Tag: hope

One Way of Salvation and only One way, which is God and God Alone

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 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. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10 NKJV

        Throughout the previous studies in I Kings, we watched as God spoke to the people through Elijah.  He declared that God and God Alone was Sovereign.  All their vain idols were merely impotent ideologies of their own imaginations.  Desperately they desired to believe these idols were real.  After all they promoted sexual deprivation and promised freedom. Yet, their demands of child sacrifice and utter devotion brought bondage and suffering instead of the freedoms promised.  Repeatedly Elijah demonstrated that only God and God Alone had the power to save.  There was only one way of Salvation and that was complete devotion to God.  Today, we face the same ideologues desiring to say there are many ways of Salvation.  Christianity must be all inclusive or not at all, ignoring the truth that Israel’s destruction came from being all inclusive of false religious practices. 

        After Elijah stood on Mount Carmel alone against the 800 prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth, one might think people would have abandoned these false idealogues.  But they did not.  God and God alone had sent a blazing fire to burn the water drenched sacrifice.  The others had tried everything. And their sacrifice wasn’t even wet.  But their imaginary gods had failed.  Much as we watch the idealogues march forward with their plans today, despite their policies pushing toward the destruction of so many nations through famine, poverty, and death.  The farther they run from the truth of God the more devastating the resultant disasters.  Ignoring the truth that there is only one way of salvation and that is through God and God Alone.

God’s Grace Displayed

        God allowed his prophet to run away and even to fall into a momentary depression.  However, God’s plan was to reset and redirect His prophet to a different task.  Elijah needed to know that because of God’s great love and grace, humans would always have choice.  Never did God force them to follow Him.  Afterall, without choice, there is no true love, worship or devotion.  Still in His Sovereignty God Alone could transform a broken sin filled heart.  Both are true, equally even when my finite brain, locked within this time/space continuum doesn’t understand fully how.  One day when I stand before Him, then I will know fully. 

        Once recommissioned, Elijah marched forth to the next tasks at hand.  He was to call Elisha to be his understudy and designate the future King of Syria. 

A Grave Error- Doing It Any Other Way But God’s Way

        Meanwhile, King Ahab died just as Elijah foretold.  God’s grace so great, He had given King Ahab a chance to repent.  When he humbled himself before God, King Ahab was given a chance to win against the Syrian King Ben-Haddad. However, God instructed him to kill the Syrian King and he did not.  Using God only to win is not true devotion to God.  Although many proclaim to be Christian, not all are.  Some are only seeking the gifts, but not the Giver of Gifts.   Hence God sent a prophet, disguised as an injured soldier to speak to King Ahab.

““This is what the Lord has said: ‘Because you released a man I had determined should die, you will pay with your life, and your people will suffer instead of his people.’”[bg] 43 The king of Israel went home to Samaria bitter and angry.1 Kings 20 (NET)

God Alone Can Heal

After Ahab died,…2 Ahaziah fell through a window lattice … and was injured. He sent messengers with these orders,[b] “Go, ask[c] Baal Zebub,[d] the god of Ekron, if I will survive this injury.” 3 But the angel of the Lord told Elijah the Tishbite, “Get up; go to meet the messengers from the king of Samaria. Say this to them: ‘You must think there is no God in Israel! That explains why you are on your way to seek an oracle from Baal Zebub the god of Ekron.[e] 4 Therefore this is what the Lord has said, “You will not leave the bed you lie on, for you will certainly die!” So Elijah went on his way.  2 Kings 1: (NET).

Three times the King sent a captain with 50 soldiers to retrieve Elijah.  Of course, since he was sending soldiers, one can only imagine his plan was not to entreat Elijah to dinner with him.  The first two times the captains commanded “Elijah, O Man of God” to go.  Both times Elijah said,

“If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.   2 Kings 1:10 (NKJV)

One Way of Salvation-God Alone

The third captain pleaded with him not to kill him.  This time an angel told Elijah to go unafraid.  Elijah went and told the King.

“This is what the Lord has said, ‘You sent messengers to seek an oracle from Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron. Is it because there is no God in Israel from whom you can seek a message? Therefore[ah] you will not leave the bed you lie on, for you will certainly die.’”[ai]  2 King1 (NET).

And the King died.

God Alone Declares the Way

Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper. 2 And the Syrians had gone out on[a] raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She [b]waited on Naaman’s wife. 3 Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” 2 KINGS (NKJV)

When Pride Wants Another Way

Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood in the doorway of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent out a messenger who told him, “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan; your skin will be restored[l] and you will be healed.” 11 Naaman went away angry. He said, “Look, I thought for sure he would come out, stand there, invoke the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the area, and cure the skin disease.

12 The rivers of Damascus, the Abana and Pharpar, are better than any of the waters of Israel![m] Could I not wash in them and be healed?” So he turned around and went away angry. 13 His servants approached and said to him,[n] “O master,[o] if the prophet had told you to do some difficult task,[p] you would have been willing to do it.[q] It seems you should be happy that he simply said, ‘Wash and you will be healed.’[r] 14 So he went down and dipped in the Jordan seven times, as the prophet had instructed.[s] His skin became as smooth as a young child’s[t] and he was healed. 2 Kings NET

Concluding Thoughts

As we see here, it is not only God Alone, but also God’s Way alone.  Too often we here today many saying it does not matter.  Yet, Jesus said,

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14

God provided one way of salvation through the death of His son on a cruel cross to pay the full weight of our penalty of death. Why would He have done that if there were any other way?

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4 (NKJV).

There is only one way of Salvation and that is by accepting Jesus Christ and Lord and Savior by repenting of your sin and following Him.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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When Depression Overwhelms Your Heart.  Where Can You find Hope?
How to Really Experience a Faith Evidencing Truth Beyond Sight

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

How Can Fearing God Really Free Me from Fear?

Hear this now, O foolish people,
Without understanding,
Who have eyes and see not,
And who have ears and hear not:
Do you not fear Me?’ says the Lord.
‘Will you not tremble at My presence. Jeremiah 5:22 (NKJV)

Some would try to say that because God is love and God so loved the world; that our response to that love doesn’t really matter. Many profess that there are multiple roads to heaven; yet, that too is not what God’s own words would say. Others would say if we try hard and do "good" then God will reward us with heaven; yet, what is really good? The older I grow, the more I see of God’s righteousness; the more I recognize those hidden areas of darkness, selfishness, or covetousness that lurk in the recesses of my own heart. How often have I failed even the first commandment which is to love the Lord God with all my heart, my mind, and my soul! Each time I have railed against God’s will because I wanted something or cried bitterly because He did not give me some foolish desire of my heart were proof I did not love Him as I should. This verse from Jeremiah would shout into my heart–"O foolish heart, without understanding, whose eyes do not see, whose ears do not hear; do you not fear Me? Says the Lord, Will you not tremble at My Presence?"

Continue reading “How Can Fearing God Really Free Me from Fear?”

What Have You to Fear, Oh Heart of Mine?

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41: 10,13

 

Fear can be that sudden sense of panic with its heightened awareness allowing us to flee danger or it can come as a deep seated dread-a weariness of soul and spirit. In this world there are many things which attack our hearts with fear. It may be a fear that we will make the wrong decision concerning a job, the fear of failure, the fear of loneliness, fear of financial distress, fearfulness for a child, illness, or fear of the unknown. We know that there are unexpected storms. We know that we live within a world where evil happens-from pipe bombs to terror. As Christians we are certainly not exempt for such evil. Indeed, we may even be the target. We lock our doors, build walls around our hearts, and prepare to stand firm against whatever force comes. Yet, there is one fear; I daresay is the one that can destroy us faster than any other. That one we cannot build walls against, no barriers can keep it out; because, it is buried within our own heart and mind. Continue reading “What Have You to Fear, Oh Heart of Mine?”

How to Impact the World Turning Despair to Joy

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Paul wrote this to the early church at Philippi, while he was imprisoned in Rome. It had not been the first time the Philippian Believers had seen Paul imprisoned. Indeed, when he first had come into Philippi to preach the gospel of Christ, Paul had been beaten and thrown into prison.

 

And the multitude rose up together against them (Paul and Silas): and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. Acts 12: 22-24

There was never a time within the early church that those following Christ were not subject to ridicule, hostility, imprisonment, and even death for their belief. In many nations today, the same remains true. Continue reading “How to Impact the World Turning Despair to Joy”

How to Avoid a Weary Heart When Serving Others

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Life at times can cause us to feel a weariness of heart and spirit, a sadness that runs deep within our heart and soul. Our body aches with a fatigue that is much deeper than we could imagine. We press forward, striving to be noticed, to be loved and to be appreciated by those around us. It is for that reason, I wanted to delve into the emotional stumbling blocks that we may face in our life. During the last post, I began to explore some of the root causes of weariness of heart and spirit by pointing out that often this emotional fatigue comes as a result of our expectations. In the last post I began with our own expectations of ourselves. Today, I want to explore our expectations from others whom we serve and then Friday I want to discuss our expectations of God. Often, we falter or feel utterly dismayed because our expectations are not met; yet, it is our expectations that are faulty and need to be realigned. Continue reading “How to Avoid a Weary Heart When Serving Others”