For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life ~ John 3:16
Most are familiar with John 3:16. This verse captures the essence of God's love for us and His ultimate provision for our greatest need - salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. To deepen our understanding of God's sacrifice, we can turn to the story of Abraham's obedience in Genesis 22:1-14. Imagine the immense faith and trust it took for Abraham to be willing to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, at God's command. Abraham's unfaltering obedience showcased his unwavering trust in God's plan. We, too, must be willing to give whatever it takes to trust in God's provision. The secret is to "Just Believe" that God will provide presently and for eternity.
In the well-known story of Abraham, we encounter the name of God as "Jehovah Jireh," which means "The Lord will provide." This name signifies God's provision throughout theology. Just as God provided a substitute sacrifice for Abraham, He provided Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world. This act of provision exemplifies God's boundless love and grace towards humanity. The message conveyed here is that, like Abraham and other faithful individuals, we need to trust God and believe He will care for us now and in the hereafter. To better understand this reality, envision yourself within a circle representing time. If you were to lift this circle, you would find yourself in eternity. Many struggle to see beyond time and consequently live self-centered lives, missing out entirely on God's eternal provisions.
Attaining eternal life or God's kingdom requires earnest seeking. We need to prioritize seeking the kingdom to seek it genuinely. To achieve this, we must embrace the practice of simplicity - living a life free from the duplicity of the world's ways. By trusting in God's provision, we can release the burdens of anxiety, worry, and fear and experience the freedom we and God desire. Another essential practice that unlocks God's provision is the habit of study. Through disciplined study, we can renew our minds and align our thoughts with God's ways and wisdom. The goal is to replace old destructive habits of thought with new, life-giving ones. As we develop this habit, incredible things happen - our lives are transformed, and we bear the fruit of the Spirit, known as goodness.
When we trust in God and live a simple life through diligent study, we can experience His abundant provision, no matter our circumstances, situations, or relationships. It all comes down to our choices and free will. By following God's will, we can uncover the life He has meant for us. It's a straightforward decision: choose freedom over bondage by having faith and trusting in God's provision as we pursue the life He intended for us from the beginning. Again, the secret is to "Just Believe" that God will provide presently and for eternity.
With eternal belief,