Your Faith is Blessing and Treasure

"Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:5-6

There are an estimated 4200 religions in the world.  Think about that.  Mankind – so distinct from all other creation on this earth – continues to seek out something greater than themselves. And out of that mass of religions, there are three major religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic religions, namely they believe that there is only one God. All three religions believe that this God is the origin and source of all that exists. As Christians, we believe there is only one true faith – faith in Jesus, the Christ. Everyone else has missed it. If you are interested in understanding the root of the Islamic faith read Genesis 16 to 21.

The Jews, who rejected Jesus as a prophet, called him an imposter, while the Christians, on the other hand, considered him to be the son of God and worship him as such.  In Jewish eschatology, the Messiah is a future Jewish king from the Davidic line, who is expected to be anointed with holy anointing oil and rule the Jewish people during the Messianic Age and world to come. Islam considers Jesus to be one of the greatest and most forbearing of prophets, in addition to Noah, Abraham, Moses and Muhammad, peace be upon them. Jesus is also considered to be the Messiah as well. 

“He [Jesus] said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.’” – Matthew 16:15-17

We believe that apart from faith in Jesus, there is no hope beyond this mortal life. Believing that there is a God in Heaven. Believing that man was created by God. The existence of Adam and Abraham – is not enough. 

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” –  James 2:19

But there is something lacking. Recall the Pharisee, Nicodemus.

“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus answered and said to Him, ‘How can these things be?’  Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved’.” – John 3:1-17

There are many people who identify with the Christian faith, who are not born again.  It is more of a cultural – traditional belief and no-wise spiritual.  To have eternal life – you must be born again by the Spirit of God through faith that Jesus is the Christ. That is a distinctive among all 4200 religions. It is what makes Christianity different. God has revealed Himself through Jesus and, in turn, through those who have confessed with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God, the Father, raise Jesus, the Son, from the dead. Having died for the world’s sin once for all.  Remarkable and true. But that truth is only revealed by the Spirit of God.

Why share this with you? Because I want to remind you of just how miraculous your new life in Christ is.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone