Jesus

The unfathomable power of John 3:16

 

John 3:16

Without a doubt, the greatest and the most popular text in the Bible is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life”. This text is so powerful and appealing, many people wear it on their bodies as fashion.

Yet, non-Christians and Jesus bashers find this statement troubling. They think it is naive to believe that anyone would allow his or her innocent son to die a violent death for his friends. Frankly, I do not blame them because what Jesus did on the cross at Calvary transcends the human thought process. Furthermore, humans in general like to compare events. but there is no precedent for such a gracious act. It was never done before. Therefore, it is understandable that people with atheistic tendencies have doubts.

Nevertheless, to the true believer, there is nothing dubious about Jesus Christ of Nazareth, dying for sinners. However, many of us have never stopped and think about it. We accept it for what it is. It was a remarkable demonstration of God’s love, which was prompted by His desire to reconcile a condemned people back into the sheep fold.

Still, it was not Jesus’ wish that He died for sinners. He was following orders from God the Father. Jesus was the only man on earth worthy to stand in the gap, but He showed His humanness when the pain and agony became unbearable. He sorts a way out. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, let not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). God the Father denied Jesus’ request because the Scripture must be fulfilled. It was preordained that Jesus should die for the sins of the world (Read Isaiah 53:1-12).

Today, because of one man’s willingness to stand in the gap and endure the agony of a rugged cross, Salvation is full and free. Yet, many of us take it for granted. But make no mistake friends; He that spares not His Son, but delivered Him up for us, will judge and reward us according to our work.

God never turns His back on anyone

“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who turns to God from his sins than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent” (Luke 15:7).

The story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) is an example that God never turns His back on anyone . Even a rebellious child is welcome back into the family, if she decides to return home. That is exactly what happened to Lynda Alsford of the United Kingdom.

English: Parable of the Prodigal Son Jan Sande...

After months of wallowing in the filth of swines and nothing to eat, she realized there is no place like home.

“When she came to her senses, she said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your daughter; make me like one of your hired servants’. So she got up and went to her father.
(Luke 15:17-20)

Lynda Alsford of the UK was a devout Christian for 27 years. She spent the last six months of 2009 as a church Army evangelist. Nevertheless, her faith in God wavered, and she quit the church, but not forever.

Here, is how she describes her aboutface in her book: “He Never Let Go: The true story of a prodigal evangelist: “I had come to a major crisis in my faith. Doubts about God had been building up over the previous few months and had come to a head while I preached that sermon“. “It is a lie. It is all a lie. Do not believe a word of it”. These are not the words you would expect a Church Army evangelist to be thinking while preaching at a carol service. However, that is what I was thinking on 20 December 2009 as I preached the most evangelistic sermon I have ever preached”.

“By Christmas 2010, I’d realised that if God couldn’t be reasoned into existence then faith had to be involved. Faith, I realised, was an act of my will. It was not a feeling. It was a decision I made.

So, one day in January 2011, I made that step of faith. I prayed to God, telling him that I believed he existed.

All the peace and joy of believing came flooding back. I knew once more that there is a God.

Within a few months, I’d had a dream about Jesus. It led me to wake up knowing God’s love in a far deeper way than I have ever known it.

My faith is now far stronger than it was before – it’s more real, and I am finding freedom from things that have held me back for years. I now know beyond all shadow of doubt that God never lets us go”.

The closer I come to God the more He reveals

The Christian walk is not just a test of one’s commitment to endure trials and tribulation. It is also a learning curve. The further we travel and the closer we draw to God, the better equip we are to handle unexpected situations. However, perfecting the walk with God does not depend on years of service, or even how knowledgeable and bright we are. It has more to do with the relationship we have with God. The closer we are to God, the more He reveals those things which we would not normally understand.

One of the most fascinating and exciting aspects of walking with Jesus is when He brings us new insights, and deeper understanding of His Word. It is like unexpectedly finding a large golden nugget.

There are certain passages of Scripture that we may have read for years, but have not yet grasped their fullest meaning. In any given moment, the Holy Spirit can open our spiritual eyes to see something in those passages that have never seen before. For example, I have read James 1:2-4 (“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops patience. Patience must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”.) many times, but I have never fully understood how anyone could rejoice in suffering.

However, after reading “Why does God discipline us”? At http://watermyflowerslord.wordpress.com/ I finally understand what James meant. Sometimes suffering happens for discipline and correction. We also know that sometimes God allowed suffering to prove a point, as in the case of Job. God was confident that Job was steadfast in his faith, and it did not matter what the devil threw at Job he would not falter.

So my brothers and sisters, the next time you encounter trials and suffering, count it all joy, because you may never know whether your suffering is for discipline and correction, or God is just showing off on the devil about your steadfastness.

Still, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). Therefore, God has a reward waiting for you at the end of your suffering. He restored Job’s fortune twofold.

What did I do wrong?

English: Saint paul arrested

English: Saint paul arrested (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My failures and disappointments often move me to question God. Nevertheless, I never do. I am a man of faith and I have learned not to blame or question God. I heed the advice of the apostle Paul instead: “Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when face with trials of various kinds. Take comfort that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. So let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach. However, let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that the wind drives and tosses. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:2-8).

Still, when I am face with disappointments, I engulf myself in the mire of my failures and short comings. I keep asking myself, “What did I do wrong?” I have dotted all my I’s, and crossed all my T’s, yet there are times when I feel hopeless and incompetent and unworthy. Even a sense of emptiness creeps up on me when I least expect. What did I do wrong? Could it be that the old cliché, “What goes around comes around,” is catching up to me?

I need answers and fast. So I fall on my knees before the throne of grace and have a little talk with Jesus. He turned to me and said. “Son, I know why you have come”. You need to make peace with your guilty conscience. “For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in your house. I needed clothes, and you did not clothe me. I was sick, and in prison and you did not look after me”.

“Then I say to Him, ‘Lord, when did I see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me’. (Matthew 25:42-45)

Do you neglect the poor and needy? If you do, the Bible says in Matthew 25:46 you will go away in everlasting punishment.

Do not be afraid!

There was a time when the disciples of Jesus were traveling by boat to the city of Capernaum. It was night, and to their dismay, a strong wind started blow upon them as they rowed. The storm made their journey difficult, and they were afraid.

Capernaum, Sea of Galilee

Capernaum, Sea of Galilee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the midst of the storm and spoke to them. “It is I; be not afraid.” As He spoke, Jesus gave them a reason not to be afraid. His reason was not that they would instantly be at their destination when He got into the boat, even though that is what happened. The reason Jesus gave to His disciples was that He was there, in the midst of their situation.

Are you going through a storm today? Jesus’ words to you are: “Do not be afraid,” His presence with you is the reason. Trust Him. He knows what to do to calm your storm and bring you safely to your destination.