Christ refers to Jesus of Nazareth, a central figure in Christianity, recognized as the Son of God and the Messiah. Believers see Him as the savior who provides salvation through His death and resurrection. Key elements associated with Christ include His teachings, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection, and the concept of grace. In Christianity, Christ embodies love, redemption, and hope, making Him a pivotal figure in faith and spirituality. Understanding Christ is essential for exploring Christian beliefs, worship practices, and theological discussions.
“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God”.
Psalm 51:17
How We Should Think Of Our Suffering Is Opposed To How We Feel
Our pain may result from God’s Decision for our ultimate benefit, even if we cannot perceive it in the present moment.
Despite Paul’s prayers for his ‘thorn’ to be removed, God did not take it away, but instead told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
God’s power is most evident in our moments of weakness.
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
God keeps track of our sorrows and collects our tears in a bottle.
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” -Psalm 56:8
God is on our side if we are His and He is our shelter from danger.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46:1-3
The Lord supports and lifts those who are struggling and stumbling bowed low.
The Lord sustains all who fall And raises up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:14
“When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.” Psalm 37:24
God grants the requests of those who revere Him, He listens to their pleas, and He rescues them, according to His Will.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them. Psalm 145:19
Why A Broken And Contrite Spirit?
God is not impressed by outward shows of religiosity or ritualistic sacrifices unless they are accompanied by genuine repentance and a humble heart. Rather, God is concerned with the inner state of a person’s heart, seeking a contrite and humble spirit that is committed to living according to His will.
We Will Be Filled With Joy And Peace
Remaining is a state of humility enables us to draw near to Him, worship Him, and turn away from our sins, allowing us to align our hearts with God and be filled with joy and peace in Him.
Hone In On It
What A Contrite Heart Looks Like
Is characterized by deep regret and sorrow. Seeks absolution and reconciliation. Exhibits compassion and mercy. Abandons arrogance and self-importance. Manifests authentic humility and meekness. Is genuinely penitent. Ready and willing to renounce sinful behavior.
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Why Does God Give A Thorn In The Flesh?
God uses the “thorn in the flesh” to test and humble us, just like He did with Paul.
He knows that without it, many of us would stray from Him.
Therefore, He allows us to face trials, tribulations, and pain to keep us close to Himself. God
The thorn in the flesh is a symbol of the sufferings and afflictions we experience in life.
These trials are meant to purify and refine us, helping us to grow in faith and dependence on God.
They also serve as a reminder of our own weakness and mortality, as well as our need for the redeeming work of Christ.
Enduring suffering with patience and trust in God is crucial for developing a deeper relationship with Him and growing in spiritual maturity.
The thorn in the flesh can be seen as a means of drawing us closer to God and allowing us to experience His transformative power in our lives.
How Is God’s Power Made Perfect In Weakness?
God’s power is made perfect in weakness because it is in our moments of weakness that we recognize our complete dependence on Him. When we are weak, we are humbled and acknowledge that our own strength is insufficient. It is in this state of humility that we allow God to work in us and through us.
When we surrender our weaknesses to God, He can demonstrate His strength and power in our lives. He can transform our weaknesses into opportunities for His glory to be revealed. When we rely on God’s strength rather than our own, His power becomes evident in our words, actions, and the way we navigate challenges.
God’s power is not limited by our limitations. In fact, it is often through our weaknesses that His power is most clearly displayed. When we are weak, God’s strength sustains us, strengthens us, and enables us to persevere. Our weaknesses provide the opportunity for God to showcase His power, which goes beyond what we could ever achieve on our own.
By acknowledging our weaknesses and relying on God’s strength, we invite His power to work in us and through us. We become vessels through which God’s power is manifested, and His power is made perfect in our weakness.
God’s power is most evident in our moments of weakness and vulnerability. When we are weak and unable to rely on our strength, we depend on God’s power and provision.
When we recognize our impediments and deficiencies and trust in God’s strength, we can experience His power working in and through us.
Why Did Paul Boast In His Afflictions?
In Paul’s perspective, boasting in weakness is an important aspect of Christian discipleship. It signifies his understanding of the gospel and his recognition of his own limitations. Paul believed that his weaknesses were not a hindrance to the church, but an opportunity for God’s power to be demonstrated. By embracing his weaknesses, he directed attention to the true source of his strength, which is God. This humility and reliance on God’s grace are vital for all Christian disciples. Paul’s boasting in weakness was not an act of pride but a profound understanding of the gospel.
What does it mean that God counts and keeps our tears in a jar?
A Little Bit Of History
The concept of God caring about our pain and collecting our tears showcases His profound intimacy and involvement in our lives.
In ancient Jewish thought, tears held significance as a potent medium for spiritual connection with God. Different types of tears were believed to possess their own spiritual meanings and purposes. Grateful tears of joy symbolized our deep appreciation towards God, while tears of sorrow served as a cathartic release of negative emotions and a way to seek solace in God during times of anguish.
Psalm 56:8 beautifully captures this sentiment as it implores, “Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll – are they not in your record?” This verse emphasizes the belief that God acknowledges and takes note of our sufferings, assuring us that our tears are not in vain.
Hence, tears held a remarkable reverence in ancient Jewish faith, being seen as a bridge between humanity and the divine. They were regarded as a means to beseech divine blessings and mercy, and served as a profound method of communication with God, particularly in moments of distress.
How Do Our Enemies Retreat When We Call Out To God?
When we humbly seek God’s assistance, His divine intervention can bring about remarkable outcomes, akin to the inspiring episodes recounted in the Bible. Take, for instance, the legendary account of David and Goliath. Empowered by God’s unwavering support, David fearlessly confronted the formidable giant, triumphing against all odds. In our own lives, beseeching God for aid can result in similar victories, manifesting as the disarmament or weakening of our adversaries. These triumphs can unfold through both natural means—a surprising turn of events favoring our cause—and supernatural interventions, wherein God’s miraculous touch alters the course of events. Furthermore, when we petition God for assistance and extend forgiveness towards our enemies, we may witness a transformative change of heart, leading to reconciliation and restoration.
Assuredly, we can place our unwavering trust in God’s unfathomable power, knowing that He is capable of orchestrating triumphs in ways that surpass our comprehension.
The Lord Upholds Those Who Are Bowed Down
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, upholding those who are bowed down with burden and adversity. Here are a few examples that demonstrate His faithfulness:
Job: Despite enduring immense suffering and loss, Job remained faithful and humble. The Lord upheld him through his trials, restoring and blessing him abundantly in the end.
Hannah: Hannah was a woman who longed for a child but faced the constant torment of infertility. In her distress, she poured out her heart to God and He heard her cry. The Lord blessed her with a son, Samuel, who played a significant role in Israel’s history.
Joseph: Joseph experienced betrayal and injustice at the hands of his brothers, being sold into slavery and enduring imprisonment. Through it all, God was with Joseph, upholding him even in the darkest moments. Eventually, Joseph rose to a position of power and was able to save his family and his people from famine.
Ruth: Ruth was a foreigner who faced numerous hardships, including the loss of her husband. Despite her difficult circumstances, Ruth remained loyal and faithful. God blessed her with a new family and a place in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
David: David faced many trials throughout his life, including persecution from King Saul and personal failures. Yet, God upheld David, protecting him from harm and establishing him as a great king of Israel.
Revealing God’s compassionate care for those facing adversity. He upholds and raises them, providing strength and hope.
This encourages us to trust in God’s unchanging love and find comfort in His guidance. It is a testament to His enduring grace and calls us to serve with compassion and rest confidently in His care.
Fearfully Call On God With Love, In Truth & He Will Hear You & Will Be Near To You, Fulfilling Your Desires, Preserving You
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.”
Psalm 145:18-20
We can trust that He will answer our prayers in His perfect timing and way. REMEMBER; His ways are not our ways.
PRAYER FOR THE SUFFRING:
Heavenly Father,
We humbly come before You, seeking Your boundless mercy and grace to pour upon all those who are suffering.
As a loving and compassionate God, we know that You deeply care for Your children and their pain and sorrow.
We implore You to reveal Your comfort and peace to those who are hurting, guiding them to find hope and strength in You, according to Your perfect will.
Grant them the courage to persevere through difficult times and empower them to trust in Your goodness and faithfulness. Help them to open their hearts and minds to the assurance of Your presence.
Provide for their eternal needs and instill in them the resilience needed to face their fears with unwavering faith.
May they find their strength in You, knowing that You are the source of their hope and joy.
We express our gratitude for Your loving-kindness and boundless compassion.
We ask that You continue to bless those who are suffering, bringing them comfort, peace, and healing.
In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!”
Truth is objective because it is based on facts and evidence that can be verified rather than on opinion or personal beliefs.
Truth is not subject to interpretation or opinion, and it is not affected by personal bias or preferences.
Truth is based on facts that are verifiable and can be proven to be true. It is not relative or subjective, and it does not change based on a person’s feelings or beliefs.
The Scriptures Agree
As it is written in John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The truth spoken of here is not a subjective or relative truth but rather an objective truth based on facts and evidence.
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, it is written that: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
This shows that the truth found in Scripture is not based on personal opinion or bias but rather on the divine inspiration of God.
In Psalm 119:160, it is written that “The sum of your Word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
This further emphasizes the objective nature of truth found in Scripture, which is not subject to personal interpretation or bias.
“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.””
John 18:36
Pursuing truth is essential to humans, but it is not always easy. Truth is objective, and we cannot create it based on our preferences. We must approach the world with an open mind and seek out evidence to understand it better. Being aligned with truth requires us to accept what is objectively true, even if it conflicts with our beliefs. Pursuing truth is a lifelong journey that requires us to be humble, curious, and open-minded, leading to a greater sense of clarity and purpose in our lives and contributing to a more just and equitable society.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –
John 14:6
Living in a state of truth is a spiritual journey that requires a deep relationship with God, the self, and the world. It involves aligning oneself with the divine reality and accepting the fundamental nature of existence. This state of harmony is essential for living a purposeful life and requires a commitment to following the principles of truth. Through this transformative process, we can gain a profound understanding of the objective reality of God, the subjective reality of self, and the observed reality of the world. Ultimately, living in a state of truth is a spiritual awakening that leads to a deeper connection with God and a more meaningful existence.
Truth Is The Nature Of God
God is the source of all truth; He is perfect, holy, and unchanging. This is found throughout the Bible and is seen in passages such as Psalm 31:5, which states, “Your word is truth.” This means that whatever God says is valid and can be trusted. God is also light, which symbolizes truth. In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.”
God Is The Source Of All Truth
So it is only through a relationship with Him we can genuinely understand and access the fullness of truth.
By praying, studying the Bible, and listening to God’s guidance, we can better understand the truth and how it applies to our lives. As we grow closer to God, our knowledge of His truth deepens, allowing us to live in alignment with His will. This spiritual journey leads to a more profound understanding of reality and a more meaningful existence.
God Is Sovereign Over All Creation, Both Physical And Spiritual
He “works ALL things according to the counsel of his will.”
Ephesians 1:11
He does whatever He wants, and no one can stop him.
(Psalm 115:3; Daniel 4:34-35)
The Word of God teaches us that God’s sovereignty is absolute and cannot be limited by human understanding. He knows all things and has predestined everything according to His will and for His glory. We cannot fully comprehend His sovereignty because we are not sovereign, but we can gain understanding through the guidance of His Spirit and the study of His Word.
As we delve into the depths of God’s Word, we can see that He is not bound by the constraints of time. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and His existence transcends the limitations of our earthly understanding. In His infinite wisdom, He created all things before time even began, and His divine plan unfolds before us as if it is happening in the present moment.
As mortal beings, we are confined to the linear progression of time, moving forward from one moment to the next. However, God sees all things at once, and His omniscience enables Him to know the past, present, and future simultaneously. We can only recall what has already passed, but God perceives every moment as it unfolds before Him.
Let us take comfort in the fact that our God is not limited by time, and His promises extend beyond the boundaries of our earthly existence. As we seek to understand His Word and draw closer to Him, may we be reminded that He is the eternal God, and His love endures forever.
“When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.”
Psalm 104:30
SOMETHING TO PONDER:
God is always at work, bringing forth new life and renewing everything. Nature reminds us of this with each new season, as flowers bloom in the spring and leaves change colors in the fall. Even in times of change and uncertainty, God is constantly at work.
I find comfort knowing that God is still at work even during difficult times and I trust in God’s plan for my life.
Using our own gifts and talents to join in God’s creative work can bring beauty, goodness, hope, and joy to the world.
Even during difficult times, we can trust that God is using the difficult times to shape us and bring about our sanctification. We are called to use our talents and gifts to serve others and bring goodness into the world. We can find comfort in knowing that God is always at work in our lives and the world, and we can join in His creative work.
God Graces us with a New Heart when reborn into His family, but He also Graces us with a New Mind…
“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may DISCERN what is the Will of God, what is Good & acceptable & perfect.”
Romans 12:2
It mourns the Spirit inside of me when I see it being taught that our minds are to be shut off & that we should “allow” His Spirit to work ONLY in our hearts.
” ..test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good…”♡
1Thessalonians 5:22
God allowed me to have His Spirit; I didn’t allow Him… If we are under Grace, we are under His Will.
“No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him…”
♡John 6:44:
“He saved us, not based on deeds that we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration & renewing by the Holy Spirit.”
Titus 3:5
God says He makes us Whole by His Spirit. If we are whole, we become connected, complete, and united.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” ♡
Philippians 1:6
Our Hearts and minds don’t disconnect; we don’t become thoughtless, mindless being experiencing God solely through our senses.
“…Solid food is for those who have their senses (powers of discernment) trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”♡
Hebrews 5:1
Instead, we begin to align in perfect harmony with His Spirit, His Heart, His Mind & His Will…
♡”All the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter Amen to God for His glory. & it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, & has anointed us, & who has also put His SEAL on us & given us His Spirit IN OUR HEARTS as a guarantee…”
2Corinthians 1:20-22 ♡
Producing a calmness within us that cannot be adequately explained in human terms.
♡Romans 5:1- “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”♡
We can experience & understand true freedom from the CHAINS of this world…
♡”You who were slaves of sin have become obedient FROM THE HEART to the standard of teaching to which you WERE COMMITTED & having BEEN SET FREE from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness…the end of those things is death. NOW that you have been set free FROM sin, & have BECOME SLAVES OF GOD, the FRUIT YOU GET leads to SANCTIFICATION & its end, eternal life.”♡
This sinful flesh (our mortal, dying flesh) that inhabits His Spirit will still always be at war with the Spirit living within it (us) BUT WE KNOW He will deliver us from this wicked body & all its lusts….
♡Ephesians 2:1-5 ~ “You were BY NATURE CHILDREN OF WRATH, LIKE THE REST OF MANKIND. God… made us alive with Christ, by Grace you have been saved..” ♡
Giving us a Glorified Body.
How do we know we are His?
“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
Romans 8:16
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth; and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
God is the Lord of ALL life & is sovereign over all things: Dark, light, peace, calamity, pain, and joy.
By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:17
The very airwaves that Satan uses to deceive are The Lord’s. The tactics of the enemy belong to the Lord…
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
Ephesians 2:1
Today Satan is “an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14), and his devils are “ministers of righteousness” (v. 15). They have occupied teachingg “doctrines of devils” (1 Tim. 4:1), so they are not wreaking mayhem in the material realm.
Nothing of His creation operates outside of His order, which is under His complete divine authority. This is difficult for many humans to receive. The flesh gets very angry at this truth. The flesh & love of self reviles the ht of God having complete authority over them.
He is the Lord of Life & and Death.
“To this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living”
Romasn 12:14
Job 12:10 tells us that in God’s hand is the very breath of every single living thing, the breath of all mankind. He owns the very air we breathe.
I Chronicle 29:11 tells us that God is sovereign over everything that is in the heavens and the earth and that He exalts Himself as head over ALL, with might in His hand to make great and to strengthen everyone that He pleases to strengthen. He doesn’t just say that He “allows” darkness & calamity: He says He creates it Himself.
Isaiah 45:7 God says He is: “The One forming light and also creating darkness, causing well-being and also creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these.”
Isaiah 31:2 teaches that God is “wise and brings forth disaster, and does not ever retract his words.”
His words create All things.
Isaiah 47:11 says that “God Himself brings about evil and disaster upon the unrepentant
Amos 3:6 declares that when calamity occurs in a city, the Lord is the one to have done it.
Psalm 33:10,11 tell us that “The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.”
Believers have (false) belief in their own free will, but human will is immediately nullified by the only One with truly free will, God.
He ordained beforehand the actions of ALL men. He designed every outcome, paved every step, and calculated every second of everything, whether physical or spiritual.
He gave authority to Pilate to judge the Son. (John 19:11)
He raises adversaries against His chosen ones. (Exodus 4:21; I Kings 11:14-23)
He ordained the actions of evil men by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God that they would nail Christ to the cross. (Acts 2:23)
The sovereignty of God encompasses every bit of righteousness that men do, as well as their sin. He is the very fire that comes, burning all sin within the material to either refine His chosen or consume His enemies.
Humans don’t have personal experience being Sovereign, we have never known what it is to do whatever we want, whenever we want, to whomever we want…
Our finiteness could never truly comprehend such Power.
Sovereignty has no limits. “Sovereign” humans are limited in sovereignty because we are but a tarnished image of God. God has decreed that evil is for the glory of His name (character, reputation, standing & title). He has full dominion over the actions of evil men. He is dominant in all aspects.
Experiencing reality through vision of the flesh, using the wisdom of the world one cannot understand this sovereignty. No matter the evil that transpires, no matter how heinous, God has a purpose & a reason for it.
This does not in any way alleviate moral responsibility, but rather further condemns, as humans are willing actors through our words and deeds & since God is no respecter of persons, & God creates this system & creates the laws; so we can be both His created vessels & responsible for our sinfulness, simultaneously.
We can’t forget that God’s ways are NOT our ways.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”
“Why are you so proud to think of yourself as above anyone else, especially my Angelic beings?
You are just as much a prideful sinner as Lucifer yet you are dying in and living for the very thing that limits you:
Your flesh.
Who is the least?
The one who lost the most.
What did you lose?
An eternity in Hell where your flesh was taking you.
You lost nothing of any value.
You only gained.
What right have you to think you can judge an angel from any place of authority?
Lucifer is unholy and pure darkness yet I placed him above you in order to refine you.
Do you see yourself as above any being?
Get over yourself My child, I have."
“…. Looking to Jesus, THE FOUNDER AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
FOUNDER: n. ( faith) establisher, (faith) mounter n. The one who begins (faith); the one who writes (faith), the one from whom all (faith) comes.
Jesus lays the groundwork. Jesus IS the groundwork. He establishes and forms our faith, He initiates and originates our Faith. He has complete domination over our level of faith.
It is clear that His sovereignty reigns; it is not up to us to achieve salvation, nor are we deserving of it, not even through our own belief. If someone claims that they can secure and sustain faith solely of their own volition, they are not telling the truth.
He has the reigns. Jesus alone by the Will of The Father decrees Faith, He, in His predestining Will chooses who will be established in Himself and, as many men reject, who is His enemy.
“For by Grace, you have been saved through FAITH. And this is NOT YOUR OWN DOING; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast. For WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND, that we should walk in them.”
Eph.2:8-10
WORKMANSHIP: n. To manufacture (His people); invent; meticulously design (His Faithful), producer with intellectual depth & skill, especially by manual labor. n. That which is effected; (The power to produce an outcome, full forced execution; operativeness), made or produced
We are His Workmanship.
He executes, He operates, He develops, and He produces His people’s Faith by the Power of His Grace. We don’t execute, operate, develop or produce, our own Faith.
The Grace we receive ISN’T because of anything we do (no matter how significant), nor because of anything we say (no matter how righteous), or anything we think. We receive His Grace through His Sovereign Faith (not our free will “faith”); We can only be saved by the perfect Faith of Jesus Christ that can only save us by His Grace.
AGAIN… We have righteousness through Faith. Whose Faith? Jesus’ Faith.
ALL have sinned and fall short, but we are justified by Faith through HIS GRACE AS A GIFT… FREE GIFT.
FAITH IS A GIFT. Therefore, we don’t work for it or at it; there’s only ONE, Christ Jesus, and He alone is able to give Faith to whom the Father chose already, He alone Saves, He follows the Will of His Father.
No human can manipulate, control, command, demand, or alter what has been established before the earth’s foundation. No human can interfere with the Book of Life.
… the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE AS A GIFT, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Mark 10:15, Luke 18:17
MEANING
This statement is a response to his disciples who were trying to prevent children from coming to him.
Jesus rebukes them and says that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these, and that whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.
The profoundness of this assertion lies in the characteristics of children that Jesus is referring to.
Children are often seen as innocent, trusting, and dependent.
They have a simple faith and are not burdened by the doubts and cynicism that can come with age and experience. They are also humble and teachable, willing to learn and receive guidance from older and wiser people.
Jesus says that to enter the kingdom of God, we must approach it with the same childlike qualities of innocence, trust, humility, and teachability.
We must come to God with a simple faith, not relying on our knowledge or understanding but trusting in God’s wisdom and guidance. We must be humble, recognizing that we are not self-sufficient but dependent on God. And we must be teachable, willing to learn from God, and those who are wiser and more experienced in the ways of God.
This is the kind of faith that opens the door to the kingdom of God and allows us to enter into a relationship with God that is marked by love, joy, and peace.
JESUS SAYS THAT WE WILL NOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN UNLESS WE BECOME LIKE A CHILD.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
“…. Looking to Jesus, THE FOUNDER AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
FOUNDER: n. ( faith) establisher, (faith) mounter n. The one who begins (faith); the one who writes (faith), the one from whom all (faith) comes.
Jesus lays the groundwork. Jesus IS the groundwork. He establishes and forms our faith, He initiates and originates our Faith. He has complete domination over our level of faith.
The Truth of His sovereignty is evident; we do not establish ourselves, we cannot establish ourselves, and we are not worthy to establish ourselves, not even with our own faith. If anyone claims to have the ability to establish and maintain saving faith by the power of their own will, they are a liar.
He has the reigns. Jesus alone by the Will of The Father decrees Faith, He, in His predestining Will chooses who will be established in Himself and, as many men reject, who is His enemy.
“For by Grace, you have been saved through FAITH. And this is NOT YOUR OWN DOING; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast. For WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND, that we should walk in them.”
Eph.2:8-10
WORKMANSHIP:
n. To manufacture (His people); invent; meticulously design (His Faithful), producer with intellectual depth & skill, especially by manual labor.
n. That which is effected; (The power to produce an outcome, full forced execution; operativeness), made or produced
We are His Workmanship.
He executes, He operates, He develops, and He produces His people’s Faith by the Power of His Grace. We don’t execute, operate, develop or produce, our own Faith.
The Grace we receive ISN’T because of anything we do (no matter how significant), nor because of anything we say (no matter how righteous), or anything we think. We receive His Grace through His Sovereign Faith (not our free will “faith”); We can only be saved by the perfect Faith of Jesus Christ that can only save us by His Grace.
AGAIN… We have righteousness through Faith. Whose Faith? Jesus’ Faith.
ALL have sinned and fall short, but we are justified by Faith through HIS GRACE AS A GIFT… FREE GIFT.
FAITH IS A GIFT. Therefore, we don’t work for it or at it; there’s only ONE, Christ Jesus, and He alone is able to give Faith to whom the Father chose already, He alone Saves, He follows the Will of His Father.
No human can manipulate, control, command, demand, or alter what has been established before the earth’s foundation. No human can interfere with the Book of Life.
… the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE AS A GIFT, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
