door may be open for someone now, but not open later; the Bible reminds us by saying,"In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."1.

WHY IS THE DOOR NARROW?
The door is narrow because the door is Jesus alone. "He is the stone which the builders rejected but has become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." 2.

He further said. "I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father but by me." 3.

SO WHO GETS SAVED?
Christ said, "I am the door of the sheepfold whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture."4.
The Bible teaches "To as many as received him who believed in his name he gave the right to be the children of God." 5.

WHY JESUS?
He saves us because he is the Son of God, he lived a perfect life obeying all the commands of God his Father, he died on the cross as a substitute to pay for our sins and rose from the grave having overcome sin and satisfying the judgment of God against sinners.

ENTER
We enter the narrow door when we confess to God our need for a savor and admit we cannot satisfy his judgment against us. We believed, (meaning agreed, trusted, accept), what Jesus did on the cross when he died for our sins. Having believed on what Jesus did for us we turn away from our sins and turn to obedience as a way of showing our gratitude and devotion.

To learn more about the plan of salvation follow Click on the tab titled The Gospel.

1. 2 Corinthians 6:2.  2. Acts 4:11, 12. 3. John 14:6. 4. John 10:9. 5.John 1:12.

Why Did Jesus Come?

There is a lot of confusion about the purpose of Jesus. Some say one thing and some say another. What did Jesus say?

"I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly."  John 10:10, NIV.

For Christ to say this is to say he came to be a blessing and to be a giver of life.  He came not just offer life but abundant life. Something that is abundant is full, it is more than enough, it measures to excess, and goes beyond the need.

WE NEED LIFE.
The opposite of life is death. We may be alive physically but dead spiritually. We are living and breathing, but is there more? Is this really life? Jesus's statement in John 10:10 says, "Yes, there is more and I have come to bring it."  Outside of Christ there cannot be any real life, for outside of him we are separated from the source of life.

THEY MAY HAVE LIFE
This abundant life cannot be ours without Jesus because he said, "I have come ..." He came to take away the cause of spiritual death- sin. It is the sin in our nature that have kept us from having this life.

ABUNDANTLY
Jesus offers abundant life. What did he mean?

     * It would mirror his life, a beautiful life that was full of good.
     * It would exceed anything already experienced.
     * It would transcend the physical and have a spiritual aspect.
     * It would not end with the physical it must survive death.
     * It would fulfill the desires we find deepest in our hearts.
     * A lifetime of experience would not exhaust it.
     * It would have to be eternal or else it is not abundant.
     * It would not have any boundaries, all things must be possible.

HOW DID JESUS BRING ABUNDANT LIFE?
His life was abundant and pure none found sin in him, even God the Father was pleased with him. When Jesus gave his life up on the cross it was not as a payment for any wrongs he did but as a substitution payment on our behalf for our sins; a substitution that was satisfactory since death could not hold him and he arose on the third day. All he asks is that we renounce the sins that have kept us form life and receive this salvation as a free gift.

If you are ready to experience this abundant life you must put away your sin and trust Jesus as your savior. You might express it to him in a prayer such as:

God I know I am a sinner and deserve punishment. I know Christ paid for my sins on the cross and he arose again to prove the judgment is paid. I need the salvation you offer. I turn away from my sins and receive your free gift of salvation. From this moment on I leave my old selfish life behind and will follow you as my Lord and I will live a life that says, "Thank You."

____________________________ 

Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.
Adron

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What Did Jesus Say About Finding Truth?

We all are searching for something. You might call it, meaning, or the answer to the question of life. It might be a search for a purpose. You could say you are looking for the underlining cause of everything, or say you are searching for the ultimate reality- in short, you are searching for truth.

This is important since we hope that when we find this ultimate truth we will find our purpose and have meaning to our lives. We expect this truth will answer all our questions.

JESUS SAID
Jesus spoke to this question. "Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father but by me." John 14:6. NIV.

THE ANSWER
Jesus is the answer to the questions of life. He didn't offer to show a way or to show the truth. He didn't offer to give it or promise that someday in the vague foggy future you may be enlightened to truth. He claims to be TRUTH. He claims to be the answer to all questions about why we are here.

     * Because he is Truth he must be perfect and sinless; anything less would make his claim to being truth null and void.
     * Because he is Truth he is worthy of devotion and worship.
     * Because he is Truth he is able to be the way to God the Father.
     * Because he is Truth he is able to save from sin.

A METAPHOR?
Some today think Jesus spoke just as a metaphor, but to his first-century audience, these words would be blasphemy, (and to many today still). Jesus knew what he was saying and his hearers knew that he was making a threefold (Trinity) claim of being a deity. He made it clear he was speaking of a supreme deity not like the pantheon of Greek and Roman gods or like the emperors and kings of his day who made claims to be a god.

EVIDENCE
If you are looking for truth look at Jesus. He lived a perfect life that gives proof of being Truth, he died to pay for our sins, and His resurrection proves he is sufficient to save us from the power of death and judgment. 

© Adron 9/3/12.

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