December 2020 – Page 3

17.n. “I will pass over you”

John 11:54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.

Exodus 12:11-14 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.

The great deliverance from Egypt ended in the Lord’s Passover. “I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord.” What is the purpose of Ceremonial Cleansing? For them, it was tied to the Law and purification. Remember the Law pointed out their sin and there were certain legal rites and sacrifices required. The greatness of the Passover, the act of God to free and redeem His chosen from the hands of the Egyptians, was worthy of ceremonial cleansing so that they might worship and glorify God during this special feast of the Passover. ”The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.”

The importance for us is in the blood, the blood of Jesus Christ, that cleanses us from our sin. When we believe in Him and the work He accomplished on the cross for our sin, we are forever forgiven. Ceremonial cleansing was a form of repentance. I know I have sinned. I know I want to honor and glorify God. I want to worship and celebrate my redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and promise of eternal life. I repent, turn away from my old self, and now live each day in remembrance of the great price that was paid for my redemption, the death of Jesus Christ. We should never forget this, for there is a judgment day coming and only those who have confessed their sin, repented, believed, trusted, and relied on Jesus Christ will be passed over. Eternal life awaits those who believed, and eternal torment awaits those who did not.

17.m. “Be a Servant worthy of the calling of Christ learning to serve and give”

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

In the ancient world, a ransom was money paid to purchase, then set free, a slave. “Ransom” appears twice in the New Testament when Jesus gave His reason for coming to earth: He came “to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). That is, He purchased with His own life those who were slaves to sin and set them free to live a new life. What’s interesting about the ransom Jesus paid is what that payment is connected to: service. Jesus said He came to serve by giving His life a ransom for many. Jesus’ own life and actions illustrate that there is a price to service. In Jesus’ case, the price was extremely high. We may never be called on to serve others by dying for them physically, but we are called on daily to serve others by dying to our selfish desires. When Paul wrote about Christ as a servant, he wrote, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”—that is, the mind of a servant (Philippians 2:5). Be prepared today to pay whatever price Christ-like service requires.

[Be] willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as everything to God.

Dallas Willard once advised Christians to serve the Lord with a certain amount of secrecy—not in deceit but for the purpose of intentionally wanting God to bring our hunger for fame and recognition under control. It’s unhealthy when we want all our good deeds to be known. As we serve others, we are serving God. But if we’re eager for everyone to know how well we’ve served, how humbly we’ve helped, or how hard we’ve worked, our motivations are questionable. True humility serves quietly and finds satisfaction in serving as Jesus did. Perhaps even today, an occasion will arise for serving someone as a member of God’s Secret Service.

17.l. “Faith or Fear?”

By Nathele Graham

It seems that everyone is upset today. No matter where you turn you hear political mumbo-jumbo, pandemic scares, anger in the streets, evil inflicted upon babies, ungodly lifestyles, and much more. Sin is rampant. That’s all we hear…sin, hate, chaos. Godly values are vilified while satanic ways are embraced. All of this evil can begin to wear away at people and fear can cause many sleepless nights. What’s wrong with that picture? The fear that is generated by the news media should have no effect upon Christians. The media can talk all they want, but none of their doom and gloom should shatter our hope and faith in Jesus Christ. Maybe the trouble is that we have a hearing problem…instead of hearing God’s voice we only hear Satan’s voice speaking through worldly people doing worldly things. Brothers and sisters, we need to openly speak of our faith in order to calm fear and encourage each other. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. To hear the voice of the Lord, pray, study Scripture, and fellowship with other Christians. When you hear God’s truth, you’ll reinforce your faith and will block the fear-mongers of this Satanic world from discouraging you. When others hear your faith in these troubled times, you will be an influence on them.

The news media jabbers on 24/7 and we listen. There’s a frenzy of misinformation. In trying to be the first to break news to the world, they throw out “facts” as fast as the speed of the internet. Then, when the “facts” change, they retract their first fable and throw out other “facts”, which will change before the day is over. It’s all liberal lies. It all creates confusion, which leads to fear. On the other hand, if we listen to Christians standing upon God’s word, our fear is quelled. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33. Who do you listen to? If you only hear the chaotic voice of Satan then your fear will rise. Hearing God’s voice will calm your fears and build your faith. We need to share our faith with non-believers in order to bring them to the saving grace found only through Jesus. We also need to share with fellow Christians. When we share our faith with other believers, we encourage each other to be strong in the Lord. I use prophecy a lot when speaking with fellow believers, because God is in control and prophecy proves He knows exactly what’s happening because He told us it would happen. It’s easy to be afraid when you’re alone, but knowing there are others near you who have rock-solid faith in Jesus Christ can allow our fear to fade. Don’t stop fellowshipping with other Christians. We need each other.

17.k. “Let no one deceive himself.”

John 11:45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.

Proverbs 26:12    Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Isaiah 5:20-23    Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!  Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink,  who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right!

1 Corinthians 1:20   Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

1 Corinthians 3:18-19    Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.  For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”

The words and works of Jesus divide humanity between those who believe and those who reject. There were some who saw both the power and sympathy of Jesus yet responded by working against Him. Some that had seen even this miracle steeled their hearts against it, and not only so, but conspired the destruction of this glorious Savior!

The religious leaders privately admitted that Jesus performed signs that authenticated His claim to be Messiah and God. As Jesus claimed, His works did bear witness to Him. First, they opposed Jesus because they weren’t convinced He was the Messiah. Now they opposed Jesus because they were convinced that He was the Messiah. They denied and opposed Him. They were afraid of His influence over people and their loss of influence. They knew the logical response to the witness of the signs, wonders, works, and words of Jesus was to believe in Him. “If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him.” The high priest unknowingly prophesied. “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

The Word of God proclaims the wonders, signs, words, and works of Jesus Christ. And just like during the life of Jesus, people believe and reject and deny the truth of it. Some deny Him within their heart but do not speak of it. They float along in life never giving thought to what they have rejected. They trust in their good works rather than the Savior. At some point, they may have heard the Gospel presented in such a way that their heart was softened and their mind was given a full understanding of the offer of salvation and redemption. Yet they chose to reject that offer. Others deny Him openly and with great disregard of who it is they are rejecting. They spit on the grace, love, and mercy of Jesus Christ. In the end, all who have inwardly and outwardly rejected Jesus Christ will suffer eternally in Hell for this rejection. Now is the time of salvation. If the Gospel of Jesus Christ is offered to you, do not reject it. Surrender to it and cling to it. Your eternal life depends upon it.

17.j. “Pathway to Victory, Dr. Robert Jeffress”

2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Most world religions agree that mankind is riddled with destructive desires that lead us away from experiencing happiness in this life or in the afterlife. However, all the major world religions, except for Christianity, say the solution to man’s dilemma begins with man. For Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, meditation allows man to conquer those destructive desires. Islam and Judaism both teach human effort to satisfy their deity’s requirements.

The impossibility of fulfilling the requirements each religion demands has led many followers to give up on complete obedience to their religions’ standards. Reformed Jews and Muslims select laws and rituals they think are reasonable and discard the rest. Perhaps they are hoping that God grades on a curve.

Like many other religions, Christianity also teaches that mankind’s problem is internal. But Christianity’s diagnosis is much more serious than other religions teach. At the root of mankind’s problem is our rebellion against our Creator. The Bible labels our innate hatred of God as “sin.” Because mankind is infected with this spiritual virus, we are incapable of keeping all or even most of God’s requirements. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

The Bible has some good news and bad news when it comes to our eternal destiny. The good news is that God utilizes a “pass/fail” system when judging us. But the bad news is that we have to keep all of God’s requirements. “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all” (James 2:10). The penalty for even one sin is eternal separation from God.

Our natural reaction to such a demand is, “No one can measure up to that standard!” Exactly. We have all failed and deserve God’s retribution. But God did for us what we could have never done. He endured the punishment we deserve for our transgressions so that we might experience an eternity in heaven with Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Unlike every other religion in the world, Christianity does not require that we earn God’s favor in exchange for His forgiveness but provides an answer to our greatest dilemma: “How can a man be in the right before God?” (Job 9:2). Every other religion answers that question with “work.” Only Christianity answers “mercy, grace, and love through Jesus Christ.”

17.i. “Whom did you dread and fear, so that you lied, and did not remember me, did not lay it to heart?”

John 11:45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

John 2:23    Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.

John 12:42     Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;

Matthew 10:32    So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,

Romans 10:10    For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

1 John 4:15    Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Isaiah 57:11   Whom did you dread and fear, so that you lied, and did not remember me, did not lay it to heart? Have I not held my peace, even for a long time, and you do not fear me?

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light

A nearsighted person can see things clearly that are close to them but not things that are far away. The opposite is someone who is farsighted. As Christians, we are told to focus on Jesus Christ. That means both the present and the future. Now (in the present) we see him dimly but we will see Him clearly in the future. Now as we see Him dimly we honor and glorify Him to the best we focus on Him, but in the future, in heaven, we will see Him in all of His glory and our honor and glory to Him will be so much more pure, holy, and complete.

As Christians, we can lose sight of our present focus of Jesus due to many things, primarily though it is due to our love of this world and what it has to offer and our neglect of His Word. Do you want to keep getting clearer and clearer pictures of Jesus Christ now? Stay diligent in His Word. Keep Him in your thoughts as you wake every morning and when you close your eye in the evening and every moment in between. There is so much more than believing in Jesus Christ – LIVE FOR JESUS CHRIST.

17.h. From Pathway to Victory devotion

If you are not ready to label Jesus as a lunatic or a liar, then the only other possibility is that He was who He claimed to be: God in the flesh. If we conclude that Jesus is God, then we must also believe that everything Jesus said is true, since God is incapable of deception (James 1:17; Hebrews 6:18). So did Jesus believe there are multiple paths to God? What did Jesus have to say about the issue of exclusivity?

First, Jesus believed and taught that there are two possible eternal destinations for people after they die: heaven and hell. “And these [the unrighteous] will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).

Not only did Jesus teach that there are two possible destinations for people when they die, but Jesus also observed that the majority of mankind chooses the wrong path that leads to the wrong destination. Jesus warned:

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Consider how different Jesus’ words are from the popular idea that everyone is on the spiritual path to heaven. According to Jesus, there are two spiritual paths: one leading to eternal life and another leading to eternal destruction. Alarmingly, among the “many” who are on the wide road leading to hell are religious people—some of whom claim to be followers of Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21-23).

Finally, Jesus believed that He offered the exclusive way for people to experience eternal life. When people accuse me of intolerance for suggesting that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to experience heaven, I remind them that I am simply voicing what the Founder of our faith said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus taught that a person’s eternal destiny depends on his decision to embrace or reject Christ’s salvation: “He who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” (John 5:24). Sincere followers of other religions are not exempt from the requirement to trust in Christ alone for salvation.