Our paragraph topic is: (Parable of the two sons) Part 7.
I remember when I attended college we had to take a required philosophy course. One of the main questions in that course dealt with the idea of our senses. Do I exist in this world; what proof do I have? Can I believe what I see? What I touch is it real? How do I know? Can I believe what I smell? What is this that I taste, is it real?
We are rational beings. We order our world so that it makes sense to us. Those things that do not make sense to us causes confusion and disbelief. The chief priest and the scribes did not believe that Jesus was the Christ. They thought he was a charlatan. Christ gave them the opportunity to believe but they were not open, even after they saw that others were seeing and believing. He told them: "Whereas you, seeing it, did not even repent afterwards, that you might believe him."
They saw the miracles. They heard the word. They witnessed the cures of others and yet still did not, could not believe. What held them back? What prevented them from believing what they were seeing so that they could repent? Could they not make sense of what they were seeing? Could they not understand the reality of what was happening to the world around them? Or were they so far down the road of disbelief that they could not turn around?
Christ told his disciples that many prophets and kings have desired to see what they were seeing and hear what they were hearing. They were blessed to be in the presence of the Living God, a privilege that others had only dreamed about. Yet those who had this privilege did not or could not understand how blessed they were. Blessed are those who have not seen yet still believe.
Why do I write what I write? Who will read such? Who will believe such? How many will understand? How many will believe? At a younger age in high school, I found peace in my life through the church. I was happy and full of joy. Yet as I grew older and ventured into the world, peace was something that I could not find. So distraught and depressed was I that I was without hope, even to the point of ending the life that was given to me.
Yet a still voice within me encouraged me to seek my answer in the Bible, the New Testament, the words of Christ Jesus. I had heard those words many times before but not to the extent of the complete reading of it. And reading the whole Bible, all the words of Christ, I was able to find peace. I wept. I cried. I asked for forgiveness. For I was lost in the world without a foundation, a rock to stand upon. Now I have a foundation of grace, forgiveness, and love. And this foundation gives me peace in the world. I believe. I see. I know. I am in him.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
I remember when I attended college we had to take a required philosophy course. One of the main questions in that course dealt with the idea of our senses. Do I exist in this world; what proof do I have? Can I believe what I see? What I touch is it real? How do I know? Can I believe what I smell? What is this that I taste, is it real?
We are rational beings. We order our world so that it makes sense to us. Those things that do not make sense to us causes confusion and disbelief. The chief priest and the scribes did not believe that Jesus was the Christ. They thought he was a charlatan. Christ gave them the opportunity to believe but they were not open, even after they saw that others were seeing and believing. He told them: "Whereas you, seeing it, did not even repent afterwards, that you might believe him."
They saw the miracles. They heard the word. They witnessed the cures of others and yet still did not, could not believe. What held them back? What prevented them from believing what they were seeing so that they could repent? Could they not make sense of what they were seeing? Could they not understand the reality of what was happening to the world around them? Or were they so far down the road of disbelief that they could not turn around?
Christ told his disciples that many prophets and kings have desired to see what they were seeing and hear what they were hearing. They were blessed to be in the presence of the Living God, a privilege that others had only dreamed about. Yet those who had this privilege did not or could not understand how blessed they were. Blessed are those who have not seen yet still believe.
Why do I write what I write? Who will read such? Who will believe such? How many will understand? How many will believe? At a younger age in high school, I found peace in my life through the church. I was happy and full of joy. Yet as I grew older and ventured into the world, peace was something that I could not find. So distraught and depressed was I that I was without hope, even to the point of ending the life that was given to me.
Yet a still voice within me encouraged me to seek my answer in the Bible, the New Testament, the words of Christ Jesus. I had heard those words many times before but not to the extent of the complete reading of it. And reading the whole Bible, all the words of Christ, I was able to find peace. I wept. I cried. I asked for forgiveness. For I was lost in the world without a foundation, a rock to stand upon. Now I have a foundation of grace, forgiveness, and love. And this foundation gives me peace in the world. I believe. I see. I know. I am in him.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
