What does it mean to be reconciled to God?
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”John 14:6
Before we wander
A note from Hope
Read the transcript instead
Salvation matters deeply, and because it matters, I want to be careful with how I approach it here.
As I've thought over, prayed over, and fasted over this page, I've kept coming back to one thing: I want to make room for the Holy Spirit and for Scripture.
Not just one passage or one familiar set of verses, but Scripture beside Scripture—the Old Testament alongside the New, the Gospels alongside Acts and the letters, the passages that seem wonderfully clear alongside the ones that make us slow down and look again.
My hope is not to hand you a tidy formula and tell you what you're supposed to find. I want to invite you to look.
To read the passages in context. Follow the cross-references. Ask questions. Notice what repeats. Notice what surprises you. Notice what challenges you.
And when something doesn't seem to fit neatly with something else, pause. Stop. Pray, and keep looking.
But I also don't want anything to be a barrier between you and Jesus.
You do not have to understand every passage, settle every theological question, or finish this entire study before you can respond to Him.
There is a difference between understanding what you are responding to and having mastered all there is to understand, and none of us has mastered it.
So before you begin, I invite you to pray.
Ask God to guide you as you walk through His Word. Ask Him to help you see what is actually there. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
Throughout Scripture, God promises that when we seek Him wholeheartedly, He will be found. (Deuteronomy 4:29, Jeremiah 29:13, Acts 17:26-27)
And in true Wandering Through God's Word with Wonder fashion, that's what I'm inviting you to do here:
Open the Word. Look carefully. Ask questions. Pray. And seek Him.
I do have convictions about what I believe these Scriptures show, and later on I'll share my beliefs. But first, I want to give the Holy Spirit and Scripture the floor.
I believe God can meet you here, and I believe He will.
I want to leave you with Titus 3:3-8:
For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace, we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things, I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people."*
At its heart, the message of salvation is clear: Scripture tells us that we are sinful and, because of this, we are separated from life with God. Salvation is God bringing us from death into life with Him. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, He reconciles us to Himself and calls us to live under His Lordship and to respond to what He has done and to the life He is calling us into.
My hope is that you will be able to see for yourself what Scripture says, what it invites us into, and what it asks of us.
As you read…
Read each Scripture. Read around it. Follow the cross-references. Hold passages together. Ask questions. Pray. Stay teachable.
There is a difference between understanding what you are responding to and having mastered all there is to understand, and none of us has mastered it. You do not have to understand everything before you encounter God. Come with a heart that is willing to seek Him and respond to what He shows you.
The path through Scripture
A few passages open each section — the fuller list is here
Who God is
[8] The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. [9] He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. [10] He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. [11] For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. [12] As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. [13] Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. [14] For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.Read the whole chapter
[24] The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; [25] nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; [26] and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, [27] that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; [28] for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ [29] Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. [30] Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, [31] because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”Read the whole chapter
What do these passages show you about who God is?
Who we are, and why we need Him
[9] “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? [10] I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.Read the whole chapter
[1] And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, [2] in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. [3] Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.Read the whole chapter
What do you notice about how these passages describe us and our need for God?
What Jesus did
[4] Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. [6] All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. [7] He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. [8] By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? [9] His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. [10] But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. [11] As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. [12] Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.Read the whole chapter
[6] For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. [10] For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. [11] And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.Read the whole chapter
What do these passages show you about what Jesus did?
His desire
[21] “But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. [22] All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live. [23] Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live? [24] “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die. [25] Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right? [26] When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die. [27] Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life. [28] Because he considered and turned away from all his transgressions which he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. [29] But the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Are My ways not right, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not right? [30] “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord God. “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you. [31] Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? [32] For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.”Read the whole chapter
[3] This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.Read the whole chapter
What do you notice about what God desires for people?
Our response to Him
[12] “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, [13] and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? [14] Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. [15] Yet on your fathers did the Lord set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day. [16] So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer.Read the whole chapter
[14] Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, [15] and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”Read the whole chapter
What do you notice about how people are called to respond to God?
Baptism
[18] And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”Read the whole chapter
[37] Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” [38] Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” [40] And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” [41] So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.Read the whole chapter
What do you notice about baptism in these passages?
Take a Deeper Look
Some parts of this picture come into focus when we hold several passages together. The next sections bring several places in Scripture alongside one another so we can look more carefully.
The Heart
[4] Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. [5] Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. [6] The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. [7] For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. [8] So there was much rejoicing in that city. [9] Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; [10] and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” [11] And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. [12] But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. [13] Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed. [14] Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, [15] who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. [16] For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. [18] Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, [19] saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” [20] But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! [21] You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. [22] Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. [23] For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” [24] But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”Read the whole chapter
[26] But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) [27] So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, [28] and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. [29] Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” [30] Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” [31] And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “He was led as a sheep to slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He does not open His mouth. [33] In humiliation His judgment was taken away; Who will relate His generation? For His life is removed from the earth.” [34] The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. [36] As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” [37] [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] [38] And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. [39] When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.Read the whole chapter
What similarities and differences do you notice in the way Simon and the Ethiopian eunuch respond?
In the Name
[1] Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, [2] even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. [3] This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. [4] I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. [5] Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. [6] “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. [7] Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; [8] for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. [9] I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; [10] and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. [11] I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. [12] While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.Read the whole chapter
[47] “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” [48] And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.Read the whole chapter
[17] Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.Read the whole chapter
[9] For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Read the whole chapter
What do these passages show you about the name of Jesus?
The Holy Spirit
[25] Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. [26] Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. [27] I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.Read the whole chapter
[28] “It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. [29] Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. [30] I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire and columns of smoke. [31] The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. [32] And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord Will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As the Lord has said, Even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.Read the whole chapter
[1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; [2] this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” [3] Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” [4] Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” [5] Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”Read the whole chapter
[44] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. [45] All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. [46] For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, [47] “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” [48] And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.Read the whole chapter
[11] also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, [12] to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. [13] In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, [14] who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. [15] For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, [16] do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. [18] I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might [20] which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22] And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.Read the whole chapter
What do these passages show you about the Holy Spirit and His work?
Hold these together
Scripture is technicolor, where we sometimes want to think in monotone.
What becomes clearer—or more complex—when you let these passages stand beside one another?
And the journey continues…
Responding to Jesus is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of learning to live with Him as Lord.
[23] And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. [24] For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.Read the whole chapter; [4] Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, [6] knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; [7] for he who has died is freed from sin. [8] Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, [9] knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. [10] For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. [11] Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. [12] Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, [13] and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. [14] For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.Read the whole chapter; [6] Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, [7] having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.Read the whole chapter
Following Jesus does not mean we will never fail. When we do, Scripture calls us to repent, confess our sin, receive His forgiveness, and keep turning back toward Him.
[8] If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. [1] My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; [2] and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.Read the whole chapter; [14] Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [15] For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. [16] Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.Read the whole chapter
We are saved by grace, but Scripture also teaches that faith without works is dead. Obedience does not purchase salvation; it is part of what a living faith begins to produce.
[8] For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; [9] not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.Read the whole chapter; [14] What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? [15] If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, [16] and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? [17] Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. [18] But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” [19] You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. [20] But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? [22] You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; [23] and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. [24] You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. [25] In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? [26] For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.Read the whole chapter
Pray. Stay in His Word. Find other believers who will walk with you as you grow. Keep learning, and keep responding in obedience to what God shows you.
[42] They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. [44] And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; [45] and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. [46] Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.Read the whole chapter; [14] You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, [15] and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; [17] so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.Read the whole chapter; [24] and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, [25] not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.Read the whole chapter; [21] He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” [22] Judas (not Iscariot) *said to Him, “Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?” [23] Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.Read the whole chapter
You will hear many voices as you learn to follow Jesus. Mine is only one of them. Keep taking what you hear back to Scripture, keep asking God to teach you, and keep your heart willing to learn.
[20] Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” [21] So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” [22] Jesus *said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” [23] Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”Read the whole chapter
What I believe
A note from Hope
Read the transcript instead
Hopefully, you've just read through a lot of Scripture.
After years of wrestling with these passages, here is what I believe Scripture teaches us.
I do not believe that salvation is earned. I believe it is received as a gift from God, made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus.
I believe that Jesus lived on earth, fully human and fully God, and having lived a sinless life, He died on the cross, taking our sins upon Himself and receiving the punishment we deserved. And three days later, He rose again, having overcome the Enemy.
I believe that we are responsible to respond to this invitation. We have the choice to surrender to Him.
And I believe that believing in Jesus is far more than agreeing that certain things are true. Instead, it should result in a change of master.
James 2:19 gives us the warning:
You believe that God is one. You do well. But the demons also believe, and shudder.
I believe that being baptized in the name of Jesus is important. At the same time, I am not willing to say that someone who has truly sought Him and was baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is therefore outside of salvation. Final judgment belongs to God, not me.
I believe that baptism is far more important than just a public expression of belief. As you read in the Scripture supplied above, there seems to be something more happening when a believer is baptized.
I believe that we receive the Holy Spirit, but that this can happen in any order God has ordained for each follower.
I believe Scripture shows that speaking in tongues can be evidence of His indwelling, but it is not the only evidence. We are also told to look for the fruit of the Spirit in one another.
I believe that the Holy Spirit teaches, convicts, empowers, transforms, produces fruit, and helps us live under Christ's lordship.
Salvation is a gift of grace, but following Jesus is not passive. He calls us to obedience, surrender, and growth.
Following Jesus has far-reaching implications in how we live our life. Every day we choose which master we will follow: Christ or our flesh.
Some days this is easier than others.
Discipleship and sanctification are lifelong pursuits.
In the end, Jesus saves, and we respond.
What are you wrestling with?
Still thinking through something? Made a decision? Either way, I'd love to hear from you.
You can write to me at hope@buttonofsilk.org.