Know them by their fruits

It is very important to know why we believe in what we believe. God of the Bible is gracious to let us know that his attributes is true and through his love he has made know everything that we wanted to know to trust in him. This is not the same in many other world views, there are revelations that are particular for a group or ethnicity or for a particular personal benefits. This is why Jesus warned the people of his time to be aware of the hypocrisy, false religion, false humility, wrong deeds and motives.

Other Prophets after Christ
Jesus clearly says that there will be many other claiming that "I am he". But we need to be aware of the things that Jesus told us about these false prophets. They not only deny the Power of God, but by their cunning nature turn the people who are easy to be deceived to believe in what they say as true. They deny the very deity of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that he is the only way to God and he is the God himself.

The Word of God
Say for example many other books which are not in the Bible claim to be the word of God. But these very books deny the Bible or contradict the Bible stating that Christ did not die on Cross or he is not God in human flesh etc., but they claim to be Jesus as prophet. How can it be? But Bible clearly states that these books are mere human interpretations and not the inspiration of God. If it were from God it cannot contradict the Bible, which is the Word of God. So, either way claiming that the other books are word of God falsifies their statement (because it denies the deity of Jesus Christ), nor does it make word of God (Just because it recognizes only part of Bible to be true). But what matters is that Bible, which is the Word of God. Because the very words in this books is written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit - God, conforming what has been done and what is happening and what is coming.



Jesus said

Matthew 7:15-20New King James Version (NKJV)

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

James after telling us about the power of tongue, he tells about cursing our fellow beings. 

James 3:8-12New American Standard Bible (NASB)

8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both [a]fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce [b]fresh.g

Looking unto Jesus

In Hebrews chapter 12, it starts with the encouragement for everyone, having said about great faith from Abel to Moses, then for those who received their dead raised to life again. "Women received their dead raised to life again."

Then about the people, how they endured and suffered having not received the promises, but yet awaiting for a better reward - The Resurrection, The Heavenly gift.

These were the people the writer of Hebrews says that we should look into, When we are tempted to sin, we can overcome those temptations just by putting our faith in God.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When we look at Jesus on the Cross

When you look at Jesus on the cross, remember that he forgave the sins: - Sins of the murderer who was crucified next to him, Forgave the sins of those who tore his clothes, who beat, rebuked and mocked him, insulted him and cast lots.


Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This Is The King Of The Jews.

When we look at Jesus as the Son of God

We see obedience to the point of death. When we see him as a Master he washes the feet of the disciples, When we see him as the God - He is the God of Love.

When we look at Jesus as the God, the Messiah.
That God became flesh and live among us.


When we look at Jesus as One person in Trinity.
We see that he obeyed the Father, The Spirit was with him. He is God and The Father God and The Holy Spirit.


Even as we look at Jesus as the Great Human.
We see how he suffered for our sins.


Even as we look at Jesus as Judge.
He did not condemn us for our sins, nor did he punish, but gave mercy upon mercy and grace over grace.

The Concept of Trinity

The God head is three persons -The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. though the three persons are different they are the same. Though they are three persons, but yet they are one person only. This is a mystery. Why should he be three? and not more?

The divine love - The relationship between the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit is seen from the beginning. As we see the act creation to creating the Man in the image of God. The God says, Genesis 1:26 NIV Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

Why it is so much important in believing the Trinity God?
In the Gospel and the Bible throughout the scriptures, God is represented in the Trinity. The beginning of the verse in the Genesis. When it says, "In the beginning God Created Heavens and the Earth". The God here is the Greek work Elohim, Which means plural "Gods". The Holy Spirit is also mentioned in the first few verses of the Bible, Genesis 1:2 NIV Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. and it is mostly mentioned as the Spirit of God. Understanding the Trinity is important because God wants us to understand it. Jesus himself said, John 16:7 NIV But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. God in his Divine order of creation and events, planned and purposed that he would be coming as the form of Man (In human flesh) taking up a servant's place to obey the Father, rejected by men but highly exalted by the Father that he was allowed to sit at the right hand of the Father - Jesus Christ.


Jesus confirms about the Trinity when he said about Baptism, "Baptiste them in the Name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit".

Why they have to be different, yet they are the same?
Jesus confirms that there is only one God and he claimed to be God himself. He said in Mark 12:29 NIV "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Prayer

Prayer:

We believe that God can help us to overcome our hunger. But, that does not stop us from having food. Prayer is asking God's will for our life, doing according to his will. In the process we cannot and will not be given something which we can get it our self. But, we should not be overwhelmed by the things that God can do in prayer. Elijah was fed by a crow, The whole Isralites were fed by the manna. Jesus says he is the manna from the heaven for us today. He is the bread of life, eat him means to do as according to his will, as Jesus says, my food is to do the will of my father.


Prayer should be like breathing:
Righteousness - Hunger and thirst for it...

Man Shall not live by bread alone.

Matthew 4:4 (NASB)

4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”


Why some prayers are not answered?
Because of Faith
Because of Sin
Because of wrong motives

James 4:3 (NASB)

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask [a]with wrong motives, so that you may spend it [b]on your pleasures.

Pray like Jesus
Early Morning - Mark 1:35
In Solitude - 
In Faith -
Asking according to the will of the Father - Prayer at the garden of Gethsemane. 

Significance of Baptism

Baptism (from the Greek noun βάπτισμα baptisma; see below) is a Christian sacrament of admission and adoption, almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also a particular church.


Romans 6:4 NIV

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.


Colossians 2:12 NIV

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.


The Baptism is the confirmation or acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Savior. Its significance goes way back to the period of Noah's. The Baptism symbolizes the same manner in which God submerged the entire world in water, cleansing everything. Now through the Blood of Jesus Christ. We are dead along with him on the cross, our sinful nature has been put to death and we are a new creation resurrected with him and alive.

1 Peter 3:17-22English Standard Version (ESV)

17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

18 For Christ also suffered[a] once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous,that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which[b] he went and proclaimed[c] to the spirits in prison,20 because[d] they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

We are to be Born Again:
John 3:3 NIV

Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."

Galatians 2:20English Standard Version (ESV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me.

Mountain Top And Valley Experiences

It is said that the Prophets were able to visualize what is coming in the future like viewing a mountain top which is clearly visible rather than the valley which follows, which is invisible. Same goes with the life' events. We can say thank God for the good things that happens to us, when we are at the mountain top, but we should be having the same attitude towards God when we are in deep misery, trouble and pain. One of the best example from the Bible is Job.

First he heard news after news about his children being killed, then his servants, then his livestock. But his faith in God was not shaken. His reply was, v21 Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job' security was not his belongings, But God. He trusted God so much that his wealth, his belongings were the gift that God chose to give him, rather than his own ability. Here Job stresses the point that God is in control of everything. He chose to give what pleases him, rather than what we want. Many are unsecured because of the loss of their wealth, their belongings. This may be because they don't trust God completely or they may have been too much possessive about their belongings, thinking that whatever they possess is because of their ability and  their power.

Job 1:9-22King James Version (KJV)

9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

The Second time, when Job was going through the valley was when he was affected by satan on his health, even here his faith was not shaken. He replied to his wife, who asked v9 “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks.Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Even when Job was affected on his own health, he still believes in God, that God is the owner of the life. Here Job says about the valley experiences. "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?". He emphasis the point that our body is the temple of the living God, who are we suppose to ask what God does for us? Cursing God and Dying is not in my hand, only fools would do that and even say that. But I will hold Integrity at all the point of time. Even at the valley, where I do not know the future.

Psalm 23:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Job 2:1-10New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Job Loses His Health

2 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 3 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you [a]considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man[b]fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to [c]ruin him without cause.” 4 Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. 5 However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face.” 6 So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your [d]power, only spare his life.”

7 Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes.

9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks.Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job' security comes form the Lord, He then states that  “Though He slay me,

I will hope in Him.

Before this statement, when he argues with his friends, who says that his calamity, tragedy of life is because of his sins. He responds, saying... 

Job 12:7-12New American Standard Bible (NASB)

7 “But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you;
And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.
8 “Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you;
And let the fish of the sea declare to you.
9 “Who among all these does not know
That the hand of the Lord has done this,
10 In whose hand is the life of every living thing,
And the breath of all mankind?
11 “Does not the ear test words,
As the palate [a]tastes its food?
12 “Wisdom is with aged men,
With [b]long life is understanding.

Job when he said, :Though He slay me, I will hope in Him." is a response to the faith that he has with God, Job was a person who is believed to have lived at the time between Joseph and Moses, So, he would have know about Abraham.- The Father of The Faith. So, following his footsteps Job would have said this sentence. This again reemphasizes that his trust in God is so much that nothing, not even life can threaten it. First he lose all his belongings, his wealth, his livestock, his children, then his own health was hampered, then his own life. Finally what he says is God is the Author and Finisher of my faith.

But we know that God was kind to Job at the end, he got everything double and lived a peaceful life thereafter.

Job 13:13-28New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Job Is Sure He Will Be Vindicated

13 “Be silent before me so that I may speak;
Then let come on me what may.
14 “Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
And put my life in my [a]hands?
15 “Though He slay me,
I will hope in Him.
Nevertheless I will argue my ways [b]before Him.
16 “This also will be my salvation,
For a godless man may not come before His presence.
17 “Listen carefully to my speech,
And let my declaration fill your ears.
18 “Behold now, I have prepared my case;
I know that I will be vindicated.
19 “Who will contend with me?
For then I would be silent and die.

20 “Only two things do not do to me,
Then I will not hide from Your face:
21 Remove Your [c]hand from me,
And let not the dread of You terrify me.
22 “Then call, and I will answer;
Or let me speak, then reply to me.
23 “How many are my iniquities and sins?
Make known to me my [d]rebellion and my sin.
24 “Why do You hide Your face
And consider me Your enemy?
25 “Will You cause a driven leaf to tremble?
Or will You pursue the dry chaff?
26 “For You write bitter things against me
And make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 “You put my feet in the stocks
And watch all my paths;
You [e]set a limit for the soles of my feet,
28 While [f]I am decaying like a rotten thing,
Like a garment that is moth-eaten.

His trust in God did not tumble, when everything surrounding him had fallen down. The same prototype of the nature and trust, even more than that could be seen in the life of Jesus. When Jesus was humiliated by his own people, He was betrayed, unbeliever and denied by his own followers. When he was finally crucified on the cross. He did not curse God, but he asked the Father to forgive them those who made fun of him, who divided his clothes. Jesus' trust was in the Father, when he was questioned about his authority, he showed that his authority comes from God. Jesus portrays the life of Job, in that he portrays even more than that. Because by his blood he allows everyone to be clean, because he is more than a man - He is God himself. 

John 12:27New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Jesus Foretells His Death

27 “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

At the beginning, as like the prophet who could see the future, Those mountain top experiences and the valley experiences. Jesus saw it, then he told his disciples about how he is going to suffer and be persecuted. Then he went through such sufferings himself. He did not curse God, but rather he acknowledged him, glorified him. We should also follow the footsteps of Jesus. Trusting God all times not only at the times when things goes good, but also when it is bad.