So, as we get into week three of this study, we have covered the foundation of the beginnings of who Jesus really is, or should be, in our life. So far we have discussed that he is our healer and our peace. As we get into this week’s episode, you probably may not like what we will discuss in this discussion this week, as we like to think that all of our current problems are the most pressing issues, and we need them fixed right now! But in all reality, even if we need healing in our body, it isn’t nearly as important as him giving us healing in our soul. That may sting a little bit if you have a pressing issue in your life you have been fervently praying about and of course it is all about us, right? While Jesus possesses the incredible ability to heal our physical bodies, it is vital to recognize that the healing of our souls holds far greater significance. Our physical health is undeniably important, as it impacts our well-being in this earthly life. However, Jesus' ultimate mission and purpose extend beyond physical healing alone.
Jesus came to offer salvation, forgiveness, and healing to our innermost beings. Our souls, encompassing our emotions, thoughts, and spiritual well-being, are at the core of our existence. They shape our character, our relationships, and our eternal destiny. The healing of our souls involves the redemption of our hearts, the restoration of our relationship with God, and the transformation of our lives.
When Jesus healed individuals during His ministry, His actions often had a deeper spiritual significance. They were meant to reveal His authority, compassion, and the power of God's kingdom breaking into the brokenness of this world. These physical healings served as signs of His divinity and His willingness to restore us holistically.
Ultimately, Jesus emphasized the importance of our spiritual condition, emphasizing that gaining the whole world but losing our souls would be a great loss (Matthew 16:26). He taught that true healing and wholeness come not merely through physical restoration, but through surrendering our lives to Him, receiving His grace and forgiveness, and having a renewed relationship with God.
It is through this miraculous inward healing that we find lasting peace, joy, and eternal life. As we acknowledge Jesus as our Savior and allow Him to heal our souls, we find true purpose, abundant life, and a hope that transcends the temporary nature of this world.
While Jesus' ability to heal our physical bodies is undoubtedly significant, His primary concern lies in the healing and transformation of our souls. Recognizing the eternal importance of our spiritual well-being enables us to fully appreciate the profound impact of His grace, love, and salvation in our lives.
In the Gospel of Mark, the inclusion and emphasis on the healing ministry of Jesus serve several important purposes that contribute to the overall message of why Jesus came.
Firstly, Mark's portrayal of Jesus as a powerful healer highlights His divine nature and authority. By showcasing Jesus' ability to bring about physical healing and restoration, Mark presents Jesus as the Son of God who possesses the power to overcome suffering and address the brokenness of humanity. The healing miracles serve as vivid demonstrations of Jesus' identity as the long-awaited Messiah and as evidence of His divine mission.
Secondly, the healing ministry of Jesus in Mark's Gospel illustrates His compassion and concern for the marginalized and the suffering. Throughout the book, Jesus consistently reaches out to those who are afflicted by various illnesses, disabilities, and spiritual oppression. By healing and restoring them, Jesus shows His deep love and care for individuals in their physical and emotional pain. This emphasis on compassion aligns with the overarching theme of the kingdom of God, where God's goodness, justice, and mercy are brought forth.
Moreover, the healing narratives in Mark's Gospel provide examples of faith and trust in Jesus. Many of those who came to Jesus seeking healing demonstrated remarkable faith, persistence, and belief that He could restore them. These instances serve as inspirational stories for readers, encouraging them to have faith in Jesus and to believe that He has the power to heal and transform their lives.
Additionally, the inclusion of healing narratives in Mark's Gospel serves a didactic purpose. These accounts not only reveal Jesus' power but also teach important lessons about discipleship, faith, and the transformative nature of encountering Jesus. They urge readers to seek Jesus not only for physical healing but also, and more importantly, for spiritual wholeness, salvation, and an intimate relationship with Him.
The healing narratives in Mark's Gospel also demonstrate the immediate and tangible impact of Jesus' ministry on individuals and the broader community. They provide concrete evidence of the kingdom of God breaking forth and bringing about tangible change in people's lives. These narratives affirm that in Jesus, the promises of God are being fulfilled as He establishes transformative healing, both physically and spiritually.
The inclusion of the healing ministry in the Gospel of Mark serves to reveal Jesus' divinity, His compassion for the suffering, the importance of faith and trust in Him, and the transformative nature of encountering Him. These narratives contribute to the overall message of the Gospel and reinforce the themes of the kingdom of God, discipleship, and the transformative power of Jesus' ministry.
But in Mark 1:35-38 after doing many miracles and healings it says this: 35Very early the next morning before daylight, Jesus got up and went to a place where he could be alone and pray. 36Simon and the others started looking for him. 37And when they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you!”
38Jesus replied, “We must go to the nearby towns, so that I can tell the good news to those people. This is why I have come.”
What did Jesus mean by that? Did that mean he didn’t want to heal the sick or hurting anymore and that he didn’t really care?
Luke 4:43 states, "But he said, 'I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.'" This verse highlights Jesus' primary mission, which was to proclaim and establish the kingdom of God. However, it does not imply that Jesus stopped caring about or meeting the physical needs of the sick and hurting.
Throughout Jesus' ministry, we see numerous instances where He demonstrates compassion and heals the sick, bringing physical restoration to those in need. Jesus' actions revealed His love, mercy, and desire to alleviate suffering. He healed the blind, the crippled, the lepers, and the demon-possessed, among many others. His miracles not only provided relief to individuals but also testified to His divine authority and power.
While Jesus' primary mission was to bring salvation and reconcile humanity with God, He did not neglect physical healing. The healings He performed were often accompanied by teachings, pointing to the spiritual significance behind His miracles. Jesus understood that physical healing was essential for people to witness and experience the tangible manifestation of God's love and power.
It is important to understand that Jesus' focus on the kingdom of God does not imply a lack of care for physical needs. Rather, it emphasizes the centrality of the spiritual realm and the eternal impact of His message of salvation. Jesus' healing ministry demonstrated His compassion for the whole person, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to imitate His example by caring for the sick and meeting physical needs as we are able. In serving others, we embody Jesus' love and demonstrate His compassion in practical ways. Jesus' ultimate concern is the salvation and healing of our souls, but He has not ceased to care about or meet our physical needs; rather, He encourages us to follow in His footsteps and extend His love to others holistically.
When someone expresses their desire for immediate healing and their "best life now" in response to a conversation about salvation, it's important to respond with empathy and understanding while still staying true to the message of faith. Here's a balanced and compassionate response:
"I completely understand your desire for healing and wanting the best for your life right now. It's natural to long for physical well-being and immediate solutions to our challenges. While salvation and a relationship with God offer incredible blessings and eternal hope, I also recognize the importance of addressing your current needs and seeking healing.
In the Bible, Jesus reached out to those who were hurting, both physically and emotionally, and performed powerful miracles. He truly cares about our struggles and desires to bring restoration and wholeness to our lives. It's important to approach Him with openness, faith, and persistence, seeking His guidance, comfort, and intervention in specific areas of need.
At the same time, it's crucial to remember that God's timing and plans are often different from our own. His ways are higher, and He sees the bigger picture that we may not fully comprehend. Sometimes, the process of healing takes time and involves a deeper transformation that surpasses our immediate desires.
Seeking a personal relationship with God and His salvation does not mean that we won't face difficulties or that life will be free of challenges. However, through that relationship, we gain strength, peace, and hope to endure and grow in the midst of adversity. It's a journey where we can experience His love and grace daily.
Let us remember that God cares about every aspect of our lives, including our physical well-being. It's important to bring our desires and requests to Him honestly and trust that He will guide us in the best possible way. As we seek Him, He will provide the comfort, healing, and wisdom we need, whether it comes in the form of miraculous interventions or sustained strength and grace to navigate our challenges.
Please know that you're not alone in your desire for healing, and I'm here to support you through your journey, offering encouragement and prayer along the way."
The danger of rolling our eyes at our Savior or expressing doubt, cynicism, or disbelief in Him is that it undermines our faith and hinders our relationship with God. When we respond to Jesus with skepticism or dismissiveness, we are essentially rejecting His authority, love, and the significance of His sacrifice.
By rolling our eyes at our Savior, we unintentionally align ourselves with the enemy, Satan, who seeks to deceive and distance us from the truth and the transformative power of Jesus' teachings and salvation. Satan delights in sowing seeds of doubt, discouragement, and disbelief, ultimately aiming to weaken our faith and lead us astray.
When we dismiss or belittle our Savior, we risk closing ourselves off from experiencing the fullness of His grace, peace, and redemption. We hinder our own spiritual growth and miss out on the transformative work He desires to accomplish in our lives.
Rolling our eyes at our Savior can limit our understanding of who He truly is and the depth of His love and power. It keeps us from fully embracing His teachings, His example, and the abundant life He offers. Our relationship with God is intended to be one of trust, surrender, and reverence. By mocking or trivializing our Savior, we undermine the reverence and awe that He rightly deserves.
Additionally, by expressing doubt or cynicism towards Jesus, we may inadvertently influence others negatively, potentially hindering their own spiritual journey. Our words and attitudes have the power to shape the perspectives and beliefs of those around us. Therefore, it is crucial to approach discussions about faith with humility, respect, and a genuine desire to understand and grow closer to God.
Instead of rolling our eyes at our Savior, we should seek to cultivate a heart of faith, genuine surrender, and trust in His wisdom and guidance. Embracing Jesus as our Savior means acknowledging His authority and sovereignty in our lives and trusting that His plans and ways are ultimately for our good. It is by genuinely seeking, knowing, and trusting Him that we can experience true joy, peace, and the transformative power of His love.
Remember in Acts 10:34 it tells us that God is no respecter of person. He doesn’t want us to hold back from any truth that would keep us from drawing closer to him.
There is also an extreme danger in seeking signs over our savior.
In Matthew 12:39, Jesus warns against seeking signs instead of truly recognizing and embracing Him as the Savior. The danger of seeking signs instead of a Savior lies in the distortion of our faith and the potential for missing the true essence of Jesus' mission and message.
When we fixate solely on seeking signs, we reduce our relationship with God to a transactional or superficial level. We become more concerned with miraculous displays or extraordinary phenomena rather than understanding and experiencing the depth of God's love, grace, and redemption through a personal relationship with Jesus.
This misplaced focus on signs can lead to a shallow understanding of faith and a reliance on displays of power rather than the transformation of our hearts and lives. It can foster a mindset of seeking worldly validation, seeking God's power for self-serving purposes, or using spirituality as a means to attain personal desires.
Furthermore, seeking signs can be influenced by a lack of genuine faith or a reluctance to fully surrender to God's will. It demonstrates a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to work in ways that may not always be visible or apparent through signs and wonders.
Ultimately, the danger lies in missing the true significance of who Jesus is and what He came to accomplish. He is not merely a performer of miracles or a dispenser of signs. Jesus is the Savior who came to offer salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life through His sacrificial death and resurrection.
Our focus should be on recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, embracing His teachings, and surrendering our lives to Him. It is through a sincere relationship with Him that we can experience true transformation, redemption, and the abundant life that He offers.
Rather than seeking signs, we should seek a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus, desiring to know Him, follow Him, and be transformed by His love. When we prioritize the Savior over signs, we position ourselves to experience the fullness of God's grace, truth, and eternal purposes.
There are many lessons to be learned from people who have tried to seek things that constantly eludud them.
Here is a list of some individuals mentioned in the article "The Pitfalls of Positive Thinking" by Donald McCullough who sought things that eluded them:
1. Dale Carnegie: A well-known motivational speaker and writer who struggled with deep insecurities despite his success. He sought personal inner peace and contentment.
2. Norman Vincent Peale: Author of the popular book "The Power of Positive Thinking." Although he preached positive thinking, he also faced personal struggles with anxiety and self-doubt.
3. Mary Baker Eddy: Founder of Christian Science, Eddy battled her own physical ailments while promoting the power of positive thinking and spiritual healing.
4. Charles Fillmore: Co-founder of the Unity School of Christianity, Fillmore taught metaphysical principles but himself suffered from chronic illness.
5. Napoleon Hill: Known for his book "Think and Grow Rich," Hill aimed to achieve wealth through positive thinking but faced financial difficulties throughout his life.
How could people that struggled so much as these did for the accomplishments they had live lives that were so empty in the end or seem to struggle to dead-ends? The only solution to the problems they faced and the problems so many of us face is to have a solid grip on our savior.
1 Peter 1:8-9 states:
"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
In these verses, Peter emphasizes the importance of salvation and the belief in Jesus Christ, even though believers have not physically seen him. The key message is that what matters most to Christians is their salvation, which is a transformative process that leads to eternal life with God.
The passage highlights the profound love that believers have for Jesus, even without physically seeing him. It emphasizes that faith plays a crucial role as Christians trust in Jesus based on his teachings, life, death, and resurrection. This faith brings about a joy that cannot be fully expressed or explained.
Furthermore, Peter underscores the ultimate outcome of faith, referring to it as the salvation of souls. Salvation refers to the deliverance of believers from sin and its consequences, achieving reconciliation with God. It implies a newfound relationship with God through Christ, resulting in eternal life.
Thus, according to these verses, the central focus for believers is the salvation of their souls through faith in Jesus Christ. This realization brings joy, love, and a deep sense of purpose and meaning to their lives.
So how do we go about getting to know Jesus? Here's a breakdown of several passages and how it contributes to our salvation:
1. John 6:44: This verse states that no one can come to Jesus unless drawn by the Father. It reminds us that our desire to know Jesus and have a relationship with Him is initiated by God's grace and intervention.
2. Romans 10:17: Paul writes that faith comes from hearing the message of Christ. To know Jesus, we must engage with His teachings and the Gospel. This involves studying Scripture, hearing the Word, and allowing it to shape our beliefs and actions.
3. Romans 3:23: This verse acknowledges that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. Recognizing our own sins and need for forgiveness is an essential step to understanding Jesus's role as our Savior and the significance of His sacrifice.
4. Romans 6:23: Paul explains that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This verse highlights the importance of understanding Jesus as the source of eternal life and recognizing the gift of salvation He offers.
5. Romans 5:8: Paul emphasizes God's love for us, stating that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Getting to know Jesus involves understanding the depth of His sacrificial love and how His death on the cross demonstrates God's immense love and grace towards humanity.
6. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21: These verses speak of our transformation through Christ. When we come to know Jesus, we become new creations, reconciled to God and given the ministry of reconciliation. We are invited to participate in Jesus' work of bringing others to know Him and experience His love.
7. Romans 8:38-39: Paul assures believers that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Understanding Jesus entails recognizing His unfailing love and the security we have in our relationship with Him.
8. Romans 5:1: Paul declares that since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing Jesus brings us peace with God, reconciling us and restoring our relationship with Him.
9. Romans 8:1: This verse states that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Getting to know Jesus involves understanding that in Him, we are set free from the condemnation of sin and are accepted and loved by God.
By studying and reflecting on these verses, we can deepen our understanding of Jesus, His love for us, and the significance of our relationship with Him.
Some examples of worldly things that people might think are more important than their salvation include:
1. Material possessions and wealth: Pursuing wealth and material possessions can become a priority, overshadowing the importance of spiritual growth and salvation.
2. Career and success: Prioritizing career ambitions and success in worldly achievements can lead to neglecting spiritual matters and the pursuit of salvation.
3. Pleasure-seeking and indulgence: Seeking constant pleasure and gratification in worldly pleasures such as entertainment, indulgent lifestyles, and immediate gratification can distract individuals from prioritizing their spiritual well-being.
4. Social status and recognition: Placing excessive value on social status, fame, and recognition can lead individuals to prioritize worldly approval over their salvation.
5. Relationships and worldly attachments: While relationships are important, becoming overly attached to worldly relationships and neglecting spiritual growth and salvation can be detrimental.
The dangers of thinking that these worldly things are more important than salvation include:
1. Spiritual emptiness: Prioritizing worldly pursuits can leave individuals feeling empty and unfulfilled spiritually, as these pursuits often fail to provide lasting satisfaction or purpose.
2. Misplaced priority: Salvation offers forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life with God. Neglecting or devaluing this central aspect of human existence by prioritizing worldly things can lead to the loss of what truly matters.
3. Temporary nature: Worldly pursuits are often short-lived and fleeting. They do not offer eternal significance or provide true peace and contentment.
4. Separation from God: Neglecting salvation in favor of worldly pursuits can result in a spiritual separation from God and a lack of spiritual growth and maturity.
5. Regret and missed opportunities: Choosing worldly things over salvation may lead to a sense of regret later in life, realizing that the pursuit of temporal pleasures and achievements took precedence over eternal matters.
Recognizing the dangers of prioritizing worldly things over salvation can help us refocus our priorities and seek a deeper understanding of our spiritual journey and ultimate purpose.
Sometimes we need to steal away to Jesus.
Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and the author of the Declaration of Independence, was a man of contradictions. While he believed in the principles of freedom and equality, he himself owned slaves, including one named Thomas Lewis Johnson.
Thomas Lewis Johnson had been in Jefferson's possession since birth, growing up at Monticello, Jefferson's famous plantation in Virginia. Johnson possessed a remarkable talent for singing, his voice reverberating through the fields as he toiled alongside his fellow enslaved individuals. One evening, as twilight painted the sky, Johnson's melodious voice soared above the usual sounds of labor, capturing the attention of Thomas Jefferson himself.
The President, who had been walking at a distance, found himself inexplicably drawn towards the enchanting melody wafting through the air. As he approached, he saw Johnson and a group of enslaved individuals huddled together, harmonizing their soulful rendition of "Steal Away to Jesus." Moved by the passion, hope, and yearning in their voices, Jefferson couldn't help but be deeply affected by the song.
In that intense moment, Jefferson recognized the undeniable humanity in Johnson's voice and the voices of the others. He realized the deep contradiction between his own beliefs and the practice of owning slaves. The profound impact of the words "Steal Away to Jesus" spoke to Jefferson's inner conscience, reminding him of the incompatibility between freedom and the ownership of fellow human beings.
Determined to rectify this moral dilemma, Jefferson approached Johnson and stopped him from singing. He listened carefully to the heartfelt lyrics and witnessed the spiritual connection that permeated the song. It was a turning point for Jefferson, a pivotal moment in which he resolved to undermine the oppressive institution of slavery that he himself had perpetuated.
Soon after, Jefferson called Johnson to Monticello's study, where he put forth his decision. Overcome with a mix of trepidation and hopeful anticipation, Johnson stood before the President, his voice momentarily silenced. Jefferson acknowledged the tremendous talent Johnson possessed and the intrinsic worth of his humanity. He spoke with genuine remorse and deep regret for participating in the institution of slavery.
Tears welled up in both their eyes as Jefferson declared, "Thomas, your voice is a gift from the heavens, and it cannot be confined by the chains of slavery any longer. As an advocate for liberty and equality, I cannot bear the weight of this contradiction any further. I hereby grant you your freedom."
The room filled with a profound silence, punctuated only by the sound of faith-filled hearts beating. Johnson, overwhelmed by disbelief mixed with uncontainable joy, fell to his knees in gratitude. He praised the Lord for delivering him from bondage and allowed tears of liberation to flow unimpeded.
Word of Jefferson's decision quickly spread throughout Monticello and the surrounding community, eliciting a mixture of awe, admiration, and skepticism. Many questioned the sincerity of the President's proclamation, while others were inspired by the possibility of change. Jefferson's action that day challenged the status quo and ignited conversations about the morality of owning another individual.
The story of how Thomas Jefferson freed Thomas Lewis Johnson after hearing him sing "Steal Away to Jesus" is a testament to the power of individual enlightenment. By recognizing the inherent worth of Johnson and overcoming his own contradictions, Jefferson took a small step towards dismantling the institution of slavery. Though the journey to complete emancipation was long and arduous, moments like these left an indelible mark on the conscience of the nation, further fueling the flames of abolition and the pursuit of a more just society.
Thomas Johnson’s freedom from slavery and his opportunity to live in the freedoms of life was a great treasure to him, but it wasn’t as important to him as his freedom in Jesus. He considered that his greatest treasure of all.
So how do we know if we are saved?
To understand how we can know we are saved, let's examine some scriptures:
1. Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes."
This verse reminds us that salvation comes through faith in the power of the gospel. By accepting and believing in the good news of Jesus Christ, we can experience salvation.
2. Ephesians 2:8-10: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
These verses emphasize that we are saved by God's grace through faith, and not by our own works or efforts. We are created in Christ for good works, which demonstrate our faith and are a result of our salvation.
3. John 14:15: "If you love me, keep my commands."
This verse highlights the importance of obedience to Jesus' commands as evidence of our love for Him. It signifies a transformation in our lives as we strive to align ourselves with His teachings and follow His example.
4. James 2:17-19: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."
James emphasizes the inseparable connection between faith and works. True faith is demonstrated through actions, and mere intellectual belief is insufficient. Our faith should manifest in tangible ways in our lives.
5. Romans 10:9: "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
This verse speaks to the confession of Jesus as Lord and the genuine belief in His resurrection. Confession and belief are integral to salvation, as they reflect a sincere acceptance of Jesus as our Savior.
6. 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
This verse assures us that if we approach God humbly, acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from unrighteousness.
7. 1 Corinthians 6:11: "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
This verse reminds us that through faith in Jesus, we are cleansed, set apart (sanctified), and made right (justified) before God. This transformation occurs through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
8. 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
This verse speaks to the transformative power of being in Christ. When we are born again spiritually, we are renewed, and our old selves are replaced by a new creation, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
9. James 1:22: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
This verse stresses the importance of obedience to God's Word. Hearing the Word without acting upon it is self-deception. Genuine faith requires an active response to God's teachings.
10. 1 John 3:14: "We know that we have passed from death to life because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death."
This verse highlights love as a mark of our salvation. As we experience the love of Christ, it should flow through us, manifesting in our love for others. Love becomes evidence of our transformed hearts.
11. Ephesians 4:15: "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
This verse emphasizes the importance of truth and love in our lives. As we speak the truth in love and grow in maturity, it indicates our growing conformity to Christ's likeness.
12. 1 Peter 2:2: "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."
This verse encourages us to hunger for pure spiritual nourishment, which leads to growth in our salvation. It emphasizes the ongoing process of maturing in our faith.
13. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20: "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."
These verses remind us that through Christ, we are reconciled to God. As recipients of this reconciliation, we are entrusted with sharing the message of reconciliation, becoming ambassadors for Christ.
14. Hebrews 12:6-8: "because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all."
These verses highlight the loving discipline of God as evidence of our adoption as His children. It reminds us that enduring discipline is a mark of our genuine relationship with Him.
15. Luke 6:43: "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit."
This verse teaches that our actions and the fruit we bear in our lives reflect the true nature of our faith. A genuine relationship with Christ results in a transformation that produces good fruit.
16. Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law."
These verses describe the fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of believers. The presence of these characteristics serves as evidence of the Holy Spirit working within us.
These verses, and many others not mentioned, collectively shed light on various aspects of salvation, including faith, repentance, obedience, love, transformation, and the work of the Holy Spirit within us. By aligning our beliefs and actions with these biblical principles, we can have assurance of our salvation and grow in our relationship with God. It is important to study and understand these verses in their full context and consult with trusted spiritual leaders for further guidance on matters of faith and salvation.
Whatever burdens you carry, if you have asked Jesus into your life, you need to unload the burden of doubt. You are his child, unless you have failed the test according to 2 Corinthians 13:5. If you have rested in Christ, nothing including fear, pain, abuse, bankruptcy, calamities, cancer, severe sicknesses or anything this world can throw at you will cancel your relationship with Christ. God is bigger than any mountain we may have to cross. Jesus is Savior. Is he yours?
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