Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
Most of society today does not believe in absolute truth. Our government schools teach there is no such thing. The world rejects absolute truth today because if something is absolutely true, something else is absolutely wrong! And no one wants to be wrong; sinful pride will not allow it.
The Bible teaches that there is no way unto the Father except by Jesus Christ. Jesus is Truth ~ Absolute Truth. Only by knowing Jesus does one know God the Father. We are called children of God through Christ; only believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are children of God. This is what Jesus taught; these are His words.
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me. John 8:42
He that hateth Me hateth My Father also. John 15:23
Those who reject Christ reject God.
If anyone seeks additional clarification on this issue, I encourage reading all of the book of John or at least John 8 and John 15. Galatians 4 may also be helpful.
Only the Truth will set someone free. It is no favor to call someone a child of God when they are not. Sometimes the truth hurts.
"Lets go and see everybody," said Pooh. "Because when you have been walking in the wind for miles, and you suddenly go into somebody's house, and he says, "Hallo, Pooh, you're just in time for a little smackerel of something," and you are, then it's what I call a friendly day."
16 comments:
Agreed. Respect them. Yes. Be kind to them. Yes. Even fraternize with them to a certain degree. BUT, we must be careful not to water down OUR faith by coddling someone else.
Truth from the Word of God, Jodi. :o)
Many need to read it.
if we accept God we accept the TRINITY...
God the Father,
God the Son,
and God the Holy Spirit...
and He is the God of our Salvation...
Good Post Jodi
thank you for posting.....
Yes this is the truth. Thank you for this post. Merry Christmas
BUT, we must be careful not to water down OUR faith by coddling someone else.
Well said, Tracy!
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Oh, Cathy, it just saddens me when I see Christians undermining the sacrifice of Christ because they get caught up trying to make unbelievers feel comfortable. Thank you for your encouragement.
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Yes - exactly, Mom. The Three are One. God cannot be divided up! Excellent point.
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Mary Isabelle ~ The truth is a wonderful thing, isn't it! :o)
Truth is truth....
and I refuse to be PC especially with all that is on t.v. these days in regards to candidates that do not TRULY stand for the JESUS..that I believe in...God in Flesh...I am saved by the Blood of Jesus....the resurrected one....
My SAVIOUR....our great GIFT...
yes...we can be kind to others..but you never know when coddling...so to speak could affect THEIR eternity...as I believe that HELL is real...
Deby
Amen, Deby!
Amen Jodi, great post and I totally agree. It's finding that truth in love isn't it? To love everyone with that love of Jesus Christ, to speak the truth without condemnation nor judgement.
To even suggest that someone who doesn't know Jesus Christ and who has never repented is alright and is virtuous or godly or even 'good' with a place in Heaven is tantamount to personally opening the gates of hell and pushing them in. This is certainly NOT the way of love.
Sorry that sounded a bit strong, but you know what I mean :-)
Hugs Jodi, great great post.
Can I say...tha tI have appreciated the comments on this post...it is wonderful to see some very like mindedness on this most of improtant issues....great comments too...LOVE SOWS SEEDS...I agree.
Deby
First of all the post is wonderful. But they always are here at the Deputy Domain.
Secondly I must agree with Deby, there have been some fabulous comments made on this post. I especially liked:
Respect them. Yes. Be kind to them. Yes. Even fraternize with them to a certain degree. BUT, we must be careful not to water down OUR faith by coddling someone else.
and
To even suggest that someone who doesn't know Jesus Christ and who has never repented is alright and is virtuous or godly or even 'good' with a place in Heaven is tantamount to personally opening the gates of hell and pushing them in. This is certainly NOT the way of love.
I just love it when I read a post and find the comments to be as much of a blessing as the post. (o:
Blessings,
~Mrs.B
I found your blog by way of MrsB. I look forward to reading more, as this post is clear, concise and right-on! Amen to each and every point.. If it's all right, I'd like to add you to my list of places to visit.
There is a movement in the Christian church today that is 'seeker sensitive' rather than teaching the Word of God. It has set a dangerous precedent of PC and non-biblical practices. Thus, drawing people *away* from the truth of the gospel, rather than *to* it.
I'm so thankful to be part of a fellowship that delves into the Word and doesn't rely on programs and fluff and trying not to offend in order to bring people in. I believe it to be an offense to Christ. God didn't require gimmicks to speak His Word and have it reach our hearts. The Word of God is sharper than a 2 edged sword. People need the truth, not a facade of righteousness.
I also found this blog through Mrs B. I even get frustrated at Christians with this issue these days. "Oh it doesn't matter if our doctrine isn't correct, so long as we understand salvation." (That's the biggest cop-out for not studying that I've ever heard). And then there are people like homosexuals that will flaunt their deathstyles (it sure ain't a lifestyle) in your face but you aren't allowed to even mention yours. I'm gonna mention it anyway...
There are some wonderful comments here that I want to respond to. Unfortunately I need to be upstairs today (or at least this morning).
[Hubby worked almost 24 hours straight in order to lend a hand to his night crew (something he normally does not have to worry about). :o) So I *rilly*rilly* want to keep the children quiet so he can get some sleep before has to start dealing with his sales team. Not to mention there are presents to wrap and baking to be done. ;o)]
All that to say, I will be back to respond to the rest of the comments. Thanks to all for participating in this post's conversation.
This is so true and I agree with you 100%! There are only two places a soul will go at the death of the body...Heaven or hell. My soul longs to hear preachers once again stand strong on God's Holy Word and sound the warning.
Amen, Jodi!
It's been a long time since I' been to see you, but so glad to see this dynamite post about the truth of God's Word.
Lovely picture on your header! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
((LSS)) ~ You know I always enjoy your insights. You did not come across as too strong - just the truth. A sinner cannot repent (turn from sin and towards submission to God) unless he sees himself as a sinner. Telling a lost soul
'they are good' is moving them in the wrong direction ... away from God.
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Deby and Mrs. B ~ You are both right ~ the comments have been wonderful.
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Sherry ~ What a pleasure to have you visit the Domain; you are most welcome to link here.
God didn't require gimmicks to speak His Word and have it reach our hearts.
AMEN! The "seeker sensitive" movement has had a very negative impact on the church today. I believe in many (if not most) cases churches of this mindset do not provide what the lost need to find salvation nor do they provide meat enough for those that are believers to "grow up" and mature in their faith.
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Mrs. W ~ Welcome to the Domain. My post was, in fact, directed at Christians (or at least those that claim to be Christians).
I agree with you completely about doctrine. Like you, I have seen fellow believers get angry at the mention of doctrine, claiming that Jesus is all that matters.
But it is not doctrine vs. Christ; doctrine is all about Christ. John 1 tells us Christ is the Word. If I want to know Christ intimately -- I must know His Word and what it teaches.
Doctrine is just a word that means teaching, and the Bible uses that word many, many times. God expects us to know what we believe and why we believe it. (If we don't we won't know what is truth and what is not!)
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Absolutely, Sharon! I heard a sermon this past week reminding us that our souls are created in the image of God and therefore are eternal. A soul will exist forever either in Heaven or Hell. But it will never cease to exist.
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((Maxine)) ~ always good to see you. Thank you for your encouragement.
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A Final Thought
Colossians tells us ~ as Christians ~ our speech should be full of grace and seasoned with salt.
Full of grace because we must always remember that we were once lost ourselves. We have done nothing to earn or deserve salvation ... it is the Gift of God. It is humbling to realize how unworthy we are. We have no defense for our own sinful selves but must rely fully on the blood of the Lamb for our position as a Child of God.
Seasoned with salt because that same reliance on Christ is also empowering. We can boldly approach the throne of God and we can share the Gospel in confidence because our salvation is sure in Christ.
It is this unique combination that allows us to speak the truth in love! When we speak truth without remembering our own reliance on Christ we tend to be unloving and harsh; it makes us a clanging cymbal (I Cor. 13). Spouting off loving phrases that are not true (which is what this post was about) makes us a liar. But when our speech is gracious and full of God's truths, we will answer everyman correctly.
What a wonderful thing to strive for in the new year! :o)
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:5-6
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