Words Understood…Important to Life, Vital for Eternity

With many other words he warned them; “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:40,41 NIV)

Words

Motivating Monday! Studying the New Testament, we’re privileged to learn from Peter’s spiritual journey. It’s like reading his personal diary. The child-like faith of stepping onto the water and walking! Not taking long to sink- much like us in the beginning. Then Peter stood there on the day of Pentecost, delivering a powerful message. His two books in the NT are valuable words written to help understand present- day happenings. Words were a big part of who Peter was…even when Jesus had to rebuke him, all part of maturing.

Generations

Looks like generations back then were corrupt, too. He encouraged them to “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ  for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…” This was a loaded statement; words like…repent, baptized, forgiveness of your sins, gift of the Holy Spirit. The very first thing we have to realize is we are all sinners saved by grace. It’s not a haughty thing we do. Jesus directed his disciple to go into all the world and preach the gospel(good news) to all creation. Therefore, Jesus wants the entire world to know Him, know His Word, learn to overcome. Yet, just like the day of Pentecost, many will walk away, rejecting this life-giving invitation.

Truth

For those 3,000 individuals accepting Peter’s call to repent- we who do the same, will see them all in Heaven for eternity. Applying scripture to daily task, trusting Jesus with life’s ups and downs, we learn to overcome. Jesus overcame and so can we! So much to overcoming has to do with strengthening inner core through learning God’s Word. We must repent and if we’ve never been baptized- we need to do this, too. There will be forgiveness to be given and received, this can only be as we let God’s Words soften our hearts. And the best gift ever…The Holy Spirit. Only through trusting The Holy Spirit, can we discern truth vs. lies. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. Truth will set us free! Ready to take one bite of the elephant at a time?

Be encouraged!