We have something in our world, and I call it "casual Christianity." These people call themselves Christians, but they don't totally immerse themselves in the thought that Jesus is the Son of God and that He has any power at all. Jesus had a crowd like this that followed Him around, and even though they saw the miracles, they still missed who He was. Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, and He has come to give us life eternal in heaven. If you are hesitant to totally believe this fact Jesus has some words for you to think about in John 10.
John 10: 22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
If you are trying to find excuses to put forth Jesus might not be who He says He is then you must not be, first of all, 1. Studying the Word of God, or 2. Spending time in strong prayer with the Father, or 3. Letting the world water down your faith, or 4. You might not have the Holy Spirit in your life. There is definitely something going on that is counterproductive to the sanctification process, and it is going to hurt you in the future.
Jesus knows His sheep, and I am one of them, and I hope you are too. When we are sheep, we know and believe in the shepherd to protect us, empower us, equip us, and lead us, and He will do it. There is one more caveat that comes with this certainty, and it is the fact that no one or nothing can take us away from Jesus because He is ever present and faithful to the sheep. Make sure you really know Jesus and that don't just have a "church faith" that is weak at best. Jesus said this in John 3:5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’
I have seen some who have a "casual Christianity" try to make fun of the term "born again," and I pray for them to accept who they are in Christ. When we are born again in the Spirit, Jesus makes a connection with us, as Paul wrote to the church at Rome.
Romans 8:15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. When we are born again, we are heirs of His promises, and we don't need to be guessing if Jesus will come through because He has, and He will!!! The question is "Are You All in?" Then you need to get all in, and your faith will no longer be casual but very calculated as you surrender to the will of the Father and live for Jesus in total faith. Jesus is asking Are You All In? Then what is holding you back? Surrender to His will and His ways, and let the shepherd protect you and empower you. He will bless you, and lead you in the way you must go.
Today's Message,
David Warren
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