Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Whosoever Believeth


1 John 5:1-5  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.  (2)  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  (3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  (4)  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  (5)  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?


                As I study these scriptures, the word “whosoever” stands out in my mind.  (I believe theologians would not choose this particular word as their key in these verses.)  However based on these verses, I see two “whosoever’[s]” within these Words of God.  The first “whosoever” is he that “believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.”  The second “Whosoever” is defined by omission, yet is implied, he is “that believeth not.

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

                Those “whosoever’[s]” that “believeth not” are people who deprive those of us who “believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.” They are against our rights to worship, to speak freely, and publically.  (I know that not all atheists or non-believers will cause these deprivations to Christians.   Only a few have demeaned Jesus to the point that we are not allowed to speak His name.)  Yet, Muslims are allowed to speak and use the name of Mohammed freely. 
                We as believers, (“whosoever[‘s] that do believe,”) are commanded by God to seek the lost and show them the Gospel of Christ, allowing The Holy Spirit to lead them with His Holy Conviction.  Jesus told us, “Go ye” and “preach the gospel.”  This is not a suggestion or something to think about.   It is His command.

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

We are also commanded to do as Jesus was commanded.  He came to earth “to seek and to save that which was lost.”  By His command, that is also our task.

Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

We are told in our text that “his commandments are not grievous.”  We may find them inconvenient, but never above what we can bear.  We must get past inconvenience, be faithful in Church and do God’s Will, not our own.

Matthew 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

This is how we receive “the victory.”  In so doing, we “overcometh the world.”  Our primary “victory” was accepting Jesus The Christ as our personal Saviour.  Now as a Christian, we must invest in Christ’s realm and leave the world behind.  (This may mean leaving friends and family behind, and acquiring new friends and family.)  We must strive to win the Victory.   It is our “Victory In Jesus.” 
                Which “whosoever” are you?  “Are you a believer, or a non-believer?  Are you striving to win with Jesus, or with the world?  Are you expecting a change?   (Change requires a desire on your part.)  God will accept you, He will help you, but first you must say, “yes” to Jesus The Christ.” 

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

What God asks of you is to faithfully (sincerely) believe that God raised Jesus, His Son, from the grave.  If you believe this and confess this knowledge to others, God has saved you.  He will grant you eternal life.

Joel 2:32  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered:...

Delivered, (saved,) and within the eternal arms of Jesus to a life in heaven eternally.  Call on His name, (NOW before it is eternally too late.)

Bro John R. E Chastain
Baptist Evangelist
Wylie, Texas              

<www.johnchastain.com>

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