01/12/2020
Is Jesus the Christ to you? Are you so convinced of this fact that there is no other option for you except to follow Him, or face death? Does Jesus represent the singular truth and the one real way to joy, eternity, and an eternal relationship with God? Does He bring you some promised future life, or do you find a joyous life In Him now? So I say all of this to ask you one question... if Jesus is the Messiah, and He has promised you abundant, and eternal life, doesn’t that abundance, and eternity, begin for you the moment your faith in Him is sealed?
“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
John 6:68-69 KJV
As true believers we await the certain return of Jesus to claim us as His bride, and this is a far cry from those who say that they believe, but are waiting not for that certain return, but to see IF He returns. True believers say, as Peter did “we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ”, whereas those who are lukewarm in their faith are waiting for His return before allowing themselves to believe completely that He is the Messiah, and contains the key to life, abundance, and their way to eternity. How do you believe? Are you living life abundantly now, or waiting to see the clouds part before you will allow yourself to truly believe?
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10 KJV
When I was a child I knew a boy who was a “nay sayer”, when something good was promised he couldn’t bring himself to believe that it was going to happen, and then once it did happen, he found a reason not to enjoy it fully. Today, thanks to a 2004 episode of the “Saturday Night Live” television show, we have another way of describing such a person; today we would call him a “Debbie Downer”! These people are tolerated, but never fully welcomed into any group because they bring down the mood of every good thing, or time.
I am certain that each of us knows someone like this, and they exist in faithful circles as well. These are the people who stand on the edge of abundant life, and eternity, yet find a reason not to take that next step, or claim it NOW! They experience joy, but can’t believe it is really happening to them, or that it will end soon so they deny themselves because they are so afraid of losing this happiness that they won’t allow themselves to experience it at all. They say they believe, and are waiting for Jesus to return, when in fact they are awaiting the return of Jesus before they will allow themselves to fully believe... even then there is no guarantee that they will embrace Him when He arrives. They hear the words of Jesus, and even repeat them, but can’t really accept the life He promises us; they remain in the darkness because they can’t comprehend the light...
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
John 1:4-5 KJV
So where do we stand in our faith? Are we like those Jews who didn't’ believe Jesus to be the Messiah at all? Are we the lukewarm believers, the “Debbie Downers”, and the “nay sayers”, who can’t comprehend His light? Or, are we the true believers who open ourselves up, and allow Him to abide in us in all His fullness... the joy, the life, the relationship with the Father, and eternity?
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6 KJV
Give up the doubt, and claim eternity! This is His promise, and should be your joy, and life!
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the fullness of faith that has grown from my belief in your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for a faith that is not lukewarm, but pleasing in your mouth. Help me Father to spread the good word that is the gospel of Jesus, and to live my life in abundance now, and to walk eternally with you in the steps I take even now. Wonderful are you who has called me, who provides for me, who prospers me always in faith, and in all that I do as I obey your will. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who is with me now, and who will never leave me. Great are you who brings joy and abundance to my life, and makes it last forevermore! I praise you in the midst of my happiness, and in the storms of my suffering. I praise you in all of my life, and there I find your goodness, your mercy, and know you are with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me always. All glory is yours Father, and is made perfect through your grace that flows through Jesus who abides in me. Hear my voice, and know my heart as I lift you up in my life’s song; you have extended your love, joy, and eternal presence to me in Jesus, and I thank you as I receive Him...now, and forevermore.
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
1 John 5:11-12 KJV
Rich Forbes