The Light of Christ Journey

Encouraging people on their journey with Christ

Resurrection and the Kingdom

Paula K. Graves

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November 19, 2025

Jesus connects His resurrection and the Kingdom. Acts 1: 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. [1]

Jesus’ resurrection is foundational for our faith. By His death, He paid the blood price for our sins. His resurrection demonstrated that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice, and we can receive forgiveness for our sins. Jesus was the first of the resurrected, but as we believe in Him, we also have the promise of resurrection.

Paul provides us with insight into the significance of Jesus’ resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15: 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead… 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.[2]

What is the Kingdom of God?

We can understand what an earthly kingdom is. There is a king or leader, a geographic place, and subjects under the king’s rule. God’s Kingdom is similar. We have a King who is God, often pictured as King Jesus. The subjects of this Kingdom are believers who submit to the rule and reign of Jesus. But God’s Kingdom has a very different geographical area. It resides in the hearts of the believers. Thus, believers take the Kingdom of God wherever they go.

Jesus had been preaching about the Kingdom of God since the beginning of His ministry. Matthew 4: 17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.[3] He had brought a piece of the Kingdom of Heaven with Him to earth. Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we ask God to send His Kingdom to earth. Matthew 6:10Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [4]

Misunderstanding of the Kingdom

Jewish scholars thought that Messiah would only come once. This is understandable since the prophecies of Jesus’ first and second coming are often intertwined. Thus, the disciples were anticipating a political rule and reign. They even argued over who would have special privileges to help rule alongside Jesus on earth (Mark 10:35-39).

The Jewish people hated Roman rule and wanted to have their own nation. They wanted Messiah to be king over an earthly kingdom. They didn’t realize that Messiah needed to come to free them from their sin. These hopes disappeared when Jesus died, but now that He was alive, their hopes were renewed. Acts 1:6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” [5]

Jesus will bring the fullness of the Kingdom when He returns. But He doesn’t want us to speculate about it now. He has a purpose for us, and that is to share the message of His spiritual Kingdom now. To learn more about the resurrection and the Kingdom, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/discipled-to-make-disciples

[1-3,5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 1:3). Tyndale House Publishers.

[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 6:10). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

Go and Make Disciples

Paula K. Graves

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November 18, 2025

Jesus’ final instruction to His disciples is to go and make disciples. Matthew 28: 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [1]

Jesus can do this because He is the one with authority and can delegate it to His disciples. The Greek verb translated go is actually not a command but a present participle (going). Jesus said, “While you are going, make disciples of all the nations.”[2] The command is to make disciples of all nations. They were to repeat the process they had just experienced with Jesus. This process wasn’t limited to just the Jewish people; they were to go to the entire world.

Making Disciples

To make a disciple meant teaching the things that Jesus had taught. This would include submitting to Jesus’ lordship in obedience. Discipleship involves entering into a relationship with Jesus as Master and being willing to learn from Him continuously. It is not only head knowledge but the action of obedience that results from Jesus’ transforming power.

Baptism was part of this entrance into a relationship with Jesus. For generations, theologians have debated the timing of baptism. If we look forward in Scripture, we see whole households receive baptism (Acts 10:48, 16:33, 1 Corinthians 1:16). This happened when the head of the household became a believer. More than likely, these mass baptisms included children and those who had not been fully taught. We also see new believers be baptized as an act of repentance to identify themselves with Jesus.

Baptism can be a covenant as parents promise to raise their child in the faith, and it paves the way for the child to receive forgiveness and salvation. If a person comes to faith as an adult, baptism is a public proclamation of the faith that rescues from death and the promise of salvation.

The Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Here, Jesus instructs the disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This points to what is known as the Trinity, or one God with three Persons. Notice Jesus says “in the name,” which is singular. Even though the word “Trinity” is not used in Scripture, the concept is present.

Remember, all three were present at the baptism of Jesus. The Father spoke and the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove (Matthew 3:16-17). All three persons of the Trinity are also essential to discipleship. It also points to the divine nature of Jesus, who is to be worshipped along with the Father and the Spirit.

Jesus has discipled His followers and now sends them on a mission to go and make disciples. This command still applies to each believer today. Unfortunately, many congregations often expect the pastor to do this while they act as cheerleaders. This is not what Jesus said. We are all to make disciples as we go along. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/discipled-to-make-disciples

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mt 28:19–20). Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 107). Victor Books.

The Authority of Jesus

Tom Graves

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November 17, 2025

The authority of Jesus and its importance were among the last things He demonstrated to the disciples before He ascended into heaven. Matthew 28:18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.[1] When someone is dying or leaving, their last words are important, which makes the last words of Jesus even more significant.

God granted Jesus authority over both heaven and earth, serving as a strong symbol of divine honor. This was an honor bestowed upon Jesus as He paid the price for our sins on the cross. He was both man and God to save us from our sins. Coming to earth was not easy for Jesus, but He took that risk because of His great love for you.

Sometimes we wonder if God truly loves us. We only need to think about Jesus coming down to this messy earth to see the depth of His love—a love that would lead Him to the cross. He now holds “all authority,” which means nothing is beyond His sovereign power.

Jesus’ Authority Gives Us Comfort.

During Jesus’ temptation recorded in Matthew 4:1-11, satan offered Him “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.” Yet, Jesus stood firm and obeyed God, even though a horrible death on the cross awaited Him. Afterwards, He was raised in victory, gaining all authority over heaven and earth.

 Since Jesus has been given all authority, we can follow Him wherever He leads us without fear. Regardless of the circumstances we face in life or where the Spirit guides us, we know that Jesus is always in control, providing great comfort. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He defeated sin, death, and the devil. Never again would satan have an opportunity to come against Him as he did when He walked the earth. 

Jesus Gives Us Authority to Build His Kingdom

 When you take time to study the book of Acts, we see believers operating based on the Lord’s sovereign authority. An example of this is when Peter and John healed a lame man outside the Temple in Jerusalem. Acts 3:4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” [2] 

Followers of Jesus ministered in His name and depended on His power and the work of the Spirit to guide them. This is the same authority that is given to believers today to build God’s Kingdom. Here are five areas where Jesus grants us authority: to become children of God, to proclaim the good news of Jesus, to make disciples, to heal the sick, and to cast out demons. We are blessed that the Lord wants to involve us in His work, and in doing so, He empowers us with His authority.

To learn more about the authority of Jesus, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/discipled-to-make-disciples

[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.

Human Frailty and Faith

Tom Graves

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November 16, 2025

Human frailty and faith are challenges many people face as they grow in their faith. There may have been a time in your life, or even now, when you doubt who Jesus is. The disciples had been with Jesus for three years and had seen many signs, miracles, and wonders, but some still questioned Jesus. Matthew 28:16Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! [1]

We tend to put the disciples on a pedestal, thinking they wouldn’t face struggles like we do, but they did. They were real people just like us, and they were also on a spiritual journey. As people, we have weaknesses, and we continually need the Lord’s assistance to walk along the narrow road of faith.

Dependence on God

We like to think that once we place our faith in Jesus, all struggles to believe would end, but that is not true. As believers, we continually need to rely on the Lord and the work of the Holy Spirit to maintain a strong faith. Romans 10:17So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.[2]

Because of our shared humanity and vulnerabilities, Jesus came, suffered, and rose—not in spite of these, but because of them. It’s through this very fragility that He extends His grace to us and fills us with His Spirit, inspiring us to live as He wishes—fully alive and completely trusting in Him. God often works through our human imperfections, turning our weaknesses into opportunities to showcase His incredible power and glory.

The disciples were not scholars, but ordinary people, such as Matthew the tax collector and James and John, who were fishermen. The world may not have chosen Jesus’s faithful eleven disciples or you, but Jesus did. John 15:16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit. [3]

Frailty and Humility

There is nothing like the struggles of faith that can humble a person, revealing how much we truly need the Lord. After Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas doubted until He showed him the scars in His hands and the wound in His side. Ten days after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the Lord would send the Holy Spirit. The Lord did this, knowing our weaknesses and our need for Him to live within each believer.

Weakness is a wonderful gift from God because it creates the perfect space for Him to reveal Himself to us. Without experiencing weakness, we might not see the need for God’s help. When we embrace our weaknesses, it naturally humbles us and allows us to boast more confidently in God. This kind of weakness is truly uplifting because God loves the weak, and it’s only through weakness that we can genuinely love and depend on Him. In a beautiful way, weakness becomes a sacred invitation for God’s grace to work within us, filling our hearts with His presence.

To learn more about human frailty and faith, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/discipled-to-make-disciples

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

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Remember Jesus’ Words Amid Adversity

Tom Graves

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November 15, 2025

Remember Jesus’s words amid adversity—like a parent’s advice before you venture out into the real world for the first time. When a young adult goes out into the world for the first time, their parents are no longer there, and they have to learn how to depend on the Lord themselves. Unfortunately, not everyone in the world is a believer in Jesus and is filled with the fruits of the Spirit. The day before Jesus was crucified, He called His disciples together to give them insight into what they would face in the future.

John 16:1I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. 2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. 3 This is because they have never known the Father or me. 4 Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer. [1] Jesus had been with them for three years, and now they were entering a different season. I can only imagine how difficult it was to hear those words. 

Without Jesus, Will There Be Joy in Ministry?

Reflecting on Jesus’ words would have given the disciples a new sense of urgency as they looked forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus painted a realistic picture for the disciples, not sugarcoating what lay ahead of them. There would still be joy in being a disciple, but it’s a joy that the world wouldn’t understand.

During challenging times, we often experience the Lord’s joy more profoundly than ever before. This might be difficult for some to accept. When trouble arises, it’s common to want a quick solution. A sudden trial can sometimes leave us feeling hopeless and wondering if we’ve made a mistake. But remember, going through adversity is an essential part of our Christian journey, helping us grow and deepen our faith.

Being Faithful Amidst Adversity

 Paul was imprisoned for his faith and was experiencing the hardship that Jesus told the disciples about, yet he persevered and thrived. 2 Timothy 2:9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. [2]

Only when we have the Holy Spirit working in us and reflect on Jesus’ words do we have the perspective that Paul had. One day, like Paul, we will step into eternity and see Jesus face to face. No matter what challenges we face as believers, they will be worth it to build the Kingdom of God. Think of the people around you that you can impact for the Kingdom. This spirit is reflected in the dying words of William Borden, who gave his life for Jesus on the mission field: “No reserve; no retreat; no regrets.”[3] Remember Jesus’ words amid adversity. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-the-road-gets-hard

[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

[3] Guzik, D. (2013). John (Jn 15:18–25). David Guzik.

Persist Despite Rejection

Paula K. Graves

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November 14, 2025

Jesus wanted His disciples to persist despite rejection, so He gave them a heads-up about what was to come. John 16: 2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.[1]

There was already a precedent for ejecting followers of Jesus from the synagogues. John 9: 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue.[2] As a result, many believers were afraid to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah openly. John 12:42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.[3]

Misplaced Service

Jesus’ prophecy about persecutors killing believers but thinking they were serving God came true quickly. Jewish leaders were enraged when Stephen accused them of murdering Jesus the Messiah. Stephen became the first Christian martyr as the result of a mob stoning him to death.

Saul of Tarsus considered the followers of Jesus to be a heretic group and wanted to purge them from Judaism. Acts 9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. [4]

Then, not only Jewish persecution but also Roman persecution occurred. King Herod put the Apostle James to death to win favor with the Jewish leadership. Acts 12:1 About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. 2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword.[5]

Persist in Love

Jesus had just finished teaching on love before He warned of persecution. John 15: 17 This is my command: Love each other.[6] Persecution was sure to come, but the disciples needed to react to this with love. First of all, they needed the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to discern truth. What would Godly service look like in their situation? Then they would need to proceed in love with the strength that Jesus would provide.

Throughout history, we have seen zealous disciples harm others in the name of serving God. We can’t force anyone to believe; that is an individual choice. It is better to err on the side of mercy. Our methods of serving God must be consistent with His command to love. We can persist despite rejection, but we must do it in a God honoring way. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-the-road-gets-hard

[1-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Don’t Abandon the Faith

Paula K. Graves

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November 13, 2025

Jesus warns the disciples of the battles to come so they don’t abandon the faith. John 16:1 I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. [1] The Greek word translated “abandon” here is skandalizo. Its primary meaning is to be offended. Strong’s Lexicon defines it as to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey. This happens when one is offended or sees in another what they disapprove of, hindering them from acknowledging the other’s authority. [2]

Thus, Jesus didn’t want the disciples to be offended with God when persecution happened. They had observed opposition from the Jewish leadership increase as Jesus ministered. Now, in less than twenty-four hours, the Jewish leaders will request that Jesus be crucified.

Unmet Expectations

The Jewish leaders were well acquainted with the Messianic prophesies. In fact, they would have memorized them. They had interpreted these prophecies and believed the Messiah would come as a political leader like King David. The Jewish leadership did not anticipate the Messiah coming twice, nor that the first time He would overcome the sin problem. As a result, Jesus was not the Messiah they expected. These unmet expectations led them to have Jesus put to death.

God had called Jeremiah to be a prophet. As Jeremiah began his ministry, he expected others to listen to and follow his messages. Unfortunately, most ignored his messages and persecuted him. This wasn’t what he anticipated, and he blamed God. Jeremiah 20: 7 O Lord, you misled me, and I allowed myself to be misled. You are stronger than I am, and you overpowered me. [3] Unlike the Jewish leaders, as Jeremiah prayed through his offense, he realized God was with him and would overcome. Jeremiah 20: 11 But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him my persecutors will stumble. [4]

Forewarned is Forearmed

Jesus knew that His followers would face severe persecution. He did not want them to have unrealistic expectations for their faith journey, so he warned them about the persecution to come. That way they wouldn’t be offended with God and leave the faith. Jesus would be their model as they faced the same problems.

This teaching still holds for us today. Some preachers promise that God will make you wealthy and healthy if you follow Him. While we certainly receive many blessings for this world and the next as we follow and trust Jesus, it is not always easy. We have an enemy that hates us and doesn’t want us to follow Jesus. He will try to do anything to make us walk away from the faith.

One of his favorite schemes is to tell us we should be offended by the way God treats us. We must be like Jeremiah and pray through confusing times. Jesus promises to always be with us. We have the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. God can redeem what the enemy means for evil and turn it for our good. Don’t abandon the faith; allow the tough times to strengthen it. To learn more, listen here:

[1,3,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 16:1). Tyndale House Publishers.

[2]G4624, Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

Relying on the Spirit’s Strength

Tom Graves

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November 12, 2025

Relying on the Spirit’s strength is a gift from the Lord, guiding us on our spiritual journey so we can fulfill the plans He has for us. It’s a plan so excellent that, in the New Testament era, we are blessed to have the Holy Spirit dwell in every believer in Jesus. The Lord continued to reveal this wonderful gift the day before He was crucified, that He was going to send the Holy Spirit.

John 15:26 But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. 27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry. [1] In the Christian Walk, relying on God and the Holy Spirit is essential, but it runs counter to cultural norms.

In life, we tend to depend on ourselves, and many times, we have to figuratively hit a wall before we realize we can’t do life on our own. Perhaps you have been there in the past or are there now. It was only when I hit a wall in life that I became more open to relying on the Holy Spirit and letting Him lead me. That was the time when I started making greater progress in my spiritual life. God is an excellent teacher and often uses our failures as His most outstanding teaching opportunities.

Being Repeatedly Filled With the Spirit


     Being filled with the Holy Spirit isn’t just a one-time experience; it’s an ongoing journey of empowerment that helps us live out our faith and joyfully share the good news with others. It’s a beautiful cycle of seeking and opening ourselves up to the Holy Spirit’s full presence in our lives. Ephesians 5:17Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.[2]

In this verse, the apostle Paul gently reminds us not to be foolish, but to truly understand God’s will. He beautifully compares being filled with the Holy Spirit to being under the influence of wine, emphasizing how important it is to be filled with God’s Spirit instead. The phrase “be filled” in the original Greek is in the present perfect tense, meaning it’s not a one-time thing but an ongoing action.[3] Being continually filled encourages us to seek and welcome the Holy Spirit’s fullness into our lives.

Dependence on God’s Spirit for Transformation


     Our dependence on God and the Holy Spirit is a beautiful partnership. As we turn to Him, He works within us, changing us from the inside out. None of us can change without the Holy Spirit, who brings transformation. Without the Spirit, true salvation isn’t possible; it touches hearts, guides us to repentance, and helps us believe in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

No one can truly come to faith or live fully for God without His Spirit. Remembering our need for the Holy Spirit keeps us humble and dependent on Him. We can’t rely on our efforts — only through the Spirit’s power can we see transformation and fulfill the Great Commission. To learn more about relying on the Spirit’s strength, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-the-road-gets-hard

[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

[3] Heiser, M. S., & Setterholm, V. M. (2013; 2013). Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology. Lexham Press.

Hardening My Heart to the Miracles of Jesus

Tom Graves

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November 11, 2025

Hardening my heart to the miracles of Jesus might seem unlikely, yet this occurred in Bible days and still happens today. In God’s mercy, He reveals Himself through signs and wonders so that people will believe and that believers will have their faith strengthened. How would seeing a miracle or hearing a personal testimony of someone experiencing a miracle affect you?

A friend was working under the front bumper of a semi-truck when the jack failed and the truck fell on him. The truck’s owner raised the semi with another jack and called an ambulance to the scene. In a near-death experience, my friend saw two angels, one on each side, kneeling beside his body. A Christian first responder prayed over him when she arrived, and he came back to life.

Although he was now breathing, he was severely injured with five major arteries severed and many broken bones. In a miracle from God, he survived after several major surgeries. From his research, he is the only known person in medical history to have five major arteries severed and survive. While many people at his church believed his survival was a miracle and praised God, others could not accept that the Lord performs miracles today.

Hardened Hearts Cause Spiritual Blindness

The Jews had no reason to despise Jesus. He came as their Savior, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, healing many, and offering eternal life to believers. However, some believed they were serving God by rejecting Jesus, when in reality, they were serving Satan. 

Jesus gives more insight into their hardened hearts. John 15:24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. 25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’ [1]

Jesus quoted Psalm 35:19 when He said He would be hated without cause. The Lord knows the hearts of humankind, and even when wonders are performed in their sight, some will still turn away. How sad!

The Same Sun That Melts Ice Hardens Clay

Today, you might be searching for the God who comes to save, rescue, forgive, and give you eternal life. He is the God who does not change and remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. You and I may never see a miracle or personally experience one, but we can read God’s word, which tells of the many miracles Jesus performed. Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.[2]

Something supernatural occurs when we spend time in God’s word. The living word touches our hearts like nothing else can. In essence, coming to faith is a miracle from God. Ephesians 2:8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.[3] If you have never placed your faith in Jesus as your Savior, let the Son of God soften your heart, come to Him, and be saved!

To learn about hardening my heart to the miracles of Jesus, listen here:   

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-the-road-gets-hard 

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

The Consequences of Rejecting Jesus

Tom Graves

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November 10, 2025

The consequences of rejecting Jesus are eternal and begin in this life as people walk down the broad road of the world. The profound implication for those who reject Jesus explains why He calls people to come to Him in faith. If you have never believed in Him, the Lord is calling you today! It’s never too late to turn to the Lord this side of eternity! When we repent of our sins, the Lord welcomes us with open, loving arms into the family of God. 

 Jesus tells us that, with His help, we can choose the narrow gateway. This is the miracle of the Gospel. Matthew 7:13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.[1]

The wide road appeals to our sinful nature because people believe happiness comes from getting what they want and focusing on themselves at the expense of others. It is never God’s will for anyone to perish, but for all to repent. (Ref. 2 Peter 3:9.)

The Enemy Blinds People

As people travel down the broad road, they reject Jesus’ call to turn and repent of their sins. As the call to reject Jesus increases in a person’s heart, it becomes hard to the point of hating Jesus and those who follow Him. Jesus explains more about why people reject Him. John 15:21They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. [2]

This is the spiritual battle many people face without realizing it, as the enemy has closed their eyes to their sin. Corinthians 4:4Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. [3]

Although the enemy blinds people, they will not have an excuse for rejecting Jesus. John 15:22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. [4]

Can Hate Turn to Love?

Is it possible to change your life from hatred of Jesus and His followers to coming to Him in faith? Yes, it is, as we see from the Apostle Paul. In Acts chapter nine, Paul was on the broad road to hell until Jesus intervened in his life. Paul was a religious Jew who persecuted Jesus’ followers and was spiritually blind. As Paul traveled to Damascus to persecute believers, he was struck blind by Jesus.

Three days later, the Lord sent a believer named Ananias to lay his hands on him and pray for him. During those three days, the Holy Spirit worked in Paul’s heart, and when Ananias prayed for him, he believed and was then baptized. No one is beyond the reach of God. The Lord may be placing someone on your heart today to pray that they would come to Jesus. It is a tremendous privilege to stand in the gap for the rescue of someone’s soul.

To learn more about the consequences of rejecting Jesus, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/podpanel/episode/when-the-road-gets-hard

[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

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