The Only Way

 

Does God hear and answer everyone’s prayers regardless of their language, beliefs, or religion?.

God will always hear and answer “Yes!” to the prayer of anyone who realizes they are a sinner in need of Jesus as their Savior and asks Him into their heart (Romans 10:9-10). Thereafter, His Holy Spirit within the believer’s heart (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5) helps us to pray to God the Father (Matthew 6:9), in the name of His Son, even when we don’t know exactly how to pray (Romans 8:26).

God answers other prayers based on whether or not the one praying believes the Gospel (1 Peter 3:12; 1 Corinthians 2:14). Thankfully, the Gospel has reached many nations and has been translated into many different tongues, although there are still more places and peoples to be reached.

There are Names for Jesus in Hebrew, Arabic, the Romance languages, and all well-known tongues, but in any language, the Name of Jesus is above all other names (John 20:31) and connotes One Who is quite different from Allah or gods worshipped in other religions. There is no other name by which anyone can be saved (Acts 4:12).

Jesus was not just a good man and good teacher, but the perfect, sinless, all-powerful, all-knowing Son of God (John 11:27; 20:31; Acts 7:56; 2 Peter 1:17) and God Himself (John 1:1; 1 John 5:20), the Fullness of the Trinity (Colossians 2:9), present from the beginning of all time as the Word Who created all (John 1:1-3).

Regardless of whether people accept or deny Who Jesus is in their earthly lifetime, one day all shall bow to Him at the judgment and confess (Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10) that He is God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 17:14; 19:16).

The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus Christ, Son of God and God Himself, took on human flesh without losing His divinity (John 1:14), and came to earth to suffer and die as the perfect, sinless sacrifice for all our sins (Hebrews 4:15; Philippians 2:5-8; Romans 5:8). He was buried and rose again from the dead so that all who trust in His completed work on the cross will have eternal life with Him in Heaven (1 Corinthians 15; Romans 10:13; Acts 16:31 ;John 5:24).

Because we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), a just, Holy God cannot allow us into His presence in Heaven without making us holy through the substitutionary death of His Son. Jesus paid our sin debt in full (Hebrews 9:26-27), so that when God looks at those who have repented and placed their trust in Christ, He no longer sees their sins (Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9), but instead, He sees the perfect righteousness of His Son (Romans 3:20-26, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Isaiah 53:4-6).

The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ therefore has reconciled God’s children – those who trust in His only begotten Son – to God Himself (1 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Hebrews 2:17).

Jesus Himself said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6). God’s Word clearly states that the only way to God the Father is by faith in His Son. This may be viewed as narrow in the sense that it excludes other beliefs and faiths, but Jesus Himself said that this was the case:

Enter ye in [to Heaven] at the strait [narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:13-15)

Jesus therefore said that there are many false religions, and false teachers, who appear holy but who mislead their followers into death and damnation (Revelation 20:15). He even went further to say that those who claimed to be His followers but did not have a close personal relationship with Him would not enter Heaven:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.(Matthew 7: 21-23)

Jesus illustrated this in the parable commonly referred to as the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), but as John MacArthur has so aptly pointed out, it would be better referred to as the Tale of Two Sons. The Father in the parable represents God the Father. The prodigal son represents the sinner who rebels against the Father, insults Him, runs away from Him, wastes the resources the Father gave Him, and finally stoops so low into degradation, poverty and worthlessness that He comes to the end of himself and realizes that He has sinned against Heaven and the Father (v. 18-19).

At that point He is willing to give up his status as a son and return as a lowly servant, but the Father is eagerly awaiting his return and runs toward him with open arms the moment He sees him approaching. He kisses him and offers him His finest treasures because of His joy that His son has returned and asked for forgiveness (v. 20-22).

This represents the joy of our Father when a lost sinner realizes His need of the Savior, repents of his sins, asks for forgiveness, and places his trust in Christ. That sinner, saved by God’s grace through faith in His Son (Ephesians 2:8-9), is then transformed from an enemy of God (Romans 5:10) to His child, joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 4:7), and even His ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20).

But the outcome is quite different for the other son in the parable, who represents the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. The older son said that he always did what the Father told him, but in fact he harbored resentment against the Father rather than loving Him (Luke 15:v.28-30). Rather than rejoicing at his brother’s return, he was angry that his own good deeds were not rewarded.

Similarly, the high priests or Pharisees were “holier-than-thou” (Luke 15:2), proud of their “goodness,” and placed their faith in their keeping religious practices and customs (Luke 18:11-12; Matthew 15:1-19). But their hearts were far from God, and as a result, they would not enter into fellowship with Him in Heaven. It was the Pharisees who demanded that Jesus undergo the cruel suffering and death of the cross (Mark 15:1-15), as they were blinded to the fact that He was their promised Messiah (Daniel 9:25-26) fulfilling all the Old Testament prophecies.

It is true that God is love (1 John 4:8) and that He loves every one of us enough to give His Son to die for us (John 3:16). Every work of His hands reflects His perfection, creativity, and mastery (Psalm 19:1), but He is not “in” all of His creation any more than we could say that a master watchmaker inhabits an exquisite Swiss timepiece. Rather, God’s Word says that He indwells each of His children with the Holy Spirit at the moment they are saved (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5).

Because God is love, He blesses His enemies as well as His children. Every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17), and the lost as well as the saved can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and the benefits of His provision (Matthew 5:44-45). For those who do not pray to the Father in the name of the Son, blessings may follow the prayer, but this does not indicate that the Father hears and specifically answers those requests (1 Peter 3:12; 1 Corinthians 2:14).

Similarly, for God’s children who do pray to the Father in the name of the Son, not receiving the outcome we hope for does not mean that God doesn’t hear us, but means instead that He is giving us what we need (Matthew 7:11) for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28), rather than what we think we want (James 4:3). God grants His children the privilege of boldly approaching His throne with our requests 24/7 (Hebrews 4:16), knowing not only that He will hear us, but that He knows what we need before we even ask Him! (Matthew 6:8,32)

Anyone can become God’s child. God does not want anyone to go to hell (2 Peter 3:9), and He offers the gift of salvation to anyone, regardless of nationality, sex, or social status (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11), who believes in His Son:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Sadly, many refuse this gift of eternal life because they deny the Son’s divinity and completed work of salvation (1 John 5:10-13). And many rely instead on their own good works to get to Heaven, thinking that the good they have done will outweigh the bad, but this is impossble (Ephesians 2:8-9;Titus 3:5). God is perfectly holy and just (1 John 1:5), and He views sin as sin. He doesn’t differentiate “little” from “big” sins.

No one is capable of perfectly keeping the Ten Commandments, because even those rare individuals who think they don’t do any sinful deeds have sinful thoughts. Jesus said that even feeling angry at someone without just cause, or looking at someone with lust, amounted to breaking the Law (Matthew 5:22,28). Anyone who has broken even a single commandment has failed His perfect standard and deserves eternal punishment in hell (Revelation 21:8; 1 John 3:4; Romans 6:23).

Whether someone has committed atrocities like those of Hitler or done countless good deeds like Mother Teresa is irrelevant to where they will spend eternity. If a criminal is charged with grand larceny but tells the judge that he has donated much money to charity, built an orphanage, etc., a just and fair judge would not be swayed by these deeds but would still require him to serve his sentence, unless another takes the punishment and pays the price for his liberty. Thankfully, this is exactly what Jesus Christ did for us!

The sole criterion determining your eternal destiny in heaven or in hell is whether or not you have placed your faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and, as a result of that faith, have a personal relationship with Him. Trust Him today and enjoy abundant, eternal life (John 10:10) beginning here and now as His child, joint-heir with Christ, and His ambassador!

© 2012 Laurie Collett

God's Exchange

 

Photo by Myotus 2022

Would you trade the toaster oven in your hands for what’s behind Door Number 3? It might be a new car or a lump of coal – on a game show, there is no way of knowing. One thing is for sure, though -- you have to give up what you have to get something new.

With God, we have the assurance of knowing that what we will get by trusting Him is infinitely better than what we give up, because you can’t outgive God. 

When we pray for Him to meet a specific need, He does not just add a little something to what we already have; He takes away a burden and replaces it with a priceless gift (Philippians 4: 4-6). The best gift of all is eternal life (John 3:16), freely given to all who trust in Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6). 

What’s the catch? There is no catch, except that we have to release the burden to Him before He will bless us with the gift. If we clutch on to the old and familiar because we’re afraid to let go, we lack the faith that He knows what we need before we even ask Him (Matthew 6:8), and that He will answer our prayer exceeding abundantly beyond what we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20; 1 Timothy 1:14).

This is not a prosperity gospel or a name-it-and-claim-it philosophy, because we should recognize that not all our specific requests are in line with God’s perfect will, and that His blessings are often not in the material realm. As we become more conformed to Christ’s image (Philippians 3:10), and trust Him more and more, He will grant us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4) because those desires become more aligned with His perfect will for us.

When we feel that God is not blessing us as we had hoped, it may be because we haven’t yet asked Him (James 4:2; Matthew 7:8; 21:22; Luke 11:10), or because we’re asking for something to satisfy our fleshly wants rather than our spiritual needs (James 4:3). Or it may be that our heart is not right with God because we have not forgiven those who have wronged us, or we have not repented of our sins, or because we are relying on our own limited resources to solve the problem, instead of trusting in His abundant grace.

But God delights in blessing His children with good things beyond our imagination! (Matthew 7:11; Ephesians 3:20; 1 Timothy 1:14) If we have faith to leave our burdens at the foot of the cross, He will fill us up with blessings beyond measure (Hebrews 11:6). He will exchange:

Our sins for His righteousness (Hebrews 12:11)

Our bondage for His liberty (James 1:25)

Our weakness for His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9; Isaiah 40:31)

Our exhaustion for His rest (Matthew 11:28)

Our loneliness for His presence (Hebrews 13:5; Proverbs 18:24) and for brothers and sisters in Christ (Galatians 6:2)

Our pride for His humility (Philippians 2:5-7; Mark 10:45)

Our limitations for His omnipotence (Luke 18:27; Matthew 19:26; Philippians 4:13)

Our ignorance for His wisdom (James 1:5; Colossians 2:3) and teaching (John 14:26; Ephesians 1:17-18)

Our confusion for His direction (Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 119:105)

Our guilt for His forgiveness (1 John 1:8-9; Romans 8:1; Colossians 1:13-14)

Our doubt and fear for His perfect love, faith, and the peace that passes all understanding (1 John 4:18; Philippians 4:7).

Our sin sickness for His healing (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24)

Our tears for joy in Him (Philippians 4:4; Psalm 5:11; 1 John 1:4)

Our lack for His abundance (Philippians 4:19)

A death sentence of eternity in hell for abundant life now and eternity with Him in Heaven (Ephesians 2:1; John 3:16).

Dying to self for living with and in Him (Galatians 2:20)

Being children of the devil for being children of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).

A story has circulated on the Internet about a little girl who dearly loved a necklace of plastic pearls she bought at the dime store after scrimping and saving her allowance. Her father asked her to trust him to give them to her so he could give her something better, but each time he asked, she turned away defiantly with pouting and tears, clinging to the plastic pearls even though their coating had long since flaked away. After all, she had worked so hard and given up so much to get them.

Finally she realized that her love for her father and her desire to please him outweighed her attachment to her necklace. Reluctantly, timidly, she removed them from her neck and offered them to him. Imagine her surprise and delight when he placed around her neck a string of perfectly matched, cultured pearls of great beauty and value.

How often are we like the little girl, refusing to give up the childish trinkets we acquire by our own efforts, letting them take on the importance of idols in our life? Why are we so often afraid to exchange what we have for what the Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer longs to give us?

Copyright Laurie Collett 2012

Edited and reposted from the archives

God Notices Your Labor!

 

Photo by Fulton St_4039 2013

As we in the United States celebrate Labor Day this weekend, many may be in less than a joyful mood due to financial worries. For those looking for work, the long weekend may be no different from other days, and just a painful reminder that they are unemployed. Those affected by the terrible storm may have not been able to go to their workplace, yet may have been laboring intensely to clean up and repair their homes and businesses. 

 

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, how and where we work, and even how we serve God, has changed dramatically for many. Yet those who are still working are blessed by God's provision, for many are out of work altogether.

Many are working to make ends meet at a job that does not meet their expectations or qualifications. Others find that their job responsibilities have grown because fewer people are hired, but their pay stays the same or even decreases. Even worse, it often seems that our employers, coworkers or clients don’t notice our hard work or appreciate the good job we do.

But God always notices! He knows our hearts (Psalm 139:23), and He can tell whether we’re working in joyful service because of how He has blessed us beyond measure (Ephesians 3:16; Philippians 4:19), or whether we’re going through the motions grudgingly, doing the minimum we need to do to get by.

By forgiving our sin debt (Romans 4:7; Ephesians 1:7), by giving His only begotten Son to die for our sins, and by giving eternal life to all those who repent and believe that Jesus rose from the dead (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4), God has blessed us far beyond what we could ever imagine.

And yet, He delights in heaping blessings on us even beyond that, and in great abundance (John 10:10; Luke 12:32; James 1:17). This gives us reason to find joy in all circumstances (Philippians 4:4) and to give thanks for everything (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), even if our sin nature feels we have reason to complain rather than to be thankful (Deuteronomy 28:47-48).

For every task we do at work or at home, no matter how menial or insignificant it seems, there is a reason to find joy in it and give thanks for it. If we are washing our dirty dishes, we can be thankful for the good meal we ate, the family who shared it, and for running water.

If we’re losing patience because of customers’ endless complaints, we can be thankful that there are customers so that we have a job, and we can rejoice in the opportunity to bring them satisfaction and peace rather than anger (Matthew 5:9). In whatever situation we find ourselves, we can thank God by putting our whole heart, soul and might into glorifying Him, making each moment of our life a living prayer to Him. He will always remember and reward us for our service and worship even when no one else notices (Matthew 25:21-23).

Colossians 3:17 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.… 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

As Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), Christians should give a good testimony at work and wherever a job needs to be done because we are willing to go the extra mile and with the right attitude. As the apostle Paul wrote to Titus, servants are to please their masters, or in today’s world, employees are to serve their employers with the same humility of spirit with which we serve Christ. He is our true Master, and in serving others, we are serving Him (Titus 2:9-10).

Even when we assemble for worship in God’s house, no good deed is too trivial to escape His attention! A kind word or smile for someone who is hurting may be exactly what God intended to encourage that person to be faithful to His will (Hebrews 10:23-25).

When Solomon built the temple to glorify God, skilled artisans spent countless hours decorating the tops of the pillars with sculpted lilies, even though none of the worshipers would even see them once they were in position! But God saw and rewarded them for their labor, even though no one else would applaud or praise their work (1 Kings 7:13-22).

When was the last time we gave thanks to the person who showed up early Sunday morning to turn on the air conditioning, or to the person who made sure there was toilet paper in the restroom? Do we even know who these people are? But God knows and keeps track of their faithful service to His children and to all who come to hear His Word.

Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Our labor is not in vain! Employers, coworkers, and customers, and even family, friends, and fellow Christians, may not always show their appreciation, but God faithfully keeps track of all we do to His glory. We are laborers together with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). He will reward us in due time, if not in this world, then in Heaven (1 Corinthians 3:10-14) where we can enjoy the benefits forever!

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Love in Christ, and may you have a blessed Labor Day weekend!

© 2017 Laurie Collett

Edited and reposted from the archives

A Lesson in Psalms: Honey, Beth, Best, Staff

Photo (2009) by Toby Hudson

As regular readers of this blog may know, I often have detailed and vivid dreams. Recently, however, I awoke with no memory of a dream, but only with four words in my mind: Honey – Beth – Best – Staff.

I had no idea what this meant, particularly since I don’t know anyone named Beth, or what the Lord might be trying to tell me, until my husband and I began our daily devotional readings. The first passage designated for that day was from Psalm 119, including the portion labeled “Beth” in our King James Version Bible! 

This Psalm is not only the longest book in the Bible, but also a stunning example of God’s literary craftsmanship and design. Its twenty-two stanzas each contain eight verses and are each subtitled with one of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, in alphabetical order. Each verse begins with the same letter for which the stanza is named.

Not surprisingly, Psalm 119 is all about God's Word, praising it, urging us to love it and meditate on it, and to learn from its laws and commandments. God bringing the “Beth” stanza of Psalm 119 into our daily reading encouraged me to consider in the context of the Psalms the meaning of the four words He summoned into my mind. 

“Honey,” the first word in my dream phrase, is first mentioned in the Psalms in Chapter 19, which praises God’s law, testimony, statutes, and commandments. We are to observe these in fear of the Lord, meaning in an attitude of respecting and revering His judgments (Psalm 19:7-8).   

Normally we think of judgments as being punishments, yet this Psalm says that they are true and righteous, more desirable than much fine gold, and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. Why? Because they warn us of how not to sin against God, and if we keep them, we will be richly rewarded (Psalm 19: 9-11). 

Blessings, like honey, often come in unexpected settings. Samson found honey in the carcass of a lion he had slain with his bare hands (Judges 14:5-9), suggesting that sometimes we must endure great trials before we can enjoy the rewards of victory. The struggle itself makes the blessing that much sweeter, like a spoonful of honey a mother gives her sick child after he swallows the bitter medicine. 

The sweetest blessing and reward anyone could have is salvation and eternal life, given freely to all who trust in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6). Before we tasted of the Lord’s goodness (Psalm 34:8), we were His enemies, hating Him and rebelling against Him. But His infinite love for us is shown in His death for us even when we were His enemies, reconciling us to Holy God and giving us eternal life (Romans 5:10). 

Once submitted to Him, He will satisfy even His enemies with the finest wheat, for He is the bread of life, and with honey out of the rock (Psalm 81:10-16), for He is the Rock of our salvation (Psalm 18:2,48; 62:2-7; 89:26; 95:1). 

BETH (Psalm 119:9-16). 

Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. 

This stanza explains that following God’s Word is our best defense against sin, and that joy comes from incorporating it into our being! We must study it, for it reveals God and His ways and character. We must treasure it, share it with others through our witness, meditate on it, and delight in it. 

Later on in Psalm 119, verse 103 reminds us that God’s Word is sweeter than honey to our mouth. If we fill our heart and mind with this sweetness (Philippians 4:8), rather than with the bitter poison of sin and negativity, it will overflow into our speech and actions, refreshing others like a pure fountain or spring (James 3:11). 

Best

Surprisingly, there is only one mention of the word “best” in the Psalms: Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. (Psalm 39:5). 

This is not using the word in a positive context, but rather is a warning against placing any stock in our own strength. God is infinite and eternal (Hebrews 13:8), whereas our physical life disappears like a puff of smoke (James 4:14). Even at our “best” we are nothing in comparison to Him (Psalm 8:4). He gives us our very life, our next breath, our salvation, and the best gifts, namely spiritual gifts, all of which pale beside His infinite love (1 Corinthians 12:31-1 Corinthians 13). 

Staff 

How can we therefore make the best use of the limited lifespan He has allotted to us, as well as of the time, talents, treasure and spiritual gifts He has distributed to us? By thankfully accepting and following His correction, according to these four words He placed in my mind. In what seems to be hardship and judgment there is great blessing, when He uses it to shape us into His image (Philippians 3:10). 

Just as a loving father disciplines his children for their own good, a shepherd guides His sheep by getting their attention with the rod and staff. The word “staff” in the Psalms first appears in Psalm 23, the Shepherd’s Psalm: 

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

We don’t normally think of being poked with a rod or pulled along with the crook of a staff as being a comfort, but David in his darkest hours recognized the healing and restoring power of God’s loving hand of correction, as expressed in the above verse. We can take solace in the pain, knowing that we are saved thereby even from the power of death. God is our loving Father Who corrects His children when we drift off His narrow path into harm's way (Hebrews 12:5-11).

Jesus Christ is the Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd (John 10:11-18; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4), guiding us when we, as sheep, have gone astray (Psalm 119:176; Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 18:12). With His staff He will lead us through the valley of the shadow of death, not leave us helpless or hopeless within it. As we pass through that valley we find goodness and mercy, and as we emerge from it we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6). 

The only other mention of “staff” in Psalms is in Psalm 105:16, referring to another type of judgment, with the Lord calling for a famine upon the land and breaking the whole staff of bread. This is a reminder that God provides for our physical nourishment through bread, which is the staff of life; and for our spiritual sustenance through His Word, which is the staff of spiritual life. We would starve if He were to withhold bread from us, but our worst judgment comes from being deprived of hearing His Word.

Honey – Beth – Best – Staff reminded me that the sweetest blessings can come from God’s Word, not only as a source of comfort, but as a correction when we stray far from His chosen path. May we hide His Word in our heart, that we would not sin against Him!

© 2020 Laurie Collett