"The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and putting Jesus to the test, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but are you unable to discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation wants a sign; and so a sign will not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away." Matthew 16:1-4 NASB
So many today walk into a church building really wanting proof of God's existence and proof of what Christianity says.
Some, mistakenly, try to bargain with God concerning it. They are in a fix, troubles abound and if God would just do something to prove He's there and fix things then they will come to Christ Jesus for salvation.
God's not in it for making bargains. He's already giving salvation away for free to all who believe.
You do not need more proof than 4 books of the Bible worth of testimony to all that is said of Jesus saying who He said He was.
These Pharisee's and Sadducee's were the supposedly most learned of the people concerning the things of God. Yet Jesus warned His Disciples to avoid what they teach. They were not to be trusted.
I have connected the dots a number of years ago that Saul was with these Pharisee's even though he was never mentioned by name. When you read of the Apostle Paul's "resume" you can understand where I got that. Indeed he may have been one of those challenging Jesus. In the book of Acts Paul got more proof than anyone before him. He was shown how he, as learned as he was, missed every convincing proof about Jesus and he was there in person with him. Truly Saul, who became Paul, for many days couldn't handle the truth until God was done with him.
In today's world people want and crave signs from God about God, about salvation. They want to believe that God won't send them to Hell because of sin. They want to believe that being a good person is enough. Truth is they can't handle the truth. The proof is in the Bible that they are avoiding.
We cannot have a single sin within us and be able to enter into God's Heaven.
We are born into sin therefore we cannot enter Heaven as we are.
In Romans we read that what a person receives for sin is death. Eternal separation from God. Spiritual death that contains painful torment for eternity. The only moment of respite is the Final Judgment at the end of History. All who are in Hell will have it shown that the Book of Life doesn't contain their name and now with a glorified body they are tossed into the Lake of Fire.
Faith means not needing proof. Faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross leads to trust in His plan and purpose in our lives. It requires faith to find salvation.
Those who come in faith begin the work of sanctification. Of the removal of the aspects and influences of this world and replacing them with what God has said in the Bible about the attributes of Jesus Christ. We become His workmanship. We become people with a purpose. Living for the one who saved us. Being a light in a dark world as He was when He walked the Earth.
We are to live lives that show all the proof that anyone will ever need to see about the truth of Jesus, of salvation, of everything.
When believers compromise they undercut the truth of God. They cause great harm in the spread of the Gospel. They cause the unbelieving to believe lies that inevitably will keep them out of Heaven if they never do find the truth.
I have been in churches where you can see they have compromised. I have seen them weave in aspects of the world to gain the favor of man and woman.
Jesus said there will be many who will have claimed to have done great things for God but He will send away because He never knew them. They had head knowledge of God but no conversion by the Spirit. The Spirit testifies to our Salvation. In this too, I have personally known men who have and still do, aquire head knowledge of God and of His Christ but are sadly not saved. Jesus said you would know people by their fruits. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Jesus said to do this evaluation so it's not "judging". Go argue with God on this, don't try it with me. If you are one of those who want to stand on the "you shouldn't judge" thing, try reading the Bible in context first.
You need to be sure about your salvation in Christ Jesus while you are still in your earthly body.
Your "fate" as it were, is sealed after you die.
There isn't a single soul in Hell who doesn't know the truth of God and all will be forced to confess that God's truth prevailed.
Be sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus but don't go begging for more proof. You will be disappointed because as Jesus said the only proof will be the sign of Jonah.
That sign was Jesus crucified, spending 3 days and nights in the grave. Arising afterwards to show all that salvation had at last come to all who would believe. Death couldn't hold Him. He conquered it.
Hebrews 11:1 NASB "Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:6 NASB "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him."
Matthew 6:33 NASB "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you."
Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the truth and the proof you are looking for.
No comments:
Post a Comment