MORAL PERVERSION IN GIBEAH

MEMORY VERSE: “Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at door , and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him” (Judges 19:22)

TEXT: Judges 19: 1-30

CAUSES OF PERVERSION AND CATALYSTS OF A PEACEFUL SOCIELTY

The account of the tragic and heinous wickedness perpetrated by “certain sons of Belial” in Gibeah in the text mirrors the extent of moral degeneracy in the town. Bereft of the Spirit of God and emboldened by the absence of governmental sanctions, there is hardly any depth of depravity sinners cannot descend to. Gang-raping a woman to death in Gibeah was a result of the prevalence of violent crimes and absence of leadership to curtail people’s excesses in Israel. A peaceful society is achieved when the character of individual citizens changes positively and the law is upheld and enforced by its leadership. However, some citizens still break the law and damn the consequence even in societies where it is dreaded. This highlights the need for genuine transformation of heart and life, which can only happen through commitment of believers to preaching the soul-saving gospel (James 5:20). The Scripture also enjoins believers to contribute to orderliness in the society by “submitting to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors…” (1 Peter 2:13, 14).

Questions 1: Why should believers promote orderliness in the society and how can this be done?

 

1. THE DANGERS OF PARENTAL INDULGENCE AND IMPIETY

Judges 19:2; Proverbs 22:6; Ezekiel 16:44, 45; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Luke 6:42

PERMISSIVENESS AND ATTENDANT EVILS

At the root of the horrifying events in our study is the singular act of rebellion of the concubine against her husband and disobedience to the word of God. Concubines are second-rate wives permitted among the Jews in the Old Testament (Genesis 25:5,6; 22:24). In this particular case, parental indulgence seemed to have encouraged this woman in evil. :And his concubine played the whore against  him, and went away from him unto her father’s house… and was there four whole months” (verse 2).. It is sad that her acts of whoredom did not meet with any action expressive of resentment or rebuke from her father. No doubt, the knowledge that her father would condone her immorality and receive her into his home after such abominable acts must have encouraged her sinful life. Parents, in most cases, cannot be exonerated from the vices in their children’s character.

Question 2: Explain the importance of bringing up our children in a godly way.

Since one cannot impart what one does not have, it is necessary for parents to be born again, and so be enabled to live upright lives before their children.

 

2.          THE DEFINITE BENEFITS OF FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION

Judges 19: 3-9; Matthew 18:21,22; Romans 5:8; 12:17, 18; Mark 11:25; Acts 24:16; Ezekiel 16:49

FORGIVENESS ENJOINED

There are some commendable character traits in the life of the Levite. “And her husband arose and went after her, to speak friendly unto her and to bring her again…” Though he was not in any way responsible for her action, he did not wait for some expression of contrition and apology before considering any form of reprieve for her. He forgave her even before she thought of reconciliation. Forgiveness of personal wrongs and reconciliation are accorded great prominence in the gospel of Christ. To Peter’s question: “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”, the Lord answered, “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but until seventy times seven”. The word of God precludes us from retaliation in matters of personal wrongs, and commands us to forgive those who offend us. “Recompense to no man evil for evil”, and “if it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:17,18). Obedience to these Scriptures leads us to forgiveness and reconciliation with those who offended us. The blessing of obedience to these precepts for both the offended and the offender include peace of mind, better health, greater security and possibility of a lasting friendship in place of anger, suspicion, rancor and strife.

Question 3: What are the benefits of forgiveness and reconciliation?

Retaining offences in our hearts hinders us from receiving forgiveness from God and answers to our prayers. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25).  

Questions 4: What is restitution and what is its importance in preventing offences and fostering a lasting reconciliation?

3. THE DESPICABLE PERVERSION OF THE MEN OF GIBEAH

Judges 19:10-30; Proverbs 21:31; Psalm 3:5; 4:8; Acts 27:10-14; 1 Peter4:9; Romans 1:21-24

LAWLESSNESS KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES

The Levite and his company eventually departed and “came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem …”. By the time they arrived Jebus, the sun was about to set. His servant therefore suggested that they pass the night in the city of the Jebusites. The Levite preferred to reach a city of Israel (Gibeah) rather than turn aside into “a city of strangers”. He assumed (and reasonably too) that greater safety awaited them in a city of Israel than elsewhere. Their unexpected experience teaches that safety is of the Lord even in a most secured place because the devil and evil men lurk everywhere (Proverbs 21:31). While not totally discarding our human carefulness, effort and informed judgment, we must never rely on these only. We must “trust in the Lord with all [our] heart; and lean not unto [our] own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). The most knowledgeable of men still needs divine guidance in those matters which, in human judgment, are of seeming certainty. By relying on their knowledge and experience, the ship owner and his crew barely escaped death when they ignored Apostle Paul’s spirit-inspired counsel that their voyage to Rome would be with hurt and much damage (Acts 27:10,11).

Question 5: Why do we still need to pray even in matters which outcome or forecast seems certain? (1Sam.23:1-13)

 

HOSPITALITY

The warm reception given to the Levite and his company by the old man is worth mentioning. Such hospitality is commanded by the word of God. We are enjoined to “use hospitality one to another without grudging” (1 Peter 4:9) and not be “forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”.

ABOMINATION

“Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at door , and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him”. These words are reminiscent of the encounter between Lot, the angels and the homosexuals of Sodom (Genesis 19: 4-11). It is almost inconceivable that a group of men so vile, profane and perverted could be found in Israel. It shows that sin and wickedness know no national or racial boundary. It is only Christ that makes the difference.

 

Question 6: What spiritual condition lies at the root of homosexuality, lesbianism and such lewd perversions? What is the way out? (Romans 1:21-24).

Men’s mind and personality are affected when they abandon God. The word of God makes it clear that homosexuality and lesbianism are abomination (Leviticus 18:22), and self-defilement (1 Timothy 1:10). Those who practice them are excluded from the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9,10). Any individual, society or government that indulges or gives approval to these abominable practices will court God’s wrath. However, if they return to God in repentance through Christ, They will be healed and restored (Hosea 6:1). Blinded by their perverted passion, the “men of Belial” were deaf to all the entreaty of the old man to spare his guest. “And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly.” In his importunity, he went to the extent of offering both his daughter and the Levite released his concubine to the perverted men. This offer is condemnable as it amounts to appeasing a sinner with another sin, “or doing evil that good may come”.

 

YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION

Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

Refrain:
Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.

Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God’s name hold in rev’rence, nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, kind-hearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

 

To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown,
Through faith we will conquer, though often cast down;
He who is our Saviour, our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

 

I AM READY FOR SERVICE

Listen to the Master's pleading,
There is urgent work for all;
Heed the Spirit's interceding,
Give this answer to the call:

Chorus
I am ready for service for Thee, dear Lord,
Here am I, send me,
I am willing to be what you'd have me be,
I will go where you want me to go

I am ready for service for Thee, dear Lord,
Here am I, send me,
Though the pathway seems dark for Thee I'll do or die,
I am ready for service, Lord.

Verse 2
There's a voice to you now calling,
Will you heed the earnest word?
On the ear 'tis gently falling,
Give this answer to your Lord.

Verse 3
Many souls in sin are dying;
Haste to help them while you may,
For the time is swiftly flying,
Will you now to Jesus say?

THE KNOWLEDGE AND FEAR OF THE LORD

Deut.10:12, 20-21; Psalm 34:7-11; 96:9; 112:1-4; Prov.9:10-11; Eccl.12:13

I want to spend a few minutes to exhort you on the fear of the Lord. What is the fear of the Lord? It is to hold God in high reverence and awe. To fear God is to acquire the knowledge and the wisdom that leads to life eternal.

1.  The Fear Of The Lord Your Primary Pursuit

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7, KJV)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.” (Proverbs 9:10–11,)
“The angel of the Lord encampeth Round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye his saints: For there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: But they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” (Psalm 34:7–11)

This is where to begin your quest for knowledge, quest for maturity, quest for wisdom, quest for freedom. All the wisdom and knowledge you acquire in this present world will end here and will not satisfy. But whosoever acquires the fear of the Lord, has obtained the wisdom and knowledge that lead to everlasting life.

2.  The Fear Of The Lord Your Guide In Decision Making

“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, Or as the mule, which have no understanding: Whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, Lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: But he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.” (Psalm 32:7–10, KJV)

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, When ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21, KJV)
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105, KJV)
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11, KJV)

Every day we make thousands of decision. Life is about decision making – what to eat, what to wear, where to go, who to befriend, when to study, what to read, what to watch on the internet, how much to spend and on what, etc. All these legitimate decisions can be very beneficial if we make them in the fear of the Lord. But they can become dangerous, even disastrous when made without the fear of the Lord. The fear of God must guide you in decision making.

3.  The Fear Of The Lord In Times Of Temptation/Tribulation

“And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” (Genesis 39:7–12)

“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)

Joseph in the house of Potiphar is a great example to all our students. He was faced with a strong sexual temptation. The wife of his master ordered him to lie with her. Joseph overcame this temptation through the fear of the Lord. You too will be tempted to sin in this or in other ways. But through the fear of God, you must resist as Joseph resisted. When it comes to sexual temptations, you must be prepared to flee as Joseph fled. Flee pornography and all the lewd images and videos on YouTube. Flee all appearance of evil.
4.  The Fear Of The Lord Your Preservation

“The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.” (Psalm 121:7)

“Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; That walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.” (Psalm 128:1–2)
“The angel of the Lord encampeth Round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” (Psalm 34:7)

This follows from number three above. The fear of the Lord will preserve you from evil. The fear of the Lord will keep you out of danger. It will lead you to your deliverance from evil and from danger.

5.  The Fear Of The Lord The Whole Duty Of Man

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

“And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,” (Deuteronomy 10:12)
“Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the Lord thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.” (Deuteronomy 10:20–22)
Your whole reason for existence is God. His fear is your whole duty. If you learn this knowledge and this wisdom called the fear of God, you will spend your life in prosperity and in peace.
So brethren, fear the Lord, walk in His ways, and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is your whole duty.

O brother, life’s journey beginning,
With courage and firmness arise!
Look well to the course thou art choosing;
Be earnest, be watchful, and wise!
Remember—two paths are before thee,
And both thy attention invite;
But one leadeth on to destruction,
The other to joy and delight.

Refrain

God help you to follow His banner,
And serve Him wherever you go;
And when you are tempted, my brother,
God give you the grace to say No!

O brother, yield not to the tempter,
No matter what others may do;
Stand firm in the strength of the Master,
Be loyal, be faithful, and true!
Each trial will make you the stronger,
If you, in the name of the Lord,
Fight manfully under your Leader,
Obeying the voice of His Word.

Refrain

O brother, the Savior is calling!
Beware of the danger of sin;
Resist not the voice of the Spirit,
That whispers so gently within.
God calls you to enter His service—
To live for Him here, day by day;
And share by and by in the glory
That never shall vanish away.

Refrain

  

THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST

The Knowledge Of Jesus Christ

John 5:39-40; Luke 24:27, 44; Phil.3:10

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:39–40)

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,” (Luke 24:44-45)

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” (Philippians 3:10)

If you were asked to give a clear explanation to a non-believer of who Jesus is, what will your answer be? What will you say to them? Jesus asked His disciple this same question, “Who do men say I am?” We too must answer that question. We will approach it with humility and restrict ourselves to what the Bible says about our Lord Jesus Christ and what He says about Himself, and that will suffice us.

HIS NATIVITY

Gen.3:15; Micah 5:2; John 1:1-3; 8:56-58; Mat.22:41-45; Col.2:8-10

Jesus said some things about himself while He was still ministering and after His resurrection that are worthy of note as we set out to study the scriptures. He said that the entire Hebrew Scriptures wrote about Him. Moses wrote of Him. The Prophets wrote of Him and the Psalms wrote of Him. Just so you understand, the Hebrew Bible is divided into three parts: (i) The Torah (all five books of Moses), (ii) The Nevi’im (All the Prophets), and (iii) The Ketuvim (All the Psalms and associated books). Jesus said that the entire Hebrew Scriptures spoke of Him. Imagine what this could have meant to His immediate hearers. Preposterous! Unthinkable! Unbelievable! You could see why they would pick up stones to stone Him. Some other times they would demand, “Who are you?” (John 8:25). He told the Jews, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56), and “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). He said, “David called (Me) Lord” (Mat.22:41-45; Psalm 110:1)

Prophecies About

Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Jer.23:5-6; Micah 5:2; Mal.3:1-3; Dan.7:13-14

Prophecies about the birth of Christ is written throughout the Scriptures. What we have on the outline are just some of the more direct prophecies. He would be from the tribe of Judah (Gen.49:10). He would be born in Bethlehem (Mic.5:1-2). He would ride on an ass or a donkey (Zech.9:9). He would be tortured (Psalm 22). He would come before the destruction of the second Temple (Dan.9:24-27). He would die, be buried and resurrected (Isa.52:13-53:12).  

In the Hebrew Bible Isaiah 7:14 reads, “The young woman” shall conceive and bear a child”. So it is not just ‘a young woman’ or ‘a virgin’, but THE young woman, – a particular young woman, Mary, the chosen young woman – shall conceive and bear a Son.

In chapter 9:6 the prophecy continues in greater detail by giving the Child’s Names –Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. What child is this? According to prophecy, His coming would take many by surprise (Mal.3:1; Isa.53:1-2). Prophet Isaiah was filled with perplexity when the life of Christ from birth to death was revealed to him.

He is the Righteous Branch and the Lord our Righteousness in (Jer.23:5-6). In (Dan.7:13-14), He is called the Son of Man who will receive authority to rule in an everlasting Kingdom.

The Annunciation

Luke 1:11-17, 26-33; Mat.18-21; John 1:1-3; Isa.40:1-5; Mat.3:1-3;

His birth was preceded by the birth of a forerunner, John, the Baptist. He came to prepare the way for the Messiah. John stirred up the people with sharp and uncompromising messages. “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat.3:1-2). He told them that he was the voice prophesied in (Isa.40:1-5) declaring “prepare ye the way of the Lord”.

Mary was espoused to marry Joseph the carpenter, but God chose her womb to carry the Messiah! She said, “How can this be since I am still a virgin? God said don’t worry, that’s why I chose you. She said but I have never known any man, Joseph and I are not married yet. God said don’t worry, that’s why I chose you. I am God. I create things out of nothing! When Mary submitted to the will of God the miracle Immaculate Conception took place. When we submit to the will of God, the miraculous will take place. Things that were not will be brought into existence.

The Birth

Gen.32:25-32; Mal.3:1-3; Luke 2:5-14; Mat.2:1-2; John 1:1-3, 14

The Old Testament details many pre-incarnate appearances of our Lord Jesus Christ. The “Man” who wrestled with Jacob (Gen.32:25-32); the Angel who came to visit Abraham and made him a promise (Gen.18:1-5, 9-10), who spoke to Abraham about the destruction of Sodom (Gen.18:16-22); the Captain of the LORD’s host who appeared to Joshua (Josh.5:13-15). He was the Smitten Rock which gave abundant water in the wilderness (Exo.17:6; Num.20:7-11).

But He became flesh and was born in the form of a man (John 1:14). The birth of Jesus Christ was heralded by angels. They sang glory to God at His birth. To further confound the ruling powers of the moment, He was born in a manger! This is what marked the beginning of Christ’s human existence on earth among His creation. This is beyond what our minds can comprehend. Wise men came to worship Him. Wicked men tried to wipe Him out.

Of this incomparable One it is said that “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God”; yet such an One, who thus occupied the highest place of Deity in company with the Father and the Spirit, “was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” He who is from everlasting to everlasting was born of a woman and died on a cross. He who according to the mind of the Spirit is Wonderful, was spit upon by men. He who, by the same mind, is Counsellor is rejected of men. He who is The mighty God is crucified in abject weakness. He who is The everlasting Father, is a Son who learned obedience by the things which He suffered. He who is The Prince of Peace must Himself tread the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God, for the “day of vengeance” must yet be in His heart and He must yet break the nations with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces as a potter’s vessel. He who said, “I am among you as he that serveth,” also said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” He who is the chaste, wooing Lover of the Canticles is the King of glory who is mighty in battle. He who created all things occupied an infant’s cradle. He who is holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners was made to be sin in behalf of others. He who was the Bread of Life was Himself hungry. He who was the giver of the supernatural Water of Life was Himself thirsty. He who was God’s Gift of Life to a lost world was Himself dead. He who was dead is alive forevermore.^[1]

This is the great mystery of Christ the Messiah of Israel, the Saviour of the World, Christ, who has both humanity and divinity. Paul the apostle captures this in a poignant, emotional and moving prose in (Phil.2:5-11).

HIS NAMES

Isa.7:14; 9:6; Jer.23:5-6; Mat.1:21; John 2 1:1-3

His Name is Jesus (Yeshua) (Mat.1:21); Son of Man; Son of Abraham; Son of David (these show his humanity); Wonderful, counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isa.9:6); The Lord our Righteousness (Jer.23:5-6); He is Immanuel (Isa.7:14); He is The Word (Logos). All these show His Divinity. As Logos, He was in the beginning. He was with God, and He was God (John 1:1). Jesus was not created. He was not made. He was the only begotten (John 3:16). This word is translated from the Greek word, monogenes. In the way it was applied to Christ, it means unique in kind, the only one of its class (John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18). Jesus is unique and shares the same nature as God the Father. He is different from believers who are only sons of God by creation and adoption. No ordinary flesh and blood man can hold the names attributed to Christ. The Mighty God can only be applied to God. The everlasting Father can only be applied to God. The Judge of all the earth can only be God. Jesus is the Mighty God.

HIS MINISTRY

Mat.1:21; John 3:14-19; Isa.52:13-14; 53:1-12

He is the Saviour (John 3:16). He is the Light of the World; He is the Bread of Life; He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:7-11, 14; Psalm 23); He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29); He is the Sin Bearer (2Cor.5:22). He is Messiah the Prince, the Deliverer, the Giver of the water of Eternal Life (John 4:13-14). He told His hearers, “The thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy, but I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Jesus came to reconcile man to God. All humans are born to live in relationship with God. That relationship was broken by sin. So Christ came that He might destroy the works of the devil and reconcile man to God. If you haven’t got this relationship with God, you will feel a deep, deep void inside of you, a gap, a feeling of emptiness. Nothing in this world can fill that void. Relationship with men or women cannot fill the void. Sex outside or inside marriage cannot fill the void. It deepens the void instead. Money and wealth cannot fill the void. Drugs, alcohol abuse cannot fill the void. Sports activities, education, recreation, closest human relationships all fail to fill that void.

Only a full relationship with God, a reconciled position with God, can fill the void. Jesus Christ came to fill that void in man. If you don’t have Jesus, that void is still there. In (John 8:3-12), we see a perfect example of Christ’s reconciling work. With the command, “Go and sin no more” the void was filled, and the woman in that story was set free. He is the Bread of life (John 6:35), the only one who can satisfy our hunger for meaning and purpose in life; hunger for forgiveness (Mark7:20-23), desire for life beyond death (Eccl.3:11).

Jesus Christ is the Only Way to God (John 14:6). Eternal life flows from Him (John 4:13-14). He is the Judge of the living and the death, Who is to be honoured as the Father is honoured (John 5:18-27). He is the Light of the world bringing the light of the Gospel message into the darkness of human hearts (John 1:9; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46). If you believe and walk with Him you will not walk in darkness.

He died to give us freedom and power. Power to be free from sin and its guilt and consequences (Rom.6:23); Power to be free from addiction of any sort (John 8:34, 36); Power to be free from fear, fear of death; fear of the unknown (Heb.2:14-15). For those who believe in Jesus, death is not the end. It is the gateway to heaven. Power to know God (Isa.59:2). When Jesus died on the Cross, He removed the barrier between us and God. We become His sons and daughters through faith in Jesus Christ. Power and freedom to love. We can now love without the baggage of lust and selfishness (John 15:12-13; 1John 4:19). We love our brothers and sisters as Christ loved us. Power to change (Gal.5:22). Christ gives the Holy Spirit to the believer, empowering us to change so that our lives manifest the fruit of the Spirit.

Do you know Jesus? Have you received him as your Lord and Saviour? Are you washed in His blood? Is that void, that emptiness, that separation from God caused by sin still evident in your heart? Do you have assurance that you have been saved? You can receive that today if you commit your life to Jesus. He will forgive your transgressions and remember them no more!

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^[1] Chafer, L. S. (1993). Systematic theology (Vol. 5, p. 4). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.