Posted on September 15, 2024
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Paul's Ponder
2 Then Shekaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel. 3 Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law. 4 Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” Ezra 10:2-4
Ezra was the second of three groups to return to Jerusalem from the exile. The first was Zerubbabel who rebuilt the altar and the temple (Ezra 1 - 6). The second was Ezra to rebuild people spiritually (Ezra 7 - 10). The third was Nehemiah who worked with Ezra and finished the walls (Book of Nehemiah). The passage above shows a spiritual problem Ezra had to deal with. The people had intermarried with those who did not worship God despite God’s instructions to the contrary which pulled people away from God (Ezra 9:1, 2).
These people were willing to send away their wives and children to obey God. Only God is more important to me than my wife and children. Would I have been willing to give them up to follow God? How much are we realistically, practically, willing to surrender to follow God? Excuses abound, but the question remains, are you willing? Think of this the next time you sing, “All to Jesus, I Surrender”. Don’t let the words pass your lips unless you really, really mean it.
Just Pondering
Posted on September 8, 2024
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Paul's Ponder
Hebrews 11:5-6
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Debbie mails her Princess Warriors weekly to several people. She places the printed copy into envelopes, addresses them and places a stamp on them. Then she puts them in the mail box. She does not know when the mail people pick up her mail. She doesn’t know what happens to her mail. She only knows it will and does arrive.
This is how faith works. Debbie believes that if she does what is required by her, her mail will be delivered. That is believing. However, if she fails to do what is required, the mail will not be delivered. She must put her belief into action.
Faith is based on belief and knowledge. Debbie knows about envelopes and where to put the address and stamp. She believes in the process. Without belief there can be no faith. Faith is the action that turns the belief into motion. If Debbie does not put everything together and mail the envelopes, her belief has not turned into faith. She puts her faith in the post office because she is convinced without doubt that the desired outcome will occur.
If we believe in God and do not put our faith in him, that God will deliver, we are not able to please God (Heb. 11:6). It is like hand delivering every letter you could mail. That is what people do. Trusting in themselves rather than in God who is more than willing to deliver.
Just Pondering
Posted on November 17, 2024
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Sweet Sisters,
When I wrote last week’s lesson, I was in the middle of a really crazy week. I wasn’t as focused as I needed to be. Unfortunately, I left out a couple of important pieces of information I wanted to share with you.
First of all, I left out the text my lesson was based on Ephesians 6:16.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
The second piece of information was the description of the Roman soldier’s shield. Roman soldiers used two shields. One was the size of a trash can lid. Paul refers to the second one in Ephesians 6:16. It was typically two feet wide by four feet long. It was shaped almost like a door. It consisted of planks of wood fused together. The wood was covered by canvas and then by leather.
Iron was built into the center as a hub and also into the extreme edges of the shield from top to bottom. It could withstand the hard hitting strokes of an enemy’s broad sword during close combat. The shield was so big that it could over a soldier’s whole body when he crouched down.
Our lesson for this week comes from the first half of Ephesians 6:17.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
A Roman’s soldier’s helmet was basically a skull cap made of iron, typically covered with bronze. Its primary function was to protect the soldier’s skull and brain from the swing of the broadsword. A broadsword was a two to three foot long sword with a massive handle that needed to be cradled by two hands to hit its target.
Over time, the soldier’s helmet was designed to be more comprehensive in its coverage. Pieces were added, including a flared neck guard and hinged cheek guards. It protected the neck and shoulders. When it was strapped in place, it exposed little beside the eyes, nose and mouth.
So how is our salvation like the Roman soldiers helmet? Salvation is not just about redemption. It is also a defensive, protective new identity. Salvation was meant to implement an entire new way of thinking into our lives. Salvation gives us divine comprehension coverage. Everything we need to safe guard us against the attacks of satan. Satan is after our minds.
What the brain is to the body, the mind is to our soul. The mind is the spiritual expression of the brain. It is the control center. If it doesn’t send out healthy impulses, your soul will not respond in healthy ways in Christ.
Remember what Paul taught us in Ephesians 1:13-14?
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
What does this have to do with our minds?
We also learned in Ephesians 1 that we are
Chosen by God.
Redeemed by God.
Forgiven by God.
Adopted by God.
Because of our salvation.
Our salvation is a powerful weapon because it defines who we are. Before our salvation we had a different identity. We were defined by the world and lived accordingly. After our salvation we received a new identity. The way we thought and lived changed.
Paul talks about this in Romans 12:1-2.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
What does this passage mean to you?
Our salvation changes the outcome of the battles we face against the enemy. It empowers and protects us because we know who we are.
Satan is known as “the accuser”. He whispers into our ears that we are not worthy, that we are no good enough, that we can never be what God wants us to be. The helmet of salvation protects our minds from the whispers of the accuser.
We talked earlier in our lesson about the mind being the control center of how we think and act. What goes on in our heads is absolutely crucial to how we will live our lives. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can reprogram our minds to think in ways that will make our lives richer, happier and more in tune with the life God wants us to have.
Let’s look at some passages that are in God’s word that can help us with this process.
Philippians 4:8 - What we think about.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
John 1:12 - Whose child am I?
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
Hebrews 4:16 - Confidence with God
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Romans 8:1 - No condemnation
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
2 Corinthians 2:15 - We smell like Jesus.
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
Colossians 1:22 - We are free from accusations.
But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
John 15:5 - I am connected to Jesus
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
I John 5:13-15 - We have eternal life. God hears us.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
I John 5:18 - Satan cannot harm us.
We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things because God will help me.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Zephaniah 3:17 - God sings over us.
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
I especially love this last passage! It uses the phrase, “Mighty Warrior”. This phrase can also be translated, “God of angel armies”. The same God who goes to battle for us and with us, holds us in His arms and sings over us!
Sweet Sisters, when you are feeling discouraged and your mind is wanting to go to “dark places”, pick up your Bible and go to passages like the ones we have just read and remember who you are. God sent His only Son to die for you because he loves you more than you can ever imagine.
Put on your helmet of salvation. You are the daughter of the King. You are a warrior for the King.
YOU ARE A PRINCESS WARRIOR!!
Debbie
Posted on November 10, 2024
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Sweet Sisters,
Paul says that the sword soldiers of God carry into battle is their faith. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) is often used as a definition for faith.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
The word evidence or conviction in Hebrews 11:1 is translated from the Greek word elanchos (pronounced e-len-khos). It means “proof”. Faith is proof of that which is not seen.
It is the process of adopting your behavior, your decisions, and ultimately your whole lifestyle so that it accords with what God has asked you to do without knowing how it is going to turn out. The act of faith is what becomes a shield of protection to guard against the enemy’s attacks.
“Faith is acting like it is so, even when it is not so, so that it might be so, simply because God said so.” - Dr. Tony Evans
The word “faith” is used over 200 times in the New Testament. Almost every time it relates to a person’s actions. The more we understand God’s word the stronger our faith will be. Faith is believing God is telling the truth.
Roman armies faced “flaming missiles” from their opponents. They were called plumbatae and were more like javelins. The tips were coated in pitch and set on fire. They were often launched by a catapult to give them sufficient velocity and accuracy. Their purpose was to cause distraction, diversion and chaos.
Satan uses the same strategy. He hurls, “fiery darts/missiles/arrows” at us trying to distract us from acting on what we know we should be doing. Satan especially does this when we are specifically being called to walk in faith. Faith causes satan’s fiery darts to fizzle. It doesn’t just deflect them. It distinguishes them.
The Roman soldier’s shield not only was a source of protection to the soldier. It was a source of protection to a body of soldiers. When a body of soldiers found themselves being bombarded by flaming missiles from the enemy, they would go into a turtle formation. They would dip their shields in water, then huddle together in a group, hoisting the shields over their heads. Strategically placed hooks on the sides would allow them to be linked together. Two-thirds of a scutum would one whole soldier and one-third another. When formed into a unit like this, their water-soaked shields would create a damp, dense shell of protection above them. This was called a Turtle Formation. This formation extinguished the flaming arrows they were being bombarded with.
As soldiers together in God’s army, how do you think the Roman armies’ “Turtle Formation” would benefit God’s army?
What do we learn in these passages about working together to battle against satan?
Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 12
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
I Peter 4:8-10
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
Romans 15:5-7
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
Faith does not control God. It does not make God do something. Our faith gives us access to what God has already intended to do for us.
Luke 17:5-6
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
It’s not about the greatness of our faith. It’s about who our faith is in. The level of our faith will always be tied to our belief of how great our God is.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
What does this passage teach us about faith?
Isaiah 25:1
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
Who God is and what He says He will do forms the foundation for our faith.This is why we need to be deeply immersed in God’s will and then be intoned with the Holy Spirit when He calls us to act on it.
Let’s look at some passages concerning faith and what they teach us. In the Greek “faith” and “belief” are rooted in the same word.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Romans 10:9-10
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
I Corinthians 16:13
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Sweet Sisters, Paul tells us that as we get ready to go into battle the first weapon we need to pick up is faith. Faith is our belief that God is capable of doing all that He says He will do and then acting on that faith. When we do this, satan has no power he can use against us.
I want to end this lesson with a passage from Proverbs 30:5
“Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Do not be afraid to step out in faith, God will consistently be there to stand in the way of the dangers that may come to His followers.
Debbie
Posted on November 3, 2024
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Sweet Sisters;
Before I begin this week’s lesson I felt compelled to return to a passage we read towards the end of last week’s lesson. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5:
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
I want to focus on the phrase”divine power to demolish strongholds”. I heard a song this week that I felt really described this process. I want to share the lyrics with you and then the song. It’s called “Take It All Back” by Tauren Wells.
Fears got me living with the lights out
Chained down like a prisoner in my own house
Shame cycles like a daily medication
I try but I can't change my situation
'Cause the liar comes to rob my joy
Yeah, I'm bruised but I'm not destroyed
I'm rising like an army
And you're gonna hear the sound
I'm calling the angels down
I'm storming the gates of hell
Tell the devil he don't own my soul
I'm taking back what the enemy stole
I'm raising the battle cry
I'm holding the banner high
With the power of the holy ghost
I'm taking back what the enemy stole
Oh oh oh
You can't speak your lies over my family, no
You can't break the promises that are standing, no
Ain't gotta flex to put you back in your place now
One name is all I gotta say, Jesus
I'm calling the angels down
I'm storming the gates of hell
Tell the devil he don't own my soul
I'm taking back what the enemy stole
I'm raising the battle cry
I'm holding the banner high
With the power of the holy ghost
I'm taking back what the enemy stole
Take it all back
Take it all back
I'm taking back what the enemy stole
We're done with all the mind games you try to play
If ain't clear yet I want everything you took from me
In the name of the one who is peace, the one who heals all disease
The only reason that I am free, that name is Jesus
Lord of lords and king of kings
Jesus
The name that makes the demons flee
I want it all now, I'm taking it back now
Yeah, you know it's going down when you hear the sound
I'm calling the angels down
I'm storming the gates of hell
Tell the devil he don't own my soul
I'm taking back what the enemy stole
I'm raising the battle cry
I'm holding the banner high
With the power of the holy ghost
I'm taking back what the enemy stole
Oh, oh, oh
Take it all back
Take it all back
I'm taking back what the enemy stole
Taking my peace back (you can't hold me down)
Taking my joy back
Take it all back, take it all back
I'm taking back what the enemy stole
Https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=xhr6REYguCU
Sweet Sisters, we absolutely have the power to go toe to toe with Satan and fight to get back all that he has stolen from us, especially the hearts and souls of the ones we love.
Now we will proceed to this weeks’ lesson. Ephesians 6:15
and your feet sandaled with readiness
for the gospel of peace.
In this lesson we will be comparing the boots worn by the Roman soldier with the battle shoes worn by the soldiers of God.
During the time that Paul was writing to the Ephesians, civilians wore soft leather shoes called, “calcei”. Indoors, both sexes wore slippers called, “soleae”. Roman soldiers, however, wore heavy military sandals called , “caliga” half boot and half sandal.
The uppers were pierced with open work designs, which gave good ventilation. The many straps allowed adjustment to fit the peculiarities of an individual foot, while parts of the boot that might rub (like the toe joints, ankle, the nail of the big toe) were cut away.
The soles were made of several layers of leather and were clenched with hobnails frequently arranged in patterns. These hollow metal studs provided a firm grip on the soil. They dug into the ground and kept the soldier sure-footed and stable when holding his ground or advancing against an enemy. It also gave him an additional offensive tool.
The most obvious benefit of the caliga was that it offered general protection for the feet. Without ample coverage, Roman soldiers would be suspect to harm and injury while traversing any terrain but especially difficult terrain. Unguarded feet would have left them unable to stand firm or move with the agility they would need for battle.
Now let’s take this information and apply it to the battle shoes worn by the soldiers of God.
In our passage, Paul says we are to wear the Good News of peace on our feet. What do you think he meant by this?
What is the Good News?
How does it give us peace?
The Gospel doesn’t only stabilize our hearts, it makes stability possible even during the most difficult circumstances. We need an anchor in our soul that keeps us stable and sound or we are in deep trouble.
Romans 5:1 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
God can and will anchor our soul. Tethering it to the security found in His gospel; the good news of His beloved Son.
Sweet Sisters, I want to make sure that you really understand what Paul is talking about. Yes, peace is that calm wonderful feeling that helps us sleep at night and trust God in time of chaos.
But peace is also the power that gives us the courage and the confidence to go running into battle ready to tear down, demolish and take back what satan has tried to take away from us. It’s about not being afraid to go into enemy territory, knowing that in Jesus’ name we will be victorious!
I am reminded of the children’s song we used to sing when Paul and I taught children’s church:
In the name of Jesus, In the name of Jesus
We have the Victory! Rah, Rah, Rah!
In the name of Jesus, In the name of Jesus
Demons will have to flee!
Who can tell what God can do?
Who can tell of HIs love for you?
In the mighty name of Jesus
We have the Victory!!! Rah, Rah, Rah!
Let’s take a tour of some New Testament passages that talk about peace. Once again, I want to ask you to think about what each passage is teaching us about peace.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
What does peace do for us?
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
What gives us peace?
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
How do we get peace?
What will it do?
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Where do we get peace?
Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
What are we called to and why?
Romans 8:6
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
What gives us peace?
I want to end our tour at I Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Sweet Sisters, last week we talked about the process of being sanctified. Remember sanctified means to become more and more like Jesus. We learn how to be more like Jesus by knowing the Good News. When we know and believe the Good News, we will have peace. Peace will give us the courage to go into the world and spread the Good News which will demolish the strongholds of satan.
We have learned so far about what we wear as soldiers of God. We wear the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness and the battle shoes of peace. In our next lesson we will learn about the weapons a soldier of God carries into battle.
Debbie
Posted on December 3, 2023
Masters of the Storm
In times of need we may call out to God asking ‘to be taken out of the storm’. We may later reconsider and ask God to ‘calm the storm’, or we may request that He be with us 'in the storm’. Storms are inevitable! Jesus told His disciples that they would receive many blessings ‘with persecutions’ (storms). Paul understood what He meant and said that through trials and temptations that ‘we persevere’. James, the brother of Jesus, said we should ‘count it all joy’ in our trials, and Peter added that we should embrace our suffering in the name of Jesus Christ.
God knows what is needed before people ask, and that He responds when asked. God wants what is best for all people. While Jesus was in the midst of His own storm; facing crucifixion, He relied on God and prayed ‘not My will but Thine’. Parents know that children need godly discipline—Jesus subjected Himself to His parents. Some may not appreciate discipline and may only recognize it’s value later in life—God disciplines those He loves.
God gave Adam and Eve ‘Paradise’; free of storms—they were unappreciative. Today, it is a common practice to ask God for blessings and to live ‘storm free’. Few ask to be challenged or disciplined. All people are given the choice to choose the wide road or the narrow road, the hard road or the easy road. God, our Heavenly Father, places storms in our lives to strengthen us, not to defeat us! As Christians, we delight in our struggles for ‘the joy set before us’. Overcoming a difficult task is exhilarating! Instead of asking God to remove unwanted obstacles let’s ask for the strength to endure and become ‘masters of the storm’. Peter
Peter's Message
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Posted on November 5, 2023
Jesus is called ‘The Lamb of God’. He is also known as Light, Love, Lord, and Lion (of Judah). Creation is a reflection of Jesus; the Creator, made with precision and with purpose. Nothing created is without value or significance.
Jesus is also known as ‘The Good Shepherd.’ He is the shepherd of His sheep and the perfect sacrifice for them. Shepherds are held in high esteem; willing to defend their flock against all predators and willing to stay awake and on guard through the night. Shepherds care for the entire flock, risking their lives for the 99 and one that is lost. Sheep have a special place in the hearts of shepherds who often care for them as their children. Shepherds know how to protect their flock with their lives.
People have taken lambs into their hearts as some do domestic pets. To require of a shepherd that a first born lamb, in full health, be used as a sacrifice is to demand the very best. It is a sacrifice for the shepherd and lamb! Jesus willingly became a sacrifice and went to His death with ‘joy set before Him’, as did God, the Father, make a sacrifice for His ‘love of the world’. He gave His only begotten Son. Mary, Jesus earthy mother, was with Him at His death, suffering silently. Both God the Father and Son purposed to save mankind at the right time and manner—they willingly gave the very best of themselves and heaven. Peter
Peter's Message
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Posted on October 1, 2023
Moses, a servant of God, was chosen by God to deliver His law in what is known as the Ten Commandments, and to set them as God’s standard for His people, Israel. There are two sections: respect for God and respect for fellow man. Many more commands given through Moses have formed the basis of Jewish religious law through the centuries.
Jesus, the Son of God, was chosen by God to speak His words for all people; all nations of the world. Jesus, the Word of God, stated, ‘My words will judge you in the last day’. Jesus has many attributes and is known by several well known titles: He is Christ the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, High Priest and Advocate, Great Shepherd and Prince of Peace.
Jesus’ word is God’s Christian standard. On earth, all nations have requirements for all citizens that are accepted as legal and right. By what standard-of-law, then, does God require for entrance into heaven? The Greatest Command Jesus spoke is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-30).
Jesus showed His love for all people by His willingness to forgive sin. Forgiveness is His gift and response to repentance. Jesus is our righteous judge and advocate, and we will appear before His judgment-seat (II Corinthians 5:10, I John 2:1). By His words, eternal life is given to all who hear and believe—these do not come into judgment (John 5:24). Peter
