Paul received divine messages concerning the Gentiles. We are so privileged to have the written Word of God.
John 3:15–18 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life…
We, as believers in Christ Jesus, are the doers of the word not just hearers.
If anyone hears and does not do he is like a man looking into a mirror and forgetting what he looks like as soon as he looks away. The mosaic law is like a mirror and it tells us everything that is wrong with mankind. But the Gospel of grace allows us to see ourselves in the righteousness of Christ and allows Holy Spirit in us to guide us.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
All of scripture, the Old Testament and the New Testament, were inspired by God and every word has come from Holy Spirit.
Christ alone is the way to the Father.
The Jewish believers that were established in Asia Minor during John’s ministry were dispersed into many nations because of the persecution that they were going through. They thought that Jesus would return within a short period of time.
2 Peter 1:16 16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
When Israel rejected the Messiah God started dealing with the Gentiles. Enters Paul of Tarsus and his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
The letter of the law kills but the Gospel of Grace gives hope and life.
John 3:33–36
33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” The New King James Version
Certified means “to seal.” In a society where many could not read, seals were used to convey a clear message, even to the illiterate. A seal indicated ownership to all and expressed a person’s personal guarantee.
To receive Jesus’ testimony is to certify that God is true regarding what He has sealed.
Unlike human teachers, Jesus was not given the Spirit by measure—that is, in a limited way. The Holy Spirit was given to Jesus completely.
All three Persons of the Trinity are referred to in this verse: God the Father sent Christ the Son, and gave Him the Holy Spirit without measure. God the Father not only gave Jesus, in His humanity, the Holy Spirit, He also gave Him all things, including the authority to give life and judge. The phrase into His hand signifies the Son’s authority over the use of “all things.”
The verb translated has is in the present tense. The one who believes has eternal life as a present possession. Likewise, the one who refuses to believe on Christ has the wrath of God abiding on him or her as a present reality. The NKJV Study Bible
John knew that Jesus came from heaven as the Son of God, while he was a sinful, mortal man, who could only speak about the more plain subjects of religion. The words of Jesus were the words of God; he had the Spirit, not by measure, as the prophets, but in all fulness. Everlasting life could only be had by faith in Him, and might be thus obtained; whereas all those, who believe not in the Son of God, cannot partake of salvation, but the wrath of God for ever rests upon them. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
John 5:19–20 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
Matthew 11:27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Luke 10:22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
God Most High, we bow before You today. You are the one true King. You watch empires and powers come and go. You are never shocked. You know what must take place for Your Kingdom to come and reign fully forever when Jesus returns. Today, we place our trust in You. We pray as Jesus prayed, "Your kingdom come, your will be done" (Matthew 6:10). First5
What if… wired to care, we see in this life, this day, even in the very muddle of the ordinary, even in chaos, the permission to trust our sufficiency, embrace our wounds as they become sacred wounds, and become places of empathy, compassion, healing? Because grace is alive and well.
Because wholehearted people live present, susceptible to tenderness and mercy, human touch and healing.
We cut ourselves little slack. Because we need invitations to marinate in grace. To remember that the sacred is close by. To see life in fullness, hopefulness, wonder, gratitude, beauty, silence, prayer, connection and sufficiency. And from this marinade of grace, we embrace our humanity and all that enriches it; empathy, tenderness, inclusion, forgiveness.
We let ourselves spill the light we receive, we give, offer, hold, touch, care, soothe, empathize and invite sanctuary.
We all have the capacity to care. Sabbath Moments
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