Daily Bread - Nov 23 2006
John 3:16 - "For God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

God was so earnest to redeem man that "He spared not His own Son" in order to bring us into relationship with Himself (Romans 8:32). This amazing action of God's love underscores God's desperation to have fellowship with us. All that God asks of us is to believe (pisteuo) in Jesus (1 John 5:11, 13).

To believe is simply to act in faith. God did not even leave faith in the sphere of our own human ability but has supplied it to us by His Spirit which He has given to us (1 Corinthians 12:9; Galatians 3:2; 5:22). Faith is a gift that has come to us from God and unless we move in this faith we cannot please Him (Romans 12:3; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 11:6).

When we observe Abraham's life we learn that he was counted righteous because he believed what God said and was willing to obey Him.

If there is any one attribute that characterizes Job it was his absolute confidence in his relationship with God. When Job's wife and comforters attempted to convince Job to give up on God's favorable relationship with him he was unmovable. Job's confidence in God was fervently expressed in this verse: "My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live" (Job 27:6). Certainly, it was through Job's belief in his redeemer, whom he had come to know by revelation, that he was able to have such confidence - a belief expressed when he said, "For I know that my redeemer lives and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" (Job 19:25).

All that Father has asked of us is to believe the testimony that He has given to us of His Son. He wants us to lay hold on what Jesus has done for us and not doubt His love for us for one second. We must be willing to be unmovable and unshakeable from the fact that God so loved us that He gave Jesus to die for us so that we may possess His righteousness!

Do not allow yourself to waiver from this so great salvation. Never trust in yourself but trust in Jesus who died and rose again so that you might be saved. Never allow anything or anyone to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Never allow anyone to cause you to doubt the salvation that He has given to you. Find yourself safe and secure in Him where there is no condemnation.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org