God's Word For You is a free Bible Study site committed to bringing you studies firmly grounded in the Bible – the Word of God. Holding a reformed, conservative, evangelical perspective this site affirms that God has provided in Jesus Christ his eternal Son, a way of salvation in which we can live in his presence guilt free, acquitted and at peace.

 
 

ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS

THOSE WHO HEAR

On one occasion Jesus sent out seventy-two of his followers as advance messengers into the towns and villages which he himself would soon be visiting.

They went in his name, with his message; this message had two simple points: 'Peace' and 'the kingdom of God is near you'.

The coming of Jesus Christ is the coming of peace, the coming of the Prince of Peace, through whom the gift of reconciliation with God and peace with God are available to every human being.

The coming of Jesus Christ is the coming of God's kingdom: he, the divine King, stands before us claiming our trust, our allegiance, and our submission to his authority.

To reject his messengers, he said, is to reject him. To reject him is to reject God.

There are only two options: To hear his message: to acknowledge and receive him as our King, our God, and at the same time receive from him the gift of peace with God; or to refuse to listen to his message: to reject him, to refuse to own him as our King, our God, and, at the same time, to leave ourselves open and exposed to inescapable, inevitable and intolerable judgement.

The choice, a choice which affects our eternal destiny, is ours.

Scriptures: Luke 10:1-16; Isaiah 9:6; Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 1:19-22; John 5:23-24; Revelation 19:16.

Copyright Rosemary Bardsley 2004,2008