By God’s grace we had a wonderful and blessed conference here in Canada. Brothers and sisters, youth and children from far and near came closer to Jesus. The theme was “This is Life Eternal.” John 17:3. As I listened, in all of the messages God had given me during this conference, I noticed that Eternal Life is knowing God and Jesus. From the Bible’s perspective it means walking with God daily—developing such a closer personal experience with Jesus that all people might see something special in us, not only a simple religion—rather a wonderful relationship with the One who gave so much for us, namely His life, and this is Jesus. In these few words, I want, by God’s help, to let you know Jesus and experience Him in your personal life, testifying for Him before people. We saw during that conference how we can experience Jesus through prayer, in our relationships with others, in witnessing for Him in the world, in our church, having unity among us and then receiving the Latter Rain—closing the work God entrusted us with.
Helpful, kind, caring, understanding, patient and loving are some of the words that come to mind when asked to list the qualities of a good person. One usually knows a person is good by what they do. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 “Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
A good place to look for insight into the qualities of a good person is God’s word, the Bible. Now don’t misunderstand me regarding good deeds because someone can have all the qualities of a good person, but still not make it to heaven. The Bible says that good deeds do not save people from sin. Salvation is only possible through God’s mercy and grace. Remember, the Bible says in Romans 3:23, we “all have sinned.” Moreover, no amount of good deeds can save us from our sins.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8–9.
The Bible says that we are all sinful, deserving death. “For the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23.
God made a way for us to be forgiven of our sins and that is through His sinless Son, Jesus Christ. “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Jesus is offering you His free gift of eternal life. Will you accept His gift? “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.” Romans 10:10–11
Many Christians in the world today say the following: Christ has done everything on the cross, and that is true regarding our salvation from sin. You and I cannot add anything else except to surrender ourselves completely to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit’s work be done through us. But there is something required by God from His children, namely to follow Jesus and give glory to Him with the way we live our life. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Colossians 3:17
“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11. The implication of this passage is in the “doing” the work. Whatever our occupations, do we see our work and labours as reflective of God’s glory? Does our work glorify God or dishonour Him? It is my objective to show in this “work” how we can glorify God every day of our lives and receive abundant blessings.
God’s messenger, Ellen White wrote regarding unsanctified people in these last days. “Ten thousand times ten thousand may profess to obey the law and the gospel, and yet be living in transgression. Men may present in a clear manner the claims of truth upon others and yet their own hearts be carnal. Sin may be loved and practiced in secret. The truth of God may be no truth to them, because their hearts have not been sanctified by it. The love of the Saviour may exercise no constraining power over their base passions. We know by the history of the past that men may stand in sacred positions and yet handle the truth of God deceitfully. They cannot lift up holy hands to God, ‘without wrath and doubting.’ This is because God has no control over their minds. The truth was never stamped upon their hearts. ‘With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.’ ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.’ Are you doing this? Many are not, and never have done it. Their conversion has been only superficial.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 536
How do I know that I know God and Jesus in my personal life? By receiving Him as my personal Saviour and Redeemer and allowing Him to do His work of restoration in me. Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” We will analyze the words of Jesus in this verse. First of all you see that Jesus doesn’t force anyone. He simply says, “If anyone desires to come after Me.” Throughout the Bible you will find God’s sincere desire to save us from our sins in His way and if WE want. He doesn’t force our will.
In Revelation 3:20 Jesus said; “If any man hear My voice, and open the door.” So, the first condition is, if any man be willing to come after Me. Jesus said, none is forced; but if any will be a Christian, it must be on these terms. Let him deny himself, and take up his cross. A rule that can never be observed too much: let him in all things deny his own will, however pleasing, and do the will of God, however painful. Should we not consider all crosses, all things grievous to flesh and blood, as what they really are, as opportunities of embracing God’s will at the expense of our own? And consequently as so many steps by which we may advance toward perfection? We should make swift progress in our spiritual life if we were faithful in this practice.
God’s messenger, Ellen White wrote: “To become a disciple of Christ is to deny self and follow Jesus through evil as well as good report. Few are doing this now. Many prophesy falsely, and the people love to have it so; but what will be done in the end thereof? What will be the decision when their work, with all its results, shall be brought in review before God? . . . There must be a revival of the strait testimony. The path to heaven is no smoother now than in the days of our Saviour. All our sins must be put away. Every darling indulgence that hinders our religious life must be cut off. The right eye or the right hand must be sacrificed if it cause us to offend. Are we willing to renounce our own wisdom and to receive the kingdom of heaven as a little child? Are we willing to part with self-righteousness? Are we willing to give up our chosen worldly associates? Are we willing to sacrifice the approbation of men? The prize of eternal life is of infinite value. Will we put forth efforts and make sacrifices proportionate to the worth of the object to be attained?” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 222
If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. A true disciple of Christ is one that does follow Him in duty, and shall follow Him to glory. He is one that walks in the same way Christ walked in, is led by His Spirit, and treads in His steps, whithersoever He goes. Let him deny himself. If self-denial be a hard lesson, it is no more than what our Master learned and practised, to redeem us, and to teach us.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5–8
Jesus emptied Himself, and in all that He did, self did not appear. He subordinated all things to the will of His Father. When His mission on earth was about to close, He could say, “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” John 17:4. And He bids us, “Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” Matthew 11:29.”If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself.” Matthew 16:24
If self-denial be a hard lesson, it is no more than what our Master learned and practised, to redeem us and to teach us. Let him take up his cross. The cross is placed here for every trouble that befalls us. We are apt to think we could bear another’s cross better than our own, but that is best which is appointed us, and we ought to make the best of it. We must not by our rashness and folly pull crosses down upon our own heads, but must take them up when they are in our way. If any man will have the name and credit of a disciple, let him follow Christ in the work and duty of a disciple. Whatever is the object for which men forsake Christ, that is the price at which Satan buys their souls. Yet one soul is worth more than all the world. He knew the price of souls, for He redeemed them; let us then learn rightly to value our souls, and Christ as the only Saviour of them.
In Luke 9:23, Jesus said; “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” When Christ called His disciples, this was the word of command, Follow Me. A true disciple of Christ is one that doth follow Him in duty, and shall follow Him to glory. A disciple of Christ comes after Him, as the sheep after the shepherd, the servant after his master, the soldiers after their captain; he is one that aims at the same end that Christ aimed at, the glory of God, and the glory of heaven: and one that walks in the same way that he walked in, is led by his Spirit, treads in His steps, submits to His conduct, and follows the Lamb, whithersoever He goes (Revelation 14:4).
Let him follow Me, in this particular of taking up the cross. Suffering saints must look unto Jesus and take from Him both direction and encouragement in suffering. Do we bear the cross? We therein follow Christ, who bears it before us. The disciples of Christ must study to imitate their Master, and conform themselves in everything to His example, and continue in well-doing, whatever crosses lie in their way. Ellen White, God’s messenger said in Acts of the Apostles, p. 560: “Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, a day, but of a lifetime. It is not gained by a happy flight of feeling, but is the result of constantly dying to sin, and constantly living for Christ.”
May we give God glory through praise and rejoicing as we see how God is blessing us. Let us speak openly of these things. Let us be a witness for Jesus and lead many other people to their Saviour and Redeemer, the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world. The only thing that makes it a part of your life is that you keep thinking about it. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
Jesus, I realize I cannot understand Your Word without Your Spirit. As I read Your Word, I give the Holy Spirit permission to convict me of sin, instruct me in righteousness, and impress me of the urgency of living in the judgment hour. Oh, Lord, whatever truth You have for me, I desire it. Whatever changes You want in my life, I want them, so please, my dear Jesus, help me to represent You in this world in the right way and be a light for many people, this is my sincere wish and prayer. Amen!
Nicholas Anca