Justice and Mercy –part 11

When the people of Israel were journeying through the wilderness, they got discouraged, complaining about the manna God was providing, and that there was no water. They spoke against God and against Moses. The LORD then sent venomous serpents among the people. The serpents bit the people and many died. The people came to Moses saying, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people.

God’s answer to Moses’ prayer was for Moses to make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who were bitten would live if they looked upon it. Anyone that had been bitten, when he beheld the serpent of brass lived.

Jesus said that as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, He must also be lifted up. Just as we have been bitten by the poison of sin that brings death, if we believe in Jesus we will live. (John 3:14-15)

What does it mean, if we believe in Jesus we will live?

"On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." - John 7:37-39 NKJV

Jesus tells us that if we believe in Him, we would receive His Spirit. His Spirit was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost. The Bible tells us that His Spirit gives us life. Jesus promises His Spirit to those that repent and are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins.

"But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God." - Romans 8:9-10 NLT

Apostle Paul explained to disciples of John the Baptist that John told the people to believe in Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in Jesus name. They then received His Spirit.

"Paul said, "John's baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus." As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied." - Acts 19:4-6 NLT

Just as these men needed to hear about Jesus from a preacher in order to believe in Jesus, people today need to hear from a preacher.

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" - Romans 10:14-15 KJV

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the gospel of peace.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit]. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

To be continued…