Words for Life Articles

John 8:31-36

³¹ Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³² And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  ³³ They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” ³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. ³⁵ And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. ³⁶ Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

For many years as an unbeliever, I went to church because my mother wanted me to. I went because it made my mother happy. I went because it felt good. I knew all the lingos; I did everything Church goers did. I sang in the choir; I was involved in church drama. I was loved by my parents, I was loved by the church, respected by my peers. I knew some scriptures; I took part in Christian drama. My life on the surface was a success, but deep inside I was a wreck, a man with little confidence.

Many of us might know someone like me, or some of you were like me. We went to Church but still had issues we were struggling with.

About two thousand years ago, Jesus confronted people just like me, they did everything to please God and people but they were far from being happy.

They were slaves to culture, tradition, sin and were very religious and when Jesus confronted them with truth and freedom, it was  difficult to swallow.

For them and many people today the TRUTH presented to them went over their heads.

Yet there is only one truth that can set us all free and that truth is the knowledge of the only begotten son of God, Jesus Christ.

James 1:2-4

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Modern teachings in Christianity has tried to teach that Christians are immune from suffering. I am baffled and perplexed by this sort of teaching, as it totally contradicts scriptures and the teaching of Jesus Christ.

The Bible is actually full of scriptures and events which shows suffering and persecution will be part and parcel of the Christian believer’s life here on earth

Jesus in John 16:33 said this to his disciples.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  

Jesus was saying that as long as we are in this world, we are not immune to affliction, agony, anguish, distress, excruciation, hurt, misery, pain, rack, strait(s), torment, torture, travail, woe etc. However, He also went on to say that He has overcome the world, and as a result, we have become overcomers. I will say it again, because Jesus has overcome the world, we have automatically become overcomers.

Every one of us have been created by God for a purpose. You might not know or have discovered what that purpose is but you were not created just to occupy space.

Our lives sometimes are filled with numerous activities that we become completely oblivious of what our real purpose is on this earth. We are sometimes driven by the demands of life and lose sight of God’s greater purpose for our lives.

We must stop and evaluate our daily routine to realise that God’s purpose for our lives are not just about us, but it also encompasses the lives of others around us and beyond - at home, school, work, in our businesses community, city, nation and even beyond our nation(s).

The Bible says in the book of Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God says He knows the plans He has for you. That means you were not just created to have a home, education, have children etc. God’s plan for your life is a lot more than these things. The truth is that God has a purpose for everyone.

2 Corinthians 10: 3 - 5

Ephesians 6: 10 - 18

1 Peter 5: 8 - 9

Many Christians today do not have an understanding of what spiritual warfare is. Many have focussed more on getting angry with people, seeing fellow humans as their enemies and concentrated their fight and battle with them.

Paul in two of our key scriptures alludes to the fact that our weapons of warfare are not made of flesh. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

In another scripture he makes it clear that our battles are not with flesh and blood but against powers and principalities in the heavenlies. Ephesians 6:10-18

Peter now tells us who our enemy is.  – 1 Peter 5:8-9

⁸ Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. ⁹ But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]

It is therefore of uttermost importance to pause and rethink our battles.

Mark 15:37-39

³⁷ And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. ³⁸ Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ³⁹ So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

King Solomon had built the first temple and after Israel was raided and the temple destroyed Herod built the second temple. The temple had three chambers, the outer court, the Holy place and the Holy of Holies.  It is said that Herod’s Temple was built to the dimensions of Solomon’s Temple.

Hebrews 9:2-8

² For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; ³ and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, ⁴ which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; ⁵ and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. ⁶ Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. ⁷ But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; ⁸ the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.

The temple was the resting place of God in the physical world during the time of the Israelites sojourning on this earth. His dwelling place which was the Holy of Holies was separated from the rest of the temple by a massive curtain called the veil. The veil was said to be 60 feet high. The curtain separated a Holy God from sinful man. This curtain was the symbol of separation from the creator of the universe.

Matthew 22: 36 - 40

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” ³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Mark 12: 28 – 34

²⁸ Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”

²⁹ Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. ³¹ And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

³² So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. ³³ And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

³⁴ Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

But after that no one dared question Him.

God is love and love is from God.

God first loved us and continues to love us. In response He calls us in return to love too like He loves. To love Him first with all our hearts, soul and mind, and then to love our neighbours, other human beings as ourselves.

1 Corinthians 13

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The word “LOVE” in the English Language limits our understanding of the full meaning of that word.

So daily the word “LOVE” is used in a generalised way by many people without a true meaning of what that word “LOVE” really means.

Through the Word of God we receive insight into what Love really is.

1 Corinthians 13 is a letter written to the church by Paul sandwiched between a chapter on spiritual gifts, and another chapter on prophecy and speaking in tongues.