Tag: believe God

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Fear or Trust in God?

Jesus is God's only Son

Isaiah 9 God’s Only Son

The prophet Isaiah lived and served under many kings, and most were ungodly like King Ahaz. They didn’t believe God as in the former times so when war was on the horizon they lived in fear. Yet, God sent Isaiah to the king to remind him that He was still on the throne and that He would take care of them if they were willing to believe and honor him. Luke accurately proved his point in the response of the Pharisees about the baptism of John:  “If we say, from heaven, he will say, why did you not believe him?” [Luke 20:5] Prov 29:25 says, “The fear of man is a snare but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.” King Ahaz fell into the first category, and so Isaiah said, you will certainly see that fear unfold before you.

 Why are we so stubborn to believe all that the Lord has said? Like Ahaz, when God says to ask for a sign, we waffle and often refuse. Like Ahaz, we refuse to believe even if God sends a prophet to us or even if Jesus Himself appears!  

But, God will be undeterred, and He will give a sign, and it is a sign that Immanuel will come and He will save His people from their sins! Do we know, believe, and trust Him or are we trapped in our fears of the unknowns of tomorrow?  

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Uncharted Territory

Uncharted territory

Deut 20-22 God has mandated that his people were to be pure and holy and that is why He gave them the Ten Commandments and sundry rules and laws. So much to remember! And then there is the question that always arises today is why God wanted them to destroy so many people. The answer is given: these were nations that were given time after time to repent and turn to God but they chose to worship and praise the gods of silver, gold, bronze etc. They, like Belshazzar, knew what God wanted but they willingly chose to ignore God’s way. [Dan. 5] Has God revealed what He wants today? The answer is a resounding yes! Romans 1:20 says that creation screams His attributes and His perfect creation.

However, just like then, people today do not want God, they want to be gods.

In Egypt, they had taskmasters that kept the peace. In the wilderness, Moses kept the peace. Now they were entering uncharted territory. Who will keep the peace now? That is why God gave them the Ten Commandments and the Priesthood. These sundry rules will guide them in times they had questions.

God is asking all of us what we desire. Do we desire what God desires; purity, righteousness, and holiness?

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Romans 4 “Justification for Whom and When?”

stocksnap carl cerstand romans 4

Paul has laid to rest the concept of working for one’s salvation but now another question must be addressed. For whom is this justification and when did it first occur. These are critical questions that must be addressed for the Jew to understand God’s plan.

In chapter 3 Paul essentially said justification is for any who believe. Yet the Jew clings to his circumcision as proof that justification is for he alone. Paul seeks to help them over this impasse and thus refers to Abraham. Yesterday we said that Abraham believed God, not in a God but he believed God and it was counted unto him as righteousness. But, when did it happen; before he was circumcised or after? Circumcision was a physical sign between man and God as a sign of the covenant. Yet, as Paul reminds his Jewish listeners, Abraham believed God in Genesis 12 but it was not until Genesis 17 that God commanded him and his household to be circumcised. Therefore, his circumcision carried no weight regarding his justification. Again as we said yesterday, you cannot take credit for what God has done. Justification is a gift from God alone lest anyone choose to boast. Circumcision is but a wonderful sign but faith alone brings you to God:.

In the same way baptism will not save you, the exchange of rings in a marriage ceremony does not make you married and circumcision does not justify anyone. These are signs, to affirm but are not the gift itself. The blessing is that if we believe like Abraham we too have the promise of justification.

What are you clinging to for your justification?

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