It's A Given

John 3:27-28 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. (28) Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. (KJV)

Back in the Lord’s short time here on this earth people were looking for a Messiah to manifest which they thought would take place in the outward realm; some wonderful spectacular event for all the world to see. While many continue today to look in the outward realm also, or as we see in the above verses at other men as their savior; few understand what was truly given to us from the Father which is manifested and brought to light through His Son, the hidden inward man. What are you receiving today; is your information and knowledge coming from above, or are you settling for second hand knowledge of man that is limited by their carnal thinking? Do you know for sure that the steps you take today are of faith; in other words those that God is asking of you, or are you following some man-made plan of salvation that doesn’t quite add up to our Lord’s standards? Salvation is a gift given to mankind from above, and just as you would be offended to give something of value to someone close to you only to find out it wasn’t appreciated or that they didn’t take the time to read the instructions before putting it to use; how it must hurt our Father to have so much to give to mankind only to see it ignored and discarded for a cheap imitation.

Psalms 37:23-26 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (24) Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (25) I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (26) He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. (KJV)

Where are you heading today, and who is truly directing your path? Are you taking the time to receive your instructions from above knowing they are in order with our Lord, doing the things that are pleasing in His sight? Even though at times we do sin and fall short of the glory, the Lord is not casting us aside but rather like with a parent teaching a child to walk, He is there with His hand outstretched ready to pick us up again and get us back on the path of life.

John 15:4-8 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (6) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (KJV)

Again we see the word nothing, which without the Lord’s leading and guiding in our walk we cannot do those things that are pleasing in His sight. As a branch grafted into the tree of life the only way we can live and continue in this new life is if we continue to receive our nutrients from the source. As newborn spiritual beings in Christ we need to receive and continue to nurture this new being inside us with spiritual food and drink in order to maintain a healthy relationship with our Father. Those that reject our Lord’s plan of salvation have broken off the line of communication with their Father; they are no longer receiving His living waters and they will dry up and die of thirst, eventually being burned.

John 3:14-18 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (16) 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. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (KJV)

God gave us a Savior, and gave Him a name above all names so that those that received this revelation should not perish but have eternal life through this name. Verses 15&16 use the words ‘should not’ not ‘would not’, because the choice is still ours to choose this day who we will truly serve and whether or not we will truly receive the gift of God which is eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:7-12 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? (8) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, (9) If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; (10) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (11) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)

God gave mankind access to eternal life, and only one name under heaven gives us this life so that we should not perish but receive our eternal reward as well. It’s a given to the people of God who our one mediator between us and God is; as well as the whole name that will make us whole and complete in Him, that being Jesus Christ. It’s a given, have you got it?

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.