Monday is here. Our worship is not limited to Sunday. Our service is not limited to Sunday. The week starts with worship and it ends with worship. The week starts with service and ends with service.
The dictionary defines “trust” as the “dependence on or confidence in the strength and character of a person or thing.” When you go to sit in a chair do you trust its strength? Do you trust its character? That means the person who put the chair together used the right tools, enough glue, nails, etc. God is all powerful. Jesus is the Son of God. Neither of them has ever failed. Do you trust Jesus?
Some people will immediately say, “YES!” Some will need to think about it. Some will deny Him. Trust is one of those things which either you do or you don't do. You cannot halfway trust something. To not fully trust is to doubt. So there is yet another group of people who will say, “I trust Jesus, but …” You either trust Him fully with everything or you do not trust Him at all.
“Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16 NLT)
Jesus describes two groups of people. He bluntly tells each group what they can expect for their current course of life.
Jesus sends us as disciples to go into WHOLE world, preaching the gospel. Those who believe the good news of Jesus Christ and publicly profess their faith are forever saved by the Grace of God. It cannot be lost or taken away.
This was nothing new. Jesus had been telling people this throughout his ministry. He had already declared “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life,” (John 3:15) and “he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life,” (John 3:36a) and “he that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, hath everlasting life.” (John 5:24)
Likewise, Jesus had told people just how serious it is to reject His message, saying, “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son,” (John 3:18) also “Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment,” (John 3:36b) and “if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24).
Some people will reject this saying, “God would never do that.” Well, He is a HOLY and RIGHTEOUS God.” He will judge us based on His RIGHTEOUSNESS, not ours. There is nothing we can do to BECOME righteous. We are MADE righteous by the Blood of Jesus Christ.
However, you may notice that there is a third group whom Jesus seems not to mention. It is the group that says they believe but still have doubts. What about these “secret” believers, who joyfully receive the gospel but never follow Jesus outside of church on Sunday?
It seems Jesus leaves them wondering what will happen to them, and perhaps that is the way we should leave them as well. NO! We are to love them, tell them, pray for them, and let our life show them Jesus’ strength and character. We need to share with them just how much we trust Him!
What about you? Does Jesus’ description of those who will be saved describe you?
Hello Again!!
7 years ago
