The Bible in 2020

Today’s Reading

2 Kings 1-3; John 3:22-36

Selected Verses

But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah went. 2 Kings 1:3-4

For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:34-36

Reflections

God does not overlook unbelief and the rejection of His messengers who reveal His truth to mankind. More than that, to reject God’s prophets and His Son is to incur eternal wrath.

Ahaziah, the king of Israel, attempted to turn to the pagan god, Baal-zebub, to learn whether or not he would recover from his injury. God intervened and sent Elijah to rebuke him and to tell him he would not recover because of his unbelief.

John’s gospel warns us of the danger that comes if we do not believe in the One whom God has sent to utter His words. Those who heard Jesus were divided right down to the moment of His crucifixion. Some believed and some did not. The benefits or consequences were and are dramatic. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, and furthermore, the wrath of God remains on him.

Think about it

It is no small matter to disbelieve in God’s revelation of Himself. What will keep us from having eternal life is not only our many sins, but our great sin of unbelief in the One whom God sent so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

If you believe in the Son, praise God for His mercy. If you are like Ahaziah, seeking answers about your destiny from other gods or authorities, repent and believe in Christ. There is a God who knows all and controls all. He is not the god of this world but the triune God revealed to us by the Son.

© 2017 John A Carroll Used by permission

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