Bible Study - The Importance of Character - The Apostle Peter - Various - July 27, 2025

 

Bible Study – The Importance of Character – The Apostle Peter – Various – July 27, 2025

GOD equips those Spirit-born with Christlike Character.

Let’s explore!!!

The Apostle Peter had his moments as his character was being shaped.

In the Old Testament scripture reveals to us in Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another. When we look back over our lives, many of us can identify a person, persons or events that have helped us get over the rough spots that come our way and help build our character.

In my life it was my grandfather. My dad worked the third shift in the mill and slept in the daytime. My time with my dad was limited to the weekend, mainly Sunday. He made sure we all went to church with him.

I helped my grandfather build a two-car garage, as such when he got aggravated, his words were “confound it, thunderation.” So, when facing an aggravation, my words were and are “confound it, thunderation.”

So, after growing up and marrying and having children and grandchildren, I was in the downstairs aera working on my computer. My grandson was with me when I got aggravate with my computer and used the words aloud “confound it, thunderation.” Our grandson ran upstairs and told on me to those preparing a meal. Papa is using his words.

When I came up from the basement, I was immediately accosted. Papa was using bad words. I was aggravated at my computer, and I remembered saying “confound it, thunderation.” But to my surprise, those were not the words he said I had spoken. I thought that was all I had said. Oh, NO!

What in the world did I say? You called the computer “stupid.”

Wow! What a relief.

Character is vital for all who are born-again believers and character is a building process. Family members are the best ones to help build character in those they love.

We see this in the life and Spiritual growth of The Apostle Peter.

The Apostle Peter was a doer. Let’s get things done, now!

We will hit some of the highlights in Peter’s walk with JESUS. I quickly discovered that The Apostle Peter’s Spiritual journey had its ups and downs but with an ever-ascending learning experience, like many of us.

Let’s explore!!!

Luke 5 - The First Disciples

5 As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word, he was standing by Lake Gennesaret.^[a] 2 He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³ He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land. Then he sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

⁵ “Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.”^[b]

⁶ When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets^[c] began to tear. ⁷ So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’s knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” ⁹ For he and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners.

“Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” ¹¹ Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him.

JESUS called Simon to ministry, and he did not have to think twice. He left his fishing business and followed JESUS.

Later in ministry of JESUS, we read in Matthew 16: ¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi,^[f] he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”^[g]

¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

¹⁵ “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

¹⁷ Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,^[h] because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound^[i] in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed^[j] in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was^[k] the Messiah.

JESUS changed the name of Peter from Simon Barjona or Simon’s son of Jona to Simon Peter and gave him the keys to the kingdom.

What does it mean “having the keys to the kingdom?”

A person with the keys has the power to lock and unlock matters important to the Kingdom of GOD. It is a powerful Gift that must be used as led and guided by the Holy Spirit.

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

JESUS giving the keys to the kingdom to Peter reveals the trust JESUS had in Peter or Cephas the rock.

Peter was one of the first followers of JESUS. He was outspoken, enthusiastic, strong-willed, impulsive, and, at times, brash. But for all his strength, Peter had several shortcomings in his life. Still, the Lord who had chosen him continued to mold him into exactly who HE intended Peter to be.

The same is true for all who choose to follow JESUS. There will be ups and downs, which will be learning and building experiences. So, never give up – onward and upward, there are Heavenly rewards at the end of ones life’s journey.Top of Form
Peter had moments in his life, which were building blocks in Peter discovering the true JESUS and GOD’S purpose for JESUS. The Lord, who chose him, continued to mold him into exactly who HE intended for Peter to be.

The same is for all who place their faith in JESUS and walk with HIM, as guided by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT.

GOD knows a persons’ potential. Life can bring a person of faith severe blows, only GOD can turn the blows life brings into victory and make the person of faith stronger!!!

In Matthew ³¹ Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will fall away because of me, for it is written:

I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.^[f]

³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

³³ Peter told him, “Even if everyone falls away because of you, I will never fall away.”

³⁴ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

³⁵ “Even if I have to die with you,” Peter told him, “I will never deny you,” and all the disciples said the same thing.

Peter was prepared to fight for JESUS as we read John 18:10, when JESUS was arrested:

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

 

We know from scripture that Peter denied knowing JESUS three times and the rooster crowed.

How did Peter respond when he heard the rooster crow?

² And again he denied it with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

Peter was correct, he did not know the human mission of JESUS. JESUS had performed many miracles to reveal to the world HIS power as the promised Messiah, but HIS mission was to be the perfect acceptable human sacrifice for all sin by the shedding of HIS sinless blood on the cross.

The GOOD NEWS for all people is that GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead to eternal life. JESUS is every person’s go to for forgiveness, salvation and restoration to HIS original design, eternal life.

By HIS stripes we are healed. JESUS took the punishment for our sins upon Himself. But we must place our faith in HIM to be redeemed from eternal death and Hell.

⁷³ After a little while those standing there approached and said to Peter, “You really are one of them, since even your accent^[q] gives you away.”

⁷⁴ Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed, ⁷⁵ and Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter’s heart was broken. He wept “bitterly.” Peter knew what he had done. How could he ever rise above his denial of JESUS?

Peter knew what JESUS could do. He knew the miracles JESUS performed and yet, JESUS did nothing to defend Himself. HE trusted HIS FATHER as we read in Luke 23:46 - And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” Saying this, he breathed his last.

 JESUS was on mission to complete HIS journey to the cross and for HIM to give up HIS Spirit by the shedding of HIS sinless blood to pay in full for all sin. Peter thought of an earthly kingdom and not the eternal Kingdom GOD has for all who place their faith in JESUS through Spiritual Birth/a person being born-again in his/her spirit.

JESUS gave Peter that opportunity after JESUS was resurrected from the dead as we read in ³ “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them.

“We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

⁴ When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. ⁵ “Friends,”^[c] Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?”

I wonder, WHO prevented them from catching the fish and why?

“No,” they answered.

It was a teaching moment for JESUS to give understanding and encouragement to HIS disciples.

⁶ “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did,^[d] and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. ⁷ The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. ⁸ Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards^[e] away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish.

⁹ When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. ¹⁰ “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. ¹¹ So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

¹² “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared^[f] to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus was not finished there was more to be done. Threefold Restoration of Peter

¹⁵ When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John,^[g] do you love me more than these?”

What were these? Likely, JESUS pointed to the fish.

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Feed my lambs,” he told him. ¹⁶ A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Shepherd my sheep,” he told him.

¹⁷ He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

“Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. ¹⁸ “Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” ¹⁹ He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”

Peter denied JESUS three times and JESUS asked Peter three times “Do you love me?”

What was JESUS’ message to Peter?

-        Feed My Lambs – the young who need nourishment and guidance!

-        Feed My Sheep – The older more mature sheep.

-        Shepherd my sheep – Take care of all by ministering to all young to old. All are precious to ME, and they are yours to care for.

Folks this is our calling because life upon earth is the training ground for eternity, through faith in JESUS.

The Best is Yet To Come!

Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart.

If you prayed this prayer, then welcome into GOD’S eternal Family.

If you are not already in a JESUS believing, teaching, and serving church, ask GOD to lead you to where you can grow Spiritually and serve.

FATHER, I pray for all who prayed such a prayer of repentance or rededication. Blessings upon you and your family.

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Safe and Secure - Can I Walk Away from My Salvation? - Various - July 20, 2025

 

Bible Study – Safe and Secure – Can I Walk Away from My Salvation? – Various – July 20, 2025

When were you chosen to be a child of GOD? Can you choose to not become GOD’S Child?

When was a person chosen to be a child of GOD?

The Apostle Paul gives us a clue in his letter to the Christians in Ephesus.

We read in Ephesians 1:3-14:

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons (daughters) through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

All people conceived in GOD’S mind are chosen by GOD but with the freedom to choose for themselves whether or not to accept GOD’S invitation to be HIS Child.

Every person has the opportunity to choose via GOD’S redemptive plan.

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

¹¹ In him we have also received an inheritance,^[f] because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

In last week’s study, we built a compelling case for once saved and born into GOD’S Family a person never becomes Spiritually unborn. I personally believe this to my core.

We do know there are scriptures that reveal that a Spirit-born persons’ rebellion results in the loss of their eternal heavenly rewards as recorded in 1 Corinthians 3: The Role of God’s Servants

⁵ What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. ⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷ So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. ⁸ Now he who plants and he who waters are one,^[b] and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. ⁹ For we are God’s coworkers.^[c] You are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,^[d] and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he (she) builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

¹⁶ Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are!

All HOLY-SPIRIT BORN BELIEVERS ARE GOD’S TEMPLE. HOW CAN THAT BE?

THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVES AND DWELLS WITHIN EVERY HOLY SPIRIT-BORN PERSON.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?  

2 Corinthians 1:22

it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].

GOD’S Grace which resulted from the sinless life and death of JESUS by HIS shed blood and bodily resurrection proves that JESUS was and is the perfect acceptable sacrifice for all sin to GOD through faith in JESUS.

We do know that a person can “harden” his/her heart toward GOD/THE HOLY SPIRIT and prevent GOD from appealing to such a person to repent of his/her sins and asking JESUS to forgive him/her for their sins. A person can resist so long that he/she blocks the still small voice of the Holy Spirit when GOD/JESUS knocks upon his/her heart’s door.

Revelation 3:20

See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

The question is “Can a person of faith lose his/her salvation? From GOD’S perspective “NO!!!”

They can lose his/her heavenly rewards.

GOD and JESUS comes to those either seeking salvation or in need of salvation. The Holy Spirit is the still small voice of GOD WHO appeals personally to every person in the “eyes of his/her heart.”

All people are free to either accept or reject.

A person has the freedom to either accept or reject GOD’S knock on his/her heart’s door and when a person refuses to open to open his/her hearts door keeps GOD out of that person’s life. So sad!!! That decision in eternal!!!

The eternal key is once a person opens his/her heart’s door and let’s JESUS come into his/her life, what takes place? JESUS represented by the Holy Spirit takes up eternal residence within that person. Salvation takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye, by the renewing of the human mind, which begins the instant the person is “Born-again” Spiritually. The renewing of the redeemed person’s mind takes time, equipping by walking, as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit which is application. As the “Spirit-born” person witnesses the power of GOD working through him/her, he/she grows in his/her faith.

When a person is “Spirit-born” GOD equips the “Spirit-born” person with Spiritual Gifts to minister. How are Christians equipped?

First and foremost, with the residence of the Holy Spirit in the person of faith’s life.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12: ⁴ Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. ⁷ A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: ⁸ to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, ⁹ to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues,^[b] to another, interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.

As Spirit-born Christians, we can desire certain Spiritual Gifts, but GOD is WHO distributes it or them to the “Spirit-born” person as HE wills to be used for HIS Glory.

So, can a person who has asked JESUS to come into his/her heart later denounce his/her Spiritual Birth in GOD’S Eternal Family. The answer he/she can but will it result in his/her Spiritual death as GOD’S Son or daughter?

When a rebellious child wishes he/she had never been born into the family he/she is in, does that person become unborn? NO!!!

Often, when the child matures, he/she rejoices and is grateful and appreciates his/her family.

When a person of faith dies and is carried into Heaven, and they witnesses what GOD has prepared for him/her as written by the Apostle Paul, I believe there are no human words to describe the majesty of what the person of faith sees -----

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived— God has prepared these things for those who love him.

I believe all will rejoice and be glad they chose JESUS as their Savior.

Those who are rebellious against their salvation do not lose their salvation but due to their rebellion, they do not achieve their Heavenly rewards, which far exceeds Hell.

So, can a person walk away from his/her salvation? Yes, he/she can stop and deny but upon death of his/her physical body, he/she will experience as written in 1 Corinthians 3:10-17:

¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,^[d] and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he (or she) builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

¹⁶ Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are.

Can a person walk away from his/her salvation? Yes, they can according to the world but not according to GOD.

Hebrews 13:5

Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.

Our Heavenly FATHER knows best because HE knows eternity and what awaits those who stay the course.

In 2 Corinthians 12:1-5: Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. ³ I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows— ⁴ was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak. ⁵ I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

Who was this person to whom the Apostle Paul was referring?

It was himself, none other than The Apostle Paul.

What did he see?

We read in 1 Corinthians 2:9: What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him.^[a]

Brother Ron gave me this account himself.

Brother Ron was in an automobile accident. He was studying to become a pastor at Clear Creek. He was taken to the hospital in Knoxville, TN where he was pronounced dead at the time he was supposed to be in Seminary class. A classmate told his fellow classmates, “We must pray for Brother Ron now!” And they did.

Chapel service followed their class, and his class members said we cannot have our regular chapel service, we must pray for Brother Ron, and they did.

Meanwhile back at the Knoxville Hospital, Brother Ron was pronounced dead, and he was taken to the third Heaven. He told me that he saw and heard things that were beyond human words to describe.

His body was taken to the basement of the Hospital to be picked up by the funeral home when a nurse happened by Brother Ron’s body and saw his eye twitch. The nurse immediately began resuscitation, and his physical life was restored.

Brother Ron gave me this account himself. He said there were no human words to describe what he saw as he was led around Heaven by a Heavenly creature.

Heaven is for those who have trusted GOD and JESUS. Hell is for those who do not.

The real question is, how do you choose?

Please choose eternal life by placing your faith in JESUS and asking HIM to come into your life by redeeming you from your sins and the consequence of sin, Hell and establishing your eternal citizenship in Heaven. The choice is yours and it is eternal.

So, can a person who once is “born-again” walk away? He or she may try.

I contend, “NO!!!” He or she will rejoice when he or she sees what awaits on the other side of this life upon earth as a Spirit-born person.

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                          

Bible Study - Safe and Secure in CHRIST (1) - Can I Lose My Salvation? - John 10 - July 13, 2025

 

Bible Study – Safe and Secure in CHRIST (1) – Can I Lose My Salvation? – John 10 – July 13, 2025

GOD keeps HIS Children securely in HIS hands.

Our focus scripture is John 10.

Once saved, always saved. This truth is founded in a person’s Spiritual birth.

Physical conception takes place when the human egg of the female unites with the male sperm. Conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. A unique, wonderfully created human is the result. This unique person must grow and develop in the womb and at the right time be born. That newborn must receive proper care, nourishment, exercise, grow, develop, mature, etc.

The same is true of Spiritual conception.

When the Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit (Sperm), unites with the human spirit (Egg), Spiritual eternal conception takes place, quicker than the twinkle of the eye.

We read in 1 John 3:9 ⁹ No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and ^[a]habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him/her [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him/her]; and he/she cannot practice sinning because he/she is born (begotten) of God.

There are no short cuts to salvation. All people must come through faith in JESUS as the only true SON OF GOD WHO paid, in full, the price for all sin by the shedding of HIS sinless blood.

Why the shedding of blood?

Hebrews 9:22 - Christian Standard Bible

²² According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

JESUS fulfilled the law - Matthew 5:17

“Don’t think that I (JESUS) came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

The Passion of JESUS, HIS sinless human life, paid, in full, the requirements of the Law and as such opened the way to Grace through faith in JESUS and HIS passion.

What is the passion of JESUS?

It is GOD’S redemptive plan for all people.

GOD sent HIS only SON, JESUS to live upon earth, 100% human. What does that mean? If JESUS cut HIS finger, HE bled real blood. It meant HE was capable of sinning. HE was tempted in all ways as humans are tempted; yet HE remained sinless.

JESUS remaining sinless means, JESUS qualified as the perfect acceptable sacrifice for all sin.

How do we know that JESUS was the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD, HIS FATHER, for all sin and that HE fulfilled the Law?

First, JESUS was 100% human. How do we know that? When HE was crucified, HE died. HIS life could not be taken, HE willing gave HIS sinless life by the shedding of HIS blood to pay the sin debt, in full, for all who are willing to accept JESUS as their Savior. HE was buried in a borrowed tomb. On the third day following HIS death, GOD raised HIM from the dead to eternal life.

Why? JESUS is GOD’S only example to all that faith in JESUS and HIS passion is proof that JESUS paid, in full, the penalty for sin, which is death, by being the first to be raised from the dead to live eternally with GOD, HIS FATHER in Heaven.

JESUS knows temptation and what it takes for humans to not succumb to it.

This leads us to eternal security as GOD’S Son or Daughter, through faith in JESUS.

It is all about a person being “born-again” or “Spiritual birth” through faith in JESUS and HIS passion, which includes HIS bodily ascension into Heaven, to be the Spirit-born person’s advocate. Why?

When a Spirit-born Christian sins, Satan points to that person and accuses that person in the presence of JESUS. JESUS is a Spirit-born person’s advocate to tell Satan to bug-off because that person of faith in JESUS is covered by the shed blood of JESUS. He/she is secure as GOD’S Son or Daughter in CHRIST.

Let’s continue to explore our security of eternal life through faith in JESUS!!!

Let’s read John 10:1-30:

The Good Shepherd

10 “Truly I tell you, anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ Jesus gave them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

This is true for many of us today. Salvation is a step of faith in JESUS and HIS Passion, which includes HIS resurrection. JESUS is the first to reveal to all people that HE conquered physical death and was raised by GOD to eternal life.

Sin is individual and so is salvation.

There is only one way to eternal salvation and that is through faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.

How does a person know that being “Born-again” is eternal?

⁷ Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you; I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me^[a] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. ⁹ I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. ¹⁰ A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

Life offers many alternatives to eternal life, but they are all false. The only way to eternal life is through faith in JESUS. Satan appears as an angel of light to deceive humans and to lure them to Hell. Hell was created for Satan and his angels. JESUS said ------

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them^[b] and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. ¹³ This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep.

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ But I have other sheep that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷ This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Who are the sheep “not from this sheep pen”?

Some scholars think the other sheep are Gentiles.

Since the Passion of JESUS, JESUS fulfilled the Law and established Grace through faith in JESUS.

We read in Ephesians 1:3-14:

God’s Rich Blessings

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One (JESUS).

⁷ In him (JESUS) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

¹¹ In him we have also received an inheritance,^[f] because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

GOD’S foreknowledge means HE knows how a person will choose; HIS foreknowledge does not predestine a person’s choice. GOD chooses all to be “Spirit-born,” but all have the freedom to choose.

Choose wisely my friend, choose wisely! There is life after physical death. Where will you spend eternity? Heaven or Hell?

This is why GOD sent JESUS to earth to live and die to atone for sin for all who will place their faith and trust in JESUS as their Savior.

Back to verse 18: ¹⁸ No one takes it (the Life of JESUS) from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” JESUS was in full control, and HE chose to die just for you!!!

If you had been the only person to ever accept HIM as your Savior, HE would have died just for you. Now, that is personal and shows HIS love just for you.

JESUS was completely in control of HIS life. When HE laid HIS life down, HE had to completely trust GOD, HIS FATHER, to restore HIS eternal life, which HE did.

JESUS trusted the FATHER and so can we trust both GOD and JESUS.

¹⁹ Again the Jews were divided because of these words. ²⁰ Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and he’s crazy. Why do you listen to him?” ²¹ Others were saying, “These aren’t the words of someone who is demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Jesus at the Festival of Dedication

²² Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter. ²³ Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s Colonnade. ²⁴ The Jews surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense?^[c] If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”^[d]

²⁵ “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in my Father’s name testify about me. ²⁶ But you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep.^[e] 27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

Spirit-born people have double security, GOD, The FATHER, and JESUS.

Plus, the confirmation of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Now that is security!!!

2 Corinthians 1:22

it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].

2 Corinthians 5:5

Now He who has made us and prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the [Holy] Spirit as a pledge [a guarantee, a down payment on the fulfillment of His promise].

The Holy Spirit is a “born-again” person’s assurance of eternal life, through faith in JESUS.

Ask JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart.

Eternal salvation is not complicated. It takes a step of faith in JESUS as GOD’S only SON, WHO came to earth, lived a 100% human sinless life, yet tempted in all ways as humans are tempted, yet without sin.

This qualified, JESUS to be the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD for all sin. The passion of JESUS removed the sin barrier and opened the path to eternal salvation through a person’s faith in JESUS.

GOD in HIS wisdom, gives the person of faith the gift of the Holy Spirit, WHO guarantees that the person of faith is eternally GOD’S Son or Daughter and eternal life.

Along with the Holy Spirit, GOD gives Spiritual Gifts to be used as the “born-again” person continues to dwell upon earth to minister as led by the Holy Spirit. Awesome!!!

If you have asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart, then welcome into the eternal Family of GOD with prayers for an awesome journey, my brother or sister in JESUS.

Blessings!!!