Vaclav's blog

Romans 8:10 says, "But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life [lit. the Spirit is life] because of righteousness."

To escape God’s just judgement we would have to have never sinned, and, obeyed God’s holy law perfectly, which no one has ever done, except for one, the Man Christ Jesus.

The only other option we have is to humble our pride and accept God’s way of escape, God’s way of salvation through his perfectly appointed representative for fallen and sinful humans, his Son Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to the church in Ephesus, "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first." (Revelation 2:4)

To be assured that you are already saved is not prideful, because for a sinner to be saved they must humble themselves and admit they cannot save themselves and receive free and undeserved forgiveness of their sins and a gift of Christ’s own righteousness credited to them. Humility trusting in Christ who saves us from our sins and the wrath of God through his righteous death of the cross in our place.

Food and clothing and shelter are important, and “the Father knows that you need them,” said Jesus.
But one day perhaps soon all these things will be irrelevant because Jesus will come back.
And only what was done for him, for our King’s kingdom will matter and last forever.
So Jesus said, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
The priority Jesus said is seeking his kingdom that it may come fully to earth as it is in heaven.
God’s will is that heaven and earth may be one in the worship of its King Jesus.

Acts 13:24, "Before the coming [eisidos] of Jesus [into ministry], John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel."

Luke 9:30-31, "Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure [exodos-death] which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem."

Greek: Eisodos - a coming into ministry

Greek: Exodos - a departure from life; death

John1:12-13, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."

"When he [Jesus] said this [parable of the sower], he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets [or mysteries] of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others, I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ (Luke 8:8-10)

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:1-4)

If our Heavenly Father was like an ungracious earthly father he may have given up on us the moment we have rebelled against him. But instead, our Father in heaven doesn’t turn a blind eye to our un-repented sin, he disciplines those he loves. Hebrews 12:6,10b says, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives...and he disciplines us for our good that we may share his holiness.” And holiness here is being transformed into the likeness of Christ's character - loving God and our neighbor.