In the Scriptures we read a lot about the kingdom of God. But at the same time the Scriptures speak a lot about the kingdom of this world. As far as the kingdom of this world is concerned, we have no decision to make; our parents make it for us. The moment we are born we are registered to a citizen of the nation that our parents belong to.
But this is not how it is with the kingdom of heaven, the celestial kingdom. Even if our parents are citizens of the kingdom of God, their children do not automatically become members of the kingdom of God. If our parents are members of any religion, they may put our names on the list of membership for their religion. But something our parents can never do for us is to make us members of the heavenly kingdom of our God and Father.
This world is divided into different kingdoms under various names. But the kingdom of God is an only kingdom that consists of people from all nations, tribes and languages. Now, if we cannot become a member of the kingdom of God, even though our parents are, automatically the question arises: How can I enter the kingdom of God or become a member of that kingdom?
Dear friends of all ages: the Lord Jesus Himself gives the answer to us with affirmation and clarity Himself. Take your Bible and read in John 3, verses 1-21. Here we read that if a man is not born again he will not see the kingdom of God. However, for someone to enter the kingdom of God, he has to be born again by the Holy Spirit of God. Then comes the natural question: How can this be? How can a man be born again since he has already been born from his mother’s womb? We must be thankful to our Lord Jesus Christ because He gives the answer in the verses that follow in John 3:10-21. In verses 14 and 15, the Lord continues to speak about a bronze snake that the prophet Moses lifted up in the desert as commanded by the Lord God, during a time when the people had been taken out of Egypt were rebellious and murmured against God and against Moses. The Lord sent venomous snakes, which bit many and caused many to die. It is only then the people recognized their error and admitted their sin. Then the Lord said unto Moses: "make a snake and put it on a pole and lift it up, so anyone who has been bitten can look at it and live."
Dear friends of all ages: the Lord Jesus Himself gives the answer to us with affirmation and clarity Himself. Take your Bible and read in John 3, verses 1-21. Here we read that if a man is not born again he will not see the kingdom of God. However, for someone to enter the kingdom of God, he has to be born again by the Holy Spirit of God. Then comes the natural question: How can this be? How can a man be born again since he has already been born from his mother’s womb? We must be thankful to our Lord Jesus Christ because He gives the answer in the verses that follow in John 3:10-21. In verses 14 and 15, the Lord continues to speak about a bronze snake that the prophet Moses lifted up in the desert as commanded by the Lord God, during a time when the people had been taken out of Egypt were rebellious and murmured against God and against Moses. The Lord sent venomous snakes, which bit many and caused many to die. It is only then the people recognized their error and admitted their sin. Then the Lord said unto Moses: "make a snake and put it on a pole and lift it up, so anyone who has been bitten can look at it and live."
That story, friends both young and old, the Lord told Nicodemus as an illustration of what would happen to our Lord Jesus Himself. He is the one who would be lifted up on a cross to save us from our sins. He died because of our sins, not of His, because He never sinned, and there was no guile found in His mouth. Make sure and read 1 Peter 2:21-25.
When we read that He carried our sins in His body on the cross, etc., instead of reading our sins read my sins. It is the truth. That is why the Scriptures say that it is for us that He suffered, for us He died, and for us He was raised from the dead. The children of Israel that believe Moses and admitted their guilt, and looked up to the bronze snake, did that by faith. It is no different today my friends, believe the Word of God that tells us that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Read Romans 3:21-26. There is a very solemn warning that accompanies the offer of pardon for sin and eternal life, which says: "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Read Hebrews 2:1-3).
This is all for today. We will continue this topic in the next blog. We would appreciate a comment from you, a suggestion, a Scripture related question you might have.
Bicento and Betty
1 comment:
Hi There - Thank you for your thoughts. In my Bible reading, I'm meditating on the love of God. It goes with what you say - what great love would pay the price for my sin to be pardoned!
Post a Comment