by Jimmy Knight | Aug 19, 2017 | Uncategorized
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had, and bought it” (Matthew 13: 45-46).
Some have imagined that the pearl mentioned above refers to Christ or heaven. The problem we immediately encounter is that neither Christ nor His heavenly kingdom can be bought with any price. Also, the Bible teaches that none of us naturally seek Christ, but rather it is Christ who seeks us (Romans 3:11; Luke 19:10).
Consider that the pearl is actually the church (and the individual believers that belong to the true church). Christ has searched for you and bought you with a great, great price!
“Christ loved the church, and gave himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
“For you are bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
by Jimmy Knight | Aug 11, 2017 | Uncategorized
A gift is something of value that a person receives freely. If the recipient has to pay for a gift, it is not a gift. It is only a gift if someone else paid the price for it and your only obligation is to receive it.
Salvation is the most wonderful and valuable gift in the world. God paid for it because you and I could never afford it. He offers this gift to you because He loves you. There is only one condition you must meet to have this precious gift: you must receive it.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
God paid for the gift of salvation through the death on the cross of Jesus Christ. In that unique event, Jesus, who was without any sin of His own, accepted the punishment for the sins of others so that they could be offered forgiveness.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves. It is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
by Jimmy Knight | Jun 2, 2017 | Bro. Jimmy - blog posts
The story is told about a high-wire performer many years ago who stretched a cable across a deep canyon. To the amazement of a large crowd, he easily made the crossing on the cable. He asked those in the crowd how many of them believed he could cross the canyon on the wire pushing a wheelbarrow and received a loud expression of confidence in his ability. After crossing with the wheelbarrow to the delight of all, he asked how many believed he could cross with his assistant riding in the wheelbarrow. Again, the crowd was enthusiastic. Then he asked for a volunteer from the crowd to serve as his assistant. There was silence.
True, biblical belief in Jesus is much like volunteering to ride in the wheelbarrow.
One of the most familiar verses of the Bible (perhaps best known by its reference) is John 3:16. Its radical impact for every person only requires a real understanding of its key word: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (HCSB).
