Title: Faith is Obedience John 3:4-5
Content The word “Christian” means people who become like Christ. It is a name given to people because their way of life resembles Christ. In other words, it can be said that one has faith. Faith is a prerequisite for human salvation. The Bible says that the ultimate goal of faith is the salvation of souls (1 Peter 1).
“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up… .”
Numbers 21 tells the story of Moses carrying the serpent in the wilderness. When the people complained about God and Moses, a fiery serpent appeared and bit people to death. The people ask Moses to get rid of the serpent. When Moses prayed, God told him to make a bronze serpent and hang it high on a pole and look at it. When Moses made a bronze serpent and hung it on a pole, the works of those who looked at it came to life.
This case raises questions for us. Why did the snake-bite people tell them to look at the brass snake on a pole? Rather, it would have been easier to understand and follow if some herb had been eaten or applied to the wound. This is a matter of faith. God demands faith. It seems ridiculous to look at the copper snake, but God has to obey the word. Because faith is obedience.
The Lord says that as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up. Just as Jesus Christ, who was crucified on the cross on Golgotha Hill is the Messiah, believes and looks at the saying that if we look at the bronze serpent, we will be saved. Just as we are alive by looking at the brass serpent, those who look to Jesus with faith can live forever. This is faith.
It is not easy for a person bitten by a fiery serpent to look at a copper serpent in order to live or to confess the person who was crucified as Jesus as the Savior. The biggest obstacle that prevents me from looking at Jesus on the cross and confessing as my Savior is because of a certain standard I have set for myself. We each live by judging, evaluating, and judging by our own standards.
If we believe and trust in God, we must give up our own standards and throw them away. I have to give up my experience, my common sense, my knowledge, everything. Faith and trust begin with emptying.
Whether we are sad or happy, pain or worry, we ask you to look to Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for us. Here is our happiness, peace, and salvation. God has promised us salvation. He promised to give eternal life to those who believe in Jesus Christ, who was crucified as the Savior, and who shed His blood for my sins and confess with my mouth.
I hope you all enjoy the blessed life of living together with Jesus Christ, who has come as the Prince of Peace.