Author: Brian Burdett

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” – Judges 17:6

These words, which bracket the depressing latter parts of the book of Judges, describe one of the lowest times in ancient Israel’s national history morally, spiritually, and politically. Though God was their king, the people recognized no moral or legal authority other them themselves, doing as they pleased. Their worship was corrupt, their culture was decadent, and their nation was violent, chaotic, and fractured.

If this sounds more than a bit like our present moment, that’s no mere coincidence! Values like integrity, love, concern for the greater good, and self-sacrifice seem to be in short supply in 2021. That isn’t limited to one party, group, movement, or perspective. The radical elevation of self over others seems to increasingly describe people at all points of the political, social, and religious spectrum.

While distressing in everyone, such an attitude of radical self-centeredness is particularly reprehensible in Christians. Why? Because we have a King! As Christians, we don’t get to do what’s right in our own eyes. We must do what Christ has called us to do, which is to follow Him. We’re called to humble peacemaking, sacrificial love, bold sharing of the Gospel, voluntary setting down of our Christian liberty for the good and conscience of other believers, winsome defense of God’s design for human flourishing, compassionate care for those in need, and the practice of biblical justice. If that isn’t what a Christian is doing, then he or she may well be doing what is right in his or her own eyes!

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” – John 7:38-39

As Christians, we should always remember and celebrate the extraordinary supernatural resources available within us! The Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ lives inside us! God knows us and loves us enough to live in us. The Third Person of the Godhead lives in our heart providing:

• God’s comfort and presence in seasons of deep sorrow and grief
• God’s seal, testimony, and guarantee of salvation
• God’s conviction when we’ve fallen into sin, so that we would repent
• God’s power for transformation as He remakes us to be more like Jesus
• God’s illumination to understand the Bible
• God’s intercession to pray on our behalf when we lack the words
• God’s gifts to love and serve the local body of believers called a church

As followers of Jesus, we must stop laboring in our own strength and instead embrace the power of the Holy Spirit within us. We must nurture the Spirit through a lifestyle of worship, prayer, Bible reading and meditation, and faithful action. If you find yourself exhausted and burned out, carefully reflect on whether you’re laboring in the Spirit or in your own strength. Our human strength will inevitably fail, likely faster than we could possibly imagine, but the strength of the Spirit will never fail!

“So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.’” – John 6:67-69

Following Jesus is hard. His teaching is difficult and some of it is unpopular and counter-cultural. He calls each and every person who follows Him to change radically. Truly following Jesus will separate us from loved ones and friends, put us on the wrong side of cultural mores and expectations, and require ongoing personal sacrifice. Many who are initially enthusiastic about Jesus will reject Him as they learn more. While lamentable, it’s also expected. It happened when Jesus walked the earth and will continue to happen until He returns.

However, once you recognize that Jesus truly has the words of eternal life and truly is the Holy One of God, it’s impossible to turn away! There is nothing and no one more compelling that Jesus! In Him is transformed, redeemed, vibrant, significant, eternal life. In Him is the glorious fullness of God. In Him is love, hope, grace, mercy, compassion, transformation, freedom and our eternal future.

Do you believe in Jesus? What do you believe about Him? Have you come to know He is the Holy One of God? Have you found life in His words? Will you follow Him, wherever He leads, no matter how difficult or unpopular?

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.” – John 6:38-39

When Jesus, the eternal Son of God, stepped into our world and took on a human body and nature, He came for a purpose. His purpose was to accomplish the purpose of God the Father – to purchase salvation for all who believe in Him. Jesus came with the power to accomplish God’s purpose through His willing and sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection on the third day. His purpose and power did not fail and will not fail, ever.

Salvation and eternal life are given to all who believe in Jesus and all who believe in Jesus will be saved and raised from the dead to enjoy eternal life in God’s presence. Jesus is able to save to the utmost everyone who believes in Him, no matter what evils lie before our salvation. Christ’s blood washes away all sin, all guilt, and all shame. Jesus will not lose anyone who trusts in Him – all true believers will persevere to the end and be raised. This is the will of the Father, accomplished by the work of the Son, sealed and guaranteed by the presence of the Spirit and we can trust it with absolute certainty.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” – John 5:24

Hearing and believing. The key to eternal life really is as simple as this. Hear the word of Jesus – hear the teachings of the Bible. Then, believe what God said and revealed through Jesus. Through that belief comes forgiveness of sins, removal of judgment and condemnation, and the gift of eternal life.

Note well that eternal life isn’t some vague promise for the future. It isn’t a benefit that only takes effect when we die. Eternal life is what we already experience once we believe! We who were dead in our sins are made alive in Christ. We come alive spiritually, drawn into deep relationship with God our Father in Heaven. We have passed from death to life forever!

This verse reminds us not only of the good news we receive through faith in Christ, but the importance of sharing that good news with others. Those who have not heard the message of Jesus and thus haven’t had the opportunity to believe will come into judgment unless that changes. As followers of Jesus, we have responsibilities with eternal consequences! We must help others to hear Christ’s word and pray they will believe. We must also support and pray for those helping others to hear Christ’s word in hard places. The stakes are too high – we have so much work to do!