When a person becomes a child of God—truly repenting and surrendering their life to the Lord Jesus—they begin a new life. Their past is erased, and they are spiritually reborn. Salvation is not just a moment of decision but a process involving obedience to God’s commands, including water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38) and continual surrender to the Holy Spirit. On that day, the Spirit comes to dwell within, testifying that the believer is God’s child (Romans 8:16). From this moment, one can be confident that their name is written in the Book of Life and that they have passed from death into life (1 John 3:14), becoming an heir of God’s promises.
THE NECESSITY OF SUFFERING FOR THE RIGHTEOUS
Even after salvation, God’s children must undergo purification and trials. This mirrors the path of Christ Himself. Sanctification involves cleansing from sin and the world’s corruption. We cannot inherit the kingdom while clinging to sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Pride, lust, greed, deceit, and worldly attachments must be removed, just as God purified His temple (Malachi 3:3). Only then can believers partake of the “cup of suffering” that Christ drank (Matthew 26:39).
Although Jesus was sinless—the perfect Branch (Isaiah 11:1)—He experienced part of God’s righteous judgment on the cross for our sins (Isaiah 53:4-5). For those of us who are sinners, this is even more necessary. God’s discipline ensures that believers are tested, refined, and proven. This suffering comes in this life, unlike the ultimate judgment of the unrepentant, which occurs after death (Hebrews 9:27).
1) THE RIGHTEOUS LIVING A HOLY LIFE
Believers will face trials even as they live righteously. 1 Peter 4:13-19 (ESV) explains:
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed… For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
Suffering in this context is not punishment but discipline and refinement, preparing believers for eternal reward. Just as Christ endured rejection, humiliation, and the cross without sin, believers too are tested to prove their faith and maturity (James 1:2-4).
Isaiah 53:4-5, 9-11 (ESV): Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows… but we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities… Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush Him; He has put Him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for sin, He shall see His offspring; He shall prolong His days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
Isaiah 53:4-5, 9-11 (ESV):
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows… but we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities… Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush Him; He has put Him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for sin, He shall see His offspring; He shall prolong His days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
Christ’s suffering was both substitutionary and exemplary: He bore judgment on our behalf while demonstrating faithful obedience, modeling how the righteous are to endure trials without compromising holiness.
2) THE RIGHTEOUS WHEN THEY SIN
Even believers are not exempt from God’s discipline. Hebrews 12:5-11 (ESV) reminds us that God disciplines those He loves:
For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives… For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.
Disobedience, even in small matters, may result in temporary suffering, correction, or loss, just as Ananias and Sapphira faced immediate judgment for deceit (Acts 5:1-11). God’s discipline is always redemptive, aiming to refine our character and align us with His will.
THE PERSECUTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS
Faithfulness often attracts opposition. When a believer abandons sin and fully embraces Christ, the world may resent them. Those who once ignored or admired sin may now oppose righteousness. False teachers, worldly leaders, or even peers may persecute faithful servants of God (John 15:18-20).
2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV): Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV):
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Philippians 1:29 (ESV): For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.
Philippians 1:29 (ESV):
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.
Such trials are God’s means of preparing believers for eternal inheritance. They refine faith, produce perseverance, and demonstrate God’s justice and glory to all (Romans 5:3-5).
THE FINAL JUDGMENT
If the righteous are saved through suffering, where will the sinner appear? Those who reject God in life and persist in sin will stand without hope before the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15). There will be no repentance, only eternal separation from God. Conversely, those who endure trials faithfully, though tested, will inherit eternal life (Matthew 5:10-12).
CALL TO ACTION
Do not delay. If you have not yet turned to Christ, now is the time. Repent, surrender your life, and receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Embrace trials as God’s refining tool and share this message with others so they too may experience the hope of God.
Revelation 3:10 (ESV): Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 3:10 (ESV):
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
Print this post
For a long time, King Solomon sought the wisdom of all things on earth nature, human deeds, and more trying to uncover a single answer that would unlock the doors to BLESSINGS, KNOWLEDGE, LIFE, and PEACE in a person’s life. Solomon embarked on this search for many years, from his youth, guided by the wisdom within him. The Bible even mentions that Solomon explored what others might consider foolishness things that shouldn’t be done by people of God but he did so to uncover whether the answer he was seeking could be hidden in these actions. His goal was to find the key to a life of ease, peace, joy, fulfillment, love, and more.
We can read about Solomon’s investigation in the book of Ecclesiastes. Early in the book, Solomon describes how he set his heart on finding the answer to life. He was willing to try everything that the world offers, yet each time he found that it didn’t hold the key to human life, he labeled it as VANITY. He continued searching, moving from one thing to the next, trying everything he could until he explored every possible avenue on earth nothing was left out. He even explored witchcraft and foreign gods, but in the end, he found them all to be futile, like chasing after the wind.
In Ecclesiastes 1:14, Solomon writes, “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” This verse underlines his realization that earthly pursuits, no matter how glamorous or desirable, cannot satisfy the deeper longings of the human soul.
Finally, in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes, after all his searching and trials, Solomon found the answer he had been looking for all along. It wasn’t easy, and it even cost him his soul in the process, as he engaged in things he shouldn’t have done. But after all the struggle, he discovered the answer.
Solomon compared this search to looking for a rare, specific piece of clothing in the second-hand market. You’ll sift through pile after pile, and it may take a long time perhaps even a lifetime and you might never find it. This is the cost of discovering the true way to live a peaceful and fulfilling life.
Solomon’s search for the meaning of life led him to discover the FORMULA for human existence. By understanding this formula, a person can unlock the toughest doors in their current and future life. Without this understanding, a person may wander aimlessly, struggling and suffering, but once they know it, life becomes easier, filled with peace and joy.
The answer Solomon found is revealed in the conclusion of Ecclesiastes:
Ecclesiastes 12:13-1413 “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, FOR THIS IS THE DUTY OF ALL HUMANS.14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
This is the ultimate answer to life: Fear God and keep His commandments. This is the key that opens every door in life, which previously seemed difficult. Solomon found that true peace, fulfillment, and wisdom come from a relationship with God and from obeying His Word.
In Proverbs 9:10, it is written, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
This verse emphasizes that the foundation of wisdom and understanding begins with the reverence and respect for God, which leads to a life that reflects His commands.
Now, in our modern generation, everything is easier. We often believe that wealth will provide the answers to life’s questions. But Solomon also searched for wealth and material gain, hoping they would bring him the happiness and fulfillment he sought, only to conclude that they were VANITY and LIES.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Solomon’s experience reveals a profound truth: the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, and material success without a foundation in God ultimately leads to emptiness.
Solomon also searched for happiness in relationships and pleasures, including through numerous wives and concubines. Yet, he declared that none of these brought lasting fulfillment.
Ecclesiastes 2:8-9 says, “I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me.”
Yet, despite all his wealth and pleasures, he concluded that it was all vanity.
The Bible warns against waiting too long to seek God’s wisdom and guidance. Solomon urges the young to remember their Creator while they are still in their youth.
In
Ecclesiastes 12:1, he writes, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them.’”
This is a call to turn to God early in life, before the challenges of aging and life’s difficulties make it harder to do so.
Solomon’s final advice is simple yet profound: remember your Creator and obey His commandments. This is the way to live a life of purpose, fulfillment, and peace. The book of Proverbs is filled with guidance on this subject, as Solomon continually emphasizes the importance of wisdom and instruction in following God’s ways.
In Proverbs 4:10-12, Solomon advises, “Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.”
Following God’s wisdom and commands brings stability and peace to life.
As Christians, we understand that the ultimate fulfillment of the wisdom Solomon sought is found in Jesus Christ.
In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus is the key to understanding and living out the wisdom that Solomon spoke about. Through faith in Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live according to God’s will, which leads to eternal peace and fulfillment.
Solomon’s wisdom points us to the need for a relationship with God and the importance of following His commands. Solomon’s journey of searching for meaning in worldly pleasures and achievements only led him to declare them as vanity. Now, we are called to heed his final conclusion: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all humans.
If you have not yet embraced this wisdom, the call remains: turn to God, repent of your sins, and place your trust in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This is the path to true life, peace, and purpose.
May you choose this path today.
“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
In this passage, the Apostle Paul makes a powerful statement:
“I have learned…”
This implies that contentment isn’t natural. It isn’t automatic. It must be taught—learned through experience, often by walking with God through both plenty and lack, joy and sorrow, comfort and hardship.
To be taught is to receive knowledge or understanding that one previously did not possess. Paul openly admits that contentment was something he had to learn. This did not come from mere intellectual study but from being trained by God through real-life challenges and seasons.
What was one of the key lessons Paul was taught?
How to be full and how to be hungry. How to abound and how to suffer need.
God allowed Paul to go through both abundance and lack so he could learn that his satisfaction did not come from external circumstances, but from Christ alone. This is the spiritual discipline of contentment, deeply rooted in faith.
One of God’s ways of forming mature believers is by allowing them to experience both extremes:
As Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) reminds us:
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”
Why does God do this? So that we will learn to trust Him fully, not based on how much we have, but based on who He is. The aim is for us to become spiritually stable, emotionally grounded, and unwavering—regardless of what we face.
In many world militaries, a new recruit goes through intense basic training—sometimes involving psychological and emotional stress. This is not done to abuse them, but to harden them for battle.
They are stripped of comforts and treated harshly. Why? To break panic reflexes and train them to respond with discipline and strategy, not emotion. As a result, a soldier can experience trauma—like the death of a comrade—and continue fighting with focus.
But the average civilian, when faced with loss or hardship, is likely to collapse emotionally. Why? Because one has been trained, and the other has not.
Likewise, before God entrusts us with spiritual responsibility, He brings us through a kind of spiritual bootcamp. We are trained—not in physical combat—but in spiritual endurance.
We must learn, as Paul did, to:
This is spiritual maturity.
Before entering the Promised Land, Israel was led through the wilderness. They faced hunger, thirst, and testing—not because God abandoned them, but because He was training them.
Deuteronomy 8:2–3 (NIV)
“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
God intentionally allowed them to hunger, but not to kill them. Rather, to teach them a deeper truth: Our survival isn’t ultimately sustained by food, but by the Word of God.
This lesson was echoed in the life of Christ.
In Matthew 4:1–4 (NKJV), after fasting 40 days, Jesus was tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread. But Jesus responded:
“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
Why could Jesus respond like this? Because He had been trained. He had learned that true sustenance comes not from physical provision, but from intimacy with the Father.
Paul didn’t preach the gospel for money. He didn’t stop preaching when he had none. His mission was not fueled by his bank account, but by the mind of Christ within him.
Even though he had every right to receive support from the churches he planted (see 1 Corinthians 9:11–15), he often chose to forgo that support—not out of pride, but to prove a point:
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content…” (Philippians 4:11–13, NKJV)
Paul’s identity and calling were not shaken by whether he had plenty or nothing. His source was Christ.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)
Have we been taught to be content?
True spiritual maturity says:
“Whether I have much or little, whether I’m known or unknown, whether I have opportunities or closed doors—I will serve the Lord.”
The goal is to reach a point where we can confidently say:
“I have been taught to be content.”
If we haven’t yet reached that place, let’s not be discouraged. Let’s ask the Lord to teach us, just as He taught Paul.
When we face seasons of hardship, let us remember: They are not meant to destroy us—but to form us.
And when Christ returns, He will reward all who endured faithfully with Him—those who passed through the fire and did not quit.
“Lord, teach me to be content. Whether I have little or much, may I find my satisfaction in You alone. Train my heart to remain faithful in every season. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Please share the good news of the cross with others—by word, by life, or by any means God gives you.
Be blessed.
WhatsApp
John 3:3‑8 (NIV) 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
(ESV is very similar in these verses in its wording, especially in 5–6.)
Here are some theological elements and clarifications that give deeper understanding to what being “born again” means, what “water and Spirit” possibly refer to, and how the imagery of wind (or the Spirit) functions in the Christian life.
Here is an updated version of the message, integrating these theological nuances, as if written by a native speaker of English:
The Wind of the Spirit
Jesus declared in John 3 (NIV/ESV) that a person must be born again—born of water and of the Spirit—in order to see and enter the Kingdom of God. Unless one undergoes this spiritual rebirth, the Kingdom remains invisible and inaccessible.
When He says “born of water and the Spirit,” He isn’t speaking of two separate, sequential births, but of one unified work of God:
We are born once physically (of flesh), but that alone leaves us spiritually dead. We need the new birth—God’s supernatural work. It’s not human effort; we can’t renew ourselves. We must receive God’s Spirit. This is regeneration.
Jesus uses the image of wind to help Nicodemus—and us—grasp how the Spirit’s work is both mysterious and real: you hear it, sense it, but don’t position it or direct it. It comes from God and leads where He wills.
This explains radical changes in a believer’s life. When someone truly meets Christ, their desires, values, behaviors change—not primarily by will-power, but by the Spirit working within: hatred for sin, hunger for God’s Word, new compassion, moral transformation. External demonstrations follow the inner reality.
Ezekiel 36 and other Old Testament passages promised this. Jesus is saying: “That promise is here. The Kingdom is breaking in.”
If you haven’t yet made that decision—turn from sin, receive Christ—you’re not missing a ritual. You’re missing the life-transforming power of the Spirit. The Christian life without the Spirit’s new birth is like hearing wind’s sound, but not knowing where it comes from or where it goes—you sense something, but you lack substance and power.
Be baptized (in accordance with your understanding and conviction), repent sincerely, invite the Holy Spirit—you’ll find that inner transformation. And you’ll recognize that the Spirit’s wind is real, unseen but mighty, pushing you into God’s purpose for your life.
After the fall of Adam and Eve, God not only drove them from the Garden of Eden but also cursed the ground because of their sin:
Genesis 3:17–19 (NKJV) “Then to Adam He said, ‘Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, “You shall not eat of it”: Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you… In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground.'”
This curse signified more than just agricultural hardship. It was a cosmic consequence of sin (cf. Romans 8:20–22), affecting all creation. Man, formed from the dust (Genesis 2:7), would now return to it, and all creatures—also formed from the ground—were subjected to this futility.
This illustrates an essential theological truth: sin never only affects the sinner; it defiles the environment, relationships, and all creation. The fall disrupted not only fellowship with God but harmony with the entire created order.
The curse intensified with Cain’s sin of murder:
Genesis 4:10–12 (NKJV) “And He said, ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth… When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.’”
Here, the curse evolves from general hardship to personal divine judgment, suggesting that human wickedness amplifies the brokenness of creation.
This progressive curse reveals a pattern: increased sin invites increased divine response—not always through immediate destruction, but through the deepening groan of creation (Romans 8:22).
Then comes a prophetic moment:
Genesis 5:29 (NKJV) “And he called his name Noah, saying, ‘This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed.’”
The name Noah (נֹחַ – Noach) means “rest” or “comfort.” Lamech, Noah’s father, speaks prophetically, hinting at a messianic typology—a theme fulfilled ultimately in Christ.
Theologically, Noah is seen as a type (foreshadowing) of Christ:
This typology is crucial: Noah’s ark points forward to Christ, who is our Ark of Salvation. Just as Noah saved a remnant from God’s judgment through obedience, so Christ saves us from God’s wrath through His obedience (Romans 5:19).
After the flood, Noah built an altar and offered burnt offerings, and God responded with a covenant:
Genesis 8:20–21 (NKJV) “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord… and offered burnt offerings… And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth…'”
Here, we witness the power of substitutionary atonement. Noah’s offering pointed ahead to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
Genesis 9:11–13 (NKJV) “Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood… I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.”
The rainbow becomes a symbol of mercy, yet it does not mean the curse was fully lifted. Suffering and death continued (cf. Genesis 11, the Tower of Babel). The earth remained under judgment, awaiting a more perfect Redeemer.
The apostle Paul speaks directly to this:
Romans 8:20–22 (NKJV) “For the creation was subjected to futility… because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”
The curse was paused, not removed. The final removal will come not through water, but fire:
2 Peter 3:7 (NKJV) “But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
Just as Noah was a righteous man in a corrupt world, so Christ was the sinless man in a sinful world. Just as Noah offered a pleasing sacrifice, so Christ offered Himself (Hebrews 9:14). Just as Noah saved a few, Christ offers salvation to all who enter His “ark”—the Gospel.
1 Peter 3:20–21 (NKJV) “…eight souls were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism… through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
The flood prefigured baptism—the judgment of the old and the birth of the new.
Jesus Himself declared:
Matthew 24:37 (NKJV) “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
Just like in Noah’s time, people today are indifferent to divine warnings. They live in sin, pleasure, and rebellion, unaware that judgment is coming—not by flood, but by fire.
Revelation 21:1 (NKJV) “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…”
Just as the earth was once renewed after the flood, it will one day be fully renewed in righteousness (2 Peter 3:13).
God delays judgment not out of negligence but out of mercy:
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise… but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
Repentance is not mere remorse—it’s a complete turning away from sin, followed by baptism:
Acts 2:38 (NKJV) “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…’”
Jesus Christ is our Noah. The time to enter His ark—His Word, His body, His salvation—is now. Once the door is shut (Luke 13:25), judgment will fall.
He will soon return, destroy the present world system, and restore the earth. A new Eden is coming—a paradise without pain, death, or sin (Revelation 21:4).
Isaiah 65:17 (NKJV) “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.”
May the Lord bless you.
The dictionary defines “inheritance” as receiving property after the death of its owner. In Scripture, too, inheritance often rests on the principle that ownership transfers only after death, either literally or symbolically (as in a covenant or will). Thus, an heir may manage or steward an inheritance ahead of time, but only after the “testator” (the one giving) dies does the inheritance legally (and fully) become theirs.
In a spiritual sense, this parallels what the Bible teaches: God made a covenant with His people, promising them an inheritance that becomes theirs through Christ’s death and resurrection.
Hebrews 9:16‑17 (NIV) says:
“In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.”
Here the author of Hebrews is arguing that the New Covenant—the inheritance God promises us—could not take effect until Christ died. Without the death, there is no legal transfer of what is promised. In theological terms, Christ’s death is the “price” or the “guarantee” (KJV: “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins,” Hebrews 9:22) for the inheritance.
In Hebrews 9:15 (NIV) the inheritance promised under the New Covenant is described as “eternal redemption” and a “promised eternal inheritance” for those called and cleansed by Christ’s blood.
When Paul prays in Ephesians 1:18 (NIV), he asks that believers might know “the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”
The heirs are those who are in Christ, those who have trusted in Him, been regenerated by the Spirit, and live in covenant relationship with God. Paul refers to them variously as saints, God’s children, co-heirs with Christ. The promise of inheritance is tied to faith and to Christ’s finished work.
To understand why Christ’s death is central to inheritance, it helps to consider:
This inheritance is both already and not yet:
Because wording sometimes affects nuance, here are a few version-related notes:
When we study the Old Testament, we find the stories of faithful men and women—patriarchs, prophets, kings, and servants of God. They were chosen, used mightily, and blessed by the Lord, yet many of their lives were marked by imperfection. Why?
Because the Mosaic Law, though holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12), was never meant to perfect mankind—it served as a temporary guide, a shadow of the reality that was to come in Christ (Hebrews 10:1).
Romans 8:3 (NKJV) “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son…”
Let’s consider King David. The Bible calls him “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), yet he committed acts that today would be considered sinful—he married many wives (2 Samuel 5:13), and he orchestrated the death of Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11). His son Solomon took it further with 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3).
Despite these, God still used David and blessed him—but we must understand this was not a license for sin, nor was it a pattern for us to follow today. These actions were tolerated under the Old Covenant due to the hardness of human hearts, not because they aligned with God’s perfect will.
Acts 17:30 (NKJV) “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent…”
Matthew 19:8 (NKJV) “He said to them, ‘Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.’”
Jesus did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it—to complete, embody, and clarify it. He showed us the spiritual depth behind the commandments, which were often misunderstood or reduced to external observances.
Matthew 5:17–18 (NKJV) “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
Colossians 2:17 (NKJV) “…which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
The Old Covenant—including its priesthood, sacrifices, temple rituals, and moral regulations—pointed forward to Christ. They were incomplete without Him.
Hebrews 10:1 (NKJV) “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never… make those who approach perfect.”
It’s a dangerous misinterpretation to say, “David wasn’t baptized, so I don’t need to be” or “David had many wives, so polygamy must be acceptable.” This thinking ignores the progressive revelation of God’s will, which was fully revealed in Christ.
Jesus said:
John 3:3 (NKJV) “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
And again:
Mark 16:16 (NKJV) “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Baptism is not optional—it is an act of obedience and the public testimony of our new life in Christ (Romans 6:3–4; Acts 2:38).
Jesus restored God’s original design for marriage—one man, one woman, united for life (Genesis 2:24).
Matthew 19:9 (NKJV) “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery…”
While Moses permitted divorce due to human weakness, Jesus affirms that God’s original design never included divorce or polygamy.
Many false doctrines have arisen—such as purgatory, or the idea that the dead can be prayed into heaven. But Scripture is clear:
Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV) “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…”
There is no “second chance” after death. Once a person dies, their eternal destiny is sealed—either with Christ in paradise or separated from Him in eternal judgment (Luke 16:19–31; Revelation 20:11–15).
David was a great man of faith, but he is not our final example. Jesus is. David sinned and needed God’s mercy just like the rest of us. But Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15) and is the only perfect standard we are called to follow.
John 14:6 (NKJV) “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”
Matthew 17:5 (NKJV) “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
Acts 4:12 (NKJV) “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Do not rely on traditions, partial truths, or the examples of Old Testament saints. Christ is the fulfillment of all things. Trust in Him, obey His words, and receive the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 1:1–4 (NKJV) “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son… who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person… sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels…”
These are the final hours of mercy. Share this message with others so they too can come to know the full truth of the gospel and be saved.
Be blessed—and may you walk in the fullness of God’s revealed will through Christ Jesus.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” — Matthew 5:6, ESV
Hunger has the power to change perception. When someone is hungry, even bitter food can seem sweet. But when a person is full, even the richest meal loses its appeal. The book of Proverbs puts it this way:
“One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.” (Proverbs 27:7, ESV)
This is not just about physical hunger—it’s a reflection of the spiritual condition of the soul. A soul that hungers for God is willing to embrace even the hard truths of Scripture with joy. But a soul that is self-satisfied—filled with pride, tradition, or spiritual complacency—will reject even the sweetest parts of God’s Word.
Scripture frequently compares the Word of God to honey, highlighting not just its sweetness, but also its eternal value and life-giving nature.
“My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 24:13–14, ESV)
Honey in the Bible symbolizes:
King David echoed this when he wrote:
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103, ESV)
One of the greatest dangers to the Christian walk is spiritual complacency. When we believe we’ve “arrived,” when we view our denomination, knowledge, or religious status as enough, we lose our hunger—and with it, our capacity to taste the sweetness of truth.
This was the problem of the Pharisees. They had the law, tradition, and status, but they had no hunger for righteousness. When Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:35), stood before them, they rejected Him.
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” (John 5:39–40, ESV)
Like the Pharisees, we too can become so “full” of religious activity that we stop seeking the living Word.
A soul that hungers for righteousness will obey the Word, even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or countercultural.
Consider the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. After hearing the gospel from Philip, he didn’t wait for a religious service or a ceremony—he acted immediately.
“And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ … And they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:36–38, ESV)
This kind of instant obedience is the mark of spiritual hunger.
When the Bible gives hard instructions, such as:
The “full” person makes excuses. They say:
But the hungry person sees even these commands as sweet. They don’t argue with Scripture—they submit to it.
Paul warned Timothy about this attitude in the last days:
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” (2 Timothy 4:3, ESV)
When God’s Word says one thing and your tradition says another, whom will you follow?
Jesus confronted this issue head-on:
“And he said to them, ‘You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!’” (Mark 7:9, ESV)
Let us be people who hunger for God’s truth more than we cling to denominational labels, cultural habits, or religious customs. If God’s Word says to abandon image worship, we must obey—even if it offends our upbringing. If it says to dress with modesty and purity, we obey—even if it costs us popularity.
Why? Because we want heaven, not just religion.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6, ESV)
God doesn’t fill those who are full of themselves—He fills those who hunger for Him. The question is: Are you hungry?
As long as you are hungry, keep eating honey—keep consuming the Word. But if you find yourself losing that hunger, be careful: nothing else will satisfy your soul.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8, ESV)
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35, ESV)
Remain rooted in the Word. Stay hungry for truth. Don’t settle for tradition, popularity, or religious status—press in for righteousness.
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6, ESV)
May you always be blessed, you who earnestly seek the Lord.
DO YOU KNOW THE TRUE GOD?
When the Lord first brought the Israelites out of Egypt, He did not find them perfect as He desired. This was because during their time in Egypt, there was no proper system for worshiping the true God (Yahweh). The Israelites had only a shallow knowledge of the God of Abraham. They carried vague traditions — that long ago, God appeared to their father Abraham and made many promises (Genesis 12:1-3). They had heard how God brought famine on the land and revealed future events to Joseph (Genesis 41), but they didn’t fully understand the nature or holiness of God. They only knew He was powerful and would rescue them from trouble.
As the Israelites lived for generations in Egypt without fresh revelation, their understanding blurred. They began to think of the God of Jacob as one of many gods, like the Egyptian pantheon (Exodus 32:1-4). They assumed that God could be represented by idols, as the Egyptians did. Observing that Egyptians sacrificed to their idols yet prospered, they wrongly concluded the God of Israel was similar — sacrifices could be offered without personal holiness or moral transformation.
This misunderstanding was common in ancient times. People often interpret God according to their cultural surroundings. For example, a visitor might expect a family to behave like their own but be surprised when customs differ. The Israelites’ mindset was similarly shaped by Egyptian culture and false religious practices.
God knew their hearts were not yet ready. This is why He led them through the wilderness for 40 years before entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33-34). The wilderness was a place of testing, teaching, and revelation (Deuteronomy 8:2). It was there God gave the Law — the Ten Commandments and other instructions — to reveal His holiness and character (Exodus 20).
After their miraculous deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12), the Israelites quickly began to complain (Exodus 15-17). Why? Because they did not yet understand that God is holy and hates rebellion and grumbling (Isaiah 1:13-17). They treated Him like Egyptian gods — distant and powerless to respond to complaints.
They even made a golden calf to worship (Exodus 32), an act of idolatry showing their failure to grasp God’s holiness and exclusivity. They thought God could fail them, so they sought alternatives.
Their sins angered God because they showed ignorance of His true nature. They misunderstood that God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not just another god, but the one true, sovereign, holy God (Deuteronomy 6:4).
It took a long time for Israel to learn this. When God gave them the Law, He declared Himself to be the only God worthy of worship and called His people to be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45, ESV: “For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.”). This call to holiness is central to the covenant relationship — God’s people must reflect His character.
Israel’s gradual understanding shows us how important revelation and obedience are in truly knowing God.
Understanding God in the New Testament
The New Testament continues this call to holiness. Believers are urged to prepare their minds, be self-controlled, and set their hope fully on Christ’s grace (1 Peter 1:13-17, ESV). They must not return to former ignorance or worldly desires but be holy in all conduct, because God who calls is holy.
Paul also warns in Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) to offer ourselves as living sacrifices and not be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewal of our minds, that we may discern God’s will.
Practical Application
You cannot say you are delivered from sin yet continue in idolatry, immorality, drunkenness, or blasphemy (Galatians 5:19-21, ESV). True conversion involves repentance and holiness (Hebrews 12:14, ESV: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord”).
Worldly customs like immodest dress, obsession with appearance, and behaviors rooted in pagan or worldly culture contradict the holiness God requires (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
A Call to Repentance and Faith
If you want to walk with God, repent and seek true understanding. God cares about both spirit and conduct (James 2:14-26). Holiness is not optional for His followers.
Baptism by immersion in Jesus’ name is essential as a public declaration of your faith and part of your salvation journey (Acts 2:38, ESV).
In Summary
Prayer
May you come to truly know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the Holy One who calls you to holiness and eternal life through Jesus Christ.
The story of the man born blind in John 9:1–41 is one many have read or heard numerous times. Yet, there is a profound truth within it something hidden, which every believer needs to reflect on carefully. Take time to read the passage again, this time with a quiet heart and a seeking mind. Then, let us ask: Is divine intervention in our lives always a sign that we’ve truly encountered Christ? Does receiving healing or success mean we’ve seen His face?
Let’s read it again together:
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him… 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
Why did Jesus send him to wash in the Pool of Siloam rather than healing him on the spot? Could Jesus not have opened his eyes right then and there?
Jesus chose to use the process involving obedience, movement, and faith. The pool is named Siloam, meaning Sent, symbolizing Christ Himself as the One sent by the Father (John 3:17).
This teaches us that spiritual breakthroughs often require obedience before full revelation is received. God’s work in us unfolds over time, not always instantly.
Physically, yes his eyes were opened. But did he truly see Christ? Did he recognize Him?
Surprisingly, no. After receiving his sight, he didn’t even know who Jesus was. He couldn’t identify Him, didn’t know His face or where He went. He simply returned home, resuming his normal life. It wasn’t until much later after interrogation, rejection, and isolation that he truly encountered Christ.
When the man began publicly speaking of Jesus, he was questioned, challenged, and rejected:
In that era, being “put out of the synagogue” was a severe punishment. It meant total rejection social, religious, and familial isolation. The Jewish culture was fully interwoven with religion; being removed from the synagogue meant losing identity, community, and respect.
John 9:34 “They answered him, ‘You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?’ And they cast him out.”
Only after being cast out did Jesus find him again:
John 9:35-38 “Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ He answered, ‘And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.’ He said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him.”
He had received his physical sight earlier but only now does he see Christ spiritually, personally, intimately. And when he sees Him, he worships.
Today, many say they’ve “seen God” simply because their prayers were answered: a job came through, a disease was healed, or a door was opened. But the question remains:
Have you truly met Christ? Have you seen His face?
Receiving blessings from God is not the same as encountering the Person of Jesus. The man born blind didn’t know Jesus when he was healed he only met Him after he was rejected by the world and remained faithful to the truth.
Like his parents, many believe in secret but won’t confess Christ in public fearing rejection.
John 12:42-43 (ESV) “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”
True encounter with Christ often comes outside the camp, in the place of rejection, where the world and even religious institutions have cast you aside.
Hebrews 13:13 (ESV) “Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.”
Jesus is not always found within the structures of religion, denomination, or titles. He is often found outside, where the rejected, humble, and sincere seek Him.
1 Peter 2:7 (ESV) “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
Christ is the Stone many religious builders rejected. But He is the true foundation. If you’re looking for Him among the proud, the powerful, or the popular you might miss Him.
Luke 13:24 (ESV) “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”
The way to Christ is narrow, difficult, and often lonely. It requires denial of self, taking up your cross, and being willing to be misunderstood or rejected.
Matthew 16:24 (ESV) “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Maybe you’ve been to your own “Pool of Siloam”a church, a crusade, a prayer mountain, a prophet’s meeting and received healing or deliverance. But the real question is:
Have you met Jesus Himself? Have you seen His face?
You can receive a miracle and still not know the Miracle Worker. The blind man received sight, but only when he stood boldly for Christ and endured rejection, did he finally encounter Jesus and say:
“Lord, I believe.” (John 9:38)
Revelation 3:20 (ESV) “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
Jesus desires fellowship, not just religious observance. But you must open the door even if it means rejection by the world.
If you’re only looking for Christ in your blessings, in success, or in religion you may never truly see Him. But if you’re willing to stand with Him in truth, even when it costs you everything, He will reveal His face to you.
Matthew 5:8 (ESV) “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Let us seek Him with all our hearts, walk the narrow way, and be willing to be cast out so that, like the blind man, we may one day truly see Him, and say:
“Lord, I believe.”