WORDS IN RED

HEAR THEM

47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. John 12:46-50 (KJV)

 

            It seems, according to John chapter 12, that these words were spoken on Palm Sunday.  To hear his words is to accept his words.  To not hear his words is to turn him away.  How important it is to accept the words of Jesus?  It is easy to read his words or listen to his words but it is quite a different thing to accept and make his words a part of our character and life.

            Take full hold on his words.  “I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” Christ was authorized by Heaven to judge each of us but he was on a mission not of judgment but of salvation.  We should note also that he was fully qualified to be our salvation at Calvary.  “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”  He was lifted up on Calvary’s cross to save us.  The cross still has a wondrous attraction to men today.  I was drown to that old cross thirty-seven years ago but often I still I need to visit the place where my salvation was purchased.  Occasionally I need to hear “It is finished.”  I still need to see those arms outstretched for me. 

            Do not miss what he says.  In verse fifty he says “And I know that his commandment is life everlasting.”  So we must accept what he says because it has eternal consequences.  The word of God is eternal life; to reject it is to suffer eternal doom, to accept it is everlasting peace and joy.    We need to be that man or woman who hears his words and believes.  One should not read his word and forget it but read it and believe it, allowing it to establish and take root in his or her life.  God doesn’t speak to kill us but to give us life.  He wants to help us live and live better.  We may be a saved individual but there is always room for improvement.  To hear his words is to possess a desire for growth.  We should be reading his word all the time looking for those words that will draw us closer to God than ever before.  God’s word is a treasure so as we read we should always be looking for new discovery in his age old word.  One may have read a passage a thousand times but the next time may hold the key to a life changing moment.

            Dear fellow believer: when it comes to the words of Christ, read them and believe; hear them and trust them; receive them and put them into practice.  Let your life show your appreciation for his blessed Words in Red.

Yours in Christ,

 

Brother Randy Burtram

 

(Originally published March 29, 2015)