NowTHINK!AboutIt

What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Secure!

February 19, 2015 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Jesus Acted With Urgency
Not Aggression

Jesus wasn’t any more inflated by the people who cheered Him on than He was deflated by the people who opposed Him.

He was secure.

Jesus knew who He was. He was convinced that the world needed what He had to offer, whether they understood that or not, accepted it or not.

Jesus said what He needed to say. He did what needed to be done. He didn’t consult with the religious leaders, His family or His disciples. He spoke up. He acted.

Consensus in this situation was the same as asking permission to save a life. He came to save those who were ready, not argue with those who weren’t.

When people didn’t understand what He was doing, and that often was the case, He didn’t respond with frustration. When they argued against His teachings, He didn’t become defensive.

He didn’t try to explain what He really meant. He didn’t use the but what about this and don’t you think that arguments.

Jesus showed us that the only answer to attitude is quiet resolve. But it takes a very strong, secure person to live by that rule.

He was secure in Himself. He didn’t answer every contrary response. He expected us to figure it out.

His own disciples doubted almost His entire ministry. [Read more…] about What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Secure!

What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Ready!

February 8, 2015 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Jesus Saves At Any Time
In Any Place

Jesus isn’t a tardy Savior. He doesn’t wait. He is never late. He works immediately. His response is without hesitation.

We always talk about Jesus being a willing Savior, and He is, but that isn’t the entire message. He’s more than just willing. He is constantly ready.

He described Himself as seeking the lost, which means He doesn’t sit in one place and wait for people to come to Him.

Jesus wants to save. His desire never wanes.

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Even in His human state, dragging around a physical body, His need for rest never got in the way of ministry (Mark 6:31-44).

And now in His glorified state, He never tires. Jesus is ready to save 24/7/365.

There’s no afternoon slump. He’s never bored with the humdrum of life or put off by the unexpected. According to Him, He is always ready.

Truly, truly, I say unto you. He that hears my word and believes on Him that sent me has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life.

In other words, [Read more…] about What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Ready!

What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Certain!

February 7, 2015 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

A Meeting With Jesus
Can’t Be Mistaken
For Anything Else

Jesus was certain about salvation. There was nothing evasive or ambiguous in what he said or what He taught.

He was clear. He was definite. He didn’t leave us guessing.

His purpose statement is anything but vague:

The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

And John, speaking of salvation said:

As many as received Him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. (John 1:12)

There’s no uncertainty here and it’s simple. Believe and receive. It’s a guarantee.

There’s also no application process, no waiting period or probationary phase. [Read more…] about What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Certain!

What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Precise!

February 5, 2015 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Jesus Could Do
Anything And Everything
But He Hasn’t
Promised To

Jesus isn’t a rabbit’s foot, four leaf clover, wishbone or lucky charm.

Plastic replicas of Him on the dashboard will not keep you safe.

Any one of those things may salve you psychologically, and I’m happy for you if they help, but trinkets around your neck do not save.

I don’t doubt Jesus wants all of us to be safe. I also don’t think it’s His wish or will for anyone to hurt, get sick or die ever, for any reason, but we do. He doesn’t prevent these pains. Bad things happen occasionally. It’s inevitable.

Honesty Helps

We need to be honest with the facts. To believe Jesus is the Savior for every possible bad experience, makes Him a failure and us dupes.

But if our understanding of salvation is a little more focused, if we allow limits on what we expect, then we can eliminate several things from salvation’s list. For example: [Read more…] about What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Precise!

What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Personal!

February 4, 2015 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

The Popular Savior Didn’t Work
The Personal Savior Did

Jesus was and is a personal Savior.

Not a celebrity Savior. Not a professional Savior.

You don’t need an appointment with Jesus. You won’t need to locate Jesus or travel to where He works because He’s never far away. He doesn’t maintain office hours and He isn’t limited to one location.

He’s mobile. He finds you and hangs around.

He’s very hands-on. He ministered to people individually in the New Testament and still does that today. Mass meetings weren’t His style. He spent most of His time teaching small groups of people. Often it was just the 12 disciples.

He drew big crowds but not on purpose. Even when surrounded by masses, He remained focused on individuals.

He spoke to and healed the man born blind in Jerusalem.
He healed the Centurion’s servant, and although He never saw or spoke directly to the Centurion or the servant, the healing sent a very personal message to the Centurion.
He healed Peter’s mother-in-law while staying in Peter’s house. The place of healing can’t be more personal.
Jesus touched a leper to signal a healing. That was seriously personal. Lepers were touch starved. It couldn’t have been more psychologically (personally) medicinal.

In some cases He took individuals away from the crowd to do His work.

The deaf mute along the Sea of Galilee is a good example.

He was celebrated but His celebrity never influenced how He conducted His ministry. He could work quietly in the background or in the middle of a crowd. He maintained focus in all situations. When surrounded and pressed by onlookers, He managed to single out the needy person and minister to them individually.

Crowds were a barrier but not for Jesus. They got in the way of individuals seeking for Jesus.

The woman who suffered with a medical problem for 12 years. The crowd was so problematic, her only option was to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment.
The bed bound cripple carried by four friends who was barricaded from Jesus by the crowd.
Zacchaeus whose short stature made him climb a tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus as He walked by.

The crowd isn’t an intermediary. In fact, salvation requires no intermediaries. Jesus doesn’t work from a distance. He doesn’t save in person but He always saves personally.

THINK!AboutIt