Salvation – Page 20 – Word for the Soul

A Little Straight Talk

May 1, 2024April 30, 2024 Loring Schultz

“After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.’ And the disciples were filled with grief.’” Matthew 17:22-23 NLT

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

There comes a time in everyone’s life when a little straight talk is needed. The best way to handle this is to give it to them straight. Important matters needing attention should not be dismissed due to not wanting to hurt or offend someone. When one is mature enough to handle the truth, an honest conversation from one who is trustworthy will be beneficial helping them to go forward in life.

Jesus’ disciples needed a little straight talk. It is not that Jesus was not forthright in speaking to them. In manners they were able to understand, Jesus explained everything to them plainly. Jesus didn’t ignore His disciples’ questions answering them in their ability to comprehend. When Jesus spoke in parables to the people, He then privately explained them to the disciples. But when the disciples began to realize that Jesus was truly the Messiah, the time had come for some straight talk. Jesus was about to tell them of His betrayal, His death, and His resurrection; His mission.

It was difficult for the disciples for accept this especially Peter who ‘took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.’ (Mt. 16:22 nlt) Sometimes straight talk is hard to handle but it is necessary. In Peter’s case and in ours as hard as it is to accept, Jesus’ mission on earth was to live a perfect life and to lay it down by being betrayed, crucified, and rising from the dead so that we may have eternal life with Him. It has been said, ‘a little straight talk never hurt anyone’, and in fact this straight talk saves everyone who believes.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn. 3:16 nlt)

Devotionals

Sealed for Freshness

April 30, 2024April 27, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV

An assortment of food products come in a vacuum sealed package to ensure freshness. Instructions are marked on the package to keep sealed after opening to maintain freshness as long as possible. But once it is opened, it will never go back to its original state of freshness. And eventually the product will lose all its nutritional value and taste around the expiration date. Most packages also contain a warning not to be used if the seal is compromised in any way. The contents cannot be trusted to be authentic and may be spoiled or tampered with. When the time comes to consume the product, we want to be sure it is as fresh as when it was first sealed.

Paul says believing the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ for salvation results in being sealed by the Holy Spirit. This occurs immediately upon our conversion. Our inheritance of eternal life is secure by the promise of the Holy Spirit. We cannot lose our salvation, and it will be as fresh and new as in the day we first accepted Christ as we enter the glories of heaven. We are sealed as a security mark is put over an enclosed envelope. The seal represents possession, security, and authenticity. The Holy Spirit also serves as a Christian identification mark. We are in Christ. Our salvation is secure.

Perhaps you struggle with the security of your salvation thinking you have done or could do something that would forfeit your place in heaven. It is true we all still sin even after we are saved, but God is faithful and just to forgive us of those sins. (1 Jn.1:9) And it is vital for you to know that you were sealed by the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of your salvation. It is real and will last for eternity. You do not need to worry about the seal coming off the secure envelope or the freshness seal being broken on the package. You can never lose your salvation by being contaminated by a broken seal or unsealed envelope. You are sealed for freshness.

Read: Ephesians 1:3-14 ESV – Spiritual Blessings in Christ – Blessed – Bible Gateway

Bible Studies

The Unforgiving Debtor: Parables of Jesus

April 21, 2024April 20, 2024 Loring Schultz

“You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?” (Mt.18:32b-33 nlt)

This week in our study of the parables of Jesus we have one on forgiveness. Sometimes the hardest thing for a person to do is to forgive. This is especially true if the one extending forgiveness is extremely hurt. There are times one would finally agree to forgive the offender, but then adds they will never forget. Not much of a comfort for the one seeking forgiveness. Jesus is the perfect teacher to show us the true art of forgiveness and he did it in several ways recorded for us in the New Testament of the Bible.

Our parable this week, ‘The Unforgiving Debtor’, has a backstory to it. Peter, the always inquisitive disciple, asked Jesus, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” (Mt.18:21 nlt) Peter thought the number of seven was sufficient since Rabbinic teaching only required three. Jesus’ answer didn’t follow the teaching of three being the acceptable number. He didn’t put a number on it. Jesus told Peter his number seven was insufficient. The correct number was seventy-seven. In others words it was to an uncounted number of times. Jesus takes this opportunity to teach us all a valuable lesson on forgiveness. Christians who have received God’s forgiveness are accountable to forgive others considering the enormous debt we have been forgiven as we will see in this parable.

In Jesus’ earthly story there is a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants who did business for him. These servants could have been governors of the provinces in the kingdom. One servant was in arrears of one million dollars in today’s currency. How did this servant come to owe such a lager debt we don’t know, perhaps it was mismanagement in the taxation process, or a complete mishandling of public funds, which is just as prevalent in our day. The amount was so excessive this governor couldn’t pay it back in a lifetime. The king then ordered that he, his wife and children along with all that he owned be sold to pay the debt. “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’” (Mt.18:26 nlt) The king knew that he had no means in which to pay the debt. There was nothing he could ever do in his lifetime that would be enough to satisfy the debt.

The king of heaven, the Lord Jesus, knew there was nothing we could ever do to pay our debt regarding our sin. We are all doomed to a Christless eternity without our debt being paid in full, and we are not able to pay it. The king in Jesus’ story “was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.” (Mt.18:27 nlt) The king forgave the servants debt completely. It was only by the king’s grace and mercy he was free from the unpayable debt. No need to worry about back payments, the debt was marked paid in full. Jesus Christ paid our sin debt on the cross of Calvary. What we cannot do for ourselves, He did for us. When we accept Christ as our savior, our account is marked paid in full.

Christians should be the most forgiving people on the planet considering the forgiveness granted to us unto salvation. Apparently though this is not always the case. Therefore, the need for more of Jesus’ teaching. Jesus continues His parable, “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.” (Mt.18:28 nlt) This servant who was just set free from a lifetime debt was worried about a few thousand dollars owed to him by a colleague. This debtor also begged for more time, but what was different was his colleague had the ability to pay and only needed a little more time to clear the debt. But the unforgiving debtor refused and had his fellow worker put in prison.

Needless to say, when the king heard of the matter, he was furious. He called for this servant and said to him, “You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?” (Mt.18:32b-33 nlt) Our Lord Jesus, King Jesus, has the same right to question us the same way should we ever forsake the forgiveness He has shown us by not granting it to others. No matter what offenses may have been done to us, it pales in comparison to our sin before the Lord. Our Lord forgives us of our sin as often as we come to Him, yes even seventy-seven times. May we do the same and forgive all those who ask for forgiveness remembering the debt that was forgiven on our behalf by our king, King Jesus!

Read: Matthew 18:21-35 NLT – Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

They found Jesus, or did they?

April 15, 2024April 9, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 NLT

The world has known of people who in their own words had a ‘come to Jesus’ moment. A present public life which is contrary to their previous lifestyle is doubted by some and praised by others. Over time the genuineness of their conversion is seen by the actions represented in their lives. The apostle Paul writes, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Cor. 5:17 nlt) Truly those who have come to know the Lord will display the new life being lived out in them.

Sadly, there are many who make a profession of faith in Christ who have had an emotional experienced of some sort but have not fully committed their lives to Christ. It may have been a self-serving decision determining to be a better person, or a hope for better circumstances to influence their life. But eventually whether they found Jesus or not will be revealed.

Ezekiel prophesying of Israel’s spiritual regeneration notes it is an action of the Lord God. God says He will give them a new tender responsive heart by taking out their stony stubborn heart, and He will put a new spirit in them. His spirit will enable them to be obedient to God’s decrees. Notice it is the Lord God who gives them the new heart with the ability to obey Him. Jesus says in the gospel of John, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them…… This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” (Jn. 6:44, 65 niv)

Those of us who have truly found Jesus, found Him as the Holy Spirit drew us to Him. Accepting Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit enabling us to obey Him and ‘walk the walk’ as we say. This is not to say we don’t ever sin again, but our walk will be consistent with our faith in Christ with no one needing to question did we find Jesus. No, He found us, and we accepted His free gift of salvation as His spirit drew us to Himself.

Is the Holy Spirit drawing you to salvation in Christ? Do not resist His gift of a new tender responsive heart leading to salvation and accept Him as Lord and Savior of your life.

Bible Studies

Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven: Parables of Jesus

April 14, 2024April 13, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.” Matthew 13:34 NLT

This week we look at Jesus’ ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ parables and there are a few, six to be exact. Most of them are short and to the point, but even in Jesus’ longer parables there are life changing points for ‘Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!’ (Mt.13:43b nlt) We noted last week that parables were an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and these parables of the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ leave no doubt as to the heavenly meaning. They do indeed point to the Kingdom of Heaven itself. Jesus taught His disciples the Kingdom of Heaven is future and those who will populate it will be those who respond to the message of their preaching and the preaching of the gospel throughout the ages until Jesus returns. It is still in effect today. There will be those who accept the preaching and those who will not respond to the message that kingdom of God is at hand.

There are five characteristics of the Kingdom of Heaven that are seen in these parables. The preaching of the gospel, the growth of the gospel, the power of the gospel, the value of the gospel, and the response of the gospel. The book of Matthew is our source this week found in chapter 13 and verses 24-50.

In the first parable in this passage, the parable of the wheat and the weeds (Mt.13:24-30), and the last parable of the fishing net (Mt.13:47-50) we find both the preaching of the gospel and the response of the gospel. Jesus says the preaching of the gospel “……is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.” (Mt.13:24-25 nlt) “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.” (Mt.13:47 nlt) The preaching of the gospel goes out just as last week’s parable, the farmer scatters his seed with some taking hold and some not. Here the seed is planted and takes root accepting the gospel, but the evil one has also planted seeds becoming weeds as they reject God’s Word. The gospel net of preaching the good news is thrown out into the sea to catch all kinds of fish, but here again there are many who were there only for the ride into the shore.

A familiar parable is the parable of the mustard seed. (Mt.13:31-32) A mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, but it grows into a large tree. The gospel message starts out small among believers but begins to spread quickly and rapidly encompassing many in its fold. It spreads quickly due to its magnificent power as illustrated in the parable of the yeast. “Jesus also used this illustration: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.’” (Mt. 13:33 nlt) The power of the gospel through the influence of the Holy Spirit cannot be resisted by those called of the Lord.

Jesus gives us two very short parables to emphasize the value of being in the Kingdom of Heaven. In the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl, the value is so great that one would give up everything they owned to possess it. Nothing could be more important, nothing else matters in this world than to be prepared for the next world.

The fifth characteristic of the Kingdom of Heaven as noted above is found in both the parable of the wheat and weeds and the parable of the fishing net. It is the response to the gospel message. Jesus’ heavenly message in these parables is the gospel is being preached, it grows in the power of the Holy Spirit, and it is the most valuable thing you can ever possess. But His message also speaks of those who will be in the Kingdom of Heaven and those who will not. Jesus’ words are clear in both parables as He distinguishes between the acceptance and rejection of the gospel. “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mt.13:40-42 nlt)

It is a sobering thought there are many who believe they are the wheat in the field or the good fish in the net, only to find themselves being thrown out with bad. Don’t make the same mistake, accept the preaching of the gospel message, and secure your place in the Kingdom of Heaven. “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” (Mt.13:43 nlt)

Read: Matthew 13:24-50 NLT – Parable of the Wheat and Weeds – Here – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Restoration: A Dream Come True

April 12, 2024April 11, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!” Psalm 126:1 NLT

True restoration is only realized when one is truly broken. Brokenness shows itself in various ways. The most common form of brokenness among all of us who breathe is in personal relationships. Here again, these show themselves through various means and circumstances. The longing for a relationship to be restored at times seems an impossibility, but when it occurs is a dream come true. Restorations do occur in accordance with God’s will and timing.

The nation Israel was restored to their land after seventy years of captivity in Babylon due to their gross sin against God. Although it was prophesized that they would return it all seemed like a dream to them when it happened. They almost couldn’t believe it. Psalm 126 is a song of joy for the restoration of Israel to the land. The psalmist wrote that they were filled with laughter and sang for joy. The surrounding nations joined them in acknowledging the amazing things God had done for them. They asked the Lord to restore their fortunes by planting their seeds in tears, but they will rejoice in the harvest to come once again.

God is in the restoration business. No one is more broken than a sinner separated from God because of their sin. We were born with a sin nature, making us all broken and in need of restoration to God. With God being in the restoration business, He made it possible for each of us to be restored to Him through the blood of Christ on the cross of Calvary. There is nothing we could ever do to make things right with God. It is only through our acceptance of Christ as our savior. We can rejoice with the broken people of Isarel in their restoration to their land and our salvation through Christ’s sacrifice for us as we accept Him. A dream come true.

Read: Psalm 126 NLT – Psalm 126 – A song for pilgrims – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

The Morning Light from Heaven

April 2, 2024March 29, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” Luke 1:78-79 NLT

During the last few weeks, since daylight savings time began, the rising of the sun has coincided with my wake-up time. Of course that will change as the days get longer, but nevertheless as I walk from the bedroom into the dining room the sun is shining brightly on the wall through the living room window. As I was reading Zechariah’s prophecy in Luke chapter 1 the other day, I couldn’t help but reflect on my recent morning light experiences. “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us.” (Lk. 1:78 nlt) The morning light of the sun is indeed from heaven for it is God’s creation and it is sure to break upon us every day. But Zechariah’s prophecy was not concerning the morning light from the sun, but the Son, Jesus the Son of God.

Zechariah’s prophecy followed the birth of son, John the Baptist. He praised the Lord God of Israel for sending the savior, Jesus Christ. “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.” (Lk. 1:68-70 nlt) Zechariah knew his son John was to be the forerunner to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.” (Lk. 1:76 nlt)

The prophecy concludes as Zechariah encourages those who sit in darkness that the morning light is about to break through. Perhaps you’re sitting in darkness this day. The morning light from heaven, Jesus Christ, is ready to break upon you if you look to Him to give you the light of His salvation.

Read: Luke 1:67-79 NLT – Zechariah’s Prophecy – Then his – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

The Patient Endurance of Injustice

March 30, 2024March 28, 2024 Loring Schultz

“He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” 1 Peter 2:22-23 NLT

The American judicial system is based on justice being administered represented on the facts of the case. The defendant is found guilty or not guilty by a judge or jury. The outcome is to ensure that justice was served by not punishing the innocent or letting the guilty go free. The courts, although not perfect, strive to uphold the law as established in the United States Constitution. There have been many cases over the years, even though brought properly through the judicial process, that have clearly not resulted in justice. The innocent is guilty and the guilty go free. It is extremely difficult for one who has been tried and convicted of a crime they did not commit to patiently endure the injustice done to them. But our Lord Jesus did just that on our behalf.

Jesus was arrested by the Jewish rulers for claiming the truth that He is the Messiah and claiming to be God in the flesh, another truth. Jesus was upending the Pharisees and the scribes’ rule over the Jewish people, so they sought to have Him arrested, put on trial, found guilty, and be put to death. Even in Jesus’ day, you need witnesses to confirm a crime was committed. Jewish law demanded at least two witnesses to agree, and after patiently waiting two came forward. “The leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death…. Finally, two men came forward.” (Mt. 26:59-60 nlt) The false testimony they gave along with Jesus’ truthful response satisfied the rulers as to the decision they made.

Jesus went through the mockery of perceived justice in the various trials He went through enduring the injustice done to Him. Peter writes, “He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.” (1 Pt. 2:22 nlt) Jesus, God the Son, never sinned. How could He commit a crime? Peter goes on to say, “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” (1 Pt. 2:23 nlt) God always judges fairly, and in this case, Jesus endured the injustice as God’s plan of justice for the payment of sin. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, was sacrificed for our sin making us just and righteous in the sight of God as we accept Christ as our savior. False witnesses may have lied abut Jesus, but it was all part of God’s plan of salvation for all who believe.

Devotionals

We Have Access to God the Father through Jesus Christ

March 29, 2024March 26, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:50-51 ESV

For the religious Jews of Jesus’s day, the tearing of the curtain (veil) in the temple should have been a revelation of who Jesus is and His purpose in dying on the cross. Scripture says the curtain was torn at the moment Jesus died, yielding up His spirit. It was torn from top to bottom indicating no human could have done it, it was clearly an act of God. The curtain that was torn was the inner curtain that separated the holy place from the most holy place in the Temple. It separated God who is Holy from sinful man, and it contained the Ark of the Covenant and the law of God.

Entrance into the most Holy place, the Holy of Holies, was only once a year on the Day of Atonement. This was the most solemn holy day of all the feasts and festivals on the Jewish calendar. The High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies after offering a bull sacrifice for his own sins. He would then enter and sprinkle some of the blood on the Ark of the Covenant to atone for the sins of the people. Forgiveness and covering of sin were only through a blood sacrifice and repeated every year on the Day of Atonement.

The events that took place on the first Good Friday are many. They started in the early morning hours past midnight with the unjust trials of Jesus, and after being condemned to die, mocked, beaten, he was finally nailed to a cross later in the morning. Darkness covered the earth from twelve noon until three in the afternoon, the time Jesus died. At that moment, the last event, access to God was made possible to all through Jesus’s sacrifice and shedding of His blood. The curtain was torn down, no more need for a yearly animal sacrifice to cover sin. A permanent sacrifice for sin was made. “For the death he died he died to sin, once for all.” (Ro. 6:10 esv) We have access to God the Father through the blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Have you accepted the sacrifice of Jesus in not just covering your sins but in taking them away completely? Access to God, Salvation, and eternal life is only made possible through the blood of Jesus Christ as we repent, confess our sins, and accept Him as our Savoir. This Good Friday make sure you have access to God the Father.

Read: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+27%3A32-56&version=ESV

Devotionals

The Lord said to my Lord

March 27, 2024March 26, 2024 Loring Schultz

“David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ Mark 12:36 ESV

“The Lord said to my Lord.” Does this statement sound confusing to you, perhaps even contradictory? Confusing to most of us without explanation, but it is certainly not contradictory. During Jesus’s final week before His crucifixion, known as Passion Week, He was in constant battles with the Jewish scribes and the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day. Jesus taught in the temple every day before those who came to hear Him. Most were astonished at His teaching hanging on to every word He spoke. This obviously angered the religious leaders as they saw their power and influence eroding away from someone who claimed to be the Son of God, the Messiah. If these leaders had carefully studied the Old Testament, they would have known that Jesus was right, He was the Son of God, the Messiah.

They were constantly trying to trip up Jesus with their questions. Jesus turns the tables on them and asks them a question. He asks a question from a familiar passage in Psalms explaining that Jesus existed before David, proving His deity, proving He is eternal, and proving He is the Son of God. Jewish teaching was and is correct that the Messiah will be the son of David, yet David refers to Him as his Lord. Jesus asks them, ‘“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How it then that David, in the Spirit, is calls him Lord, saying, The Lord said to my Lord………If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”’ (Mt. 22:42-45 esv) The point being that the Messiah is both divine and human. He is David’s son and He is David’s Lord.

An ordinary man, no matter how good he was, or how well he taught, or how well he lived as an example to others with love and compassion could ever be an adequate substitute for our sin. It had to be a perfect man, without sin. Jesus Christ who died on Calvary’s cross was indeed the divine Son of God in human flesh. The deity of Christ is vital to our understanding His purpose for coming, understanding our sin nature, and understanding God’s plan of Salvation for those who trust in Christ. As John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29b)

Read: Psalm 110 ESV – Sit at My Right Hand – A Psalm of – Bible Gateway