The Crossing

(7-24-05)

John 5:16-24

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Jesus spoke many things to the confounding of His hearers. Some things too deep, some things too unbelievable and some things just down right puzzling. For us who have the benefit of the rest of the story fair some what better but even then there is much that still leaves a person to scratch and ponder and sigh. Cryptic, mystifying and hidden.

Why is it like that, why is God like that with His word and truth? I think some of it has to do with the heart and the level of maturity that a person is at. God understands the tendencies of man, it is for a good reason he keeps some things hidden.

Jesus in John 5:20 says that the Father shows Him all He does because He loves Him. Why? I must conclude that it is because Jesus’ heart is to carry out the whole will of the Father, even if it kills Him. (see John 4:34, 6:38, 12:49-50, 14:31) A conclusion I have been willing to draw about myself and the Word of God is this; when I am committed to doing God’s will and seek Him out with all my heart He will be found and will grow me up in Him.

There is the first matter to be overcome, the heart to seek after God. Paul as well as Jesus himself shows us that when peoples hearts refuse to accept the truth God too will reject them. (Rome 1:18-32; John 5:36-40) There is much to be said about the way of God and the response of man. The fast and easy explanation is:

  1. God makes His existence and His presence evident. (Romans 1:18-20
  2. God monitors or examines (searches) the heart. (1Chro.28:9; 2Chro.6:30; Psalm 9:7)
  3. Those who have a heart that is interested in God he calls. (1Chron.28:9; John 6:44-45, 65)
  4. Those who He calls He makes eternal life available to. (John 6:37, 45)
  5. Those who accept His offer cross over from life to death. (John 5:24; 6:39-40
  6. Those who accept His offer are expected to grow and work. (John 8:31-32; 12:44-50; 13:12-17; 14:9-31)

 

Crossing over from death to life is the most important 1st step any person can make and every person makes their choice by what they do or rather by what they don’t or won’t do. There are far too many people still dead in their sins with out God and without hope, lost forever in darkness. This does not have to be. This should not be as it is. We who are alive in Christ are obligated by reason of God’s grace towards us, to graciously extend the mercies of the Almighty towards those who are yet lost.

Ask yourself this question; does your life reflect the light of Christ in such a way as to draw others to the source of that light? If not, what is preventing the light from being seen? Who will bear the consequence of hiding the light from those yet lost in darkness?

As a recipient of Gods mercies and grace, you have been given the responsibility to offer and share them with the world or risk forfeiture of your blessings and life. That which is in your heart because of Jesus, Do!