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John 8:12 When Jesus spoke to the people, He said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NIV)

Two Paths of your eternal soul

There are two paths—the path of darkness and the path of LIGHT.

You get to choose your path.

The path of darkness leads to eternal destruction.

The path of LIGHT leads to eternal life.

You are on the path of darkness; unless you choose the path of LIGHT.

To choose the path of LIGHT, you need to:

A: Accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

B: Believe in Him and acknowledge that He was born of a virgin, died and rose again.

C: Confess your sins, and you will find forgiveness.

Remember you are not ‘perfect until you get to heaven’ so that any future sins or mistakes can be confessed and removed as you ask forgiveness in Jesus name.¹

D: Do God’s will and talk and learn about: Jesus, God the Son; God the Father; and God the Holy Spirit and share the choice of two paths. Allow the Holy Spirit to uncover where you need healing and deliverance from any brokenness in your past. This will allow God to prepare you for using the gifts and talents He gave you. Be obedient. Firstly, the great quest is to love God with all your strength, mind, and heart. Stay pure until marriage. Love your neighbour as yourself. ²Continue to pray and ask the Holy Spirit’s power to live for Christ.

¹Georgette Engel

²Georgette Engel and Catherine Jackman

Author: Catherine Jackman

What does Jesus’ resurrection mean to humankind — to you and to me?

God has made it clear, that Christ’s obedience unto death, prepares the way for you and me, as believers to also look forward to being resurrected unto eternal life:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

The men asked, “Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He has risen from the dead!” Luke 24:5-6

Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die. 1 Corinthians 15:42

Christianity would not exist if there was no resurrected Christ. His resurrection gives us the assurance that we also will be resurrected. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-16)

The power of God that brought Jesus back from the dead can bring you back to life after death if you have asked him to forgive your sins. He will give you new life in him as a believer. Jesus’ death was not the end. Instead, his resurrection was the beginning of eternal life for all who believe in him.

There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. (John 14:2-3)

Theological look at the Resurrection

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right. Titus 2:14

On Good Friday, let’s consider that Jesus died on the cross to spare you and me from eternal punishment and to give us the free gift of eternal life. Thus, our troubles in this world are put in perspective.

We can know that our future—for all eternity—is secure. This gives the believer peace no matter what happens in this life and changes the way we react to the difficulties life throws your way. Our sinful nature no longer controls us; we are free to live as God wants us to live.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Galatians 5:24

If any of you wants to be my follower . . . put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life. Mark 8:34-35

For a deeper dive into the theology of the cross.

The disciples were to be occupied with proclaiming the good news of Christ’s resurrection. Thus, “the cross” came to be a prominent metaphor of the gospel message – so much so, that Paul could call the gospel “the word of the cross” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Penal substitution is the theological doctrine that God inflicted upon Christ the suffering which we deserved as punishment for our sins, resulting in: we no longer deserve punishment. This occurred during the atonement of Christ on the cross.¹This is the gospel message of the new testament (NT) — that God, out of His great love, has provided the means of atonement for sin through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross.

The saving significance of Jesus’ death, for early Christians, was acknowledged as the antitype of the sacrificial system predominating Israel’s Scriptures since Adam and Eve disobeyed God in Eden. The practice of animal sacrifice in the Jerusalem temple was still occurring during the Passover festival period when Christ was crucified.

“Christ died for all“ is a predominant motif in variant forms throughout the NT: (see Mark 14:24; Romans 5:6, 8; 15:3; Galatians 2:21; 1 Peter 3:18).

From the sacrifice of animals, the potentiation of the blood of Christ to save mankind from sin is recognized symbolically. “Christ our Passover Lamb” is emblematic of the sacrifice of his life on the cross upon which he died. This is an eternal concept understood by Christians, which relates to the blood placed on the doorposts the night before enslaved Israel left Egypt as a freed people, blood that would save them from the destroying angel of judgment. During the tenth and final plague, God passed through the land of Egypt and struck down the firstborn of every household where there was no blood applied to the lintel of the doorway. The Jews were told by Moses, to mark their doors with the blood of a lamb they’ve sacrificed to Yahweh God — the Passover offering — and so God “passed over” their homes. (Exodus 12:7-13)

The theological term Lamb of God symbolizes Jesus’ shedding of his blood to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29, 1:36; Revelation 5:6). The majority of Christians know that the reference to the “Lamb of God” refers to the cross of Calvary where Jesus died to redeem the world from sin — as he bore our judicial punishment there. It is noteworthy that Paul referred to Christ as the rock that was present with Israel in the Exodus coming out of Egypt. (1 Corinthians 10:4) Couple this thought with the fact that Jesus referred to Himself as the great “I am” — the name that Yahweh, Father God, initially gave to Moses in the dialogue at the burning bush when He called him to lead Israel out of Egypt. (Exodus 3:14)

Consider the references to the saving effects of The blood of Christ (Acts 20:28; Romans 5:9; Colossians 1:20). Jesus’ death is presented as a Covenant sacrifice (Mark 14:24; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 7:22; 8:6; 9:15), a Passover sacrifice (John 19:14; 1 Corinthians 5:7–8), the Sin-offering (Rom 8:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21), The offering of firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23), the sacrifice offered on The Day of Atonement (Hebrews ch 9-10), and an offering reminiscent of Abraham’s presentation of Isaac (Romans 8:32). The writer of Ephesians summarizes well:

“Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).

Thus, “the cross” came to be a prominent metaphor of the gospel message – so much so, that Paul could call the gospel “the word of the cross” (1 Corinthians 1:18), reminding his Corinthian converts that “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Hence, Paul would glory in nothing “except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).

The importance of the death of Christ for the New Testament church may be seen in the disproportionate space the four Gospels devote to Jesus’ “passion,” — the final week of his suffering and crucifixion, thereby emphasizing his death. Of course, Jesus’ death is not the end of the passion story: the Gospels all conclude with the proclamation of Jesus’ victorious resurrection, vindicating him as God’s chosen one. The death and resurrection of Jesus are two sides of the same coin: as Paul wrote, he “was put to death for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25).

¹William Lane Craig – Edited from his essay in the compilation: Raised on the Third Day: Defending the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus, Copyright 2020 W. David Beck & Michael R. Licona, Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:17–18 (NAS)

Healing from the Lord depends much on the faith of the person to be healed.

Apostle Paul’s perception in relation to health was based on the leading of the Holy Spirit giving him insight into the man’s faith – a faith which was focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ, whom I know Paul was preaching about.

- Acts 14:8–10 (NIV): In Lystra, there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

- Apostle John’s view of health: 3 John 2 (NIV): Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

And healing belongs also to individual Christians today who believe in the apostolic message and continuum of healing. Those who believed the New Covenant message of the apostles after Christ’s Ascension – you and I have a responsibility.

- Mark 16:17–18 (NAS): “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

These believers are those as of today, not just the initial apostles’ converts, who believe in the NC message which Jesus commissioned his disciples to teach and preach unto the entire world prior to His Second Advent.

- More articles to build faith in the truth that the Lord still heals.

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

My Testimony: A vision of Jesus Christ

You have an anointing of the Holy Spirit

Charles Stanley on Faith

Can any good come from our suffering? A tough question during this long-endured pandemic. Apostle Paul knew about suffering, and he eventually lost his life for the gospel. Can we apply his courage in Christ’s Spirit, to this calamity that we are all in? Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

Here are two followers of the Lord, Moses, an older man in his 80s; the other, Mary, a young woman betrothed to Joseph. Both were assigned tasks only achievable by God through their obedience. Both realized it is better to obey God, and leave all the consequences to him.

God’s Task Sated to Moses

It was no minor task to consider — going back to Egypt from where Moses had fled, after killing an Egyptian as a prince in Pharaoh’s house. You may know of the story of the burning bush, which attracted the attention of Moses. This blazing introduction led to Moses receiving a unique calling from his God, one that what would appear to be an impossible task.

“Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You will lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” “But who am I to appear before Pharaoh?” Moses asked God. “How can you expect me to lead the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:10-11)

God’s Task to Mary, the mother of Jesus

I am impressed by how readily Mary accepted the Lord’s will with regard to the Spirit’s work of mysteriously impregnating her with the incarnating Son of God, Jesus Christ. She obviously was brought up to honour and obey the Lord.

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.” Luke 1:38

When God asks you to follow him, he often doesn’t give all the information about what is happening right away. When you step out in faith, he gives guidance as you go. Moses risked his life by approaching Pharaoh and leading the Israelites out of captivity. Mary risked her marriage, her reputation, and her future by becoming the mother of Jesus. Following God’s will is not without risks; the only thing riskier than trusting God is not trusting him! ¹

God’s calling is to be understood as a task in life that it is backed by His promise to guide our steps by His word, so we will not be overcome by any evil. (Psalm 119:133)

¹ The indented quote is from The Mini One Year Bible

He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Peter 1:4

For years I have been compiling the Bible Promises categorically. I first began in my 20s after my conversion to Christ. A year later when I was made a church elder, then to a church leadership position, I leaned on the promises for strength and guidance. This was particularly important as I preached to the body of Christ, plus taught Bible School. Here is a screen-shot of a portion of my latest compilation of promises which I have placed in Trello, a digital platform made for lists.

As much as the promises of God properly and rightly belong to Christ, they also properly and rightly belong to each convert to Christ, the church, which is His spiritual body under His headship (Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27).

Socrates wanted definitions of the good, the true, and the beautiful which for him, was his existential question that even extended to a theological notion. He was being tried for corrupting the youth of Athens, with potential death the penalty. His life hereafter depended on it. Socrates wanted a definition of holiness, regardless of what men or the Greek gods say about it – yet he died without his desired definition.

Definition of Self-Righteousness: For him, a good-natured man is ethically good; thus, the “gods” ought to admire such humans as righteous in and of humankind’s inherent being.

Paul, the apostle, was also in search of definitions. He too desired definitions of the true, the good, and the beautiful. As with Socrates definitions were a matter of life and death. When Paul met Christ, the end of his search had arrived – the quest culminating as he found that Christ was God. Now in scripture alone, he could define himself, his life and all Hebrew history in God.

Henceforth his mind was entirely subject to the mind of Christ. Paul had found or rather had been found, of God. For him, the true, the good, and the beautiful are what they are by his Creator’s and his Redeemer’s defined Sovereign ordinance. The holy is holy because God says it is holy.¹

His chief concern, was now to learn, unpack and share the mystery of the Gospel. He would see how wonderfully great was the grace of Christ to him. He would realize how great was the love of God. So great that He sent his Son into the world to save — not only him — but many others with him, to be members of the body of Christ. Here was corporate salvation extended to the world.

Here “the gift of grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, has abounded unto many” and here “they who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life by one, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:15, 17). “For he has 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). Sinners are constituted righteous by the righteousness of one, even Jesus Christ.

Definition of Christ’s Righteousness: As we have just studied, here was imputed righteousness. On this basis, Paul knew, he had found the only true ability to serve his Saviour – the gift of imputed righteousness. As Christ said, without me, you can do nothing. (John 15:5) Herein is the New Covenant entirely unique from all self-righteousness of humankind. Moreover, Christ’s Righteousness is entirely dependent on the indwelling Holy Spirit, ministered by Christ our High Priest.

¹ _{Cornelius Van Til (1895–1987), Common Grace and the Gospel (1977). Also: A Survey of Christian Epistemology (1969), The Defense of the Faith (1955).}

“I am the True Vine.”—John 15:1.

Andrew Murray was one of the most skilled writers who have led Christians to a closer walk and knowledge of the Lord. They are a constant reference to which I go as the Lord leads. Andrew was a Presbyterian minister of the Calvinist camp. What amazes me, he takes the Word of God far beyond what often-cold theological knowledge can achieve. Why is this? Andrew was a man born again of the Spirit. Thereby, Spirit-led he guides your heart into the realm of the heavenly places where Jesus abides. Moreover, in body, mind and soul, here on earth one feels the presence of the Lord in a calming way. Enjoy Andrew Murray. Meditating on the True Vine will help us persevere in the faith during troubling times. This excerpt is from: The Mystery of the True Vine: Meditations for a Month, Public Domain ¹

All earthly things are the shadows of heavenly realities,—the expression, in created, visible forms, of the invisible glory of God. The Life and the Truth are in heaven; on earth, we have figures and shadows of the heavenly truths. When Jesus says: I am the True Vine, He tells us that all the vines of earth are pictures and emblems of Himself. He is the Divine reality, of which they are the created expression. They all point to Him, and preach Him, and reveal Him. If you would know Jesus, study the vine.

How many eyes have gazed on and admired the great vine at Hampton Court, with its beautiful fruit. Come and gaze on the Heavenly Vine till your eye turns from all else to admire Him. How many, in a sunny clime, sit and rest under the shadow of their vine. Come and be still under the shadow of the True Vine, and rest under it from the heat of the day. What countless numbers rejoice in the fruit of the vine. Come, and take, and eat of the heavenly fruit of the True Vine, and let your soul say: I sat under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste.

I am the True Vine. This is a heavenly mystery. The earthly vine can teach you much about this Vine of Heaven. Many interesting and beautiful points of comparison suggest themselves, and help us to get conceptions of what Christ meant. But such thoughts do not teach us to know what the Heavenly Vine really is, in its cooling shade, and its lifegiving fruit. The experience of this is part of the hidden mystery, which none but Jesus Himself, by His Holy Spirit, can unfold and impart.

I am the True Vine. The vine is the Living Lord, who Himself speaks, and gives, and works all that He has for us. If you would know the meaning and power of that word, do not think to find it by thought or study; these may help to show you what you must get from Him, to awaken desire and hope and prayer, but they cannot show you the Vine. Jesus alone can reveal Himself. He gives His Holy Spirit to open the eyes to gaze upon Himself, to open the heart to receive Himself. He must Himself speak the word to you and me.

I am the True Vine. And what am I to do, if I want the mystery, in all its heavenly beauty and blessing, opened up to me? With what you already know of the parable, bow down and be still, worship and wait, until the Divine Word enters your heart, and you feel His Holy Presence with you, and in you. The overshadowing of His Holy Love will give you the perfect calm and rest of knowing that the Vine will do all.

I am the True Vine. He who speaks is God, in His infinite power able to enter into us. He is man, one with us. He is the Crucified One, who won a perfect righteousness and a Divine life for us through His death. He is the glorified One, who from the throne gives His Spirit to make His Presence real and true. He speaks—oh! listen, not to His words only, but to Himself, as He whispers secretly day by day: I am the True Vine. All that the Vine can ever be to its branch, I will be to you.

Holy Lord Jesus! the Heavenly Vine of God’s own planting, I beseech Thee, reveal Thyself to my soul. Let the Holy Spirit, not in thought, but in experience, give me to know all that Thou, the Son of God, art to me as the True Vine.

¹ Murray, A. (1898). The Mystery of the True Vine: Meditations for a Month (pp. 15–19). London: J. Nisbet & Co.

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Tag Archives: devotion

The choice of Two Paths

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

What does Good Friday mean for your life today?

Jesus’ Atoning Death and Resurrection

Healing in Continuum from the Apostolic Day

Can any good come from our suffering?

Are there risks in following God?

The Church is to Live By God’s Promises

GOOD ONLY BY THE IMPUTATION of CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS

I am the the True Vine – Jesus

Glen Jackman Ministry