BS 35 ‘You’
Have you ever thought about the day YOU were born? Were YOU born a Christian, or maybe a Jew? Some are born into families of the Catholic or the Muslim faith. Maybe some are born into a family that are Mormon or Jehovah Witness just to mention a few of the possibilities? How about YOU?
So what happens to YOU from birth to about twelve years old? For the most part YOU are brought up with the guidance of your family. We depend on the older generation to help us through our early years. Many of us may have been born into a family who practiced the faith of those mentioned earlier but for some, which might be YOU or I; it might have been a family who practiced no FAITH at all.
A Question? Are YOU and I; even though we don’t understand it, born with a spirit and a soul? The Apostle Paul writes, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete……….. [1 Thessalonians 5:23]” Then again; at times does mankind have fleshly lust that war against the soul? Our mind is often put into an internal battle of making a decision or choice, which results in right or wrong.
Think back to the story in Luke 2:39-52; the child was Jesus and it gives a short, one-time event of him at age twelve. He followed the customs of his family; they went to Jerusalem for Passover. What was Jesus doing? In verse 46 it reads that he was listening and asking questions. So, do YOU and I listen and ask questions; has our knowledge increased; are we now able to share the scriptures with others? Does the age twelve mean anything? [My commentary reads that at age 12, the child became accountable for their actions; they did not have to hang-out with their parents all the time.] Shouldn’t YOU and I after being a mature Christian, be able to share the gospel with anyone who has no faith in Christ?
Christ, who is our example, was the son of a carpenter; he was the oldest of his brothers and sisters; he was the example to them. He more than likely was hard at work with Joseph every day except the Sabbath doing whatever he was told to do. He worked to help put food on the table; verse 52 reads that he grew physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually; it is an example for YOU and I. Doesn’t it seem like the first two come fairly easy; the third one takes a little effort for some people but spiritual birth means a person actually has to have an inner conviction that God needs to be a part of their life. In John 3:3 the words use ‘born again’; it is the second birth. Isn’t it the main theme of the Gospel of Christ? Matthew 28:16 calls it the GREAT COMMISSION and it means GO and share ‘the Word’ with others.
Since our example is to grow spiritually shouldn’t YOU and I make an effort to be a part of the Great Commission and share scripture with those who are not followers of Christ? How else might they hear the Good News?
Most heathen people don’t want to hear about Sin or God or the word Repentance do they? Conviction is a hard thing to deal with; it is not pleasant and most people just don’t like to feel uncomfortable do we? I for sure didn’t like it when that preacher of my wife’s church knocked on our door and tried to tell me about salvation thru Jesus. It made me uncomfortable and so I rejected the chance of salvation at that first encounter. Have YOU ever done the same thing?
Think about the first paragraph at the beginning; were you born a Christian? Theology would say NO. At that first breath, in a sense you become alive but to become a Christian or for that matter any follower of a religious sect YOU must make a choice. Choices determine where YOU or I spend eternity. Do you remember the story of Jesus on the ‘cross’? There were two thieves beside Him; one rejected and one chose to accept Him as the Savior. Luke 23:33-43. The point is that YOU and I have at times made mistakes; in the bible they are called sins, which makes YOU and me sinners. Scripture reads that ALL of us will never become PERFECT so we must have someone take our place at judgement Romans 3:23 OR we; that is YOU and I must stand before the Judge and receive punishment for those deeds. Romans 6:23. That is why God determined a PLAN, which was to provide someone to take our place in judgement. Jesus did it but scripture tells us that we must acknowledge or choose him as our Savior, which means put our TRUST in him as our justifier.
When you hear or read the word SAVED or BORN AGAIN it means that YOU are saved from the wrath to come, which means eternal HELL. There are two you’s; the physical and spiritual. The second birth is spiritual and YOU and I must be born twice or we will die twice. John 3:3-6. The ‘lake of fire’ is the second death.
YOU and I, once we get right with God, are to share our experience with others; just like someone shared the Good News with us. Matthew 28:16-20. The literal interruption of scripture such as Ephesians 2:8-9 or Romans 10:9-10 works.
Just for the record; YOU and I are only the mailman; we just deliver the message; it is God the Holy Spirit who actually has the power to convict the inner person. Not everyone is going to accept Christ but the one who does is grafted or adopted to the eternal family of God. They become a brother of sister thru the effort of the message being delivered by the mailman. Are you a mailman; do YOU have a message to share with someone?
DG
Scripture Attached
1 Thessalonians 5:23. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
Luke 2:39-52. 39 And when His parents had completed everything in accordance with the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. 40 Now the Child continued to grow and to become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.
41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast; 43 and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days required, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it. 44 Instead, they thought that He was somewhere in the caravan, and they went a day’s journey; and then they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him. 46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have YOU treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You!” 49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50 And yet they on their part did not understand the statement which He had made to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. [Jesus was aware who HE was; God the Son.]
52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people [Jesus grew intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially.]
John 3:3-6. 3 Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a person be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit [Unless you are born twice you cannot get into heaven.]
Matthew 28:16-20. 16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated to them. 17 And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
[Jesus is at the right hand of his majesty, God the Father. He has been given authority and power to rule heaven and earth.]
The Crucifixion
Luke 23:33-43. 33 And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34 [But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”] And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves. 35 And the people stood by, watching. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also ridiculed Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” [Fulfillment from Ps. 22:18]
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are YOU not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other responded, and rebuking him, said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when YOU come into Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with ME in Paradise.”
[The one Trusted in Christ; the other rejected Christ. The one who trusted would be in Paradise once he took his last breath. YOU and I have the same benefit. Have you ‘Trusted’ in Jesus?]
Romans 3:23. 23 for all [that means ALL] have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 6:23. 23 For the wages of sin is [eternal.] death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord [Only thru Christ can a person enter thru the pearly gate into paradise that has been prepared by God.]
Ephesians 2:8-9. 8 For by [Gods] grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [If we could work our way into heaven by good deeds we could boast or brag about it but we can’t.]
Romans 10:9-10. 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. [It is like putting your total TRUST in the Lord for your eternal salvation.]
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So, what about YOU? Has someone led YOU to Christ?
IF not, would you consider letting Jesus become your Savior?