by David Brenneman
"However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”" Romans 10:16-18.
"And Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who did not seek Me, I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” But as for Israel He says, “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”" Romans 10:20-21
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures." Romans 1:18-23.
"For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." Romans 12:3.
There are oh so many people in this world who scoff at the name of Jesus. They ridicule the faith that those who are saved in Christ Jesus have found to be true.
"May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “That You may be justified in Your words, And prevail when You are judged.”" Romans 3:4.
A very Godly man that I knew and sat under for teaching often quoted that verse.
There's many people in my world who mock at the very idea of having faith in Christ Jesus. They scoff at those who profess their faith.
What's really true is their denial of the evidences that even nature itself shows in testifying to the Lord Jesus Christ's creation.
The very person of Jesus Christ fulfilled more than adequate proofs of the validity of the faith the saints of old held without seeing Him arrive on the scene.
It's incredible beyond measure the hundreds of prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Nature points to the very Creator we read in the book of Genesis.
In my infinitesimal life in the scheme of human history...there's too much evidence that my Savior and Lord has kept every promise He made even to the likes of me.
I don't believe in coincidence.
I do believe in Godincidences.
Jesus is always ahead of me in knowing all that is going on in my life.
He proves to me daily that He's never surprised by anything.
Then there's the point of don't take my word for it. Read it for yourself.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.
And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect." Hebrews 11:1-2, 39-40.
Read all of Hebrews 11 for yourself.
An denying it, rejecting it, casting it aside as foolishness, gains a person only a surefire ticket to Hell.
I have mentioned this truth to a lot of people...as long as a person breathes...there's hope.
I can't change a single person.
However I do know that the Spirit of God can and will go places that I can't.
I have never saved a single person.
Only the work of the Spirit of God draws people to Jesus for salvation.
We aren't soul winners, we are testifiers to the truth of God in our lives. We point people to Jesus and He does the rest. The Great Commission says to go and make disciples of all the nations. Teaching them all that He commanded us. Peter's testimony that lead to over 3,000 people receiving Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior...Peter didn't do anything...the Spirit did.
We choose to accept or reject that measure of faith we are given...with eternal consequences.
Those who reject have no excuse because the Spirit says they will have none. There will be no valid reasons for refusing the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. None. No pointing to others as a reason that someone said no. No circumstances that would be acceptable as a reason to say no. Nothing.
Hell gets more people every single second because of people rejecting that faith they were given.
That passage that I referred to in the book of Acts where Peter stood to testify...the people were pierced to the heart. Scripture says that people will look upon Jesus whom they pierced. At His hands and feet. The Spirit will bypass every single defense anyone has to get to the truth of the matter.
Jesus said that we must come as a child. Child-like faith. Adults screw everything up by over thinking about how to be saved. How this, why that. How come this happens or that happens. How could God allow this for those people and not for me.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
Within that passage is faith.
Remove your need for understanding. Come with the expectation that Jesus is, was, is again and now will keep His word and save you. That He came, lived a sinless life. That He died for your sins. That He arose again 3 days later. That now He is both Lord and Christ. More than able to take our place. To save us if we but receive His free gift of salvation through faith.
All religions lead to Hell.
All who trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and have believed in Him have eternal life...only these will see Heaven.
You, my Dear Reader, possibly have a choice to make. You possibly are arguing with God about faith. That you want more proof.
Jesus is up to that challenge. Are you?
Take it to Jesus and you won't be disappointed.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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