TODAY'S VERSE:

Matthew 19:25-26 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible".

In prep school we are learning more and more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Good News of salvation. One of our students asked, "What if people don't believe in Jesus because they don't know who He is?" Our verses above answered this question.

In Matthew 19:16-24, a rich, young ruler came to Jesus and asked what good thing he should do to get eternal life. He was very attached to his lifestyle of having a lot of things and didn’t want to change it. What Jesus was asking him to do, sell His possessions and give to the poor, was too uncomfortable and difficult. Yes, on his own it would be too difficult, but with God it could be done! Hopefully he changed his mind later!

God would not create man without making sure that man would be able to know who He is and to know who Jesus Christ is! God created mankind so He (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) could have a relationship with us. In His love and grace, He provided every way possible for us to know Him. He knew that we would sin, so God the Son came to be our Redeemer!

Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known aboutGod is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

One way God has made Himself known is through creation. Look at the earth, stars, moon, sun, and all the planets rotating around the sun! God created them all and it takes His almighty power to keep them in an orderly existence. If for one second He took away His power, there would be the biggest power outage ever! God will not let that happen! He shows us His faithfulness and power every second of every day. On earth we have beautiful flowers and trees that grow from little seeds. Only God could think of making a seed grow into a beautiful plant or tree. Now look at us; our bodies are amazing! It is mind boggling how all the parts work together. Only God could make our bodies work the way they do. In our mind, God gave us a conscience. It tells us right from wrong.

Romans 2:14-15 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them…

God gave the Jews a heart, or a mind, to want to know Him. He is faithful to everyone and He gives us all a heart to want to know Him.

Jeremiah 24:7 I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD;
 
So you see, God wants us to know Him. He wants us to know that we are sinners and we are nothing without Him. He wants us to know that God the Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth to redeem us; He died for our salvation, was buried, and rose from the dead! Jesus Christ won the victory over sin! He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father waiting for us to join Him! God wants us to know Him, and we have the opportunity to know Him. However, He also gave us volition  (free will) so we can choose to believe in Him and Jesus Christ, or not. God is completely fair; He will make sure that every person has the opportunity to know Him no matter where or when they live. He wants to fill the emptiness we have without Him. Nothing else can fill up that emptiness - not friends, not things of this world – only what comes from God! God made us to desire Him; He desires us to be His obedient children!
 
1 Timothy 2:4 Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.
 
God is completely fair! He makes sure that everyone has the opportunity to know what is needed for salvation! It may seem impossible to us to see how He can reach every person with the Gospel. But He can! God is omnipotent and omniscient, all- powerful and all knowing!