Category: Luke

SALVATION IS NOT INHERITED BUT EARNED – Luke

salvation

True Christianity Entails Faith In Jesus Christ

(Passage: Luke 13)

Jesus Christ emphasized that the door of his kingdom will not be open to just anyone who claims to be a Christian. The Savior has made it clear that not everyone who calls him, Lord would be allowed to enter heaven, except those who strive hard in their race to eternal life. Jesus said,

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last” (Luke 13:24-30).

A lot of individuals believe all you have to do is go to church and you will make heaven. However, this is untrue. Faith and belief in Jesus Christ accompanied by works guarantee you eternal life. It doesn’t matter if you’re a pastor or not, faith is needed to make heaven.

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Christianity Is A Personal Race

Salvation is easy to describe; It is a means of escape that Jesus Christ offered (with his life) To rescue sinners from the punishments of hell fire. However, a person can only be saved when he/she personally accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Hence, it must be conceived that salvation is personal; it cannot be inherited, and it cannot be obtained on behalf of others. An individual must personally confess Jesus Christ and accept him as Lord to be accepted into God’s kingdom.

Christianity is a race that requires your personal commitments: You must personally confess Jesus Christ as Lord and commit to the task of daily carrying your cross and follow Christ. James Taiwo Click to tweet

It is possible for someone to regularly go to church and yet not be saved. No person is awarded salvation through Christian activities – everyone must personally confess his or her faith in Jesus Christ to be saved!

Prayer Of Faith In Jesus Christ

Dear Lord, I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son sent from heaven to save people from the devil; therefore, I profess my faith in him. I confess that Jesus Christ died for my sins, and he rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Hence, I accept him as my personal Lord and Savior. I also confess my sins, and I forsake them. I believe that I am now a born-again Christian, and I promise to faithfully serve God for the rest of my life. Amen.

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THE PHARISEES CRITICIZED JESUS CHRIST – Luke

Luke – The Pharisees Were Jealous of Jesus For His Capability

(Passage: Luke 6)

The Pharisees were bitter critics of Jesus Christ; they used their religion as a camouflage to express their jealousy and rage against him. The Pharisees were not hesitant to stalk Jesus all day long, and followed him on every turn to find an excuse to criticize and demean his ministry.

Bible recorded,

“Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He (Jesus) went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands. And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

Bible also recorded,

“Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him”

Luke 6:6-7;Luke 6:1-2

Children of God to be Sensitive and Resist Satan

Satan loves to station his evil agents around godly people to frustrate their efforts. The enemies would focus on making attempts to derail believers from their pursuits of righteousness by castigating their works and throwing every available stone with the hope one might stick. Therefore to overcome the devil, believers must be spiritually sensitive (watchful) and prayerful, and they must be filled with the Holy Spirit also.

However, believers must not forget Satan’s intention is not to discourage them from serving God only, but his main motive is to kill, to steal, and to destroy their salvation (John 10:10). Hence, while we (believers) remain prayerful and watchful, we can follow Jesus’ examples and appropriately react in all situations.

For example, when Satan instigated fury in Pharisees to accuse Jesus of wrongdoing,

Jesus ignored the Pharisees – Believers should largely ignore their critics.
Jesus remained persistent in doing God’s business –Believers should never stop doing God’s will.
Jesus always withdrew to a silent place to pray for strength’s renewal after ministering –Believers must always refill and refresh their energy through prayers.
Jesus changed locations to avoid enemies’ distractions –Believers should diversify in ministry to outsmart their enemies.

Application Prayer

Prayer to Overcome Your Spiritual Enemies

Dear God, please give me strength to overcome Satan and live triumphantly on earth to the glorification of your holy name! Again, give me strength to remain focus and pay no damn attention to the devil and his evil agents!

Let your Holy Spirit empower me to remain immovable, and to keep faithfully serving you during opposition and challenges. Also, let your Holy Spirit empower me to be watchful and prayerful so that I can keep prospering in all my ministerial activities, so that light of your gospel can spread throughout the world.

When my earthly race is eventually over, let me appear in your presence in heaven to hear “Weldon and welcome my servant to the joy of your Lord!” For I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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JESUS CARES FOR THE LOST – Luke

Luke – Jesus Cares for Those That Are Neglected

The Pharisees criticized Jesus Christ for attending a party that was organized by Matthew the chief tax collector. Everyone – including Jesus and Matthew’s colleagues was enjoying the moment, but the Pharisees showed up to express their rage against Jesus.

The Pharisees labeled Jesus an immoral teacher who spend time with sinners. However, Jesus corrected the Pharisees and said,

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).

Jesus cares for all people. Christians must learn from Jesus who cares.

Inconsistent Christians could be labeled as Pharisees since Jesus’ era Pharisees were not consistent with God. “Pharisee Christians” shifts their focus from serving God to something else, and they always find an excuse to justify their action.

For examples, Pharisee Christians worship their church denomination, and some worship their spiritual leaders instead of worshipping the true God of heaven. Also, some Pharisees Christians come up with hand-made rules to make God’s laws become stricter with the hope the action will make them receive better positions in heaven.

In addition, Pharisee Christians elevate their customized practices and are quick to condemn other Christian sects who do not comply with them. However, God expects the Pharisee Christians to change their beliefs and mode of operations in order to consider them “justified” in his presence.

God requires that all people – whether they claim Christianity or not – to become genuinely born-again so that they can be acceptable to his kingdom. Only those who follow bible standard and faithfully serve God will be acceptable to heaven on the last day.

Application Prayer

Dear God, please make me a true Christian who focuses on the biblical principles to appease you. Please save me from self-righteous acts that cannot lead anywhere near your kingdom! Give me the spirit of humility to focus on improving my relationship with you, and not to get busy in condemning others!

Help me to be less critical of others, but enable me with grace to focus on activities and actions that will motivate people into moving closer to you.

Let my operations result to populating your kingdom, and not to depopulate it. After my earthly race is over, please count me worthy to enter your kingdom to hear your favorable acceptance statement, “Weldon and welcome my good servant.” For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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JESUS REBUKED STORM – Luke

Luke – Nature listen to Jesus Christ

(Passage: Luke 8)
Jesus Christ performed many healing miracles, and he raised dead people; however, he performed some unfamiliar miracles as well. The Son of God spoke against storm, and it obeyed!

Luke reported,

“Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” (Luke 8:22-25).

Jesus Christ Still Retains Authority To Help Believers

The authority of Jesus Christ is forceful and powerful. The authority is undefeatable, and it causes Satan in disarray anytime it is used. The Son of God has transferred the same unbeatable authority that he possesses to those who believe in him.

Jesus Christ said,

“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18).

Since Jesus has so much enormous power to do many unimaginable things, everyone is encouraged to associate with him. All people should attempt to utilize the authority of Jesus over their challenging circumstances.

A person that reserves his trust in Jesus Christ will prevail over any hash situation that may rise against him.

Application Prayer

Pray To Be Endowed With The Power Of Jesus Christ

I believe in Jesus Christ, and I am attaching myself to his authority. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command all challenging situations that stand against me to fail! I destroy all satanic opposition in my life, and I obtain my victory through the authority in the name of Jesus Christ. I triumph over Satan today, tomorrow, and forever! For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my declarations. Amen!

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JESUS COMMANDED HIS DISCIPLES TO PREACH GOSPEL – Luke 9

Luke – The Great Commission for Christians

(Passage: Luke 9)
Jesus Christ charged his disciples to preach the gospel to all people. Christ sent out his disciples to preach; he also empowered them with the Holy Spirit to prosper in their spiritual activities. The followers of Jesus Christ will perform signs and wonders to bear witness to their gospel evangelism.

Luke reported,

“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:1-3).

The Name of Jesus Is Effective for Evangelism

Christians to take advantage of the authority consisted in the name of Jesus Christ to preach the effective gospel, and prosper. Our obedience will make a significant impact for the kingdom of God.

Jesus, the Son of God has the highest authority that ever existed. The scripture expressed the magnitude of Jesus’ power and said,

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Jesus Christ shared his power privilege with his followers. He said,

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen! (Matthew 28:19-20).

Application Prayer

Prayer of Grace to Preach Gospel and Expand God’s Kingdom

What a wonderful power that Jesus possesses! I attach myself with this power, and I am determined to use it to a full extent. I receive God’s power to preach the gospel and prosper for God’s kingdom. I also receive God’s grace by faith to demonstrate spiritual gifts needed to populate God’s kingdom. Please God empower me to remain faithful to you! For Jesus’ name, I have prayed. Amen.