Dear Explorer,
Read John 12:44-50
Many people are comfortable with their belief in God. They picture Him in various ways, but most are similar. They tell you, "Of course I believe in a Supreme Being" or even a "Heavenly Father." Some relate to Him as "Creator" or "King of the Universe."
Here Jesus says you can't say you believe in God without believing in Jesus. And those become fighting words.
This section of Scripture sets following Jesus apart from all religions/beliefs. All other religions try to invent a way for man to reach God – whether by works or good deeds or ceremony or torturing the body, or service -- they all seek to gain God's approval and notice -- hopefully, maybe, perhaps resulting in salvation. And they'll go to great lengths to explain to you why they refuse to believe in Jesus.
But God has already created His “NEW WAY." It is not His desire for men to create multiple or alternative ways to reach Him -- but for Him (God) to provide salvation by allowing you to simply invite Jesus into your God-shaped vacuum or core. It's that simple.
God first declared this "NEW WAY" in Genesis 3 and has stuck to it down through the centuries. People debate it, refute it, push it aside and declare it unfair and unjust. But that doesn't change the fact that the God who created each one of us also created a way for salvation and the forgiveness of our sins only through His Son Jesus.
Now if I had a new car and it was MY car, I could say to anyone I please, "You may ride in MY car ONLY if you are wearing red." And I could enforce that rule because it is MY car and I don't have to let you ride in MY car. You may not like my rule, but I am free to enforce my rules because I paid for the car. And I think you would agree that that's my right as owner of the car.
God created this entire Universe and He designed it such that we would need His help to reach total fulfillment. He said that everyone who would invite Jesus into their life would stand in a right relationship with God, would have their sins forgiven, and would be blessed in this life and would live in Heaven for all eternity. All we must do is ask. Wow!
Then Jesus turns and looks at the ones who say they believe in God but not Jesus and asks, “Who do you think is my Boss?”
I remember when my little brother would run up to me and say, “Wash your hands for dinner." I always hated him trying to boss me around, so I would stick out my tongue at him and say, “I don't have to!"
It's amazing to me that my mother always knew just when to stick her head around the corner and say, “I sent him to tell you to wash up for dinner."
Uh-oh, that's different. To disobey Mother at my house was a felony!
If you desire to please God, then you'll have to accept Jesus as God's plan for salvation. This is not Jesus' plan -- it's God's.
I'm writing this Bible study for you because I'm obeying God's direction to me to pass on the things He has taught me. I am being obedient to do the part that God gave me to do. I don't have to worry about whether or not you like the study, agree with the study, or toss it in the trash. I'm being obedient to do what God has asked me to do. When finished, I can relax and know that God is pleased with me.
Jesus was saying essentially the same thing (with a lot more important outcome). Jesus says, “I am sent from God. I provide light to those who chose to follow Me. I provide eternal life and peace and love and joy and guidance and wisdom and blessing to anyone that wants to come on board. But the choice is yours.”
Take it or leave it.
In His service, dale
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