Sunday, January 20, 2008

The Most Important Verse in the Old Testament

I went to church today and the pastor discussed the thing(s) that GOD sees about us that makes us holy and acceptable in HIS sight. First, he asked what the most important verse among all the important verses in the New Testament are, and of course, many said John 3:16 is the most important verse in the NT. I agree. If you read that verse, it pretty much sums up the whole purpose of us, the world and Jesus.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)

I don't think there are many people who would disagree that John 3:16 is a pretty important verse in the Bible. However, some may disagree on what my pastor pointed out as being perhaps one of the most important verses in the Old Testament.

Let's see what it says and what it means.

We should put the verse in context first.

Gen. 15:1-6 (NKJV)
1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
2 But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”

4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”
5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

So, here Abram was, chosen by the LORD to 'develop' a nation of people to honor HIM. GOD had given the stranger in a foreign land just about everything he could ever need (and wanted to give him more). But Abram was like, "What good are all of these possessions if I don't even have a son to pass them onto when I die?" Abram was concerned that the child of his servant would be the one to inherit everything. But GOD said, "No worries." GOD sent Abram outside and told him to look up and number the stars. Of course Abram couldn't, there were just too many. And GOD said so will the number of your descendants be. And what was Abram's reaction? Did he say yeah, right? or now way? Nope. Abram who had experienced the truth and love of GOD from the minute HE had called out to him said simply, "OK." He believed all that GOD told him. GOD was so impressed with this little man's faith, that HE considered him righteous.

So what are we to gleam from that? Simply, be strong in your faith of the LORD. That's all Abram had to do. GOD didn't give him all of those laws that he gave Moses for the unruly nation in the desert hundreds of years later -- Abram's descendants. We all know how crazy and faithlessly the Israelites behaved after their deliverance from slavery in Egypt...even after they had received guidelines (laws/commandments) from GOD Himself. But look at Abram...he didn't need any rules to support his faith. The Word of the LORD was enough for him.

And consider Jesus, hundreds of years after Abram. Did he try to give the people more laws? Nope. He was the Word in flesh...no law could ever compare to Him or save you. All that Jesus required of those to whom he was preaching the Gospel (the Good News) was that they believed Him when he said He was the Son of GOD. He said so many times in so many ways, but here's a gist:

John 14:11
Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

That's all that required of us, simply to believe. Once we believe, then everything else comes gradually. You may call yourself a Christian. You may go to church religiously and tithe and baptize your babies...but if you don't really believe the News you've been given, then you're still lost. And believe it or not, there are plenty in the church who have been 'saved' since jump, but are still struggling internally to actually believe in GOD 100% and HIS Son the Savior Jesus Christ. If you don't believe, you're kidding yourself.

If you genuinely believe, GOD will carry you the rest of the way. But how can HE do that if you don't even acknowledge that HE is real?

Remember that woman with that awful condition who impressed Jesus so?

Matthew 9:19-24 (NKJV)

19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.
20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”
22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing,
24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him.

You understand that? The woman knew if she just even touch the hem of Jesus' garment, she would be healed, and Jesus turned around and spoke to her confirming so. Then notice how he goes into that house after being called about a dead child. He was specifically called to the house to save her, yet when he tells those gathered to stop mourning because the girl is only sleeping, they ridiculed Him to scorn. See the examples of faith?

So be as Abram (Abraham) and just believe. That's what plan on doing everyday. Just simply take GOD at His Word. He never lies. He never changes. He never stops loving His people and he doesn't break promises. We just have to remain faithful.

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