Bearing Fruit

John 15:1-6(NKJV)

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 

Scripture tells us that it is important that we bear fruit.  It is the main way our rewards in Heaven are earned.  In fact I would go so far as to say that there is a pretty direct correlation between how much fruit we bear and the rewards we receive. 

And just to be clear, notice that I didn't say our salvation depends on the fruit we bear.  There is no correlation there whatsoever.  Our salvation is a gift from God and is free for the asking.

Have you asked yet?  All you have to do is invite Jesus to guide your life.  Just have a conversation with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."

So back on track.  How do we bear fruit?  I think it is pretty simple.  Just try to remember to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  Be willing to help when you can.  Be willing to pray for and with people when you can. 

I believe we get opportunities every day.  I for one and going to try to be even more aware of those opportunities and act on them when they present themselves.

Does this really mean what the plain text seems to say?

Christianity is often portrayed as exclusionary.  Here is one of the texts that are used to show that Christianity is exclusionary.

John 14:6(NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus is clearly saying that no one comes to the Father (God) except through Jesus.  Many say that is exclusionary.  Many think that you should be able to get into Heaven whether you believe in Jesus or not.  I would disagree.

God is the creator of Heaven and Earth.  It's His thing.  He gets to set the rules.  So let's look at the rules He set.  As far as getting into Heaven, there is basically one requirement.  Faith in Jesus. 

All of those who believe in Jesus get in to Heaven.  No exceptions.  So if everyone on earth can get into Heaven whether God wants them there or not, just by believing in Jesus, is it really exclusionary? 

Some of the best advice in the whole Bible!

John 14:1-2(NKJV)

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

No need to be troubled if you believe God has your back!

So did Jesus meet with the Greeks or not?

 

John 12:20-29(NKJV)

Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 

Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 

He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 

If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 

Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”

Sometimes I run across stuff like this and it makes me chuckle.  We see that the Greeks asked to see Jesus, but we have no idea if they ever got to.  LOL!

I never thought of Caiaphas as a prophet.

I never noticed this before.  I never thought if Caiaphas as a prophet but here it says he prophesied.

John 11:49-52(NKJV)

And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 

nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” 

Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 

and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

Confirmation in Scripture

As I have written before, one of my beliefs is that God and Jesus are always in agreement.  One of the Scriptures that I have used to back up that belief is the time Jesus said a house divided against itself cannot stand. 

Well here is a Scripture that is even more direct and to the point.  Jesus tells us:

John 10:30(NKJV)

I and My Father are one.”

Doesn't get much plainer than that does it?

Isn't this exactly why Jesus said He came?

Check this out.

John 7:40-44(NKJV)

Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 

Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 

Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” 

So there was a division among the people because of Him. 

Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

Isn't this exactly why Jesus said He came?

Matthew 10:34-39(NKJV)

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 

For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 

and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’  

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 

He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Looks like He succeeded!

Why do we make it so hard?

What is the work of God?  People spend years contemplating this question.  Why?  The answer is right here!

John 6:28-29(NKJV)

Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

Talk about delegating!!!

I think a lot of people miss this.  We talk about God judging but right here it says that God has delegated that responsibility to Jesus.

John 5:22-23(NKJV)

For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 

that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

Just another example of how what people believe is Scriptural, may be off just a bit. 

I wonder why the distinction?

I wonder why Scripture makes this distinction?

John 4:1-3(NKJV)

Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 

(though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), 

He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. 

Why was it important to point out that Jesus Himself didn't baptize people, that it was His disciples who did so?  I don't recall the other Gospels making that distinction.   At this point I don't even have a guess. 

I'll be watching for clues as to the answer for this one. 

This just occurred to me.

John 2:1-10(NKJV)

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 

Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 

And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 

Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 

And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 

When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 

And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

How did Jesus mother know to ask Him to turn the water into wine?  He hadn't done any miracles yet.  If I had to pick an explanation I would suggest that it was at the prompting of the Holy Spirit. 

Now you may say wait a minute.  Don't we get the Holy Spirit after we believe in Jesus?  That would be correct.  But there are several instances throughout Scripture that tell of God giving the Holy Spirit to others before Jesus arrived on the scene, so there is precedent of this happening.

"…to them He gave the right to become children of God…"

We hear a lot about rights in our country.  That is why this caught my attention.

John 1:12-13(NKJV)

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 

who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Those who accept and have faith in Jesus are given the right to be called "children of God".  That signifies something special that not all people are entitled to.  It goes along with the whole concept of being heirs with Christ.  Only the children of God are heirs.

Kinda cool!

"…repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations,…"

 

Luke 24:46-49(NKJV)

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 

and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

And you are witnesses of these things. 

Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Jesus was very clear about this.  Repentance and remission go together.  So why do so many Christians, Red Letter Christians especially, believe that remission is automatic and the repentance is automatic?  Why do they think that those who don't repent are entitled to all of the benefits of being heirs with Christ, without them actually being heirs in Christ? 

Sadly I think we are seeing an awful lot of this in society today.

 

Luke 23:13-25(NKJV)

Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 

said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; 

no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. 

I will therefore chastise Him and release Him” 

(for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).

And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”—

who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.

Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. 

But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.”

But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. 

So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. 

And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

A lot of lives are being destroyed by the loud demands of the masses in our public discourse today.  I find it sad. 

Now let me be perfectly clear that I am not saying any of the people being destroyed are Christ.  I'm not saying that at all.  What I am calling attention to is the similarity in the methodology.  People being destroyed based on the hysterical call of the masses. 

Why didn't Jesus just tell Satan no!?

Luke 22:31-32(NKJV)

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 

But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Think about the verse above.  Why didn't Jesus just tell Satan no when Satan asked for Simon?  Wouldn't that have been a lot easier?  If I were Simon I would be grateful for the prayers Jesus offered on my behalf but I would have been even more grateful if Jesus had just told Satan no and put an end to it.

So why do you think Jesus didn't just say no? 

I think it goes back to what I have said before.  There are some life lessons that can only be learned through adversity.  It seems to me that Jesus is telling Simon that he needs to learn to battle Satan on his own through the power of Jesus.  That is different than letting Jesus fight our battles for us. 

Does that make sense? 

Take heed and do not be deceived!

Luke 21:8-9(NKJV)

And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. 

But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”

Interesting warning.  Who's responsibility is it to see that we are not deceived?  It is ours.  How do we do that?  Stay in the word, stay in prayer, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.  

Do the rich have to give everything away to be saved?

There are some who believe that you have to give away all worldly possessions to be saved.  Is that true?  Let's see what Jesus has to say on the subject.

Luke 19:1-10(NKJV)

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 

Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 

And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 

So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 

So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 

But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 

for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

So we have a guy named Zacchaeus who the Bible tells us is rich.  Jesus decides to stay at Zacchaeus' house.  Zacchaeus tells Jesus that he gives half of his goods to the poor and that he is a pretty just guy in other ways as well.

What does Jesus say at this point?  Does Jesus send Zacchaeus to hell for not giving away all of his goods? 
 

Nope.  Jesus says "today salvation has come to your house…"

In a case where Jesus could have sent a clear message by condemning Zacchaeus, Jesus instead gives Zacchaeus salvation. 

Seems pretty clear to me!!!

This is certainly confusing.

I find this a bit confusing.

Luke 16:16-17(NKJV)

“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. 

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

 The first part says "the law and the prophets were until John…".  That makes it sound as if the law ended doesn't it?

But then the last part says "And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail. " which makes it seem as of the law continues.

Which is it? 

Well Jesus said "I didn't come to replace the law but to fulfill it." or something close to that. 

Even that statement leaves a bit of ambiguity.  The phrase "fulfill it" to some might give it a past tense feel to the statement if that makes sense.

Something to ponder.

“Increase our faith.”

I guess I would ask, "who's job is it to increase my faith?"?  Is that really the Lord's job or is that something that comes from within? 

Luke 17:5(NKJV)

And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

Personally I think that has to come from within.  It comes from us digging in to the Word of God.  It comes from us praying and walking with God.  It comes from us living the Christian life and experiencing throughout our lives that faith being rewarded which increases our faith.

Our faith is just another muscle.  The more we use it the stronger it gets.  The less we use it the weaker it gets. 

Use it or lose it!

Should we take this literally or figuratively?

If we are to take this literally then it raises theological questions. 

Luke 16:19-23(NKJV)

“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 

But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 

desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 

So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 

And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

If we are to take this figuratively then I get it.  The story is of the poor guy oppressed by the rich guy.  In the end the poor guy gets his reward and the rich guy gets his punishment. 

But…..if it is literally then there are some unanswered questions. 

First and foremost for me is this question.  Was the poor guy a believer in Jesus?  The parable gives us no clue.  Was the rich guy a believer?  Probably not because he didn't have compassion on the poor. 

If the poor guy wasn't a believer in Jesus then why did he get to go to Heaven?  We are told that we have to believe in and confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior to get in.  It may seem like a minor point to some but for me it is a big issue. 

For that reason I believe this is one of those parable that are to be taken figuratively. 

Who doesn't need repentance?

 

Luke 15:1-7(NKJV)

Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 

And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 

So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 

And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 

And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

The 99 who don't need repentance?  Who would they be?  If Jesus was the only perfect man then everyone else would need some repentance wouldn't they?

I think I understand what Jesus is saying here.  I just find the way He said it a bit imprecise.

What I think Jesus is saying is simply that there is a celebration each time someone new is saved vs. no need for celebrations for those who are already saved. 

I just think the use of the phrase "the 99 just persons who need no repentance" is a bit weird.  Paul tells us that over our lifetimes we will fall back and sin and will need to continually confess our sins and be forgiven.  The wording above seems to say that once save we never have to repent again and I don't think that is accurate. 

But again I understand the big picture view of those who are saved vs those who aren't.

I wonder if it is in the translation?

I'm not sure what to make of this.  When I read the whole passage I think I understand what Jesus meant.  However if I isolate just the first two sentences it seems to contradict one of the 10 commandments which causes a big problem because of my belief that God and Jesus are always in agreement.

Read the passage and then I will pick it up on the other side.

Luke 14:25-33(NKJV)

Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 

And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—

lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 

saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 

Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 

Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

If Jesus is love, why would He say such a thing?  Doesn't that contradict one of the 10 commandments?  Honor thy mother and father.  Can you honor them and hate them at the same time?

Or could it be something else?  Could it be in the translation?  Sometimes things don’t translate precisely from one language to another.  Could there have been other translation possibilities for the word hate?  For example, the last sentence uses the word forsake.  Substitute forsake for hate and I think it lines up with the rest of the passage quite nicely.  The point being, count the cost and be willing to commit 100% or don't commit at all.

Am I correct in my interpretation?  I don't know.  It's what makes the most sense to me at this time however I am always open to having the Holy Spirit give me revelation knowledge on this or anything else He sees fit to bless me with. 

Why do people call Jesus the Prince of Peace when Jesus Himself says that he did come to bring peace?

He not only said it but He said it twice!

Matthew 10:34-39(NKJV)

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 

For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 

and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’  

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 

He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Luke 12:49-53(NKJV)

“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 

But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 

Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 

For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 

Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Jesus understood that His coming was going to cause division, not unity.  Look how His message was rejected by a majority of the Jewish people.  In the Luke passage Jesus says point blank: "Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. "

So what is the deal with the Prince of Peace stuff?  Did you know that there is only one place in the whole Bible where the term Prince of Peace is used?  It is in Isaiah.

Isaiah 9:6(NKJV)

    For unto us a Child is born,      Unto us a Son is given;     And the government will be upon His shoulder.     And His name will be called     Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I have no idea why Isaiah chose to use those words.  It seems to me that in the end times, part of the people will view Jesus as the Prince of Peace and will use the other words above to describe Him, while the other part of the people will not.  Can you guess where I am going with this?
 

That's right.  Those who reject Jesus are going to find eternity anything but peaceful so I doubt they will be thinking of Jesus as the Prince of Peace.  :)

No grey area. No middle ground.

Luke 11:23(NKJV)

He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

Notice that there is no middle ground in Jesus statement. 

If Jesus repeats Himself, should we pay special attention to what He says?

Here is what prompted this question.

Luke 9:1-5(NKJV)

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 

He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 

And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.

“Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 

And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

Luke 10:1-16(NKJV)

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 

Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 

Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 

Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 

But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 

And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 

And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 

Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 

And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 

But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 

‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ 

But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 

But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 

And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. 

He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

Jesus lays the foundation of the principal in Chapter 9 and then expands on it in Chapter 10.   

He sent people out to preach.  If a town accepted them then bless that town.  If not then curse the town.  Jesus says that those who reject His message will be punished with eternal damnation.  (brought down to Hades) 

So it seems to me that if Jesus took the time to say something twice, it must be pretty important to Him. 

Now let me introduce another dimension.  I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said something like "I don't think Jesus meant kill them when He said love your enemies".  It seems to me that a lot of people who don't really study the Bible like to use cute little sayings like this to say that killing anyone or anything is immoral. 

I would however disagree with their premise.  I don't think loving your enemy necessarily  precludes killing them.  What do I base that view on?  The words of Jesus in both chapters cited above to start with.  Jesus said very specifically that those who refuse to accept His message will be condemned to Hell.  He loves all people including those who reject His message but that doesn't prevent Jesus from taking action against His enemies while He loves them.  So unless you want to go out on a limb and say Jesus acted in an immoral manner, I think the logic stands.  

And just in case you doubt that Jesus even has enemies let me provide another reference.

Philippians 3:17-19(NKJV)

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 

whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 

Now let me be crystal clear here.  I am not advocating that people should just go out and kill your enemies.  I'm not advocating that in any way.  What I am saying however is that if your enemies attack you, you are morally justified in defending yourself to the fullest extent needed to stop the attack that justified your defending yourself to begin with. 

Does that make sense?

Interesting juxtaposition

Here are a couple of passages from Luke 9.

Luke 9:40-42(NKJV)

So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 

And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.

Luke 9:51-54(NKJV)

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 

and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 

But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

How quickly they went from not being able to cast out a demon to thinking that they could call down fire and brimstone just like Elijah.  What should we think of that?

I would say the life lesson here is that even though they had just failed at one thing, they still had full faith that through Jesus nothing is impossible so they should think big and try. 

Scripture tells us that "through Christ all things are possible."  That doesn't however mean that all things will be successful, even things that you believe Jesus called you to do.  Sometimes the things we are called to do have a different purpose such as teaching us things that we need to learn for future success. 

But here is the thing.  No matter whether that previous thing God called us to was a success or failure, ALWAYS approach the next calling with total enthusiasm and faith.  Always! 

Why?  Because God made us a promise. 

Romans 5:3-5(NKJV)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 

and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Hope does not disappoint!!!  If you truly believe that then take joy in each new calling that God gives you secure in the knowledge that God is in control and the ultimate outcome is that our hope will not be disappointed!

"Therefore take heed how you hear. "

Here is an interesting turn of phrase.

Luke 8:18(NKJV)

Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

What do you think that means?  Take heed how you hear?  Here is what I think it means.

I think it means we will be held accountable for how we interpret what we hear.  When studying God's Word we aren't just passive listeners/readers.  God speaks in parables and we have a responsibility to interpret them correctly.  Now God doesn't leave us on our own to accomplish that task.  God gives us the Holy Spirit as our interpreter.  It's up to us whether we listen to the Holy Spirit or not. 

The other part of this verse also invites a comment.

"…For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.” "

You see this same phrase in the Parable of the Talents.  In that parable Jesus is talking about wealth so there might be an inclination to think this is about wealth as well.  However I think the principal is broader than that.

In this instance I believe Jesus is referring to Godly knowledge.  The more we seek to understand God's Word, the deeper that understanding becomes.  In other words the deeper understanding is the "more will be given" in this instance. 

Make sense?

Sometimes you have to ask, what the heck does that even mean??? :)

I don't know about you but there are things that I read in the Bible that just leave me wondering, what the heck God is even talking about here?  And as I have mentioned before, I think God throws a few of these things in here just to see if we are really paying attention to what we are reading?  :)

Here is an example.

Luke 7:33-35(NKJV)

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 

But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

What?  Wisdom is justified by all her children?

Jesus has just detailed the hypocrisy of His critics.  They criticized John for one thing and then criticized Jesus for doing the exact opposite.  Kind of a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation.  

But then Jesus throws in the kicker at the end about "wisdom is justified by all her children".  Now in the context of what Jesus was just talking about, that comment makes no sense to me what so ever. 

Oh well.  Maybe the Holy Spirit will give me some revelation knowledge regarding that verse someday.  I like the way God works the revelations from the Holy Spirit.  Basically God puts us all on a need to know basis.  As we need to know things, He has the Holy Spirit reveal them to us.

Pretty cool!!!

What this means and what it doesn't mean.

 

Luke 5:31-32(NKJV)

Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

I think a lot of Christians get the meaning of these verses confused so I'll give you my take on it.

Jesus did go to where the sinners were to try and save them.  Notice it says He went there to call the sinners to repentance.  What He didn’t do was accept people who were sinning as if they had repented when they hadn't. 

It seems to me that many Christians today have perverted this concept by accepting sinners who refuse to repent as if they had repented.  Many Christians today seem to think that all people deserve and should receive the blessings of believing in Jesus, even if they reject the message of Jesus himself…and they use this verse as their justification. 

But if you compare that to Jesus' ministry style you will see that Jesus was very clear.  Only those who believe in Jesus are entitled to the benefits of believing in Jesus! 

Interesting point

Do you understand the point Jesus is making here?  I had to read it a couple of times to get it.

Luke 4:23-27(NKJV)

He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’” 

Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. 

But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; 

but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”

The central point is that a prophet is without honor in his own land.  The people who knew you growing up are the least likely to believe in you.  That is because they have preconceived notions of who you are. 

His point in the two example I believe just reinforce His central point.  In both cases, it was foreigners who had enough belief to be helped.  The locals did not. 

When is the last time you asked a total stranger "Can I pray for you?"?

I did that recently.  Pretty cool.  Give it a try. You'll help lighten someone's load and it'll put a smile on your face as well. 

I was doing some Lyft driving and the passenger was going through a trying time.  When we got to her destination I simply asked if I could pray for her.  She said she would like that.  We prayed and then I went on my way.  When she got out of the car she seemed to have a little bit better take on the world. 

The cool thing is I had a total stranger ask if she could pray for me at the end of a ride recently.  We had a really great talk as we drove.  When we got to her destination I wished her luck on her recent job advancement.  She thanked me and then out of the blue asked "Do you mind if I pray for you?".  I said sure!  She prayed, calling for God's blessings and favor on me; and then we went our separate ways.  It sure put a spring in my step! 

So if you ever find yourself in a situation where it is appropriate, take a chance and offer to pray for someone.  It will bless you both!

Did Jesus really think that God had forsaken Him?

Mark 15:33-34(NKJV)

Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 

I wonder.  Did Jesus really think that God had forsaken Him or did Jesus just say that for our benefit?  In other parts of Scripture Jesus has used that approach, saying something so that the people heard it.  That is what I think is going on here.  I just find it inconceivable that Jesus actually thought in that final hour that maybe God had abandoned Him. 

Watch!

That is what Jesus tells us. Watch.  Be ready.  Know your Scripture so that you know what you are watching for.  Know your Scripture so that you know how to react when you see the things you are watching for happening. 

Read Mark 13 if you want a good description of what to watch for.

Can you love God without loving Jesus?

Mark 12:29-31(NKJV)

Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  This is the first commandment. 

And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no other commandment greater than these.”

So the number 1 commandment according to Jesus is to love God with all that we have.  Love God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all of our strength. 

So here is my question.  Can you love God without loving Jesus?  I believe the answer is no.  God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are the three parts of the trinity.  God tells us this through His Word.  I don't believe a person can just love one of the three in the Trinity.  My reasoning is that if you claim to love God but you reject Jesus and the Holy Spirit then you are essentially calling God a liar.  In my mind that isn't loving God with everything you have. 

Everyone will be seasoned with fire.

Everyone will be seasoned with fire.

Thursday, October 04, 2018

9:41 AM

In case you have ever wondered why bad things happen to good people, here is your answer.  It is necessary.

Mark 9:49-50(NKJV)

“For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 

Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”