"Why?" and "How do we know that?" were two of my favorite questions as a child. They still are. I don't easily accept "facts" without clear evidence to back them up, and the bigger the proof, the better.
The temptations Satan offered Jesus were for Him to "prove" His divinity and receive His kingdom by doing foolish tricks and worshipping the evil one, instead of walking the hard road of obedience.
It's a very human response to want proof. As a physician, I want a well-designed, double-blinded controlled study to "prove" new theories and demonstrate the effectiveness of new treatments.
It's easy to be deceived. We all want to be sure, don't we?
It's easy to be deceived. We all want to be sure, don't we?
In the Christian life, however, faith requires that we believe without seeing.
In a way, our "proof" is relationship-based. Because we have a personal relationship with a loving God who actively involves Himself in our lives, we can see Him at work in our circumstances. We don't "see" the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that the Spirit gives us, but we can certainly recognize them when they're there.
In a way, our "proof" is relationship-based. Because we have a personal relationship with a loving God who actively involves Himself in our lives, we can see Him at work in our circumstances. We don't "see" the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that the Spirit gives us, but we can certainly recognize them when they're there.
Jesus knew that the work God had already done was manifestation enough.
He knew that the relationship He came to personalize was enough.
He knew that the work of redemption He would do on the cross would be enough.
Enough has been done, and response, not more doing, is required.
The question, simply stated, is: what will we do about Jesus? We have two choices. One leads to life, the other to death. Trust and obey or reject and rebel?
He knew that the relationship He came to personalize was enough.
He knew that the work of redemption He would do on the cross would be enough.
Enough has been done, and response, not more doing, is required.
The question, simply stated, is: what will we do about Jesus? We have two choices. One leads to life, the other to death. Trust and obey or reject and rebel?
Do we accept the proof that's already been given, or not? Are we enjoying the relationship that's already been offered, or not? Our response to Jesus becomes the evidence of our faith for the world to see.
What testimony is my life giving the world? What testimony is your life giving? Let's be sure we're demonstrating the faith we say we have.
And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; (Luke 4:9 NASB)
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What testimony is my life giving the world? What testimony is your life giving? Let's be sure we're demonstrating the faith we say we have.
And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; (Luke 4:9 NASB)
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: On Chargers, Cringers, and Having the Most Fun
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