appeal – Praying Pint

44.i. “Now is the day of salvation”

2Corinthians 6:1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;

“Life is options up to a point, and then it’s decisions made.” But no decision we make is more consequential than choosing where we are going to spend eternity. The decision is not whether you are going to live forever but where you going to live forever. And it is a decision you cannot put off indefinitely. If you wait until you die to decide where you are going to spend eternity, then you will have waited too long. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “The ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation”. Where we choose to spend eternity will be reflected in how we live our lives right now.

The older I grow the more I am convinced that real practical holiness does not receive the attention it deserves, and that there is a most painfully low standard of living among many high professors of religion in the land. But, at the same time, I am increasingly convinced that the zealous efforts of some well-meaning persons to promote a higher standard of spiritual life are often not “ according to knowledge,” and are really calculated to do more harm than good. Let me explain what I mean. It is easy to get crowds together for what are called “ Higher life ” and “ Consecration ” meetings. Any one knows that, who has watched human nature, and read descriptions of American camp-meetings, and studied the curious phenomena of the “ Religious affections.” * Sen¬ sational and exciting addresses by strange preachers or by women, loud singing, hot rooms, crowded tents, the constant sight of strong semi-religious feeling in the faces of all around you for several days, late hours, long protracted meetings, public profession of experience,—all this kind of thing is very interesting at the time, and seems to do good. But is the good real, deeply-rooted, solid, lasting ? That is the point. And I should like to ask a few questions about it. Do those who attend these meetings become more holy, meek, unselfish, kind, good tempered, self-denying, and Christ-like at home ? Do they become more content with * Sec tlie work of President Edwards on this subject. FEEFACE. :vii their position in life, and more free from restless craving after something different from that which .God has given them ? Do fathers, mothers, husbands, and otherrelatives and friends, find them more pleasant and easy to live with ? Can they enjoy a quiet Sunday and quiet means of grace without noise, heat, and excitement ?CAbove all, do they grow in charity, and especially in charity towards those who do not agree with them in every jot and tittle of their religion ? ^ These are serious and searching questions, and deserve serious consideration. I hope I am as anxious to promote real practical holiness in the land as any one. I admire and willingly acknowledge the zeal and earnestness of many with whom I cannot co-operate who are trying to promote it. But I cannot withhold a growing suspicion that the great “mass-meetings” of the present day, for the ostensible object of promoting spiritual life, do not tend to promote private home religion, private Biblereading, private prayer, private usefulness, and private walking with God. If they are of any real value, they ought to make people better husbands, and wives, and fathers, and mothers, and sons, and daughters, and brothers, and sisters, and masters, and servants. But I should like to have clear proofs that they do; I only know it is far easier to be a Christian among singing, praying, sympathizing Christians in a public room, than to be a consistent Christian in a quiet, retired, out-of-the-way, uncongenial home. (Ryles)

Out of great mercy, grace, and love, Jesus willingly went to the cross and paid the price for our sins. What manner of people should we be? How should we live? How should we speak? How should we think? Do people see a new creation born again changed life? Does the light and love of Jesus Christ flow out of you?

Let your days be filled with a single thought: Let my thoughts, words, and actions today be filled with honor and glory for Jesus Christ.

28.m. “An example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity”

Philippians 3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

1 Timothy 4:12   Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Peter 5:3    not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Romans 16:17    I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

While it is wrong to put our trust in any man, it is hypocritical for any Christian to say, “Do as I say, not as I do.” We are not sinless or are we perfect examples, but we can be good examples. This is where many fall short. They think they are defeated, not perfect, and because of this, they hide their faith, hope, and love. The hardest and easiest person to forgive is ourselves. When we sin or fall back into a sinful act we can deny it and shrug it off and in doing so we grieve the Holy Spirit. We can also confess it and move on in faith that God has forgiven it. We can learn from it and what it is that has triggered us to so easily fall into this sin. We might see that we have neglected time in His Word, or become complacent in seeking and desiring His Will in our lives. We might see that at that moment just before committing to that sin we heard a quiet whisper from the Holy Spirit and we intentionally chose to close our heart and mind to its warning and leading. So we either shrug it off and say “I am weak” and carry this thought around in defeat day after day until we forget about it. We don’t realize that the weight of these unconfessed burdens robs us of our witness and victory in Christ. We no longer see ourselves as a person to imitate. In fact, we may go so far as to just blend in both with the world and our Christian brothers/sisters so that no one can call us out as being a hypocrite. Satan will use every defeat to beat you into a lukewarm non-committed intimidated unrecognized Christian, when we should be confessing, trusting, relying on, obeying, and living victoriously in Jesus Christ. Are we sinless? No. Are we perfect? No. Should we allow this to keep us from being a living example of what it means to rely on, trust in, believing in, hoping in, following after, and obeying Jesus Christ? No. If we start living every moment of every day with an earnest desire to honor and glorify Jesus Christ our lives will be an example of victorious living in the power of the Holy Spirit with acts of love, grace, mercy, joy, hope, faith, purity, generosity, kindness, forgiveness, patience, endurance, and courage and thereby an example to be imitated.

25.i. “Working together with him”

2 Chorinthians 6:1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

Hebrews 12:25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

God wants us to be workers together with Him, not “couch potatoes” or “pew potatoes” together with Him. Instead of trying to get God to help us with our work, we need to find out what God’s work is, ask Him to help us carry it out, and do it with Him. What does it mean to receive the grace of God in vain? It means to receive the goodness and favor of God, yet to hinder the work of grace in one’s life. It means to receive the favor of God and to fail in what Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 15:10: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Is God supposed to do it or am I supposed to do it? Many struggle with this. The answer is, “Yes!” God does it and we do it in obedience through Him. Trust God, rely on Him, and then get to work and work as hard as you can! That is how we see the work of God accomplished. If I neglect my end of the partnership, God’s grace doesn’t accomplish all that it might or could if I am an active, obedient, and willing worker, therefore the grace given to me is in vain. “God’s grace is always coming to my heart and life in the very wonderful and blessed experience of now. Yesterday’s grace is totally inadequate for the burden of today, and if I do not learn to lay hold of heavenly resources every day of my life for the little things as well as the big things, as a Christian I soon become stale, barren, and fruitless in the service of the Lord.” (Redpath)

21.q. “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

1 Peter 3:8-9   Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Romans 12:16  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

James 3:13-18   Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Ephesians 4:31   Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Romans 16:17   I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions

Psalms 133:1    Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

What does it mean to have or be in unity? (Harmony, cooperation, agreement, solidarity, peace, cohesion, wholeness) What does it mean to not have or be out of unity? (conflict, strife, friction, disagreement, war, dispute, controversy, quarreling) We have all seen or been in occasion to witness unity and as well, disunity. If you think back to those times it is easy to see that when you were part of unity, what you were part of was fulfilling and gave meaning and purpose. Each day was looked forward to, to be part of. People seemed to be determined to set aside their personal biases, desires, and wants for the greater good of the whole. There was no one stirring up division. There was no one casting doubt. There was no one whining.

We also have been part of a group that did not have harmony. Every day was a chore to face. Friction, discontent, bickering, and controversy at the end of the day led to mental and physical exhaustion. There always seemed to be someone to stir the pot of conflict or someone who would throw gas on a little ember. These people mostly stood in the background and never exposed themselves but rather moved on the fringes and would do their work little by little.

Paul was made aware of the present status of the Corinthian church. It could have been by a delegation sent to inquire about questions they were facing. It could have been by messenger or letter. Paul had to have been broken-hearted to hear or read of what the congregation had come to. We know by this verse that there was disunity and rather than address the issues causing it he addresses the real issue which was the disunity its self.

Unity takes effort, time, patience, love, grace, mercy, and at times allowing yourself to be wronged. We all like to be in unity and cooperation but do we really work at it. We can clearly see what happens when there is no effort given. Sometimes we may think unity and compromise is the other person bending to our way of thinking and us giving no ground. Certainly, in the essentials of the Christian faith, there is no room for compromise. Most issues are not about the essentials they are about the non-essentials. These cause more expressed division and conflict than there should be.

We need to keep our minds clear of the examples we see in government officials, corporations, and many others who act as though they are 2-year-olds throwing temper tantrums. These leaders are not trying to restore unity but rather get people to only think their way, do it their way, speak their way. They give no room for discussion, differing opinions, or debate. We see it so much that it appears this is how people are to act. How is anything ever accomplished when the maturity of 2-year-olds is the guiding principle for creating unity? It won’t happen and neither should this behavior and thinking be allowed in our minds to affect our church and witness to an unsaved world.

21.m. “WATCH OUT”!!!!!

Romans 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Acts 15:24   Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds

1 Corinthians 3:3    for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

Jude 1:19    It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

Galatians 2:4    Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—

Philippians 3:2-3  Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers

Colossians 2:8    See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

2 Peter 2:1-2    But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies,

2 John 1:7-10   For many deceivers have gone out into the world

Watch out for those who cause division and create obstacles. Watch out for the dogs and evildoers. Watch out for empty philosophy, human tradition, and deceit. Watch out for false prophets and false teachers. Watch out for deceivers. It is often overlooked, but good to know and realize all of the verses in the bible that speak about being careful not to be drawn away from Christ by the craftiness of man. These are but a few and they are there for a reason so that we might walk in the fullness of Jesus Christ. It is one thing to say “watch out”, and an entirely different aspect to be able to recognize it. If there is one thing that limits the ability to recognize “watch out” signals it is the lack of God’s Word in our daily lives. When His Word is neglected, the clarity of these “watch out” signals becomes blurred and believed as truth or true enough that is possibly true. When this happens we are at the hands of Satan and not of God. Be in His Word, study it, hunger and thirst for it, and meditate on it. Know what you believe and why you believe it. Know there are those who will pervert the Word of God and draw many away from the blessings of honoring, following, obeying, trusting, and hoping in Jesus Christ alone.

20.v. “I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called”

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

1 Corinthians 1:10    I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Hebrews 13:22   I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.

2 Corinthians 5:20    Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

1 Thessalonians 4:10    for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

2 Corinthians 6:1    Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

Ephesians 4:1    I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

Paul’s plea was an urgent and earnest request, a cry from the heart. He saw firsthand how people could be easily swayed by temptations of the flesh and this world. Between his journey back to revisit the churches he planted, he would hear of issues within the church, problem people, neglect and complacency of following after God, and hearing of this or witnessing it first hand, he would urge them to get back on track with a life that humbly honors, glorifies, follows, rely on, clings to, trusts in, and obeys Jesus Christ. There were times when Paul would call people out for their selfish and devious acts but mostly he gave repeated urgent requests to turn away from foolishness, bitterness, division, fear, hatred, lusts of the flesh, and love for the worldly.

I wonder what it must have been like living in a time where there was no electricity, iPhone, iPad, computer, TV, podcasts, radio, internet, movies, video games, televised sports, talk shows, social media, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, email, ebooks, news media outlets, ESPN, CNN, refrigeration, Amazon, FedEx, UPS, education system, hospitals, transportation, cars, trains, planes, industrialization, technology, etc…. Without any of this interference in their lives, they were still able to be swayed away from living for Christ. There is some appeal from the fleshly and worldly that entices us to seek, desire, and chase after that which promises satisfaction to our soul but is never able to live up to the promises no matter how many times or how long we pursue them. If they were enticed away without all of the mind-consuming technology we have now, how much more so can we be? What would Pauls’s appeal to us be? I think it can be found in Philippians 4:8 Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

5.e. “For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.”

Job 9:15  Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.

1 Kings 8:38-39   whatever prayer, whatever plea is made by any man or by all your people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart and stretching out his hands toward this house,  then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),

1 Corinthians 4:4    For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

Jeremiah 31:9  With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel,

Daniel 9:3    Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

Daniel 9:18   O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.

Job examined his life. He has lost his family, his flocks, and his body is being attacked with boils and sores. In this calamity, he examines his life and proclaims “I am in the right”. He is not saying he has done nothing wrong but that he has not done something to deserve all of this happening in his life. He has lived knowing that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him and live humbly before Him. Humanly we can understand what he is saying because from the worldly view it does not seem fair or right. We see what has happened and think what has happened to Job does not seem to be in line with the way he lived. Justice does not seemed to have been awarded fairly.

Does God ever make a mistake? Is He ever unjust? Does He ever do wrong? Is there anything in all of creation that is not under His control?

In our trials and troubles, God may seem far away but He is ever-present. In our trials and troubles, God may seem not in control but He is all-powerful. In our trials and troubles, it may seem God is unaware but He is all-knowing. In trials and troubles, God does not change and has not changed and will not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Though we do not understand we can trust Him. We can seek His mercy and know that His perfect will is being done, His perfect plans are being carried out, and His purpose will be for the good of those called according to His purpose. In times of chaos, cling to Him. In times of trials and troubles, trust Him. In times of loneliness, know He loves you. In times of sickness, seek the Great Physician.

3. Eager to maintain the unity

1Corinthians 1:10  I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Ephesians 4:1-7     I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:31-32     Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Psalms 133:1    Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

1 Peter 3:8-9    Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Romans 12:16     Live in harmony with one another.

1 Corinthians 6:7 Why, the very fact of your having lawsuits with one another at all is a defect (a defeat, an evidence of positive moral loss for you). Why not rather let yourselves suffer wrong and be deprived of what is your due? Why not rather be cheated (defrauded and robbed)?

I heard on the Back to the Bible radio “Unity is something you keep”. We are to be the light shinning in a dark world. We are to show hope, love, generosity, kindness, faith, peace, long-suffering, and patience. How is this shown when there is division amongst those who are to show the world what righteous, holy, humble, God honoring living looks like?

Division comes from an issue that is hammered out in pride not love. Division leads to gossip, rumors, and non-love actions. Division is a tool of Satan and the problem is most of the time he does not even have to use it because of a prideful spirit lodged within the person. Think about when the Israelites were in the wilderness and scripture tells us the people grumbled against God. You have to realize that there was a first person who spoke up and many who then followed. The same happens when division occurs. A person speaks up in a manner that does not reflect our calling in Christ and others follow.

Do you ever wonder why others follow? Does it have anything to do with their walk, or lack there of, with God? Does it have anything to do with there time, or lack there of, in Gods word?

Oh that we would take the path of humbleness, allowing our selves to be wronged, seeking unity in peace and love, finding a way to honor God in the circumstance, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. As far as is it is with you be at peace with all men.

Peace I give to you

“May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!”

“ And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.”

Psalms 85:8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.

Hebrews 12:25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Acts 10:36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)

2 Corinthians 5:18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Acts 3:26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Galatians 4:9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

2 Peter 2:20-22 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

God gives us a peace that is foreign to the world. This peace is present in both times of blessings and troubles. Having knowledge of this peace and living in it have two different outcomes. A choice is made with the knowledge to either believe and claim it or reject it and it’s power in our life. Many times we seek this peace when we face trials and troubles. We run to God and seek His intervention. Yet in times of blessing it seems as though it is a foreign thing to think of God, His sovereignty, His steadfast love, and His mercy and grace. It is in His hands we find and live in this peace of mind. The world will throw many a sense of false peace. In the end these are nothing more than distractions that lead down paths of false hope and satisfaction. The peace that God gives and is found in Him leads us through times of trials with hope, peace, refuge, courage, strength and power. Through times of blessings it leads us to praise, thankful hearts, contentment, rejoicing, and kindness. Read His word and search it for knowledge of God’s sovereignty, power, promises, peace, hope, joy, kindness, and steadfast love.

God raised Him up

“God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”

John 10:18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Acts 2:32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

Acts 3:15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

Philippians 2:6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Hebrews 5:6 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

Matthew 26:53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Do you ever wonder in awe, this selfless act of redemption Christ obediently carried out for salvation of those who would believe in Him. He could have asked for and received the help of 12 legions (50,000 +) of Angels to save Him from the hands of those taking charge of Him. He could have stopped this from happening but He didn’t because the will of the Father. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Redemption of our soul came at a very high cost and is not to be taken lightly. “he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” – what does it mean to obey Him? To obey Him we must have a heart deep desire to humbly serve, honor, and follow Him. Our heart and mind must choose to actively seek to do His will and purpose. His word is active. His word is light unto our soul. His word is a beacon of hope. His word is a light unto our path. His word is the beginning of our understanding of things of God. His word give us wisdom in things of God. His word was given to us to grow in this understanding and knowledge. It is very hard for this to happen unless we spend time in His word. Choose to spend time in His word. Choose to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey.