What Does it Mean to Believe in God? Belief in God is a fundamental aspect of faith for many individuals around the world. It goes beyond simply acknowledging the existence of a higher power; it encompasses trust, commitment, and a deep understanding of God’s nature. In this article, we will explore the multifaceted nature of belief in God and delve into the significance it holds in religious and spiritual contexts.
What it Means to Believe in God
From a Biblical Perspective
The Essence of Belief
Belief in God is not limited to a mere intellectual acceptance of His existence. It encompasses a profound trust in Him and a willingness to commit one’s life to Him. While many people may acknowledge the existence of God, true belief goes beyond surface-level recognition. As James 2:19 states, even the demons believe in God’s existence, yet they do not trust or honor Him. Belief in God requires a genuine commitment that results in a transformative change of life.
The Foundation of Faith
Scripture highlights the importance of believing in the true God as the foundation of a relationship with Him. Hebrews 11:6 states, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Belief in God is essential for developing a deep and meaningful connection with Him. It is through faith that we open ourselves to experiencing His love, guidance, and blessings.
The Nature of God
To truly believe in God, we must have a clear understanding of His nature as revealed in Scripture. Many individuals have their own perceptions and interpretations of God, often constructing a god of their own making. However, authentic belief requires aligning our understanding of God with His true nature. The Bible describes God as the Triune God, perfect, omniscient, omnipotent, all-sufficient, immutable, true, faithful, gracious, loving, merciful, holy, and just. Belief in a god of our own design is futile; true belief necessitates embracing God as He has revealed Himself.
Trusting in Jesus
Central to belief in God is faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is not only the Son of God but also the exact representation of God’s nature (Hebrews 1:3). Believing in God involves placing our trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Through Jesus, God has shown Himself to us in a way we can comprehend and relate to. As Jesus Himself proclaimed, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Trusting in Jesus and accepting His redemptive work on the cross is the gateway to a vibrant and transformative relationship with God.
Belief and Action
Belief in God should not be a passive endeavor; it should lead to a life of commitment, service, and devotion. James 2:26 states, “Faith without works is dead.” True belief in God compels us to live out our faith through actions that align with His teachings. It is not enough to simply believe in God intellectually; our belief should manifest in tangible expressions of love, compassion, and righteousness towards others. Our faith should motivate us to make a positive difference in the world and reflect God’s character in all that we do.
The Attributes of God
Belief in God requires a deep understanding and appreciation of His attributes. Scripture reveals that God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6). His mercy extends to all of His creation, and His patience with us is boundless. God’s love is not contingent upon our actions but flows freely, and His faithfulness remains unwavering even when our faith falters. Belief in God necessitates embracing these attributes and recognizing His immeasurable worth and goodness.
The Unchanging Nature of God
One of the foundational aspects of belief in God is His unchanging nature. Unlike human beings who are subject to change and inconsistency, God remains steadfast and constant. He is the eternal “I Am” (Exodus 3:14), without beginning or end. God’s unchanging nature provides a source of stability and assurance for those who believe in Him. It assures us that His promises are reliable and His love for us endures eternally. In a world of uncertainty, belief in a God who is unchanging brings comfort and hope.
The Personal Journey of Belief
Belief in God is a deeply personal journey that goes beyond cultural or societal influences. It requires a genuine and heartfelt connection with the divine. While external expressions of faith may vary, the essence of belief remains the same—to know God intimately, to trust Him wholeheartedly, and to surrender our lives to His loving care. Let’s take note that Belief in God is not a one-time event but a lifelong process of growth, discovery, and transformation.
Belief and Salvation
Belief in God is intricately connected to salvation. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that we can experience the fullness of God’s grace and receive the gift of eternal life. Trusting in Jesus as our Savior and Lord is the key to reconciliation with God and the assurance of salvation. It is not enough to simply believe in the existence of God or in the divinity of Jesus; true belief encompasses a personal relationship with Him and a commitment to follow His teachings.
The Impact of Belief
Belief in God has a profound impact on our lives. It provides a solid foundation for our values, morals, and worldview. It gives us hope, purpose, and direction. Belief in God shapes our relationships, our choices, and our perspectives. It empowers us to face life’s challenges with courage and resilience, knowing that we are not alone. Belief in God brings meaning and significance to our existence, enabling us to live a life of love, service, and devotion.
In conclusion, belief in God is more than a mere intellectual acknowledgment of His existence. It requires trust, commitment, and a deep understanding of His nature. Belief in God is rooted in faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the source of salvation. It involves embracing His attributes, recognizing His unchanging nature, and living out our faith through actions of love and service. Belief in God is a personal and transformative journey that impacts every aspect of our lives. May we all seek to cultivate a genuine and unwavering belief in God, and may it guide us on the path of righteousness and eternal life.
What Does it Mean to Believe in God?
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Acts 16:31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
1 John 2:2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Romans 10:9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
1 John 3:8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
Group 1 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Hebrews 11:1-40 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. …
Hebrews 2:1-18 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. …
Group 2 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Genesis 15:6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
2 Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
1 John 2:18-19 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
Group 3 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—
1 Timothy 2:7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Hebrews 4:2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.
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.
Ephesians 6:5-8 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.
Group 4 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
John 3:1-36 Now 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 him, “Truly, truly, 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, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Jude 1:24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
Group 5 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
1 Corinthians 15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
Group 6 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Ephesians 1:18 Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:1-39 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. …
Group 7 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Matthew 8:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
1 Peter 3:22 Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Group 8 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
James 2:1-26 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? …
1 Peter 1:24-25 For “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Group 9 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
2 Timothy 4:11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.
2 Timothy 3:5 Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
Romans 10:9-10 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
1 Timothy 1:16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
Colossians 2:11-12 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Group 10 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
Ephesians 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Ephesians 6:9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Ephesians 4:9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
Group 11 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
Ephesians 4:3 Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Ephesians 2:22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:15 By abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
2 Corinthians 1:22 And who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
Ephesians 3:1-21 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. …
1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Group 12 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:6 And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
Ephesians 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Romans 15:7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
Group 13 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Acts 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Romans 8:9-11 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Group 14 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 4:18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”
Acts 10:44-48 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Acts 9:5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Acts 7:56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Group 15 – What Does it Mean to Believe in God
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
Acts 2:40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Acts 2:23 This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
John 16:8-11 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Acts 1:18-19 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
John 10:26 But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
What is the Plan of Salvation in the Bible? The concept of the plan of salvation is central to the teachings of Christianity. It encompasses the belief that humanity, due to their sinful nature, needs deliverance and reconciliation with God. While different religions may have varying perspectives on salvation, the Bible clearly outlines God’s plan for the redemption of humanity. In this article, we will explore the plan of salvation by examining key aspects such as the need for salvation, the role of Jesus Christ, and how individuals can receive salvation.
What is the Plan of Salvation: Understanding God’s Divine Gift
The Need for Salvation
The Consequence of Sin
The plan of salvation begins with an understanding of why salvation is necessary. According to the Bible, sin separates humanity from God (Isaiah 59:2). Sin is the rebellion against God’s commands and leads to spiritual death (Romans 6:23). Every person, regardless of their moral standing or religious practices, is affected by sin (Romans 3:23). The consequences of sin include eternal separation from God and spiritual death (Revelation 20:11-15). Without salvation, every individual is destined for this fate.
God’s Holiness and Justice
The need for salvation arises from the holiness and justice of God. God is holy and cannot tolerate sin (Habakkuk 1:13a). His justice requires that sin be punished. The punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23), which includes both physical and spiritual death. God’s holiness and justice demand that sin be dealt with, and the plan of salvation provides a way for this to occur.
God’s Plan of Salvation
The Role of Jesus Christ
At the core of God’s plan of salvation is Jesus Christ. God sent His Son into the world out of love, not to condemn humanity but to save them (John 3:17). Jesus, being fully God and fully human, lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21) and offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice on behalf of humanity (1 Corinthians 15:3). Through His death on the cross, Jesus paid the price for the sins of the entire world (1 John 2:2). His resurrection from the dead demonstrated His victory over sin and death, providing a way for salvation to be available to all (Romans 4:25).
Salvation through Faith
The plan of salvation emphasizes the importance of faith. In Acts 16:31, when asked how to be saved, the apostle Paul responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Salvation is not achieved through human efforts or good works; it is received by faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). By acknowledging our sinful nature, believing in Jesus as the Son of God who died for our sins, and placing our trust in Him, we can receive salvation.
Repentance and Transformation
Repentance is another essential aspect of the plan of salvation. It involves recognizing and turning away from our sinful ways, desiring to live according to God’s will. It is a genuine change of heart and a commitment to follow Jesus as Lord (Acts 3:19). Repentance is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of transformation empowered by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Receiving Salvation
Accepting God’s Gift
To receive salvation, one must accept God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. This involves acknowledging one’s sinfulness, believing in Jesus as the Savior, and surrendering one’s life to Him. It is choosing to trust in Jesus alone for salvation and committing to follow Him (John 3:16; Romans 10:9).
Baptism and New Life
Baptism is an important step in the plan of salvation. It symbolizes the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-4). Through baptism, a person publicly declares their faith in Christ and their desire to live a new life in Him. It is an act of obedience and an outward expression of an inward transformation.
Walking in Faith
Salvation is not the end; it marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. As believers, we are called to grow in our relationship with God, spending time in prayer, studying His Word, and seeking fellowship with other believers (Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 4:6-7). We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that honors God and reflects His love and grace to others.
Conclusion
The plan of salvation is God’s divine gift to humanity. It addresses the universal need for redemption from sin and separation from God. Through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, salvation is made available to all who believe and trust in Him. Salvation requires faith, repentance, and a lifelong commitment to follow Jesus as Lord. It is an invitation to experience forgiveness, transformation, and eternal life in a loving relationship with God. Embracing the plan of salvation is the most important decision one can make, leading to a life of purpose, joy, and peace in the presence of God.
What is the Plan of Salvation in the Bible?
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Acts 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Group 1 – What is the Plan of Salvation in the Bible
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Romans 10:9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Group 2 – What is the Plan of Salvation in the Bible
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Group 3 – What is the Plan of Salvation in the Bible
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
John 3:1-36 Now 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 him, “Truly, truly, 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, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …
Group 4 – What is the Plan of Salvation in the Bible
John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
James 2:24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
1 Peter 3:21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Group 5 – What is the Plan of Salvation in the Bible
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Group 6 – What is the Plan of Salvation in the Bible
2 Timothy 3:15 And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Romans 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
1 Timothy 2:4 Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Group 7 – What is the Plan of Salvation in the Bible
Acts 16:31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
Romans 3:25 Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Romans 1:4 And was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
John 20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Acts 16:30-31 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 11:14 He will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’
John 6:29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
Group 8 – What is the Plan of Salvation in the Bible
Genesis 6:8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
Acts 2:1-47 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. …
Group 9 – What is the Plan of Salvation in the Bible
Matthew 10:32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 3:8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
Isaiah 1:1-31 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. …
What is Salvation? Salvation is a fundamental concept in the Christian faith, representing deliverance from danger or suffering. At its core, salvation refers to the rescue and redemption of humanity from the consequences of sin. It is a concept that operates at both the individual and cosmic levels, offering eternal life and reconciliation with God. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the meaning, purpose, and process of salvation, drawing insights from various biblical passages and theological perspectives.
Salvation: A Deliverance from Sin and its Consequences
The Individual and Cosmic Dimensions
The Individual Dimension of Salvation
Salvation, in its simplest definition, is being saved from the penalty of sin. The Bible states that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This universal human condition separates us from God and exposes us to eternal death (Romans 6:23). Salvation, therefore, entails deliverance from this separation and the restoration of our relationship with God.
The consequences of sin are grave, and salvation offers liberation from its power and penalty. Through salvation, we are set free from the bondage of sin, experiencing forgiveness and reconciliation with God. It is a transformational process that not only saves us from eternal damnation but also empowers us to live a life of righteousness and purpose.
The Cosmic Dimension of Salvation
While salvation has a personal aspect, it also encompasses a broader scope. The biblical narrative reveals that salvation extends beyond individual redemption to the entire created order. God’s plan of salvation encompasses the restoration of all things (Colossians 1:19-20), culminating in the establishment of a new heavens and a new earth (Revelation 21:1). Salvation, therefore, not only redeems humanity but also seeks to reconcile and renew the entire cosmos.
The Source of Salvation: Jesus Christ
The Need for a Savior
The necessity of salvation arises from the inherent sinfulness of humanity. The Bible affirms that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and our sinful nature prevents us from bridging the gap between ourselves and God. Human efforts, no matter how virtuous, cannot earn salvation or appease God’s justice. Therefore, a savior is required to rescue us from the consequences of sin.
The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ
God, in His unfathomable love, provided the ultimate solution to the human predicament through Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, entered the world as a human being to save humanity. He lived a sinless life, fulfilling the requirements of the law, and willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus paid the price for our sins and made salvation possible for all who believe in Him (John 3:16).
The Role of Faith in Salvation
Salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ. This faith involves acknowledging our sinful nature, repenting of our sins, and placing our complete trust in Jesus as our Savior and Lord. It is not based on our own merits or good works but on the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). By accepting Jesus’ sacrifice and surrendering our lives to Him, we enter into a personal relationship with God and receive the gift of salvation.
The Process of Salvation: Past, Present, and Future
Salvation is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey marked by different stages and dimensions. Understanding the past, present, and future aspects of salvation helps us grasp its comprehensive nature and transformative power.
Salvation in the Past: Justification
The past aspect of salvation is commonly referred to as justification. Justification is the act of God declaring a sinner righteous through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22-24). It is a one-time event that occurs at the moment of conversion when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Through justification, our sins are forgiven, and we are declared righteous before God, not based on our own righteousness but on the righteousness of Christ imputed to us.
Salvation in the Present: Sanctification
After justification, the process of sanctification begins. Sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, transforming them into the image of Christ. It involves the gradual growth and maturation of our faith, as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit to develop Christlike character and live according to God’s commandments. Sanctification is a synergistic process, with God’s grace empowering us to live a holy and righteous life.
Salvation in the Future: Glorification
The final aspect of salvation is glorification, which refers to the future transformation of believers into a state of perfection. Glorification occurs at the resurrection and consummation of all things when we receive our glorified bodies and enter into the eternal presence of God. In this glorified state, we will be free from the presence and power of sin, fully experiencing the joy and fulfillment of God’s kingdom.
The Purpose of Salvation: Restored Relationship and Kingdom Living
Salvation not only saves us from the consequences of sin but also restores our relationship with God and empowers us to live according to His kingdom principles. This restored relationship and kingdom living form the foundation of the purpose of salvation.
Restored Relationship with God
Salvation reconciles us with God, bridging the gap caused by sin. Through Jesus Christ, we are adopted as children of God and enter into a personal and intimate relationship with Him (Ephesians 1:5). This restored relationship enables us to experience God’s love, guidance, and transformative power, as we walk in communion with Him.
Empowered Kingdom Living
Salvation empowers us to live according to the values and principles of God’s kingdom. It is not merely a ticket to heaven but a call to participate in God’s redemptive work on earth. As ambassadors of Christ, we are entrusted with the mission of sharing the good news of salvation and demonstrating God’s love through our actions. Salvation equips us with the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts to serve others and contribute to the transformation of society.
Conclusion
Salvation is a multi-dimensional concept that encompasses individual redemption and cosmic restoration. It is made possible through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation is received by faith and involves justification, sanctification, and glorification. Its purpose is to restore our relationship with God and empower us to live according to His kingdom principles. As believers, we are called to embrace and share the gift of salvation, proclaiming the transformative power of God’s grace to a broken world. Let us rejoice in the salvation we have received and strive to live out its profound implications in every aspect of our lives.
What is Salvation?
Acts 4:12 – “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,“
Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”
Romans 10:9 – “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
John 15:1-27 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. …”
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Group 1 – What is Salvation
Acts 2:38 – “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Psalm 62:1 – “To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.”
Acts 28:28 – “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
Psalm 3:8 – “Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!”
Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Acts 16:30-33 – “Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.”
Psalm 37:39 – “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.”
John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.“
Group 2 – What is Salvation
John 3:17-21 – “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Jonah 2:9 – “But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
Galatians 2:21 – “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”
John 3:16-18 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.“
Group 3 – What is Salvation
Acts 2:36-41 – “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” …”
Romans 6:14 – “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
Acts 2:1-47 – “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting, And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. …”
Psalm 60:5 – “That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us!”
Group 4 – What is Salvation
Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
John 3:5 – Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Romans 10:9-10 – “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Mark 16:16 – “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Acts 11:18 – “When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.””
Acts 16:31 – And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Group 5 – What is Salvation
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
John 1:12 – “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”
Psalm 25:5 – “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”
John 3:3 – Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Romans 5:8 – “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9 – “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.“
John 5:24 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
Group 6 – What is Salvation
2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
James 2:18 – But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Philippians 2:12 – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”
2 Thessalonians 2:13 – “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.”
1 Peter 3:21 – “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”
Ephesians 2:1-22 – “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— …”
Group 7 – What is Salvation
Romans 10:13 – For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
1 John 5:13 – “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Ephesians 1:13 – “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,”
1 Peter 2:24 – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
John 6:37 – “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
John 3:1-36 – “Now 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 him, “Truly, truly, 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, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …”
Group 8 – What is Salvation
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Acts 3:19 – “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,”
John 11:25-26 – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
2 Corinthians 6:2 – “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.”
Acts 22:16 – “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’”
Revelation 3:5 – “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”
Philippians 1:6 – “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
2 Timothy 1:9 – “Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,”
Group 9 – What is Salvation
Hebrews 6:4-6 – “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”
Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Acts 2:41 – “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Mark 16:15-16 – And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
John 10:9 – “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”
Group 10 – What is Salvation
Acts 17:30 – “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,“
Acts 15:7-15 – “And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” …”
Titus 2:11 – “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,”
Romans 8:37-39 – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Hebrews 2:3 – “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,”
Group 11 – What is Salvation
Revelation 3:20 – “Behold, 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.”
2 Timothy 3:15 – “And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 – “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Psalm 21:5 – “His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him.”
Acts 4:1-37 – “And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, …”
Romans 6:1-2 – “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”
Group 12 – What is Salvation
Romans 3:10 – “As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;“
Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
James 1:21 – “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
Acts 13:48 – “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.”
Romans 1:1-32 – “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ...”
Group 13 – What is Salvation
Ephesians 1:1-23 – “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, …”
1 John 2:23-29 – “No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. ...”
Group 14 – What is Salvation
Isaiah 64:6 – “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”
Romans 3:1-31 – “Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) ...”
Luke 1:67-80 – “And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; …”
John 12:35-36 – “So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.”
Group 15 – What is Salvation
1 Corinthians 1:21 – “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”
Ephesians 1:4 – “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love”
1 Timothy 4:16 – “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Romans 3:20 – “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”
Galatians 3:27 – “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:1-58 – “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. …”
Group 16 – What is Salvation
John 10:28 – “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
Psalm 6:3-4 – “My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord—how long? Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.”
Revelation 22:11-21 – “Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. …”
What Did Jesus Say About Salvation? Salvation is a central theme in the Bible, and the message of salvation is clear: it is open to all. The Bible teaches that God’s invitation for salvation extends to every person, regardless of their background, nationality, or status. In this article, we will explore what the Bible says about salvation being open to all and delve into key verses that highlight this universal message. Through an examination of these verses, we will gain a deeper understanding of God’s desire for all people to come to Him through Jesus Christ and receive salvation.
What Jesus Taught About Salvation
Salvation from a Biblical Perspective
The Universal Program of Salvation
The Bible makes it clear that the program of salvation is universal, applying to all people. In Isaiah 45:22, God declares, “Look to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” This verse emphasizes that the Gospel applies to every individual, from every nation. God’s invitation for salvation is extended to all, leaving no one outside of His salvation plan. There is only one way to heaven, and every person is welcome to come through Jesus, who is God Himself.
The universality of salvation is further emphasized in John 3:16, which states, “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.” God’s love encompasses His entire creation, and He desires the salvation of all people. Salvation is not limited to a select few but is made available to everyone. The decision to receive salvation through faith is left up to every individual, ensuring that no one can make an excuse for not accepting God’s invitation.
God’s Will for All to be Saved
The Bible clearly expresses God’s will for all people to be saved. In 1 Timothy 2:3-6, it is written, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” God’s desire is for every person to experience salvation and come to know the truth. Jesus didn’t die for just a select few; He gave Himself as a ransom for all.
2 Peter 3:9 further emphasizes God’s will for all to be saved: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” God’s patience and longsuffering are evidence of His desire for every individual to come to repentance and receive salvation. His will is that none should perish, but that all should have the opportunity to be saved.
Provision for All
In His great love and mercy, God has made provision for the salvation of all people. Romans 6:23 declares, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This verse highlights the contrast between the consequences of sin and the free gift of eternal life offered by God. While sin leads to death, God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ brings eternal life. This gift is available to everyone, regardless of their past sins or shortcomings.
The Gospel, as the power of God for salvation, is available to everyone who believes. Romans 1:16 states, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Salvation is not limited to a particular group or ethnicity. It is accessible to everyone, from every tribe and nation. The only requirement for salvation is faith in Jesus Christ, and this faith opens the door to the power of God’s salvation.
Salvation Through Faith
Salvation is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. John 1:12-13 affirms this truth: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” This verse emphasizes that salvation is not achieved through human effort or lineage but is received through faith in Jesus and the new birth that comes from God.
Romans 10:9-13 further underscores the importance of personal faith in salvation: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” Salvation is not based on works or religious rituals but on a genuine belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord in faith will be saved.
The Exclusivity of Jesus Christ
The Bible clearly states that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus Himself declares, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This statement affirms the exclusivity of Jesus as the only way to God. Just as the Old Testament symbols and teachings emphasized the exclusiveness of God’s claim, Jesus fulfills these symbols and serves as the sole means of access to God. Salvation is not attained through any other means or religious practices but solely through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Role of Grace and Works
The Bible teaches that salvation is a result of God’s grace and cannot be earned through good works. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Salvation is a gift freely given by God, not something that can be achieved or earned through human effort. It is solely through faith in Jesus Christ that we receive this gift of salvation.
However, while salvation is not based on works, it does result in a transformed life characterized by good works. Titus 2:11-14 explains that God’s grace not only brings salvation but also trains believers to renounce ungodliness and live godly lives. Good works are the fruit of salvation and evidence of a genuine faith in Christ. Christians are called to live in a manner that reflects the grace and love they have received.
The Assurance of Salvation
Those who accept God’s invitation and believe in Jesus Christ can have assurance of their salvation. 1 John 5:13 says, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” The Bible provides assurance that those who have put their faith in Jesus have eternal life. Salvation is not a matter of doubt or uncertainty but of confident trust in the finished work of Christ.
Conclusion
The Bible’s message is clear: salvation is open to all. God desires the salvation of every person and has made provision for it through Jesus Christ. The Gospel is universal, extending to every nation and every individual. Salvation is received through faith in Jesus, and it cannot be earned through good works. Jesus is the only way to God, and through Him, all who believe can have eternal life. The assurance of salvation is available to those who put their trust in Jesus. Let us embrace God’s invitation for salvation and share the good news with others, knowing that it is open to all who believe.
What Did Jesus Say About Salvation?
Isaiah 45:22 Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Romans 10:9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Group 1 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Group 2 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
1 Timothy 2:4 Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Acts 16:31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
Group 3 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 3:21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Group 4 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 5:11-13 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
Acts 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Revelation 3:20 Behold, 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.
Revelation 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
Group 5 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
Colossians 1:1-29 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, …
2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Galatians 2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Acts 16:30-33 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
Group 6 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 6:47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.
Ephesians 2:9 Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
1 John 2:2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Group 7 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
1 Timothy 2:1-15 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, …
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Matthew 15:21-28 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” …
Group 8 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
Romans 10:15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Psalm 3:8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah
Psalm 62:1 To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
1 John 2:1-29 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: …
Group 9 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:1-25 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …
Group 10 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
James 2:24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
James 1:21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Group 11 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit,
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
1 Corinthians 2:1-16 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. …
Group 12 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Romans 10:9-10 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Acts 28:28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
Acts 2:36-41 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” …
Group 13 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
Acts 16:30-31 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 2:1-47 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. …
Acts 2:39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
John 15:1-27 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. …
Group 14 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 3:17-21 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Group 15 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Mark 16:15-16 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Group 16 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
Psalm 60:5 That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us!
Psalm 37:39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
1 John 5:12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Psalm 27:1 Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
James 5:20 Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Group 17 – What Did Jesus Say About Salvation
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
1 John 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
Hebrews 11:1-40 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. …
A Holy Calling has been destined by the Lord God Almighty for all those who will come to Him through Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 1:9 says, “for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago],” Likewise, when reading the Bible, we frequently hear of people being called by the Lord God Almighty for a specific ministry or service. There are many examples of people being called by the Lord God in the Bible for His service. Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, David, Ezekiel, and many others were called by the Lord God Almighty to be His Prophets. Likewise, Paul was called by the Lord God: “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:1). Likewise, the Old Testament priests were called by the Lord God to their special work (Hebrews 5:4; cf. Exodus 28:1). To be called by the Lord God Almighty is to be chosen by Him for certain purposes. When a person is aware of God’s calling in his/her life and surrenders to it, he/she starts living out the Lord God’s purpose for his/her life.
Isaiah 49:1 says, “Listen to Me, O islands and coastlands, And pay attention, you peoples from far away. The Lord has called Me from the womb; From the body of My mother He has named Me.” Jeremiah 1:4-5 says, Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Galatians 1:14-18 says, “And [you have heard how] I surpassed many of my contemporaries among my countrymen in [my advanced study of the laws of] Judaism, as I was extremely loyal to the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had chosen me and set me apart before I was born, and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles [as the good news—the way of salvation], I did not immediately consult with anyone [for guidance regarding God’s call and His revelation to me]. Nor did I [even] go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia and stayed awhile, and afterward returned once more to Damascus. Then three years later I did go up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas (Peter), and I stayed with him fifteen days.“
A Holy Calling
The Lord God Almighty called the entire nation of Israel to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). Likewise, the church, redeemed by the blood of the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, is called: “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10). The Lord God’s calling of Israel was to showcase His salvation to the pagan world. Sadly, Israel rejected that call by following idols and as a result never flourished in the way the Lord God wanted to prosper them. Nevertheless, the Lord God’s call today is to all those redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ to showcase to the world God’s love, mercy, grace, and salvation (Hebrews 12:14; Matthew 5:16). The Lord God is actively involved with His Universe than many people actually think. The Lord God is sovereign over the Universe and all creation as confirmed by Isaiah 46:9–11. Although the Lord God created humankind to be freewill beings and as such possess the freedom to make choices, His choices have already been made (Exodus 33:19; Romans 9:10–18). Likewise, Romans 11:29 says, “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”
John 3:16 says, “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Behold, we are called by the Lord God to Salvation. In the New Testament, the Greek word ekklesia translated “church” means “a called-out assembly,” or “the called out ones.” God’s call to salvation involves conforming us “to the image of his Son.” Both His election and call to salvation are part of an eternal plan for us that guarantees our inheritance in heaven: “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:29–30). After salvation, we are further called to grow in Christian virtue and serve the Lord God by good works. As a matter of fact, it is this maturation process in the Christian faith that confirms our calling by the Lord God (2 Peter 1:5–10). The Lord God has provided us with Spiritual Gifts to aid us in our call to service in His vineyard. The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts as He sees fit and then calls us into a field of service that makes use of those gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1–11).
Biblical Facts About Being Called By God
Behold, each and every Christian has a calling in his/her life. In fact, we were designed before the foundation of the world to be His workmanship, glorifying Him as we bring forth the fruit He desires. Ephesians 1:4-5 says, “just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—“ Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].“
Generally, the Lord God’s call to service usually begins with a burden for a particular need that relates to His kingdom. Some are called to the political arena where they can contribute to ending things like child abuse, and human trafficking, as well as contributing to the well-being of society in one way or the other for the glory of God. Others are called to be Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, Worship leaders, Bible translators, or to a host of other avenues that honor and glorify the Lord God (Matthew 23:34; 1 Corinthians 12:27-31; Ephesians 4:11). In this way, each one makes use of the gifts the Spirit has given to bring honor and glory to God’s name. We discover our call to a specific area of service by walking closely with the Lord God, loving Him, obeying Him, and offering ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1–2; Colossians 1:10). With time, we’ll grow spiritually and develop sensitivity to the voice of the Lord God. He can confirm His call in any way of His choice. Most of the time, confirmation can come through Scripture, godly counsel, fruitful results, natural gifting, and/or a sense of “rightness” that does not conflict with any of the other Scriptural confirmations.
Responding To God’s Call
When the Lord God calls us, He leads us into an awareness of the call. When we accept His calling on our lives, He prepares and equips us to be successful in His service. In the field, our callings are manifested through the works we are able to accomplish by the strength and gifts that God prepared and equipped us with. For example, a person may begin to have a burden for a particular foreign nation and its people regarding their salvation and spiritual well-being. The burden was placed there by the Lord God as part of His calling. The person makes further research about that nation and enrolls in a missions-focused school as his/her way to prepare for the work ahead. Once on the mission field, he/she is willing to suffer hardships and separation from family and friends because the call of God is his/her greatest motivation and focus. Apostle Paul wrote, “I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16). Notice that God’s call on Apostle Paul’s life became his motivating force. Acts 9:15–16 says, But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will make clear to him how much he must suffer and endure for My name’s sake.”
In answering God’s call, we must obey His instructions in Scripture. By being faithful to the call of obedience, the Lord God can call us to more specific areas as well as increase our responsibility in his vineyard. Luke 16:10 says, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little thing is also dishonest in much.“ Matthew 25:21 says, “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’“ Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 12:1-29 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. …“
Resisting/Refusing to Accept/Surrender to God’s Call
The Bible tells us that Jonah was called by the Lord God but refused to surrender to the call; rather, he ran the other way (Jonah 1:1–3). In spite of that, the Lord God pursued His disobedient servant until Jonah submitted himself to the call. With clear knowledge and understanding of Jonah’s disobedience beforehand, the Lord God had already prepared a big fish to swallow him and spit him out when he was humbled enough to repent (Jonah 1:17—2:1). When Jonah was back on dry land, the word of the Lord came to him for a second time, giving him another chance to obey. Jonah 3:1-3 says, “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it.”
It’s without a doubt that the Lord God Almighty could have rescued the Israelites from captivity in Egypt without Moses’ help. But He chose to do it through Moses (Matthew 19:26). Appearing to Moses at the burning bush, the Lord God said, “I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt … and I have come down to rescue them” (Exodus 3:7-8). Surprisingly, the Lord God said, “Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10). Notice that the Lord God had a plan to deliver His people; His plan was Moses. However, in response to God’s call, Moses immediately began making excuses. From the Bible, we can deduce 4 different excuses made by Moses in an attempt not to accept or surrender to God’s call on his life:
1) I am not Adequate for the Task (Lack of Confidence) – Exodus 3:11-12
Exodus 3:11-12 says, “But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” And God said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve and worship God at this mountain.” “Who am I,” Moses asked. In fact, he felt inadequate, and he was eventually right to feel that way. By himself, he was inadequate, just as each and every one of us is. Amazingly, the Lord God in reply said to Moses, “certainly I will be with you.” Notice that the deliverance of the Israelites who were held captive in Egypt didn’t depend on the ability of Moses but on the presence, mightiness, power, sovereignty, strength, and sufficiency of the Lord God. From this Scripture, it’s clear that when the Lord God calls people to serve His purpose, He always provides
Fascinatingly, in Exodus 3:11-12, no longer is Moses the bold, strong 40 years old man in Egypt, who could singlehandedly kill an Egyptian slave master and successfully flee away from the Egyptian army unhurt. It seems the last 40 years in the wilderness did erase his confidence. From a prince to a pauper, it’s clear that Moses suffered a serious demotion from royalty to one of Egypt’s most-wanted assassins who was on the run. This probably explains why after all these years of tending sheep in the desert with no prospects of any change on the horizon, Moses had a serious sense of personal inferiority. But what Moses failed to know was that the Lord God had His eyes on him all the time. Behold, the Lord God had chosen him to accomplish a task greater than anything he could have imagined. As a matter of fact, the last 40 years of tending sheep weren’t wasted. Rather, they had taught Moses a lot about leadership, for sheep are renowned for: 1) Wandering away, completely unaware of dangers that may lurk ahead of them. 2) Their crowd mentality, mob mentality, herd mentality, or pack mentality. 3) Their complete dependence on the shepherd to guard and provide for them.
Behold, if Moses could lead sheep, then he could certainly lead people. Moses had gained field experience in leading the sheep around the Median desert, leading them in finding food and water, and protecting them from wild animals. And as such, we think that Moses was best placed to lead the Israelites out of captivity and into the promised land. Although his objection sounds like an expression of deep humility, it’s not really about humility but lack of confidence, not lack of confidence in self but lack of confidence in the Lord God who called him. Given that the Lord God had seemingly abandoned Moses just when he was intervening to use his strength and position to ameliorate the plight of the Israelites who were held captive in Egypt, could he still trust Him for the future especially as it involved Pharaoh? (Exodus 2:11-22). Absolutely yes, Moses could trust the Lord God for the future and just everything that he needed. God’s reply, “I will be with you” was all that Moses needed. The expression “be with you” indicates intimacy, protection, guidance, provision, and comfort. In other words, everything that Moses would need, the Lord God would provide. Notice that this expression of encouragement in Exodus 3:12a was the same expression of encouragement that Jesus Christ gave to His disciples just before He ascended back to heaven and before they would face tremendous tests of their newfound faith: “Remember,I amwith you always,to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
2) I don’t Know Enough (A Lack of Knowledge of God) – Exodus 3:13-22
Exodus 3:13-14 says, Then Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers (ancestors) has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am”; and He said, “You shall say this to the Israelites, ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” Here, we see that Moses was worried about what to say should in case the Israelites challenge his authority and integrity by testing his personal knowledge of God. In fact, Moses was afraid the Israelites might ask him a question he couldn’t answer. Notice that he had to know the correct answer or else his authority would be in doubt. And knowing who he had been and what he had done, the Israelites were more likely to challenge him. Given his track record, they were likely to be suspicious of him.
Behold, if Moses didn’t answer correctly their hypothetical question as to God’s identity, they certainly would not welcome him, talk less of following him. The Lord God replied to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” And behold, whenever we say, “I don’t know enough,” “I’m not smart enough,” I’m not capable,” the Lord God Almighty says, but “I AM.” With this in mind, we should always trust Him because He is loving, worthy, faithful, and never fails.
3) People won’t take me Serious (Lack of Credibility with the People) – Exodus 4:1-9
Exodus 4:1 says, Then Moses answered [the Lord] and said, “What if they will not believe me or take seriously what I say? For they may say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’” The Lord God had already promised Moses, “They will listen to what you say” (Exodus 3:18). Still, Moses protested. Notice that now it’s not a matter of the Israelites questioning who had sent him, but whether they would believe him and obey him. Now it’s more of a matter of personal credibility. Well, Moses certainly had cause to wonder if they would believe him. Remember, his track record wasn’t that great. Indeed, he had earlier attempted to protect the Hebrew slave who was being mistreated by the slave master, but then he had disappeared for up to 40 years. The people were likely to question his whereabouts for all these years, who he had become, and whether or not he would abandon them again.
Amazingly, the Lord God graciously gives him three miraculous signs by which he could prove his credibility and convince the Israelites that he had been sent to them by I Am, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. First, his miraculous rod – when he threw it to the ground, it became a serpent and when he took hold of it again it became a rod again (Exodus 4:2-5). Second, his hand – when he put it into his cloak, it became leprous and when he put it into his cloak again it was immediately restored to perfect health (Exodus 4:6-7). Third, water from the river Nile – when Moses poured it on dry land it would become blood (Exodus 4:9).
4) A Lack of Oral Ability – Exodus 4:10-12
Exodus 4:10-12 says, Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, or the seeing or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and will teach you what you shall say.” Behold, public speaking happens to be a problem for many people. In fact, it’s a daunting task for many people. Moses found himself in a situation whereby he was called by the Lord God to speak to a multitude as vast as the Israelites and to the pharaoh, the very man who wanted to kill him and from whom he had fled many years ago for his life. Again, the Lord God graciously provides comfort and assurance to Moses. Surely, the Creator Himself is able to empower us to speak for Him and to give us the right words to speak at the right time (Luke 12:12).
I am not willing – Exodus 4:13-17
Exodus 4:13-17 says, But he said, “Please my Lord, send the message [of rescue to Israel] by [someone else,] whomever else You will [choose].” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled and burned against Moses; He said, “Is there not your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. Also, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be overjoyed. You must speak to him and put the words in his mouth; I, even I, will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do. Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; he will act as a mouthpiece for you, and you will be as God to him [telling him what I say to you]. You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs [the miracles which prove I sent you].”
“Please, Lord, Send someone else,” Moses said (Exodus 4:13). Indeed, Moses said this despite God’s grace, patience, and provision for his weakness and fears. Behold, this was not an excuse/objection, but it reveals the real issue. Notice that for every excuse/objection Moses had made, the Lord God offered His promise and provision. Upon running out of excuses/objections, Moses revealed what the real issue was: I am not willing or I don’t want to do this or get someone to do it. As a matter of fact, this is usually the real issue; we are simply not willing to step out in faith and obey God’s call and instructions for us. Sadly, there are many other excuses that we make when the Lord God calls us. One might say, “I’m too old” (Moses was 80 years old) or another might say, like Jeremiah, “I am only a youth” (Jeremiah 1:7). In reality, whatever the excuse, it often boils down to lack of trust and an unwillingness to obey the Lord God Almighty.
Can I Reject God’s Calling to be a Minister or His Servant?
If I refuse God’s calling to be a minister or His servant, will I be punished? What are the consequences of refusing God’s calling? Can I reject God’s call on my life and go free? From the previously presented cases of Moses and Jonah, we can draw some very important Biblical conclusions about resisting/rejecting God’s call. But before that, let’s get some Scriptural facts about this topic: Romans 14:12 says, “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.“ 1 Peter 4:5 says, “But they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” Revelation 20:12 says, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.” Matthew 12:36-37 says, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Luke 12:47-48 says, “And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.“
From the Biblical examples of Moses and Jonah, we learn that when the Lord God calls us to be His servants or to minister for Him, it is wisest to obey. Moses refused to be God’s minister in the desert and as a result, God took part of his ministry away and gave it to someone else. Later in Numbers 20, we are told that Moses sinned and as a result, the Lord God did not let him go into the Promised Land. The Lord God gave his ministry to Joshua. With this in mind, it’s clear that the Lord God does not ultimately need you for the accomplishment of His purpose. If you refuse or get involved in sin, the Lord God can possibly give part or all of your ministry to someone else. In the Bible, we see an example of blatant and defiant refusal from Jonah. Jonah was a reluctant prophet who did not enjoy the ministry that the Lord God gave him. Although his ministry was phenomenally successful, he missed the joy of ministry because he refused. Still, notice that the Lord God once again did not let Jonah say no.
Following the calling of Moses and Jonah, is it possible to successfully refuse or reject God’s calling on your life? No. Romans 11:29 says, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call].” The message of the Scripture is that if the Lord God is calling you to minister for Him, He will not let you say no. He will pursue you until you say “yes.” The question now is, what ministry will you receive and how will you operate it? Scripturally, the Lord God can give part of the ministry that you could have had to someone else. In addition, you may not enjoy the ministry that you end up with, but then at least you are obedient, like Jonah.
Sadly, many people these days are battling in an attempt to refuse or reject God’s call on their lives. As a matter of fact, doing this is fighting a losing battle. Deep down in your heart, you know without a doubt that the Lord God is calling you into His service but you just can’t imagine yourself becoming a minister or His servant. The Lord God has revealed Himself and His calling on your life in different ways. He has confirmed His calling on your life through the Scriptures, godly counsel, spiritual leaders, dreams, visions, fruitful results, natural gifting, and/or a sense of “rightness” that does not conflict with any of the other Scriptural confirmations. Perhaps, you’ve even stopped attending church in an attempt to get your mind off the things of God, but He keeps reminding you of His calling on your life. Jeremiah 20:9 says, “But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” Yet, you still keep trying to reject His calling. Trying to reject God’s call on your life as Jonah did is something that will put you in a more or less situation like that of Jonah whereby nothing in your life is moving as planned and on your own, you’ll be moving on towards distress, trouble, disaster and destruction as was the case with Jonah. Repent as Jonah did (Jonah 2), trust and serve the Lord God, “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
The Secret to answer God’s call for your life – 2 Chronicles 30:8
2 Chronicles 30:8 says, “Now do not stiffen your neck [becoming obstinate] like your fathers, but yield to the LORD and come to His sanctuary which He has sanctified and set apart forever, and serve the LORD your God, so that His burning anger will turn away from you.” When it comes to hearing and answering God’s call for your life, 2 Chronicles 30:8 is the scripture to embrace. It presents a powerful three-step principle on how to be used by God. This three-step principle remains the secret or answer to the question of how you prepare yourself to be used by God Almighty. This three-step principle can be presented with the following three words: Yield, Enter, and Serve. Likewise, Jesus Christ said in Luke 9:23, “Then He said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” By doing these things, you’ll make yourself receptive to God’s call as well as ready to be used by God anywhere and at any time depending on His will. It’s our prayer that after examining these secrets to answer God’s call on your life, you’ll be equipped with what it takes to be successful in doing God’s work thereby winning more souls into His Kingdom.
1. Completely Yield Yourself to God’s Will
Webster’s definition of yielding reads: 1) to give up possession of on claim or demand: such as a: to surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another: hand over possession of b: to give (oneself) up to an inclination, temptation, or habit c: to relinquish one’s possession of (something, such as a position of advantage or point of superiority) yield precedence d: to surrender or submit (oneself) to another e: to give up (one’s breath, life, or spirit) and so die 2) to be fruitful or productive. Below are characteristics of genuine yielding:
Yielding is fully letting God have His way in your life.
Genuine yielding prioritizes God’s will over your will.
It has to do with completely surrendering yourself to God.
True yielding acknowledges the confession; Not MY will but THY will be done in my life.
Through yielding, we become profitable to God’s kingdom.
Consecration and Sanctification are the two words used in the Bible for yielding.
Yielding is setting aside yourself for the sole purpose of God’s use.
By yielding ourselves, we are made available for God to use according to His will.
Our availability for God’s use depends on how much we give Him.
Hence, anyone who gives just a little of themselves to God will be used in a small way but anyone who gives much of themselves and their time to God will be used mightily in ways beyond human understanding.
Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.“ Luke 9:23 says, And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Galatians 5:24 says, “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.“ John 12:24 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.“ 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.“ Matthew 10:38 says, “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Romans 6:11 says, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
2. Enter into God’s Sanctuary
Entering into God’s sanctuary is an important Christian exercise that we can’t afford to omit in answering the question “how do I prepare myself to be used by God?” This is to say that if you are serious about answering God’s call in your life, you’ll need to build a deep relationship or establish a covenant with Him. It is the process of establishing a faithful relationship with God that we refer to as entering His sanctuary. Entering God’s sanctuary is not necessarily going to a Christian assembly which we’ve come to refer to as a Church. It is more of getting into your secret place, where you regularly talk with God in all quietness. Referring to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Mark 6:46 says, “And after He said goodbye to them, He went to the mountain to pray.” Likewise, Luke 5:16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
God’s sanctuary can as well be perceived as your heart, a place where His Spirit dwells. This is a call for you to treasure your heart as you strive hard to always keep it clean so that God’s spirit won’t be grieved. You do this by paying attention to what proceeds forth from your heart thereby making sure that it is in line with the will of God. In the same light, you should pay attention and align your thoughts, words, and actions according to the will of God. Remember to fill your heart with the Love of God and that of your neighbor. By so doing, you’ll reflect the loving nature of God Almighty thereby gaining mercy and favor on His side. Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” 1 Samuel 16:7 says, But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Acts 15:9 says, “And he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.“ Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.“ Matthew 15:11 says, “It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that defiles and dishonors him, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles and dishonors him.” Below are some of the spiritual exercises that will grow your relationship with God and maintain you in His sanctuary:
a. Praying without ceasing
As Christians, we are called to pray at all times and pray without ceasing. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, started with prayers and ended with prayers. It is without a doubt that a prayerful life was the key to achieving success in the Divine Mission which was attributed to Him by God the Father. It is in the light of following His footsteps that we ought to pray at all times and pray without ceasing. If you expect God to use you, you must value the aspect of regularly communicating with Him. It is through a prayerful life that you will identify what God wants you to do. Prayer is a two-sided communication line – that is, as you speak to God, He is also speaking to you. Hence, you should learn to listen and hear from God because He is always saying something.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing,“ Mark 6:46 says, “And after He said goodbye to them, He went to the mountain to pray.” Luke 5:16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” John 15:7 says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Matthew 6:6 says, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.“ Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Matthew 6:7 says, “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.“ James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Luke 11:9 says, “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Matthew 26:41 says, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Ephesians 6:18 says, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,“ Matthew 6:9-13 says, Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
b. Regularly reading and meditating on your Bible
The Bible is an authoritative means through which God speaks, teaches, and confirms His Holy Will to mankind. It is one of the greatest means of communication with God. The Bible teaches us about the great things which God has done, those that He is still doing, and those that He will do in times to come. God’s word is to our spirit what food is to our body. Failure to hear God’s word is likely to lead to what we refer to as spiritual starvation. By daily and regularly studying God’s word, you are equipped with what it takes to do His will as well as minister it to others.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.“ Romans 15:4 says, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.“ Matthew 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Isaiah 55:11 says, “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.“ Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.“ John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.“ Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Hebrews 4:12-14 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Matthew 4:4 says, But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Jeremiah 23:29 says, “Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?“ Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.“ Psalm 19:7-11 says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.“ Proverbs 4:20-23 says, “My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.“ Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.“ James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Matthew 7:24 says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.“
c. Thanksgiving to God at all times
It is our Christian duty to be thankful to God at all times and in all circumstances. That is, we are to thank God for everything that comes our way – whether good or bad. We do this because God is always in control; nothing happens without His knowledge. Hence, we can say without a doubt that God is aware of all things that are happening to us. In short, He is in total control of all things that come our way. That’s why we should not dwell our hearts on worries. Always remember that God is working and turning all things for the good of His children. Let’s support this message by reading from Jeremiah 29:11 – “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Psalm 107:1 says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!“ Psalm 7:17 says, “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.” Ephesians 5:20 says, “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,“ Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Psalm 100:1-5 says, “A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.“
d. Singing praises to God
Offering praises to God is more of an outer expression of the inward joy and happiness in one’s heart. This is generally done in acknowledgment of God’s goodness, immeasurable and unconditional love. True praise is a spontaneous action that is mental, physical, emotional, and highly verbal. In reading across the Bible, we hear more of the vocalization of praise than dances or other expressions of praise. Remember that it was the vocal praise that brought down the great walls of Jericho. Hence, it is without a doubt that vocal praise moves God into action as He locates His people in mercy and favor. The Greek word for praise is “Story.” The moment something proclaims the work of God, it is offering praise. In simple terms, praise is telling a story of God’s goodness, might, power, love, mercy, compassion, and sovereignty.
Psalm 69:30 says, “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.“ Psalm 100:1-2 says, “A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!“ Psalm 95:1-2 says, “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!“ Ephesians 5:19 says, “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,“ Psalm 147:1 says, “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.” James 5:13 says, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” Acts 16:25 says, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,” Psalm 104:33 says, “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.“ Psalm 150:1-6 says, “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! …“
e. Worship
Worship is a spiritual exercise being carried out in the presence of God Almighty. It is more of a personal experience with God, the Father of Creation. Since it requires a personal experience with God, you’ll need to have been baptized (filled) with the Holy Ghost in order to genuinely worship God for who He is. Remember the words of Jesus Christ when He said that all those who worship God MUST do so in Spirit and Truth. In worship, the Holy Spirit fills us with what is necessary to truly acknowledge God for who He is. It provides us with the necessary reasons to genuinely worship God in spirit and truth. Genuine worship is not necessarily due to what God has done but for who He is. This is more likely when the Holy Spirit renews your mind and convinces you of God’s unfailing, unconditional, and immeasurable love. You can also learn what the Bible says about Prophetic Worship.
John 4:23 says, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” John 4:24 says, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Psalm 95:6 says, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!“ Romans 12:1 says, “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.“ Luke 4:8 says, And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” Psalm 29:2 – “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” Psalm 96:9 says, “Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!“ Psalm 99:5 says, “Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!“ Psalm 66:4 says, “All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah Matthew 4:10 says, Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
f. Praying in the Spirit
Note that praying in the spirit is different from your normal or daily prayer routine. Here, you willingly allow the Holy Spirit to pray through you with its own words. Praying in the spirit can involve praying in tongues, prophesying into the air, and carrying out an intercessory prayer. When praying in the spirit, you speak many things which you would not speak under normal prayers. That is, the Spirit prays for those things through you that you normally should have prayed for but you are not aware of. At times, we lack words to pray or simply do not know how to pray. However, as we yield to praying in the spirit, the Spirit of God within us prays for all those things we ought to pray for and also intercedes on our behalf and that of our close ones before God. You can as well read the following: Understanding how praying in tongues opens supernatural dimensions and How to be filled with the Holy Spirit
Romans 8:26-27 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Ephesians 6:18 says, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” Jude 1:20 says, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,“ 1 Corinthians 14:15 says, “What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.“ Colossians 3:14-17 says, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“
3. Serve the Lord your God
Behold, serving God is an act of voluntary service. There are many ways through which you can serve God. You can serve God when you minister to Him in worship, showing Him homage, and when you witness His love, sovereignty, goodness, mercy, favor, and faithfulness to others. Note that your greatest service to God Almighty is spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ which is a call for mankind to sincerely repent from their sins and turn to God. There are also many places in which you can serve God in Spirit and Truth. You can serve God in your local Christian assembly, you can serve God in a private location, and you can serve God in a different country. In short, you can serve God anywhere and at any time according to His will. Your service to God is reflected by certain characters and values in your life:
a. Holiness
Holiness is one of the key elements in answering the question of “how do I prepare myself to be used by God?” It is the power of God within you that strengthens and guides you to walk no longer in sin. This power is achieved through Christ by being faithful to His teachings. Jesus Christ is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the faithful thereby making them Holy before God. In Christ, we’ve all been given the power to overcome our corrupted flesh and reflect God’s righteous nature. Holiness is what causes a separation to manifest. A genuine follower of Christ who strives for righteousness on daily basis appears different in thoughts, words, and actions as compared to those who claim just by mouth to be of Christ. He/she who becomes righteous in Christ is easily detected by a change in morals, thoughts, words, and actions.
Leviticus 20:26 says, “You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.“ 1 Samuel 2:2 says, “There is none holy like the Lord; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.“ 1 Thessalonians 4:7 says, “For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.“ 1 Peter 1:15-16 says, “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Hebrews 12:14 says, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 says, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.“ Romans 6:22 says, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.“ Matthew 5:48 says, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.“ Leviticus 19:2 says, “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”
b. Ministry
A person can as well serve God by working in the ministry. We can’t afford to omit ministry work when answering the question of how to prepare yourself to be used by God. Behold brethren, let no one deceive you for we have all been called into ministry in the presence of God. Indeed, we’ve been called as ministers, ministers of love, reconciliation, mercy, truth, and faithfulness to God Almighty. We’ve all been commissioned by Christ to spread the Good News of Repentance and Life Everlasting to the four corners of the World thereby restoring to God all His lost children. You can also serve God by joining local Christian ministries in your assembly. Here, you can willingly serve as a Minister, Usher, Deacon, Pastor, Evangelist, Teacher, Apostle, Prophet, or any other ministry that is available and that God has called and anointed you in it.
Ephesians 4:11-13 says, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,“ 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.“ 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.“ 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 says, “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; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; …“ Romans 10:13-15 says, For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
c. Witnessing
Still, on how to prepare yourself to be used by God, we’ll say that witnessing is a great way to serve God in Spirit and Truth. This is more of a personal practice that does not necessarily require that you teach, preach or share out tracks. In simple terms, witnessing is all about telling others about the mighty things that God has done in your life out of His unfailing, unconditional, faithful, and immeasurable love. A witness is someone who has clearly seen or heard about something he/she can give a consistent account of how it took place. Here, the person gives his/her witness based on what they say or heard thereby persuading the audience to believe. In our case, when you witness, you are giving a testimony of Jesus Christ, the savior of the World.
Mark 16:15 says, “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.“ 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,“ Jeremiah 1:7-8 – But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.“ Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
d. Loving
Loving is the greatest way of serving God. Christ spoke through His Apostles saying that “anyone who does not love does not know God.” This is because God has a loving nature. An objective look across the Bible will reveal that it revolves around Love – that is the love of God and the love of your neighbor. It is for this reason that some have gone to the very extent of calling the Bible “God’s Love Letter” to mankind. For God so loved the world that He sent His beloved Son, Jesus Christ so that anyone who hears, believes, and obeys his teachings will not die but have everlasting life in Heaven (John 3:16). Jesus Christ did not come to condemn the World but to invite everyone to Sincerely Repent and start obeying the Commands of God.
Love is a lasting value in the Kingdom of God. Christ Himself summarized the Law of Moses and the teachings of the Prophets into loving God with all your being and loving your neighbor as you love yourself. Through love, we clearly reflect the nature of God and Jesus’ mark of ownership. It is Jesus’ command that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Mark 12:29-31; John 15:12). In this way, we will please God in the things that we do. Hence, we should never stop loving or get tired of loving. Behold, he/she who does not love does not know God just as the scriptures point out (1 John 4:7-8). On the other hand, he who loves is one who knows God, and one who knows God will live forever in His presence. When we say we Love God or our neighbor, our thoughts, words, and actions must reflect this saying. Mark 12:29-31 says, Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” John 15:12 says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.“ 1 John 4:7-8 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.“
A Holy Calling
2 Timothy 1:9 – “for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago],”
Jeremiah 1:4-5 – Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Isaiah 49:1-2 – “Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away.“
Deuteronomy 18:15 – “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—“
John 20:21-22 – “Then Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you [as My representatives].” And when He said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.“
Matthew 23:34 – “Therefore, take notice, I am sending you prophets and wise men [interpreters, teachers] and scribes [men educated in the Mosaic Law and the writings of the prophets]; some of them you will kill and even crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues, and pursue and persecute from city to city,“
Ephesians 4:11-13 says, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,“
Mark 16:15-18 – “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.””
John 14:12 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.“
Philippians 2:13 – “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.“
John 5:19 – So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
Luke 1:37 – “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
John 5:17 – But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
1 Peter 4:10 – “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”
Luke 10:19 – “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
Matthew 22:14 – “For many are called (invited, summoned), but few are chosen.”
Group 1- A Holy Calling
Matthew 28:18-19 – “Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,“
John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.“
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.“
Matthew 19:26 – “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 22:14 – “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Galatians 5:13 – “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.“
1 Peter 4:11 – “Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Group 2- A Holy Calling
John 16:13 – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.“
1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.“
Philippians 2:12-13 – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.“
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Ephesians 6:11 – “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Group 3 – A Holy Calling
Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;Group 4 – A Holy Calling
Luke 10:19 – “I have given you authority to trample on snakesGroup 5- A Holy Calling
Colossians 2:9-10 – “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”
Romans 8:26 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.“
James 1:27 – “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.“
Matthew 7:7 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.“
Acts 19:1-41 – “And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. …“
Romans 8:1-39 – “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. …“
Group 6 – A Holy Calling
John 7:37 – “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.””
Romans 14:4 – “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Romans 5:1-21 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. …“
Hebrews 13:21 – “Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Philippians 1:6 – “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Acts 2:38 – And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Group 7- A Holy Calling
1 Corinthians 15:1-58 – “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. …“
John 16:1-33 – ““I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ …“
1 John 4:2 – “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,“
John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 10:1-42 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” …
Group 8 – A Holy Calling
Psalm 54:4 – “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalm 90:17 – “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!“
1 Corinthians 2:1-16 – “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. …“
John 8:24 – “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
Hebrews 6:1-20 – “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, …“
Acts 20:35 – “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Proverbs 14:23 – “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.“
Group 9 – A Holy Calling
Colossians 1:29 – “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.“
Genesis 1:26 – Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Hebrews 1:2 – “But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.“
John 14:1-31 – “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” …
Genesis 1:1-31 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. …“
Group 10 – A Holy Calling
1 Timothy 2:4 – “Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Romans 7:1-25 – “Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. …“
Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,“
Acts 2:1-47 – “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. …“
Acts 17:31 – “Because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Group 11 – A Holy Calling
John 3:14 – “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,“
1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.“
2 Thessalonians 3:10 – “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.“
Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“
Ephesians 4:28 – “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.“
Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
Proverbs 12:11 – “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.“
2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.“
Hebrews 6:10 – “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.“
1 Timothy 5:8 – “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Group 12 – A Holy Calling
1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.“
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“
Revelation 20:1-15 – “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. …“
John 6:1-71 – “After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” …“
John 20:1-31 – “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. …“
Group 13 – A Holy Calling
James 1:2 – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,“
Revelation 21:1-27 – “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” …“
Matthew 16:19 – “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
John 17:1-26 – “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. …“
Group 14 – A Holy Calling
Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Revelation 17:1-18 -“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” …“
1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.“
Ephesians 2:8-10 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.“
John 6:46 – “Not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.“
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.“
Group 15 – A Holy Calling
John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.“
2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.“
Colossians 1:16 – “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.“
Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.“
John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
1 Peter 5:3 – “Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.“
Group 16 – A Holy Calling
Galatians 2:8 – “(for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles),“
John 3:1-36 – “Now 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 him, “Truly, truly, 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, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …“
Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.“
Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
John 6:27 – “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”“
1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.“
Group 17 – A Holy Calling
Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.“
John 3:2 – “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.”“
Isaiah 40:1-31 – “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” …“
Hebrews 10:25 – “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.“
Isaiah 26:12 – “O Lord, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done for us all our works.”
2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,“
Ephesians 2:2 – “In which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—“
1 Thessalonians 4:11 – “And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,“
Group 18 – A Holy Calling
Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.“
James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.“
Romans 12:11 – “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.“
Matthew 24:1-51 – “Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. …“
Isaiah 65:1-3 – “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here am I, here am I,” to a nation that was not called by my name. I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and making offerings on bricks;“
1 Corinthians 14:1-40 – “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. …“
Group 19 – A Holy Calling
Colossians 3:15 – “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 – “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.“
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 – “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; …“
Romans 13:8 – “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.“
Revelation 14:12 – “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”
1 Timothy 5:8 – “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 – “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.“
Group 20 – A Holy Calling
Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. …“
1 Chronicles 17:1-27 – “Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.” And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.” But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. …“
Proverbs 14:1 – “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.”
1 Corinthians 7:1-40 – “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. …“
Learn How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life. The Bible clearly says and makes us understand that there is only one way to Heaven, Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This one way to Heaven that the Bible talks of is to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and follow God’s plans in the Bible for our lives. It is important for us to understand that good works cannot save us and that faith in Jesus Christ alone can save us. In support, Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.“
However, accepting Jesus as your personal savior involves an understanding of who Jesus is, what a Savior is, and what it truly means to accept Jesus as Savior. Jesus Christ is often talked of as a good person, yet the Bible declares that He is much more. Behold, Jesus Christ is God in human form who came to live on earth (John 1:1). He lived, taught, performed miracles, suffered, died, and resurrected from the dead to prove He is Lord. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Apostle Paul says, “I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
What The Scriptures Say About Accepting Jesus Christ
There is much that the Bible says about Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind. In simple terms, a Savior is a rescuer, redeemer, or one who saves someone else. Jesus is the Savior of the world in every aspect of this world. He rescues us from sin and eternal punishment when we trust in Him by faith. Jesus is a Redeemer because He paid the cost of our sins through His death on the cross. Jesus Christ can save us because He has the power to forgive sins and the desire to save those who trust in Him. To accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is to acknowledge who He is in your own life. It is to believe and trust in Him. In support John 1:12 says, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
John 3:16 clearly says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Today, we invite you to place your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and receive this free gift of Eternal Life. Although there is no special prayer to do so, you can make use of this one: “Heavenly Father, locate me in your mercy and favor. I realize that I am a sinner and could never reach heaven by my own good deeds. Right now I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son who died for my sins and rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life.”
Steps On How To Accept Jesus Christ Into Your Life
1. Admit that you are a sinner and that you need God’s help
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;“
Romans 5:12 – “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:“
1 John 1:10 – “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
2. Be willing to change your mind and turn from your sin through a sincere repentance
In Luke 13:5, Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Romans 5:8 – “But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us.”
Romans 10:9 – “If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
4. Make a prayer to invite Jesus into your heart to become your personal Lord and Savior
Romans 10:10 – “For with the heart (core being) man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:13 – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.“
John 1:12 – “But as many as received him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:“
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
When you pray and invite Jesus into your life, believe that he has heard your prayer and is in your life as Lord and Savior. Also pray that He fills you with the Holy Spirit that will lead you into the Truth about Him and His Father.
Things To Do After Receiving Jesus Christ As Your Personal Lord And Savior
1. Regularly read the Bible to know Jesus Christ and God’s will better
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to regularly read the Bible in order to learn His teachings and God’s will. We are to stick to the Bible as our guide and tool to knowing God’s will and rightly accepting the eternal life that comes through Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (aligning and applying) the word of truth.” Likewise, Psalms 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
2. Regularly pray or talk to God in prayer everyday
As Christians, our lives should be revolving around prayers offered to our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Likewise, Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” In addition, Matthew 21:22 says, “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.“
3. Follow the example of Jesus Christ
Upon making up your mind to follow Jesus Christ, you should embrace His teachings and ways. Get baptized, worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached and the Bible is the final authority when it comes to knowing God and doing His will. In support, Matthew 28:19 says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Likewise, Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” And 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All [Holy] scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:“
4. Teach or spread the Good News about Jesus Christ
In Luke 8:16, Jesus says, “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.” Likewise, Christians shouldn’t keep the good news about Jesus Christ only for themselves but should spread it throughout the earth for the good and salvation of mankind. In support, Mark 16:15 says, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Likewise, Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Is Asking Jesus Into Your Heart In The Bible?
The phrase “ask Jesus into your heart” is not in the Bible. And, unlike some Christian concepts (like the doctrine of the trinity) we don’t find Biblical passages that indirectly point to it, either. The closest we might come across is this passage in Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” The first thing we notice is that this verse is not saying anything about the heart. Nor does it say anything about a person asking Jesus for something; instead, Jesus knocks, and the person opens the door.
Another potential passage might be Ephesians 3:16-17, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Once again, however, this Biblical passage is not referring to a salvation message or asking something from Jesus Christ. It is addressed to the believers as Apostle Paul prays for them to grow in relationship with Him. Generally, when people talk about “asking Jesus into our hearts,” they are talking about becoming a Christian. These words not being in the Bible does not mean that the phrase is unbiblical or anti-biblical. Instead, the phrase points to some key components of coming to Jesus Christ. The use of such a phrase is not wrong or harmful on its own. Problems arise when such is used without explaining its meaning.
Meaning of the phrase to ask Jesus into your heart
Note that the idea behind “asking Jesus into our hearts” is that He would take center stage in our lives. When we say something is “near to our heart,” we mean that it is of great importance to us. The Bible also tells us that the Holy Spirit dwells with the believers (1 Corinthians 3:16). This idea of the Holy Spirit indwelling may be translated by some, especially for children, like Jesus coming to live in our hearts, though this is not technically accurate. In addition, the phrase “asking Jesus into our hearts” alone does not convey the fullness of the gospel or what it means to submit to Christ as Lord and Savior. That is, it doesn’t speak much about submitting to Christ’s Lordship, repentance, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Following this, we regularly hear other ways of referring to a person receiving or accepting Christ.
One prominent phrase that is often used instead of “asking Jesus into your heart” is “accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior.” This phrase is twofold. First, accepting Christ as Lord means putting Him in charge of our lives and recognizing His authority over all things (Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Matthew 28:18). Second, recognizing Him as Savior shows our acknowledgment of our own sin and need for saving (Romans 3:23-24). Another phrase that some people use is “turning to Christ” or “turning to Jesus.” Such phrases help to remind us that we are turning away from a life of sin and turning towards Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.“
Romans 10:9 – “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Acts 2:38 – And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,“
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
John 1:12 – “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,“
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Group 1 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
Acts 4:12 – “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Romans 5:8 – “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.“
Revelation 3:20 – “Behold, 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.”
Romans 10:13 – For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.“
Acts 16:31 – And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23 – “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Group 2 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
Mark 16:16 – “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Galatians 3:26 – “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”
Acts 2:21 – “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’“
John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.“
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,“
Romans 15:7 – “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Group 3 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
1 Peter 1:3-8 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. …“
Romans 10:9-10 – “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.“
Ephesians 2:8-10 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.“
Group 4 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
John 3:17 – “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 6:37 – “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,“
John 5:24 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.“
Acts 2:41 – “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...”
Group 5 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
Hebrews 9:27 – “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,”
Revelation 1:1-20 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. …“
Matthew 10:32-33 – “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”
Galatians 2:16 – “Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
John 14:2 – “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?“
Group 6 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Acts 17:30-31 – “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
1 Peter 3:15 – “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,“
Acts 2:38-39 – And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
John 3:15-17 – “That whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Group 7 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
John 17:22 – “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,”
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Proverbs 16:25 – “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
1 Peter 3:9 – “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
Psalm 119:11 – “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.“
Romans 5:6-15 – “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. …“
Group 8 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
John 3:3 – Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Hebrews 10:26-27 – “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.“
Revelation 21:1 – “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.“
Colossians 3:12-14 – “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Luke 1:32 – “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,”
Romans 15:9 – And in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Group 9 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
John 3:18 – “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
Mark 2:28 – “So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
Galatians 3:27 – “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Romans 14:1 – “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.”
John 3:1-36 – “Now 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 him, “Truly, truly, 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, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …“
Group 10 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Revelation 20:6 – “Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.”
1 Peter 3:8 – “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
Isaiah 53:5 – “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”
John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”
Romans 2:11 – “For God shows no partiality.“
Isaiah 48:6 – “You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known.”
Group 11 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’“
1 Chronicles 16:11 – “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!“
Matthew 16:16 – Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
1 John 4:15 – “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”
Ephesians 2:9 – “Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.“
Hebrews 12:14 – “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
John 3:9 – Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”
Group 12 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
Romans 6:1-7 – “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. …“
Revelation 21:8 – “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Romans 11:1-36 – “I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. …“
Group 13 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
Romans 10:10 – “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
John 14:23-24 – Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.”
1 Corinthians 12:13 – “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”
Revelation 21:1-27 – “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, …“
Group 14 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
Romans 10:9-13 – Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Ephesians 1:18 – “Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,“
Acts 2:1-47 – “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. …“
John 3:19 – “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”
Group 15 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.“
Ephesians 4:4 – “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—“
John 15:12 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 – “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
John 3:20 – “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.”
John 3:21 – “But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Colossians 2:6 – “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,“
Group 16 – How To Accept Jesus Into Your Life
Romans 5:10 – “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.“
Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.“
2 Timothy 1:9 – “Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,“
John 3:1-8 – “Now 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 him, “Truly, truly, 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, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …“
Is Wealth A Sin?Sincerely, is being rich and famous a sin?Is it a sin to be rich and wealthy? In accumulating, we should always give God the first position in our hearts and lives. Matthew 6:33 says, “Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.” Thus, we’ve been called to seek first the Kingdom of God in everything that we do, and as we respect this command, His blessings will follow us. In our search for wealth or in the process of accumulating wealth, we must put God and His ways first. Wealth is the abundance of valuable possessions or money. A wealthy person is one who has more than what he/she needs to sustain a normal life. Following this definition, most people inhabiting developed countries are wealthy.
Today, some people believe that wealth is wrong and, if someone has more than enough, he/she should spread it equally. On the other hand, some people say that wealth is the result of hard work and wise investments and no one else has any claim to it. Whatever the case, wealth is dealt with in the Bible, and it is there that we find the proper perspective on it. Behold, we know that wealth itself is not sinful. It is important for us to understand that wealth is not offensive to God because He often blessed His servants with wealth whenever they pleased Him (Deuteronomy 28:1–8). Even in the Bible, we have examples of wealthy men who were greatly used by God like Abraham (Genesis 13:2), Jacob (Genesis 30:43), and King Solomon (1 Kings 10:23).
Is Wealth A Sin?
What The Scriptures Say
In the Old Testament of the Bible, wealth was sometimes an indicator of the Lord’s favor, pleasure, and blessing. However, wealth has never been an accurate measure of a person’s standing with the Lord God Almighty. This is supported by the fact that some righteous people are poor while some wicked people are rich (Psalm 73; Jeremiah 12:1). Likewise, in the New Testament, several wealthy people were instrumental in advancing God’s Kingdom. Matthew (Luke 5:27–29), Joanna (Luke 8:3), Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57), Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8), and Lydia (Acts 16:14–15) are examples of some people in the New Testament that God called them for a special cause as they made use of their wealth for a righteous purpose. Behold, wealth itself is morally neutral. Following this, what we do with wealth can either enhance good or create more evil. We can use wealth for God’s purposes or for selfish goals.
1 Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” This is one of the verses about wealth that is often misquoted. Often, many say that the Bible says that wealth is evil, but that is not what it truly says. It is the love of money, not money itself, that leads to evil choices. In this epistle, Apostle Paul warns his young protégé, Timothy, against false teachers who would infiltrate the church for financial profit. Their greed would not only fleece unsuspecting believers but also infect the church with the love of money. Behold, the Bible never says that money is evil. However, the Bible warns against the love of money that can make a person to wander far away from the faith.
More on what the Scriptures say about money and wealth
The Bible strongly warns us against transforming money into idols in our lives. In support of this, Psalm 62:10 says, “Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” Having abundance tends to make people grow lazy spiritually, believing their money will provide, protect and take care of them. Wealth makes the hearts of many people grow resistant to self-sacrifice and also shifts their focus from eternal riches to earthly bank balances. In Mark 10:25, we hear Jesus Christ saying that it is easy for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich person to inherit eternal life. Likewise, our Lord and Savior put wealth in perspective when He said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
The main issue with wealth is when we allow it to become an idol in our lives. In Luke 12:14–21, Jesus Christ uses the parable of the rich fool to teach the foolishness of trusting in riches. Likewise, in Luke 16:13, Jesus Christ, who knows our hearts, warned us about trying to serve two masters. In everything that we do, we should always put God first. Proverbs 30:7-9 portrays the right attitude about money and wealth through a powerful prayer: “Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”
The secret to successfully handling wealth as a Christian
As Christians, when our daily prayer is that God will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19), we remind ourselves where our help comes from (Psalm 121:1-2). In this light, any abundance beyond that daily sustenance is a gift from the Lord, and we are to use it wisely. When we consider that all we have and all we are belongs to and comes from God, we are more careful to use it all for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). Behold, we are more likely to maintain the right mindset or perspective about wealth when we see it as an investment entrusted to us by its rightful Owner.
Divine instructions for the wealthy
1 Timothy 6:17-18 clearly offers divine instructions for the wealthy among us. The passage reads: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
1) Don’t become arrogant
As Christians, it is right for us to work hard and become successful in life. However, we are not to think of ourselves as better than others because of our material wealth. Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”
2) Don’t put your hope in your wealth
Proverbs 23:5 says, “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” Behold, a good job or business and its steady income or earnings can be here today and tomorrow are gone.
3) Be rich in good deeds
By good deed, we mean a free and voluntary act of service toward another person. Doing good deeds for others is the fruit of your salvation in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:10 tells us: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”
4) Be generous and wiling to share
Generous people are synergistic. Such people tend to build organizations and contribute to the success of others. Generous people want to see others succeed too.
Biblical Truths About Money And Wealth?
If I become a Christian, will God make me wealthy and prosperous?Where does it say in the Bible that God will prosper me?Why do people have money problems, even when they are serving God? These are examples of some of the questions we’ll be answering in this piece of writing. It is in this light that we’ll reveal the Biblical truths about money and wealth. As Christians, it is important for us to know what the Bible says about Money, Wealth, Riches, and Poverty. Below are some of the Biblical truths about money and wealth:
1) The Bible does not promise wealth
Truthfully speaking, there is no promise in the Bible that becoming or being a Christian will lead to a good job, high salary, riches, wealth, financial freedom, and freedom from debt here on Earth. A popular verse usually quoted in the Christian milieu is Jeremiah 29:11 which says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” In context, this verse was specifically directed to the Israelite exiles in Babylon. The original Hebrew word translated as “prosperity” can mean peace, completeness, safety, health, satisfaction, or blessings. This translation probably comes closer to the intended meaning: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Nevertheless, God’s faithful people may be rich or poor (2 Chronicles 17:3-5, Job 1:1-3, Matthew 27:57, Mark 12:41-44, Luke 16:19-22, 19:2-9, Proverbs 22:2, Luke 6:20).
2) Wealth is not necessarily a sign of God’s favor
During the time of Jesus Christ, it was a common belief that great wealth was a sign of God’s favor and poverty was God’s punishment for sin. Also, some Old Testament verses portray poverty as a natural consequence of foolish actions (Proverbs 6:9-11, 20:13, 23:21). However, our Lord Jesus Christ denied that wealth is a sign of God’s favor or that poverty is God’s punishment for sin. This is clearly revealed in His Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). From the parable, we learn that one of the reasons the rich man ended in hell was because of his hard-heartedness towards the beggar Lazarus. Also, his great wealth was not a sign of God’s favor. We also learn that Lazarus ended up in heaven although he was about as impoverished as a man could be. His poverty was obviously not a sign of sinfulness or foolishness.
3) Wealth is a gift from God to be used in His service
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, saw wealth as a gift from God to be used in His service (Matthew 25:14-30). As disciples of Jesus Christ, we must perceive wealth as a gift from God to be used in His service. Therefore, those who have been blessed with wealth must share generously with the poor (Matthew 25:31-46), and avoid the sins of dishonesty (Exodus 20:15, Mark 10:19, Luke 3:12-14), arrogance (1 Timothy 6:17-19), and greed (Luke 12:13-21). Behold, those of us who have been blessed with wealth beyond our need have the responsibility to share generously with the less fortunate. As Christians, we should view our wealth as a gift from God, entrusted to us, to carry out His work on earth. 1 John 3:17 says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?“
4) Wealth is Dangerous
Mark 10:23-27 says, Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” Wealth is not intrinsically evil nor is poverty blessed. Rather, devotion to gathering wealth is incompatible with devotion to God. God must always have the most important place in our lives.
Luke 16:13 says, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” As Christians, it is important for us to understand that the craving for wealth and possessions can lead us into all kinds of temptation and sin. While we spend evenings and weekends earning extra money, we are depriving our families of our love, affection, and attention. We may take unfair advantage of our customers, employers, or employees. In addition, we may attempt to rationalize our greed by closing our minds and hearts to the needs and rights of others.
Is Wealth A Sin?
Matthew 16:26 – “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?“
Proverbs 23:4-5 – “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.“
Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
1 Timothy 6:9-11 – “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
Leviticus 19:13 – “You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning.“
Proverbs 11:1 – “The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.”
Group 1 – Is Wealth A Sin
Deuteronomy 8:18 – “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
Isaiah 33:15-16 – “He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil– this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him.”
Luke 16:13 – “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Romans 13:1, 6-7 – “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God… For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very thing. Pay to all what is due them – taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.”
Group 2 – Is Wealth A Sin
Proverbs 10:4 – “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Mark 8:36 – “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?“
Proverbs 11:4 – “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.“
1 Timothy 6:9-10 – “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
Proverbs 28:27 – “Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.”
Group 3 – Is Wealth A Sin
Proverbs 30:8-9 – “Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”
Proverbs 22:4 – “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”
Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
1 Timothy 6:17-18 – “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,“
Proverbs 22:1 – “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.“
2 Corinthians 9:7 – “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Group 4 – Is Wealth A Sin
Proverbs 11:28 – “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.”
1 John 3:17 – “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?“
Proverbs 14:31 – “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.“
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.“
Proverbs 10:22 – “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”
Ephesians 4:28 – “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”
Mark 10:25 – “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
Proverbs 13:22 – “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.”
Group 5 – Is Wealth A Sin
Proverbs 28:6 – “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.”
James 2:5-6 – “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?“
Proverbs 28:20 – “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.”
Proverbs 10:15 – “A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.”
James 5:1-6 – “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. …“
Group 6 – Is Wealth A Sin
Malachi 3:9-10 – “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
Proverbs 13:11 – “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”
Proverbs 28:11 – “A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.”
1 Timothy 6:17 – “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.“
Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.“
Matthew 4:8-10 – Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
Group 7 – Is Wealth A Sin
2 Corinthians 9:11 – “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19 – “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
Deuteronomy 8:17 – “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’”
Proverbs 23:4-5 – “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”
Proverbs 22:2 – “The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.”
1 Timothy 5:8 – “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.“
Group 8 – Is Wealth A Sin
2 Thessalonians 3:10 – “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”
Proverbs 20:13 – “Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.”
Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Proverbs 11:2 – “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
Proverbs 31:9 – “Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.“
Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”
Matthew 6:19-20 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Group 9 – Is Wealth A Sin
Mark 10:23 – And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
Proverbs 21:5 – “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Luke 18:22 – When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Deuteronomy 8:1-20 – “The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. …”
Group 10 – Is Wealth A Sin
1 Timothy 5:18 – For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
2 Thessalonians 3:8-10 – “Nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”
Job 42:10 – “And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.“
Luke 12:15-21 – And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ …
Group 11 – Is Wealth A Sin
Proverbs 13:20 – “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.“
Psalm 24:1 – “A Psalm of David. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,“
Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“
Proverbs 13:18 – “Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.”
Ecclesiastes 10:19 – “Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.“
Psalm 15:5 – “Who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.”
Ecclesiastes 4:4 – “Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.“
Group 12 – Is Wealth A Sin
2 Timothy 3:1-2 – “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,“
Ecclesiastes 5:19 – “Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.”
Malachi 3:10 – “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
Proverbs 23:21 – “For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.“
Ezekiel 18:17 – “Withholds his hand from iniquity, takes no interest or profit, obeys my rules, and walks in my statutes; he shall not die for his father’s iniquity; he shall surely live.”
Group 13 – Is Wealth A Sin
Proverbs 22:22 – “Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate,“
Ecclesiastes 2:26 – “For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.”
Proverbs 14:24 – “The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.“
Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.“
Psalm 94:12-13 – “Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.“
Luke 12:15 – And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Proverbs 8:13 – “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.”
Proverbs 22:16 – “Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.“
Group 14 – Is Wealth A Sin
Proverbs 22:16 – “Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.”
2 Corinthians 8:9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.“
Psalm 119:134 – “Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts.”
Romans 13:8 – “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
Matthew 25:44-46 – “Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”
Matthew 25:40 – “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’“
Group 15 – Is Wealth A Sin
Matthew 6:19 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,“
1 Timothy 6:9 – “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
Ephesians 6:12 – “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
James 5:2 – “Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.“
Mark 12:41-44 – And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Group 16 – Is Wealth A Sin
Proverbs 23:5 – “When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.“
Matthew 25:14-30 – “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. ...”
Hosea 13:6 – “But when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me.“
Revelation 3:17-18 – “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.”
Matthew 4:4 – But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Group 17 – Is Wealth A Sin
Proverbs 21:20 – “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”
Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Exodus 23:12 – “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.”
Proverbs 28:8 – “Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.”
Judges 6:9 – “And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land.”
1 Corinthians 16:2 – “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”
Bestofchristianity.com is a website that focuses on the teachings of Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy spirit, and above all the Love of God. It uses the Bible as the foundation to knowing and obeying God. It steps in at the command of Jesus Christ to take the Holy Gospel to the four corners of the world so that those who believe in him can have eternal life.
Under the authority of Jesus Christ, we are Apostolic and Prophetic sons and daughters of God sent out to set the captives free, heal the sick, bring deliverance, give sight to the blind, strengthen the lame to walk and above all lead souls to heaven. It is in the Christian light that we analyze topics like Prosperity, Wealth, Debt free, Credits, Finance, and Money in the Bible.
Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa of blessed memory today was a blessing to his generation. Till date, his teachings and messages are still impacting in a significant way the lives of Christians. Tagged as the Father of Pentecostalism in Africa, he was known for his robust faith. In fact, Benson Idahosa was a man who took God for His Word. He believed God’s Word, practiced it and it yielded to indisputable results. His life was a source of wonders, miracles, and other manifestations of God’s power and authority through Christ. You can be certain that the following Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa Christian Quotes And Sayings will greatly benefit you in your Christian journey.
Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa Christian Quotes And Sayings
The language for Christianity is faith.
The Kingdom of God is not in grammar but is in power of God.
If I be a man of God is a good example of the proof of a God-giving ministry. It provides the evidence which the world needs today to believe in a living God.
My life has never been in danger, God is in control, and no man can plan evil against me and succeed.
No matter how the world change and things change. You and I should believe we are what God says we are.
What you need to succeed is already there, just lean on God. For your faith’s sake God can disappoint the devil.
I believe that the most important thing in one’s life is to have encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.
I believe that it is important to have things on earth. But the most important is to have Him, who have Him have everything and Jesus is the name of that person.
It is not the devil who put where you are but your lack of knowledge knowing who you are put you where you are.
Find what is wrong in your neighbor’s life and meet that need. Even the strongest of us need support.
If you want to preach the Gospel, don’t follow people who have failed.
A Man who teaches you how to make a living and not to be alive is your enemy.
When God’s hand accompany your hand, you are complete.
Talk the answer, not the problem.
Don’t be present in a meeting where man was seen and God absent.
If you are afraid to it, it cannot be done.
A big head with an empty brain is a big load to the neck.
Zealousness doesn’t give you what you require from God, but faith is the raw material that gives you better thing from God.
If I was not called by God, ordained and anointed, I would not be here.
My life has never been in danger, God is in control, and no man can plan evil against me and succeed.
God establishes His faith and confidence in what He can use you to do. This is not time to look at your weakness and nothingness. My friend, just hold on to His mightiness for the Bible says, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord.’ (Zechariah 4:6)
Do you know that the Bible points out that you and God have common enemy – Satan! God wants to use you to destroy all satanic activities in the family, business circles, the Church and around the world.
If God is going to use you to break Nations, kingdoms, the horse and rider; wicked men and women as well as despotic rules, then you need to be fortified for the task.
God who has chosen you will also make you capable. God will make you an unbreakable instrument.
The Bible encourages us replace evil with good.
The mark of a born-again Christian is his soldier status. All God’s children are warriors. God’s servants are all fighters.
You must persevere in the face of all odds. Build in yourself a ‘never give up’ spirit and a success consciousness in all you do.
Make no room for failure or compromise in all you do. Remain in total obedience to God’s voice. He has made you and whatever you become is by God’s grace.
You are God’s battle axe. The time has come to trust God for greater things in the ministry and your Christian experience. Let us saturate our minds with the Word of God. God wants to raise you to become one of the special instruments to bring tens of thousands to Christ. Are you ready to PAY THE PRICE AND PRAY THE PRICE?
Nigeria belongs to Jesus. We shall not bow to any intimidation from any quarters; if you bow, you will burn. Arise and shine, for the glory of the is risen.
When it looks as if God is refusing to answer, endeavor to respond with a waiting.
You are God’s battle axe to pull down satanic kingdoms and build the image of Christ. Sharpen yourself as an axe in the Word and prayer. The anointing will surely come; prepare the grounds first for the rain. Plant the seed of God’s Word in to your heart. The spirit will sweep upon you in a mighty way.
If your faith says YES, and what you are believing for is in God’s will for your life, God will not say NO.
Why is the Name of Christ the object of attack? Why is Jesus Christ the challenge of the day? Why have many made Him controversy? It is because His Gospel is the real thing. The Gospel brings wholesomeness and so it has become the total object of attack of the devil.
When you are born of God, all the curses which your physical father inherited are rendered null and avoid.
When you are born of God, all the curses which your physical father inherited are rendered null and avoid.
Do not fold your hands and cry against denial and persecution and stumbling blocks. If there is no obstacle, there will be no miracle.
Do not fold your hands and cry against denial and persecution and stumbling blocks. If there is no obstacle, there will be no miracle.
Do not stop people from starting a story, but do not let them end it without changing their minds.
Do not stop people from talking about you, but do not join them to talk evil about yourself.
Do not be alarmed. If the storm disturbs you, then take a cue from the eagle. Lock your wings on mount position, and ride on the storm. The same power that had threatened you will carry you higher above your problems.
Do not abhor challenges when you are doing the right thing; people challenge you because they want to be like you. You must have the stamina to stand against the challenges that oppose your endeavour and your Ministry.
When you succeed when others are failing, men will doff their hats for you. When you rebuke the storm when others are panicking, people will ask what manner of man you are. You will have a testimony.
You never go under while you are trying to go over in the Lord. Never retreat when you have begun to go forth in obedience to the Lord’s commandment.
You should not tolerate the devil in anyway. You are much better than a herd of swine. Give no place to the devil in your life, in your ministry, in your business, in your calling, in your office and in your relationship. Bind him!
Do not resist when your church members do not want you as a pastor anymore. Do not lament their ingratitude for all the good that you have done.
Do not afraid of stumbling blocks, but do not be sunk by them. If God has called you, no man can stop you. Jesus was confronted by storms, harassed by people, threatened by rulers, but He kept moving forward, if you are born of God, you will come.
People listen for the cry of a baby, to tell that a normally baby has been born, the second birth is mark with joy: one evidence that a person is really born again is the manifestation of the joy of salvation.
The success of the person you trained is your joy.
People who refuse to forth cannot make any progress.
The same power of God is alive today to save those who call upon Him for salvation, but it is a serious thing to reject God’s message and to oppose His servants.
Don’t fight the problem; get on with the solution.
First, you must recognize that the power of Christ is stronger than the power of the devil, if Christ lives within you, they cannot touch you.
I knew God would not fail us.
We don’t steal sheep at the Church of God Mission. But we do grow grass-and we won’t deny any hungry sheep who wants to graze.
Jesus never turned anyone away, and we won’t turn any sheep away, ether. We’re only trying to reach the lost through the ministry of the Word, and through evangelistic crusades.
I’ve only done what God called me to do, and I make no apology for it.
If you identify your money with His own money, God will multiply it for you.
If you give Him your life, He will give you renewed life.
If you give Him any kind of gift, it shall bring forth fruit of its own kind.
No one ever beats God at giving. He is a God of multiplication.
When you give anything to God, He returns it to you in abundance.
There is no shortage in God. I rejoice today that while I gave God one life, one body, one spirit, one soul, thousands upon thousands have been multiplied.
The devil only roars like a lion but that he is not the Lion. There is only one Lion: He is from the Tribe of Judah, and His name is Jesus Christ, who bore our griefs and carried away our sorrows and by those stripes we were healed.
LEAVE! Do not destroy the church property on your way out; and do not steal or confiscate any. Leave quietly. The Lord will give you better place. If you have done your best in the organization where you work, and at the end you are asked to leave for no just cause, ask God what He thinks. If He says you should oblige, then leave. He has a better place for you.
You must know today that if you know your God, and you know that you are a product of the Gospel, no demon can oppress you and win, for in Christ you are more than conquerors.
Your break-through does not start the day you see the physical manifestation of your miracle. It starts the day that God pronounces it.
We want to judge people who don’t look like us. We don’t want to accept them because they look different, act different, or commit sin…(their sin is just different from the sins we’re hiding, that’s all).
Here’s the point: if you really believe they need to change, let God’s Word do that. Accept them first, that’s what Christ did. After we bring people into the fold, then we can talk about lifestyle changes.
A lifestyle change isn’t required for God to accept people. All He asks for is a ‘heart change.’
You can’t clean a fish until you catch it.
A man who does not believes in Miracles will die in Obstacles.
What you must do is give your life more fully to the Lord, and ask Him what your part in the ministry should be.
We must keep our faith in Him, and He will work in His own time.
Christianity is the core, heart and nature of Jesus Christ being manifested in man.
Salvation affects the whole person, spiritually, physically and materially.
God is speaking to you now. Please, step out of the crowd. Make a choice, one that leads to the path of success, victory and glory to our God on high!
When you glimpse God’s abundance, created for you, you will never be the same again.
My discovery is going to be your discovery. If we do not have the supernatural in Christianity, we have nothing to offer the heathen but a religion, and true Christianity is not a religion.
As long as God keeps speaking to me and I keep listening, we will be victorious!
We will leave the matter in God’s hands, and see what happens.
It is the Gospel that can set free; it is the Gospel that can heal the sick, it is the Gospel that can raise the dead, and it is the Gospel that can deliver from oppression and possession of the devil.
The Gospel is able to make one wise and give new life.
Only the Gospel can cause regeneration.
Only the Gospel can cause a transformation.
It is the Gospel that can translate you from darkness into light.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth can and has revolutionized society and has vitalized the mental faculties of those that had been born imbeciles.
The Gospel is the power of God, the Gospel is the light that can be challenged but cannot be stopped; no power of men or angels can stop the march of the Gospel.
If you are a product of the Gospel, nothing on earth or under the earth can stop you.
The Gospel will transfer you from failure to success; it will take you from fear to faith. It will uplift you from a downcast position, because there is power in it.
The power of God is in the Gospel, the wisdom of God is in the Gospel.
The Gospel enriches people and causes enlightenment and understanding in their lives; the Gospel gives knowledge of who God really is and it tells you who you are in Christ, if you are a Christian and how you can be Christ if you are not yet a Christian.
The Gospel esteems you rather than demean you.
The Gospel inspires, the Gospel brings aspiration and inspiration.
The Gospel brings right desires and victory.
The Gospel brings success and gives boldness.
The Gospel is Christ, His works and His teachings. Every religion in the world believes in God, but not everyone believes in Christ. The belief in Christ is what makes Christianity real, where all others are religions. Even demon worshippers believe in the existence of a Supreme God, but they do not know or believe in Christ.
You can speak life or death to your dreams and visions. That is why it is very important to study and watch carefully the word that proceeds out of your month, because God watches over it to bring it to pass. My point is, if the tree died because Jesus spoke and cursed it for not bearing fruit, then we as Christians must also speak and expect mighty big results. God speaks and expects results. And we are made in the image and likeness of Him.
There are many people today who cannot speak to their circumstances because the devil continues to generate negative confessions out of their mouth. You are the speaker, God is the doer. Therefore do not let your dreams die halfway. Do not your visions die midstream. Do not reduce the scope of your thoughts and what you can achieve in life. God never gives up on His dream. You must not!
Christianity supports the practice of positive faith for God’s richest and abundant life. The Bible says, The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. (See Proverbs 10:22)
More often than not, I tend to think, prosperity and success for a Child of God is based on faith and hardwork. Every single thing Jesus did and said was beyond doubt to lift and inspire people. My heart aches with pain when I see Christians who do not believe in hardwork.
What did God tell Moses to do? To speak to the rock. And what was going to happen? Water was going to come out. In fact until Moses carried out the instruction and spoke, nothing would have happened. But there are many rocks in your life which need only your speaking to them to release their stored contents. Why has the water not come out? Because you are looking at the rock as a stone, but God is seeing it as a reservoir.
When the seed is planted in the ground, that is in good ground, it will germinate and grow. When the seed of God’s Word is planted in people, it produces its kind. God’s Word promises healing, salvation, deliverance and also prosperity.
The greatest triumph in your life is for you to discover yourself in Christ-then to let Him full develop that unlimited new life of power in you. You can make it! Do not listen to the doubters. Believe the God in you!
Your way of life, how you live and conduct your life, determines to a great extent your success or failure.
If you have a vision and you do not act on it, it will die. A vision not auctioned is auctioned!
The Leader and master you need is the one who can stand his ground in a storm. No matter the storm that confronts you, when you know who you are in the Lord, you will overcome.
Believe in the Gospel and in the power of God, possess the resurrection power of Jesus within you and the same power that raised Jesus from the dead will quicken your mortal bodies, and cause resurrection in your life and business.
Believe the Gospel, and He that sits at the right Hand of the Father shall plead your case.
Believe the Gospel and you shall fear no evil; believe the Gospel and witches and wizards shall free from you, believe the Gospel and poverty will die in your life.
Believe the Gospel and the Christ of the Gospel shall become your El-Shaddi, for he that has Christ has everything.(John14:4).
No attack on the Gospel can never succeed. The Gospel is the truth and the truth can never be suppressed for long: it resurfaces, no matter how deep it is submerged. It rises again even if it says in the grave for three days.
No man or devil can stop the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Believers don’t make resolutions, they act with determination. Act in faith, step out in faith and walk on in faith for there is no other way the just shall live by faith.
Too much playing safe has destroyed the aspirations of men and women headed for success.
Glorious results can only be produced when your actions are based on God’s plan.
A vital key to success is that achievers risk their lives.
Divine decisions are followed by divine directions.
Prayer and waiting upon the Lord in the midnight hour is the result of consistent self-discipline.
The keys to success and prosperity are grace, faith and hardwork.
The secret of faith is to plant the seed of belief.
Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. Sow love and reap love. Sow joy and reap joy. Sow encouragement and reap encouragement. Whatsoever you sow, it will come to you a hundredfold according to the Word of God.
Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.
Christians can face heavy trails of the enemy. We can be knocked down but we can never be knocked out.
The life of success is one of going forward to posses our possessions. It has been said that God’s will does not send a man to where His grace cannot sustain him. God’s will and His grace go hand in hand.
Do you have faith to go forward and do what God has told you? What are you waiting for? Go tip now! Faith clears all obstacles before it.
Riches in a limited sense may be associated only money and the possession of material things, but success means more than this.
I have pinpointed two reasons why men of God do not preach on prosperity; they are ignorance and lack of understanding of God’s Word on this crucial issue.
Religion in all cases associates poverty with piety; suffering with holiness; and burdens with humility. That is pure religious stuff and not full Gospel message as presented by Jesus Christ. (John 10:10). My dear friend, don’t ask for prosperity if you will not use it for God. This has been my maxim whenever I think of prosperity in Christ.
Beloved, God is faithful, who will not suffer you to fail. Live for Him one day at a time. He will prosper the labour of your hands.
You don’t need all of God’s promises right here and now. The fact is, it is impossible to claim all God’s promises in one split second, but any promise you need that fits your situation is available to you now!
The first thing God does for you in conversion is to take your darkness and give you light. The power of light destroys and fills the vacuum left in you.
You must speak what God has already ordained you to be and it will come to pass. Change it from dream to reality. Turn excuses to uses. Turn your inabilities to God’s ability.
Religion offers nothing; it is a dark alley leading nowhere.
Christ came to turn your life from slavery into Kingdomhood.
Believing something does not in itself alter its validity or otherwise. The basic difference therefore is to believe something that is true, valid and trustworthy.
Religion leads men to bondage, fear and bleakness but through Christ, grace and faith lead men to success, prosperity and fulfillment.
Living in faith simply means putting the full weight of our lives on Jesus and being led by the Holy Spirit to appropriate all the promises.
The Bible is a precious book; it contains nuggets of gold for your life.
When God created man, in His wisdom, grace and knowledge He added a manual(The Bible) to show us the way to fruitful and successful living.
This generation is one of laxity and carelessness; no wonder many people are not making much headway in life. Go and read the manual(The Bible) and correct the errors in your life; then shall you make your way prosperous. Read the Bible daily, sow the seed of faith and blessings in the Word in your spirit.
A man can influence the destiny of his nation if only he can believe God, believe himself and set out in determination to succeed where others have failed. If only men would turn their stumbling-blocks into stepping-stones, it would make all the difference.
Aspiration is of man; inspiration is of God. One is externally generated, other is internally stimulated.
God puts His desires for good into your heart when you have His viewpoint on life and when you follow the awareness of His work in you.
The harder the enemy fights you, the harder you must fight to succeed.
To put faith into action is the secret which leads to the fulfillment of all God’s promises.
The devil (God’s enemy and ours) steps in to create doubt, fear, confusion or hesitation in order to delay or prevent God’s fulfillment and our joy.
God sees our action, which justifies our faith before him, and He steps into the scene to fulfill His promise.
God always demands that we act our faith first. This proves our believing. Then He steps into the scene to make good His promise.
God does not know the word setback! If you face problems, use them as opportunities to glorify His name.
If you are walking in the ways of God, His presence goes with you every step of the way. God is the owner of the vehicle of your life. He directs the steering of your life as He desires.
When you say ‘yes’ to Christ living in you, amazing things begin to happen to you.
God gives you grace and power to acquire riches and wealth, but He also requires you to stand upon His Word. Only if you live in daily obedience will you see His blessings upon your way.
When you work for 24years in the Civil Service and you reach retirement age, they give you retirement benefits. But when you work for God, He gives you daily benefits.
Anytime you attach yourself to God you are connected to light, health, purity in Christ, peace and all the spiritual benefits of heaven.
Beloved, riches in Christ means standing where Christ is; taking sides with Him who is able to abundantly more than you expect.
You must be a testifier rather than a complainer. God assures you that blessings will chase after you when go in and out obediently. You will be overtaken by blessings.
We have nothing to offer the heathen but a religion, and true Christianity is not a religion. Religion is only a form, a ceremonial observance, but Christianity is a life itself. Christianity is the core, heart and nature of Jesus Christ being manifested in man.
The living God stands behind the living Word. That should sound logical to your ears.
We must look to God as the source of our needs. Whenever we take our eyes off God and His will for our life, we immediately begin to attempt to do things our own way.
Prayer must be your way of life, then success will-overtake you.
God’s plan is for you to be saved, happy, blessed, successful and prosperous!
We are saved? From what to what? Death to life! Sin to righteousness! Darkness to light! Poverty to prosperity! Fear to faith! Failure to success! And more and more!
Success is a road you must travel because God wishes it so (3 John 2). Be encouraged to renew your mind and thinking according to the Master’s promises. Look up and reach out for excellence.
Life is for the living in the presence of God.
A believer who will not till the soil and plant the field may seem spiritual and may pray for miraculous harvest, but he or she will end up in poverty.
What are some of the mischievous lies the devil puts across to confuse people about prosperity and success? First, he suggests that material poverty fosters spiritual humility. Don’t allow such a thought to reign in your heart; it is sickening and defiling.
Don’t forget, it is not only the rich who are in danger of being infected by pride.
If God places so much value upon you, surely he wants you to benefit from the abundance of His creation.
A believer who is undisciplined and slothful in business principles will not prosper.
God never intended that anyone should go through life imprisoned by their own superstitions. He opens the door of success to every believer who will dare to step out and go after the good life. No one in God’s family was ever destined to exist in sickness, fear, ignorance, poverty, loneliness or mediocrity.
Once you have set your eyes on God’s lifestyle, you will no longer cower and retreat when the going gets rough. You will transform each problem into an opportunity for growth.
If your hopes are dashed by opposition you will not cringe in fear of judgment. Instead you will pick up the pieces, learn by your mistakes, profit by learning your enemy’s strategy and set even higher targets the next time around.
Success is coming your way in Christ, who became poor that you might be rich. Until we have a dream, we can never know what it is to have a dream come live.
God entrusts every generation with seeds to plant, soil to cultivate, oceans to sail, mountains to scale, deserts to conquer, rivers to harness, minerals to mine and forests to utilise. He also gives each of us a brain and a spirit with which to receive His creative ideas. With Him at work in us we can be, have and do, anything He puts into our spirit and mind.
Your choice is very important. You cannot afford to fail. To fail, you must quit first; to quit you must decide not to continue. But the will of God is that you prosper and be in good health(3 John 1:2).
Our God reigns: He brings you from discouragement to new courage, from fainting to strength. Be strong.
We are given power to do something about something that is not moving the way we want it to be.
Faith does not make things easy, it makes them possible.
Character isn’t built during victory celebrations. Character is built in the trenches when you are strategizing and working your dream.
People, we get it all wrong. We think that if God wants it to happen in our lives, that He will just magically do it.
It doesn’t work like that. He plans great things for us, but requires our faith and strategic action to activate His purpose and promises.
When you meet an obstacle along the way (and you will) it doesn’t mean that you should give up or that it wasn’t part of His plan in the first place. Activate your faith to overcome the obstacles you face. Use your faith as a booster to push you past the difficulty.
In fact… the process / journey that we pass through is also very much a part of His plan. There are lessons we are to learn on the road to every victory.
Faith is not a superstition or an intention; it is an action.
I was made in Heaven assembled in Nigeria and dispatched to my generation.
You are made for life and not for death. You are made for health and not for disease. You are made for success and not for failure. You are made for faith and not for confusion. You are made for love and not for fear.
I am part of God’s plan. I am vital to His dream. I am an instrument in His kingdom. I am a member of His family. I am the proof of God’s love. I am evidence of His life. I am the temple of His spirit. I am the expression of God’s faith.
God made me. God believe me. God loves me. God paid for me. God never gives up on me. God gave His Son for me. God redeemed me. God values me.
Today it is your turn to speak and God will honour the words of your month. Bless yourself. Bless your business, bless your family with what you say, for what you bless on earth is blessed in heaven(See Matthew 16:19).
God created men and women for a better life than many are experiencing. It is not His will as erroneously propagated, that we live a life, guilt, near-nakedness and future.
Salvation, we must understand, satisfies all of man’s fundamental needs.
God created all the wealth on this earth and it is His. And He can by His provident will place it in your empty hands for His work’s sake as you claim His promises and act upon them by faith.
When you rebuke the wind while others are panicking people will look at you and Bonder.
Learn to fight even when you are not willing to fight, because the day you cease fighting, you star losing.
When God gives you a weight, he gives you a spring, or grace to carry it.
When you don’t pray tithes, things become tight for you.
The spirit of God in you tells that visions must receive provisions.
God is looking for a voice not an echo.
Anyone who plans your demise will go under, even under the earth. There is nothing to fear. Only Jesus is Lord.
No matter how deep you have been in the pit, upward is your goal.
Zealousness doesn’t give you what you require from God, but faith is the raw material that gives you a better thing from God.
God can take you from ‘who are you’ to ‘how are you?’
No man ever wins when he is afraid to fight.
When you are so weak, that is when you can do all things.
It is better to die while trying out something good than to die lying down doing nothing.
Train yourself to say I am expecting God’s visitation in my house.
Life is full of choice but faith in God will affect them all.
You either believe and live OR doubt and die.
The words of your mouth can give you a turn around.
God specializes in stopping people’s tears.
Don’t tell me how big your mountain is. Tell your mountain how BIG your God is.
I don’t worry, I don’t fear, I know that God is on my side.
Whatever you admire in life, desire it, and whatever you desire in life reacquire it, and whatever you require in life, aspire for it, don’t retire, but refire, when you refire, the acquire that which you desire that you admire in life.
Anything taller than you is under the feet of God.
Learn how to release your bullet and believe that it is going to hit the target.
When you ask God for something do not worry over the doing.
If you listen too much to what people say about you, you will not listen to what God is saying to you.
Prayer for Dangote in 1970s ‘The World will get up for you, My God will bless you! God will take you and your business beyond Africa and bless you beyond measure. Amen’
No situation is so ugly that it cannot augur well for God.
Do not sow and go to sleep, watch over your seeds, and tend them.
The secret of your power lies within your heart.
The words of your mouth can give you a turn around.
Learn how to release your bullet and believe that it is going to hit the target.
When you ask God for something do not worry over the doing.
Strange to hear, but there are many Bible Verses About Debtors. It is important for Follower of Christ to know these scriptures. They’ll rightly situate them on what God is saying concerning debts in general. That is, by reading and understanding the Bible verses about debtors, you’ll have a clear view on God’s mind about going in for credit card debts, bank debts, local debts, family debts, credit card loans no guarantor, and bad credit no guarantor. We live in a world which shows up every morning with different challenges among which we have financial struggles. At times we get into debts out of will or with the desire to ameliorate our lives. This does not exclude the bitter truth that many get into debts simply because they are spending more than they earn or they desire a luxurious lifestyle.
Whatever the case, if you’ve ever been in debts, and its probably the case, you’ll jointly testify with us that it is not something nice. Those who are soaked in credit card debts or looking for credit loans no guarantor generally turn to be stressed, bitter, and troubled all daylong. Even those looking for credit card debt help are also affected by these negative feelings. The Bible verses about debtors were divinely revealed by God because he knew the impact of debts on the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of humans. Don’t be surprise to learn that God is interested about how well you manage your finances. Christian Finances is a major topic which has been dealt with in the modern church. The Bible which is an authoritative voice when it comes to knowing and doing the will of God has revealed much about becoming debt free.
Bible Verses About Debtors
What you should know
As followers of Christ, we ought not to handle life as those of the world do. In matters like debts (credit card debts, debt help, borrowing money, family debt, and credit loans no guarantor), it is worth knowing what God is saying so that we can please him both in words and actions. It is in this light that we hereby write to present the best Bible verses about debtors which you should take serious. But before the presentation, it is worth pointing clearly to what we mean by debts. A debt in this case is money or a valuable owed or due. It is needless to point out how destructive a debt can be to a person’s joy. Those who’ve lived it can testify. It’s more of a thorn in the flesh than something with a lasting happiness.
What the Bible says
Proverbs 22:7 – “Poor people are slaves of the rich. Borrow money and you are the lender’s slave.“This Biblical verse clearly portrays a debtor as a slave to his/her lender. In simple terms, borrowing money is getting into a slave/master relationship with the lender. From this scripture, it is clear that debts (credit card debts, credit loans no guarantor, and bad credit loans no guarantor) are not God’s perfect will for us. He desires to see his children enjoying a debt free life. However, this is not always the case as we can’t close our eyes on the realities. Most of our financial mistakes usually put us in positions where we must absolutely get into debts.
At times, emergency situations popup necessitating borrowing in any of its form. Whatever the case, if you must borrow, then make sure that it is not to obtain goods or services that have depreciating values. Goods with depreciating values are those that won’t bring in long term profits like borrowing to purchase a car when you can make without it until you can personally and fully afford for one. It is in this same light that we’ll say borrowing to live a luxurious life or spending on things which you can do without is not a good idea. On the other hand borrowing for education, or for a house construction is not the worst idea. These are things with long lasting values. Educating yourself can lead to a job that will not only cover your current debts but will also prevent you from getting into debts in the future.
How to live a debt free life
Always have in mind that the ideal thing to do is to stay away from debts and enjoy what we call financial freedom or a debt free life. This saying is supported by the Bible verses about debtors. Although challenging, achieving a debt free life is not an impossibility. Remember that God wants you to prosper (Jeremiah 29:11). Benefit from his blessings by having yourself located within his mercy and favor. You can do this by simply obeying the Key Teachings of Jesus Christ. This message is supported by Deuteronomy 28 which points out that those who obey God message will not have to borrow becomes God will bless them with abundance. Also keep in mind that disobeying God’s commands is not without consequences.
Achieving Financial Freedom God’s Way is more of a reality than you might think. If you are sitting with folded arms and waiting on God to do everything, you are taking the wrong approach. This is supported by most of the Bible verses about debtors. Lazily sitting will only lead you into poverty and debts of all kinds. Strategical come up with plans to ameliorate your financial life. Bring these plans before God and request his blessings. The next thing to do will be to put them into action. Embrace hard work as the only way and you’ll live to testify God’s goodness in your life. Light your path with the Best Christian Financial Advice and embrace the 7 Biblical Principles of Money Management. Work, Save, and Invest to grow your wealth in honest ways that are pleasing to God. Never spend all or more than what you earn.
Best Bible Verses About Debtors
Group 1 – Bible Verses About Debtors
Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”
Romans 13:8 – “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
Psalm 37:21 – “The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;”
Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Proverbs 13:11 – “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”
Romans 13:7 – “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.“
Luke 14:28 – “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”
Psalm 37:21-22 – “The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives; for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.”
Matthew 6:9-13 – “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Matthew 6:12 – “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Group 2 – Bible Verses About Debtors
Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.””
Matthew 5:26 – “Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”
Matthew 5:42 – “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”
1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
Proverbs 22:26 – “Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”
Romans 13:1-14 – “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...”
Group 3 – Bible Verses About Debtors
Proverbs 13:32 – “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.”
Exodus 20:1-17 – “And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth, You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, …”
Deuteronomy 15:6 – “For the Lord your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.”
Exodus 22:25 – “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.”
Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 5:8 – “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Group 4 – Bible Verses About Debtors
1 Timothy 6:17-19 – “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
Philippians 4:11-13 – “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Proverbs 21:20 – “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 25:27 – “Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.”
Proverbs 11:15 – “Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.”
Matthew 6:21 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Group 5 – Bible Verses About Debtors
Deuteronomy 28:12 – “The Lord will open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands. And you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.”
Proverbs 3:27 – “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.”
Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Exodus 22:25-27 – “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.”
1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Proverbs 10:4 – “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”
Group 6 – Bible Verses About Debtors
1 Corinthians 16:2 – “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”
Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Romans 5:8 – “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
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 8:20 – “But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!“
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Luke 12:15 – And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Luke 16:10-12 – “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?“
Group 7 – Bible Verses About Debtors
Luke 6:35 – “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”
Matthew 18:23-35 – “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. …“
Mark 4:19 – “But the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”
Malachi 3:10 – “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
Ecclesiastes 5:4 – “When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.”
Ecclesiastes 5:5 – “It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.”
Proverbs 28:8 – “Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.”
Group 8 – Bible Verses About Debtors
Proverbs 22:26-27 – “Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?”
Proverbs 23:4-5 – “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”
2 Kings 4:7 – “She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.””
Proverbs 22:1 – “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”
Proverbs 17:18 – “One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.”
Acts 2:38 – “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Proverbs 21:5 – “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 6:6-8 – “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.”
Group 9 – Bible Verses About Debtors
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Matthew 18:23-33 – “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. …“
Romans 1:14 – “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.”
Luke 16:10 – “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...”
Group 10 – Bible Verses About Debtors
Matthew 5:40 – “And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.”
Revelation 3:17 – “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked”
Nehemiah 5:3-5 – There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.”
Nehemiah 10:31 – “And if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.”
1 John 2:15-17 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Group 11 – Bible Verses About Debtors
1 John 1:7 – “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
James 5:1-6 – “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. …”
2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
James 14:13-15 – “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
1 Timothy 6:6-8 – “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.“
Group 12 – Bible Verses About Debtors
1 Timothy 6:6-12 – “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. …”
Ephesians 5:5 – “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
1 Thessalonians 2:5 – “For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.”
Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Group 13 – Bible Verses About Debtors
Romans 13:7-8 – “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
1 Corinthians 5:11 – “But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.”
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Ephesians 6:17 – “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”
Acts 20:35 – “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 17:10-11 – “The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
Group 14 – Bible Verses About Debtors
Luke 8:14 – “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”
Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Luke 16:11 – “If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?”
Luke 12:33 – “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.”
Luke 14:28-30 – “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’”
Acts 10:34 – “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,”
Luke 7:41-43 – “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
Bestofchristianity.com is a Global Media Ministry. As a Christian Website and Online Evangelical Ministry, Best Of Christianity focuses on the teachings of Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy spirit, and above all the Love of God. It uses the Bible as the foundation to knowing and obeying God. It steps in at the command of Jesus Christ to take the holy gospel to the four corners of the world so that those who believe in him can have eternal life. Under the authority of Jesus Christ, we are Apostolic and Prophetic sons and daughters of God sent out to set the captives free, heal the sick, bring deliverance, give sight to the blind, strengthen the lame to walk and above all lead souls to heaven. It is in the Christian light that we analyze topics like Prosperity, Wealth, Debt free, Credits, Finance, and Money in the Bible.
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