The power of the gospel.

     Acts 17:1-10 records Paul's visit to Thessalonica. He found the Jewish synagogue there, and began to reason with them. Using the scriptures, he proved the resurrection and Lordship of Christ. Many of the Jews believed, as well as many of the Greeks. Pauls stay was cut short by some trouble makers, and he was forced to leave sooner than he would have liked to.
     Paul was concerned about these new believers. He was concerned that they would remain faithful to Christ through the persecution and testing that they would now face. He was concerned that they would stand firm in times of temptation. He had only been there a short time, they were new converts, just babes in Christ.
     All of Pauls concerns are recorded in 1 Thessalonians. It also records that he sent Timothy to visit them, to find out how they were doing. We are told that Timothy found them doing well (3:6), in fact this group of believers had become an example to others throughout the region of Macedonia and Achaia, in fact their testimony had gone forth everywhere (1:7-10).
     These people had truly encountered the risen Christ. They were newly saved, but powerfuly transformed. They turned from their idols to serve God. There was no mixing of the old with the new, no keeping some old customs from their former idolotry, no holding on to some secret sin, no secret salvation, no fear of man when faced with persecution. They had been radically changed.
      The Gospel came to these people in the power of the Holy Spirit (1:3), not merely in word only, but in convicting, life changing power. It was received as the very word of God (2:13), and allowed to work by those who received it.
     The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. By it we are reconciled to God, brought into union with Him, and made new. It is a complete overhaul of our lives. Thousands can testify of God's deliverance from alcohol, drugs, anger, sexual immorality, etc. People who once lived for themselves, their minds set on gratifying their lusts, have been changed into people who set their hearts on pleasing God, and by following the Spirit, now overcome their former way of life and instead live lives pleasing to God (Gal 5:16-24).
     Sadly, too many settle for an easy faith without turning from sin. They hold a form of godliness, but deny the power that the gospel holds forth. Many live in continued rebellion against God, still living life for themselves. This however, is not the picture of salvation that is presented in the word of God. Jesus gave Himself to save us from this present evil age (Gal 1:4). It is a new life that we are given!

You must be born again.

          Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born anew.'
           John 3:7 (RSV)


     Nicodemus was a religious man. Like the other Pharisees, he studied the scriptures, went to the temple, offered sacrifices, prayed, fasted, gave alms, etc. On the surface he apeared to be a righteous man. The Pharisees were zealous for the law of God, and religious traditions, some biblical and some not.
     Nicodemus came to Jesus because He knew that He had come from God (John 3:2). He was interested and wanted to visit with Him.
     It was a great shock to him when Jesus told him that to see the kingdom of God, one must be born again. He stumbled at this. All his religious training had failed to show him what lies in the heart of man, that there was no cure for a sinful heart found in traditions and mere religion. Flesh gives birth to flesh (vs 6). Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve, mankind has given birth to sinful mankind (Romans 5:12). All have sinned (Romans 3:9-23). Although alive physically, we are all spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1). Our hearts are set against God, and will not submit to Him or His laws (Romans 8:7).
     Our only hope of spiritual life is found with God. It is Spirit that gives birth to spirit. We need a radical transformation, a change from death to life. We need to be transformed from darkness to light. Selfishness and sin, to love and holiness. Traditions and religious excersises profit nothing. Church attendance, good deeds, bible reading, prayer, serve a good purpose, they are important in the life of a believer, but they will not save you!  Our hope lies with God, who through the working of the Holy Spirit, brings about a change of nature in the hearts of all who in repentance and faith cast themselves on His mercy, through Jesus Christ. Forgiveness, is not the new birth itself, although it is part of salvation. The new birth is a total makeover of the heart! If any man be in Christ he is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). God has made us alive spiritually, while we were yet dead (Eph 2:1-6) He has delivered us from our sinful passions, in His mercy. This has been accomplished through rebirth and renewal brought about by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:3-5).We dont't understand all of how it works, Jesus told Nicodemus that the wind blows but we can't see it. In the same manner, we can't see the actual work of the Spirit within the heart of man, but it is done none the less!
     God will not force Himself on any one. He wants the willing surrender of our hearts. He draws us and convicts us by His Spirit, yet He leaves us to choose whom we will serve. It is up to us. Will we abandon sin? Will we throw ourselves on His mercy, trusting in Him alone to forgive us based upon the finished work of Christ on our behalf? Will we give Him our hearts to cleanse and reconstruct? Are we willing to serve Him no matter the cost?  God so loved the world that He sent His Son into it, He gave of Himself for us, so that by faith in Him we might have eternal life. You must be born again!

The pure in Heart.

     Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to and idol or swear by what is false. He will recieve blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.    Psalm 24:3-6 (NIV)


    Jesus said the pure in heart would see God (Matt. 5:8). Who are the pure in heart, and how did they get that way?  The Bible portrays humanity as depraved, dead in sin with hearts bent on evil (Rom. 3:10-18, Eph 2:1-3). This is true. From birth, we are selfish individuals. As we grow it gets worse and worse, just watch a child go through the "terrible twos." That may sound funny, but it is really the selfish nature within working itself out. At some point we all reach a place where we become morally accountable for our actions, a point of rebellion against God. This is the mind set on the flesh, the mind that is hostile towards God, the mind that will not submit to the law of God (Rom 8:7). Such an individual cannot see God, not now nor in the age to come.
     What is needed is a complete change. Not a change of actions, but a change of heart. A change from selfishness, and rebellion, to submission to God and His law. A mind that is now set on pleasing God, and following Him.
     God, through the working of the Holy Spirit does His part in convicting us of  sin, showing us our lost state, the depth of our depravity, and our total inability to do anything about it apart from Him. By His Spirit, He leads us to the cross of Christ, where we repent of our sin and look to Him with eyes of faith, receiving His forgiveness and being adopted as sons of God. Without repentance, there is no saving faith, and no forgiveness. We remain dead in sin. However if we repent, and surrender ourselves to Christ we are regenerated, or born again. There is now a new principle active in our lives. Instead of being hostile towards God we now long for Him. We desire to please Him. We love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. We follow Him with a faith that works by love. We are indeed a new creation, the old is gone, the new is come. We no longer live as we used to, we are ruled by a new nature that subjects itself to the law of God. We can truly say that our hearts are pure, we are not just forgiven, but truly changed from within. These are the people who see God. They see Him now with eyes of faith, they experience fellowship with Him now, and will see Him face to face on that great day. Such is the generation who seek Him!