19/11/2022
*DAILY ⓂANNA*
SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER, 2022
_It is advisable you read the text first_
*NO EXCUSE*
📜TEXT:JOHN 3:14-21📜
🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"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" (JOHN 3:18).*_
A man is never so "fit for believing" as when, in himself, he is most unfit. It is unfitness not fitness that is really required. What is fitness for being washed? Filth and filth alone. What is fitness for receiving alms? Poverty, abject need. What is fitness for receiving pardon? Guilt and only guilt. If you are guilty, if you are black with sin, if you are foul, you have all the fitness that is required. So, come and find in Jesus Christ all that meets your greatest and most urgent need. If you are never saved until you, an unpardoned sinner, have all objections answered, you will never be saved, because there are a thousand objections to the salvation of any man, which can only be met by the blood of Jesus.
The text today tells us of the love of God for the world exhibited by giving His only begotten Son to be crucified on the cross for the salvation of the world. Simple faith in the atonement of Christ will give everlasting life, but those who do not believe condemn themselves.
Daily, we are confronted with the challenge of taking decisions. Some are minor and routine decisions, which require not much thoughtfulness to make because they have no far-reaching consequences. Others are more critical, major decisions, which require promptness, decisiveness as well as clear understanding and appreciation of their consequences. The latter includes the decision of your faith.
Dear reader, what if you are to reach the end of your life's journey tonight, where will you spend eternity? You condemn yourself if you do not believe in the Son of God and the atonement by His blood. Why still halt between two opinions? Come just as you are - dirty, filthy and guilty. Jesus has not come to condemn anyone but to save sinners. You have no excuse not to be saved.
✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*You condemn yourself by not believing in Christ.*_
📜THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:*2 KINGS 16-17*📜
*MEDITATION*
*A life changing look of faith*
*1. The analogy of salvation by faith* Numbers 21:5-9.
a. Sin caused Israel to be bitten by deadly serpents and many died.
b. Moses was commanded to make a serpent of brass and lift it up with a tree.
c. A mere look at the lifeless serpent brought a miracle of healing and deliverance from death.
d. What is the significance of this?
i. It takes faith to look at the serpent. Without faith, it is foolishness looking at it for healing.
ii. It takes confidence in the word of God spoken by Moses before "looking" is taken serious.
iii. Rather than being bitter at Moses, they obeyed him, which is an indication that they accepted that they are guilty and the judgement was well deserved.
iv. It also shows that they were willing to accept God's solution rather than seeking for man made solution or alternatives which will not work.
v. Think of it. Just this kind of obedience of faith removed all the pangs of death and brought full life.
vi. Embedded in this is the reality of forgiveness for God will not give deliverance without showing mercy and forgiveness.
vii. God did not give any other condition or demanded them to do something else to get the deliveranece. Just a look of faith. So simple that many will find it too simple to accept.
viii. How would they know that the look of faith worked? Poison gone and deliverance from death became so real and visible.
*Question*
Can you compare this analogy above with salvation from sins and reception of eternal life?
*2. The antidote to sin in finality*
a. Check vv15,18 where the word "believe" was mentioned as a condition for salvation and deliverance from eternal abode in heaven.
b. Any addition and subtraction from this "believe" will make salvation impossible. Salvation is by faith.
*Question*
What are the implications of this "believe"?
i. A look at the dead serpent is indicative of the fact that you believe that there is cure. If looking at a dead serpent can save from death, how much more of looking at the crucified living Christ? A look of faith at the crucified Christ is indicative that you accept that He has power and will save from the condemnation and practice of sin.
ii. It is an obedient faith indicating that you now begin a journey of obedience to the Lord Jesus in every area of your life and Saviour.
iii. This faith is an affirmation that you are ready to follow Him and start doing whatever He asked you to do as your Lord and Saviour. This include repentance and restitution if need be.
iv. This look of faith alone is an indication that you have lost confidence in all alternatives and man made solutions. You come to Jesus with nothing in your hand to help you receive His mercy. Just by grace alone.
*Question*
a. What happens to those who refuse to exercise this faith or think they must do something more to earn their salvation? vv18,19.
b. Why has God made this great salvation easy for everyone?, v16.
c. What is the evidence that a sinner truly exercise this saving faith?, vv15,17, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
*Prayer points*
Lord I praise you for paying the full price of redemption and free salvation🙏
Lord, I come to you with faith in the crucified Christ alone and pleading for the experience of salvation in my life🙏
Lord, help me to ever be living in full appreciation of this great salvation you have given me🙏
Help all those not yet saved in the church to understand and manifest this saving faith in Christ🙏
*HYMN* Since Jesus came into my heart
