Jesus - Man among men

Recently I have been reading 1 John. The epistle starts out very similar to the Gospel of John.

1 John 1:1 (NIV)
¹ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

John 1:1 (NIV)
¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Both speak of Jesus as God. The Trinity is a difficult subject for many. I look at this way. If God is God, and He is, then He can be three different things if He wants to be. That may be too simple for your complex mind, but I don't have to explain everything. Some things are just faith that it exists. So, enough on that.

Scripture tells us that Jesus came to earth as a baby. He lived as a child and a young boy and a young man as a human being. He was tempted with the things that tempt you and me, and yet, He lived a sinless life. He died as man does, yet He defeated death. Then, He arose from the grave, confirmed His ressurection and ascended to Heaven.

All this reminds us that Jesus is a relational being. He went through life onthis earth to be able to relate to what you go through. When you pray for Him to help you in a particular circumstance, He can relate to your situation. He cried for His mommy as a baby. He skinned his knee as a boy and winced as His dad cleansed the wounds. He felt awkward as a teenager when people made fun of Him. You get the picture? Jesus was a human being. Which means He is now a relational being.

Jesus wants to have a relationship with us! He is not interested in our wish list prayers. He wants to accompany you on this journey called life. He knows what you are going through. He wants to be there for you. Better yet, He is there for you. Turn to Him and ask for His guidance along your path.

1 John 5:18-21 (NIV)
¹⁸ We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. ¹⁹ We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. ²⁰ We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true--even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
²¹ Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

God bless you and your family this Chritmas Season!

Liar, Liar, Pants on fire!

1 John 2:3-6 (NIV) ³ We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
⁴ The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
⁵ But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:
⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Scripture clearly instructs us, as Christians, to obey His commands. Most of you who read this would agree. You would say that, "Yes, Christians should obey God."

I want to be VERY clear that I know I am a messed up sinner. I lay no claim on perfection. However, I am convicted of my short comings and I strive to be in God's will.

I say all that to say this. It breaks my heart to see "professing Christians" blatantly disobeying God. How can you stand before friends and family and say that you are a Christian if you are openly and willingly participating in sinful acts? If you are engaged in an extramarital affair, stealing from others, cheating on your taxes, getting drunk on Saturday and teaching Sunday School the next day, invoved in premarital sex...and are not burdened to a breaking point...look hard at your proposed Salvation experience.

God knows what goes on in your heart. You cannot fool Him. How can we live double lives in the presence of the All Mighty God? We can't.

It is one thing to be lost and not know the truth, but to know the truth and ignore Him is unthinkable. He provides forgiveness and Salvation, but there is a price. You must obey His commands to the very best of your ability.

This is no doubt a ramble at best, but I have been struck with the reality that we are surrounded by people that are lost and they are convenced that they are saved. It is heart breaking.

If you are living a lie, please look at what is clearly stated in God's Word. Obey His commands.

Treat His promises with respect. He is a gentleman and will not force you to accept the gift of His only Son. However, if you do not accept the Son you will not know the Father.

We are not human beings going through a spiritual experience.

We are spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience.

Eternity is a long time to wish you had got it right.

John 14:6 (NIV) ⁶ Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.