Let us read John 9:1–3.

“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:1–3)

People are born into very different circumstances and conditions. Some are born into prosperous families where they lack nothing, while others are born into families burdened by poverty and debt. Some are born healthy, while others are born with physical weakness, illness, or conditions that make them painfully conscious of how others may see them.

No one would choose to be born into difficult or disadvantaged circumstances. Yet the circumstances and conditions into which we are born are beyond our control. Scripture teaches us to view every area of our lives under the sovereignty of God.

Then should someone who is born with fewer advantages than others consider himself unfortunate? Not necessarily. Surprisingly, we often find that those who have experienced greater hardship and need can become people whose hearts overflow with deeper gratitude and praise toward God.

Because He Was Born Blind

Consider the man in today’s passage who was blind from birth. Through no fault of his own, he was born unable to see. Jesus clearly said that his blindness was neither because of his own sin nor because of his parents’ sin.

He could easily have spent his life bitterly resenting his circumstances. Yet God did something wonderful in his life. Jesus opened his eyes, and through that miracle the man came to understand clearly that Jesus was a man sent from God.

Even when people questioned him and tried to portray Jesus as a sinner, he refused to deny what had happened to him. Instead, he boldly answered:

“Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.” (John 9:30–33)

Had he not been born blind, he might never have experienced this particular grace through which he came to know and believe in Jesus so deeply.

I Waited Patiently for the LORD

When we pray to God about the difficulties in our lives, He sometimes does not answer us immediately. Yet even this need not become a reason to complain against Him. When God finally answers our prayers, He can fill our mouths with the fruit of praise, just as Scripture says:

“Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.” (Psalm 126:2)

David also experienced times when he cried earnestly to God but did not receive an immediate answer. In Psalm 40:1, he says:

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1)

David waited so long for God’s answer that he described himself as waiting patiently for the LORD. Yet when God finally heard his cry, David sang:

“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” (Psalm 40:2–3)

Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, experienced something similar. For many years she had no child and prayed with tears. But after God graciously gave her Samuel, she praised Him:

“My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:1–2)

Because there was waiting, there was genuine thanksgiving. Because there were tears, there was deeper praise.

If this is so, how can a delayed answer from God be regarded only as a cause of unhappiness?

For the Glory of God

People sometimes think that human suffering began because of Adam’s sin and say, “If only Adam had not sinned, we would have been happier.”

Yet Adam’s fall did not end only in misery. Against the dark background of human sin, we came to see the astonishing love of God, who loved us so greatly that He gave His only begotten Son for us.

When Lazarus became sick, his sisters sent word to Jesus. Jesus said:

“This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” (John 11:4)

From this we can see that God desires to be glorified through the circumstances He permits in our lives.

Therefore, even when we encounter various trials, we do not lose our hope in God. We believe that through these very things, God can ultimately bring forth the fruit of praise from our lips and glorify His name.

For this reason, Scripture tells us:

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Let us read Luke 19:10.

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

When a sheep is with its shepherd, it has no need to search for him. But when a sheep is lost, it seeks the shepherd. It is much like the healthy, who do not seek a physician, while the sick do.

When the younger son who took his father’s inheritance was still living with his father, he had no reason to seek him. But after he went into a far country, wasted everything he had in reckless living, and began to starve, he finally remembered and longed for his father’s house.

In the same way that a lost sheep seeks its shepherd and the younger son longed for his father, those who seek God are those who have come to realize that they are lost and need Him.

Jesus Seeks the Lost

Jesus came into this world seeking the lost because the lost need a Saviour. When we look at the people Jesus met and showed grace to in Scripture, we find that many of them were desperately in need of someone to save them.

The Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at the well was such a person. When she recognized Jesus as a prophet, she said to Him:

“I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.” (John 4:25)

Jesus did not simply see a woman who was living with a man who was not her husband after having had five husbands. To other people, she may have appeared to be a woman with many problems, but Jesus looked beyond her outward circumstances and saw a heart waiting for the Messiah.

As Scripture says:

“For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Jesus looked upon her heart.

The man who had been infirm for thirty-eight years, whom Jesus met at the pool of Bethesda, was another such person. When Jesus asked him:

“Wilt thou be made whole?” (John 5:6)

he answered:

“Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.” (John 5:7)

Whenever the water at the pool of Bethesda was troubled, the man had tried to reach the pool before anyone else. But contrary to his hopes, someone else always entered before him.

As this happened again and again, he came to experience the despair of realizing, “I cannot do this by my own strength.” Eventually, he came to understand that he needed someone to help him—someone to save him from the helpless condition in which he found himself.

Jesus saw such a heart.

Zacchaeus was also such a person. The fact that he climbed into a sycamore tree because he wanted to see who Jesus was reveals something about his heart.

As a chief publican, climbing a tree in full view of the crowd would hardly have been a dignified thing to do. Yet he was willing to disregard what others might think because he desperately wanted to see Jesus.

Perhaps his desire to see Jesus was more than simple curiosity. There was a thirst in his heart that nothing in this world had been able to satisfy. Jesus did not pass him by. He personally called Zacchaeus by name.

Ye Shall Seek Me, and Find Me

The same is true of how we come to receive the grace of God.

We begin to seek God for many different reasons. Some seek Him because they have discovered their own weakness and wickedness and find themselves unable to overcome sin. Others seek Him because of sickness, suffering, or problems that they know they can never solve by their own strength.

Scripture tells us of many people who received grace when they sought Jesus.

There was the woman who had suffered from an issue of blood for twelve years. There was the Syrophenician woman whose daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit. There was also blind Bartimaeus, the beggar who cried out to Jesus.

Therefore Jeremiah 29:13 says:

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

The Pharisees and scribes in the days of Jesus did not receive His grace because they did not earnestly seek Him. Instead, they sought the praise and glory of men.

Even today, many people do not come to Jesus because their hearts desire and seek other things rather than Him.

God Calls Us First

There is, however, one more thing we must consider.

Before we ever began to seek God, God first called us.

Isaiah 65:2 says:

“I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts.” (Isaiah 65:2)

In truth, everyone needs the grace of God. In that sense, all people are lost. The problem is that many do not realize that they are lost.

A person deceived by the devil may believe that he has no need of God’s help. He thinks he can live perfectly well without God.

But the poor in spirit are different.

They know that they desperately need God. And it is such a heart that hears the voice of God calling.

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

Let us read 1 Corinthians 12:3.

“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

People often want to know for certain whether they are truly saved. If we have a clear assurance that we are children of God, we will not consider it a loss to give ourselves for the gospel. Rather, we will regard it as an honor. Serving God will become a source of true joy and happiness.

The apostle John also wrote to the church:

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)

This verse shows us that even those who already believe in Jesus may sometimes lack assurance that they have eternal life.

Scripture gives us several ways by which we may have assurance of our salvation. One of them is our confession that we have received the forgiveness of sins. This is because understanding and believing the gospel of forgiveness cannot take place apart from God’s help.

Second Corinthians 6:2 says:

“For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

He Hath Abounded Toward Us in All Wisdom and Prudence

Some people think that they can believe in Jesus whenever they choose. But it is not that simple. Those who think this way do not understand how cunningly the devil works to keep the human heart in darkness.

The devil thoroughly deceives people so that they will not believe in Jesus Christ. Therefore, Scripture says:

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Therefore, a person needs God’s help in order to be saved. Let us look at Ephesians 1:7–9.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.” (Ephesians 1:7–9)

There is an important statement here:

“Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will.” (Ephesians 1:8–9)

It is difficult for us to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ through our own wisdom alone. God must give us wisdom and understanding. Therefore, the fact that we have come to understand the gospel of the forgiveness of sins shows that we did not discover it merely through our own ability; God made it known to us.

Jesus asked His disciples:

“But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)

Peter answered:

“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)

Then Jesus said to Peter:

“Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17)

Peter came to understand that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, because God revealed it to him.

In the same way, if we have come to understand the mystery of the gospel—that through the blood of Jesus Christ we have received the forgiveness of sins—it is because God has made it known to us.

Therefore, Scripture says:

“No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

In His Son

People often think that they must first receive forgiveness and become holy before they can enter into Christ. But Scripture presents it differently. Let us look at Colossians 1:13–14.

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13–14)

There is an important phrase here:

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:14)

Scripture says that we have received the forgiveness of sins “in” the Son.

God delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. And in His Son, He gave us wisdom and understanding so that we might understand the gospel of the forgiveness of sins.

Therefore, the fact that we have received forgiveness does not merely mean that our sins have been taken away. It also shows that we are already in Christ.

Those Who Have Obtained Mercy

God desires that all people should be saved. Yet not everyone is saved. Salvation comes through the mercy of God. Romans 9:15–16 says:

“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Romans 9:15–16)

The Bible tells us of many people who received mercy from Jesus. When we look carefully at them, we find that they were not those who considered themselves healthy and therefore had no need of a physician. They were like the sick who knew they needed a physician.

What do we see when we look at ourselves?

We are ignorant, and yet we are also proud. We may seem to be people far removed from deserving the mercy of God. Nevertheless, we have received the forgiveness of sins.

That means we have received the mercy of God.

Therefore, when we can confess that all our sins have been forgiven through Jesus Christ, it is powerful evidence that we have received God’s mercy, have been brought into Christ, and now belong to Him.

As Scripture says:

“For all men have not faith.” (2 Thessalonians 3:2)

The confession that we have received the forgiveness of sins is not something that comes naturally to everyone. It is possible because God, in His mercy, has made the gospel known to us and has brought us to faith in Jesus Christ.

Let us read John 8:32.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

A young woman once went to visit a friend and was raped by a man there. Tragically, she became pregnant as a result. Although she wanted nothing to do with the man, she decided that she would marry him for the sake of the child she was carrying. The man, however, refused to marry her. When her father learned what had happened, he strongly pressured her to have an abortion. Eventually, unable to withstand his persistent pressure, she had the abortion.

Afterward, she was overwhelmed by guilt over the death of her unborn child and suffered deeply. She could not bear the thought of seeing the man who had assaulted her again, so she moved to another country. But no matter how far away she went, she could not escape the guilt she carried within her.

She began attending church. Whenever she went to church, she wept and prayed for God to forgive her sin, but still she could not escape the burden of guilt.

She wondered whether helping people in need might free her from her guilt, so whenever she earned money, she gave to those who were struggling. Yet no matter how many good works she did, the pain in her heart remained.

When she had become completely exhausted, someone she knew invited her to attend a Bible seminar. There she heard these words:

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

At that moment, she realized that her own sin was included in “the sin of the world” that Jesus had taken away. She came to believe that because Jesus had borne the punishment in her place on the cross, all her sins had been forgiven.

Then an indescribable joy and peace entered her heart. At last, she was freed from the guilt and condemnation that had tormented her so cruelly.

She had not obtained that freedom through her own efforts. She could not obtain it by doing good works for others, nor could she obtain it simply by weeping and praying. But when she heard the Word of God and believed in Jesus Christ, she found freedom.

Psalm 107 says:

“Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:18–20)

God sends His Word, heals people, and delivers them from destruction.

Cornelius Was Saved Through Hearing the Word

There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius. He was a centurion of the band called the Italian band. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave generously to the people, and prayed to God continually.

If human works were the condition of salvation, Cornelius would have appeared to be more worthy of salvation than most people.

But no one can be justified before God by his own works. Therefore, God sent Peter to the house of Cornelius to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to him.

When Peter arrived, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends together to hear the Word of God. Peter began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to them.

As Peter said:

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43)

the Holy Ghost fell on all those who heard the Word.

They were not saved because of their good works. They were saved because they believed the gospel of Jesus Christ that was preached to them.

The Power of the Word

The woman who had been tormented by guilt after having an abortion heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and came to understand the grace of forgiveness. Likewise, when those gathered in the house of Cornelius heard that whoever believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name, they received the Holy Ghost.

In this way, the Word has power to save.

The Word has power because the Word is God. John 1:1 says:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

And Jesus Christ is the Word who became flesh and came among us. Therefore, the words of Jesus have the power to accomplish what He speaks.

Once, Jesus was asleep in a boat with His disciples when a great storm arose. The waves beat against the ship until it began to fill with water. The disciples woke Jesus and cried:

“Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38)

Then Jesus arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea:

“Peace, be still.” (Mark 4:39)

Immediately, the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

On another occasion, Jesus stood before the tomb of Lazarus, who had died, and cried:

“Lazarus, come forth.” (John 11:43)

And the man who had been dead came out of the tomb, bound hand and foot with graveclothes.

Jesus also came to the daughter of Jairus, who had died, and said:

“Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” (Mark 5:41)

Immediately, the girl arose.

Jesus said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

And He also said:

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

Therefore, when we believe the Word of Jesus in our hearts, His Word works powerfully within us. It sets us free not only from sin, but also from the things that have held us in bondage.

Psalm 33:9 says:

“For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” (Psalm 33:9)

Let us read James 1:17.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

There is an old Chinese expression, “When the rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked.” It means that once a person has served his purpose, he may be cast aside.

This saying is traditionally associated with Han Xin (韓信), a renowned general during the early Han dynasty in China. Han Xin helped Liu Bang, who later became Emperor Gaozu of Han, defeat Xiang Yu and played a major role in the unification of the empire. But after the empire had been secured, Liu Bang came to regard Han Xin as a possible threat to his power. Han Xin was eventually stripped of his position and later executed after being accused of conspiracy. His fate came to be associated with the saying about the hunting dog being discarded once the hunt was over.

Throughout history, there have been many stories of people who once enjoyed the favor of a king but were suddenly cast aside when the king’s heart changed. One reason people fear other people is that human beings can change at any time. Therefore, we cannot find perfect rest either in ourselves or in other people.

But we can rest in God because God does not change.

That which is perfect does not need to change.

Automobiles, for example, have continually been developed and changed over the years. The fact that automobiles have continued to improve shows that they have never been perfect. If a perfect automobile had already been made, there would be no need to develop a new one. But because there is no perfect automobile in this world, automobiles will continue to be developed and changed.

God alone is unchanging. Therefore, the Word He has spoken will never change. Psalm 119:89 says:

“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89)

God Judges According to His Word

Some people think that because God is love, if they weep and plead with Him on the day of final judgment, He will take pity on them.

But such a thought fails to understand that God is perfect and unchanging. Everything will be fulfilled according to the Word He has spoken.

Jesus has already said:

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)

Therefore, those who do not believe in Jesus have reason to fear and tremble. At the final judgment, those who remain in unbelief will face the judgment God has already declared in His Word.

God Delivers Us from All Our Troubles

Today’s passage says that with God there is “neither shadow of turning.”

When a person moves, the position and shape of his shadow change. A shadow also changes as the position of the sun changes. But when Scripture says that with God there is “neither shadow of turning,” it teaches us that God is not like man, changing from one moment or circumstance to another.

God’s character does not change. His purpose does not change. His Word does not change.

Psalm 34:15 says:

“The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” (Psalm 34:15)

God does not turn His eyes and ears away from the righteous. Wherever we may be, He sees us and does not turn His face away from us. He sees us in our troubles and hears our cries.

Therefore, Psalm 34:19 says:

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19)

We should pay particular attention to the words “them all.”

We do not experience only one affliction in life. We face many troubles. Yet even in the midst of them, we can have hope because God has promised to deliver the righteous from all their afflictions.

Because God cannot change, we can trust Him to remain faithful to His Word through every trial.

God Is Faithful

Second Timothy 2:13 says:

“If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)

To be “faithful” means to be trustworthy, dependable, and true to one’s word. Human beings can fail and prove unreliable. But God does not change according to circumstances.

God is always faithful, and He keeps the words He has spoken and the promises He has made.

Throughout Scripture, many people rejoiced in hope because they trusted the unchanging Word of God, and God did not put their trust to shame.

We who are sinners can also rest in Jesus Christ, who accomplished eternal redemption for us, because we know that no further payment for our sins is required.

Our rest is not based upon our own faithfulness, which may waver, but upon the faithfulness of the God who never changes.

Let us read Matthew 18:21–22.

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21–22)

When we are young, we sometimes play mischievous pranks on our friends. For example, someone might pull out the hairs on a sleeping friend’s leg one by one. The first or second time, the friend may take it as a joke. But if it continues, even the closest friend will eventually become angry. Everyone has a limit to his patience.

When someone wrongs us, we may be able to forgive once or twice. But when the same offense is repeated again and again, we become increasingly hurt, and eventually forgiveness becomes very difficult.

Peter asked Jesus:

“Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” (Matthew 18:21)

We do not know exactly why Peter chose the number seven. Perhaps he thought he was suggesting a number far beyond what people would normally consider reasonable forgiveness. But Jesus answered:

“I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22)

The point is not simply the number of times we are to forgive. Jesus was teaching that when a brother sins against us, we should be ready to forgive again and again.

This gives us great comfort and hope because we too fail before God countless times. If God forgave us only once or twice when we failed, none of us could stand before Him. But when we turn from our wrong and come to God, He is always ready to forgive us. Human forgiveness has its limits, but God’s mercy and forgiveness are beyond measure.

The Devil Deceives Us Without Our Realizing It

The devil deceives people. Yet those who are deceived by him often do not realize that they are being deceived. This is what makes his deception so dangerous.

If a person knows that he is being deceived, he can turn away from the deception. But the more a person trusts in himself, the more difficult it can be for him to escape the devil’s schemes.

Judas Iscariot is a clear example of this.

Judas betrayed Jesus to the chief priests and elders for thirty pieces of silver. Because he knew that Jesus was innocent, he may have thought that even if Jesus were arrested, He would eventually be released.

But when Judas saw that Jesus had been condemned, he realized that he had done wrong and tried to return the thirty pieces of silver. When the chief priests and elders refused to take the money, he threw the silver into the temple, departed, and took his own life.

The fact that Judas took his own life over his betrayal of Jesus shows how deeply he condemned himself for what he had done. Yet John 13:2 tells us:

“The devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him.” (John 13:2)

Judas did not recognize the work of the devil behind the thought of betraying Jesus. Had he recognized the enemy’s deception and turned to Christ rather than surrendering to despair and self-condemnation, his response could have been very different.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has power to deliver even the worst sinner from condemnation and give him life. Judas had been with Jesus and must have heard the words of the gospel many times. Yet those words did not profit him because, deceived by the devil, he ultimately trusted his own judgment rather than the words of Jesus. The path he chose led him to destruction.

Though Our Faith May Waver

The devil who deceived Judas still seeks to deceive us today.

We have the Word of God. We also have many things God has done for us. Yet this does not mean that we always hold firmly to His promises. Depending on our circumstances, our faith in God’s Word may waver.

At such times, the devil directs our attention toward our weakness and whispers:

“You have no faith.”

“You have fallen again.”

“Do you really think God could be pleased with someone like you?”

“God is not going to help you anymore.”

If we accept these lies, we may begin to believe that God will no longer help us. Then we lose hope and become discouraged.

At such times, we must remember Jesus, who taught us to forgive seventy times seven.

God says:

“At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.” (Jeremiah 18:7–8)

God is willing to turn from judgment when those facing destruction turn from their evil. Therefore, when we acknowledge our unbelief before Him and turn our eyes toward Him again, we have every reason to trust that He will help us.

Look at Peter.

During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came walking on the sea. Peter said:

“Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)

Jesus said, “Come,” and Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water toward Him.

But when Peter saw the wind, he became afraid and began to sink. Then he cried:

“Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30)

Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.

Jesus did not abandon Peter because his faith was weak and he doubted. Instead, He immediately stretched forth His hand and held him.

When Peter was walking on the water, Jesus was his Lord.

And when Peter doubted and began to sink, Jesus was still his Lord.

The same is true for us. God does not love us only when our faith is strong. Even when our faith wavers, He continues to hold us.

God Is Not Like Us

We often imagine that God is like us.

Sometimes we find it difficult to forgive the failures of others, and at other times we are unable even to be gracious toward ourselves. As a result, we may assume that God will treat us in the same way when we fail.

But Romans 8:1 clearly says:

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

When we look at ourselves after we have failed, we can find countless reasons to condemn ourselves. But in Jesus Christ, there is no condemnation.

Scripture also says:

“Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” (Romans 14:22)

Through His command to forgive “seventy times seven,” Jesus taught us a forgiveness that is not exhausted by repeated offenses.

Therefore, when we become disappointed and discouraged by what we see in ourselves, we must turn our eyes toward God, who receives us in our weakness and embraces us with mercy.

As we look to Him, God gives us new strength.

He lifts us up again so that we may continue walking the path of faith with our eyes fixed upon Him.

Let us read 1 Corinthians 4:7.

“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

I planted a few cucumber seeds in a pot. After some time, they sprouted and leaves began to grow. Before long, cucumbers began to appear.

Then one day, one of the cucumber plants began to wither, and eventually its leaves dried up completely. Wondering what had happened, I looked more closely and discovered that part of the stem had been bent so badly that it was almost broken. Because the stem had been damaged, the water and nutrients coming up from the roots could no longer reach the plant properly.

As I looked at it, I was reminded of what Romans 11 says about the branches and the root:

“Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.” (Romans 11:18)

Can a branch boast simply because it has produced fruit? Of course not. It was able to bear fruit because it received water and nourishment from the root.

In the same way, we cannot boast about the good things we possess, because everything we have has been received from God.

When everything is going well and we are prospering, it is easy to think that we enjoy these things because we are more capable than others. But when we trace everything we enjoy back to its source, we find the grace of God.

Even if we are not wealthy, the fact that we are able to live without lacking the necessities of life is not the result of our own ability alone. It is God who has given us the strength and ability to make a living. Deuteronomy 8:18 says:

“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)

This is why Paul asks:

“And what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

The Pride of Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, possessed great power and glory. But he came to believe that everything he enjoyed had been accomplished by his own strength.

One day, as he walked through the royal palace and looked upon the glory of Babylon, he said:

“Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30)

Before Nebuchadnezzar had even finished speaking, a voice came from heaven:

“O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” (Daniel 4:31–32)

Nebuchadnezzar’s words were filled with the thought of “I.”

“I built it by my power. I accomplished it by my strength. I made this kingdom for my own glory.”

But in a moment, God took away everything upon which Nebuchadnezzar had depended.

He was driven away from men and lived among the beasts of the field. He ate grass like an ox. His body was wet with the dew of heaven, his hair grew like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

After seven times had passed, he finally came to understand who he was and who God is. He confessed:

“Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:34–35)

Nebuchadnezzar had thought that he himself had accomplished everything. But God caused him to understand that even the ability and authority he possessed had been given to him by God.

The authority a person possesses is permitted by God. The possessions a person enjoys are given by God. And nothing we accomplish would be possible apart from the ability and grace God gives us.

Therefore Solomon said:

“And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:13)

There Is No Room for Boasting in Grace

When a hunter shoots a bird, he may think that he brought it down because of his own skill. But Jesus teaches us that not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the providence of God:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” (Matthew 10:29)

Even the falling of a single sparrow is under God’s sovereign care. Therefore, when we accomplish something, we have no reason to exalt ourselves because of it.

Our salvation also did not come because of our own righteousness or ability. It came because God showed us His grace.

God delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13). In Jesus Christ, He has given us redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, and has made known to us the mystery of His will in all wisdom and prudence (Ephesians 1:7–9).

Therefore Scripture clearly says:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Even after we have believed in Jesus, our spiritual growth is not accomplished by our own strength. Paul says:

“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:7)

Therefore, a person who understands grace cannot boast in himself.

Grace does not cause us to boast about what we have done for God. Grace causes us to boast about what God has done for us.

The Blessing of Trusting in the Lord

After God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, He did not take them immediately into Canaan. Instead, He led them through the wilderness.

The wilderness was not the road Israel would have chosen. Yet God led them that way to humble them and, in the end, to do them good.

God sometimes leads us along roads we would not choose for ourselves. Through them, He teaches us our weakness and our inability so that we may understand that everything we have has been received from Him.

When we understand this, we no longer boast in ourselves. Instead, we boast in God alone and depend upon Him.

Just as a branch cannot bear fruit apart from the root, neither can we accomplish anything apart from God. Therefore, we must humble our hearts and trust in Him.

Scripture describes the blessing of the person who trusts in the Lord:

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7–8)

Let us read Luke 15:25–32.

“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:25–32)

The value of an object is often determined by its price. There are many reasons why people consider gold more precious than an ordinary stone, but one obvious reason is that gold is far more valuable. If gold were as common and inexpensive as stones, we would probably treat it as we do ordinary stones. The greater the value of something, the more precious we consider it to be.

Then how much are we worth?

It would be a great mistake to think of our value merely in terms of the price once paid for a slave. A person’s life is his entire being, and God purchased us with the life of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the price paid for us was the life of Christ Himself. How amazing it is that God considers us so precious that He gave His own Son for us. Romans 8:32 says:

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

Jesus is Lord of all things. Therefore, because we belong to Christ and share in His inheritance, we are able to enjoy all things in Him. This is why the apostle Paul said:

“Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours.” (1 Corinthians 3:21)

Discontent Comes from Not Knowing What Is Ours

The younger son took his father’s property, went into a far country, wasted everything in reckless living, and finally returned home. Yet his father prepared a feast for him.

When the elder son saw what had happened, he became angry. He said to his father:

“Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.” (Luke 15:29–30)

He spoke this way because he did not understand that everything belonging to his father was already his. Therefore, his father told him:

“Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” (Luke 15:31)

If he had truly understood this, he would not have drawn such a sharp distinction between what belonged to his father and what belonged to him.

Likewise, if we do not understand that all things are ours in Christ, we may complain against God when we see others possessing more than we do. And the more a person believes that he has lived more faithfully for God than others, the greater that dissatisfaction may become.

Yet Scripture describes us as:

“As having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (2 Corinthians 6:10)

God Is Our Father, and We Are His Children

Jesus said:

“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” (John 14:20)

Jesus is in the Father, and the Father is in Jesus. Likewise, Jesus is in us, and we are in Him. Therefore, it is not strange that we should share in what belongs to Christ. God deals with us in this way because He is our Father and we are His children.

Parents rejoice when things go well with their children. They do not begrudge giving what they have to their children. Scripture says:

“Love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:10)

Because parents love their children, they do not envy or resent their children’s success. Rather, they desire to see them prosper.

Ye Are Our Rejoicing

The apostle Paul said:

“Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours.” (1 Corinthians 3:22)

If we truly believe this, we will not envy or become jealous of someone who seems to be farther ahead of us spiritually. Instead, knowing that his blessing is also a cause for our joy in Christ, we can rejoice with him and pray for him.

This is why the apostle Paul said:

“Ye are our rejoicing, even as ye also are ours.” (2 Corinthians 1:14)

The elder son did not understand that everything his father had was his, nor did he understand that his brother’s restoration was also a reason for him to rejoice. Had he understood this, he would have joined his father in celebrating the return of his brother who had been lost and was now alive again.

We too sometimes lose the joy that should be ours because of ignorance and mistaken thinking, wasting our time in jealousy, comparison, and conflict. The devil takes advantage of our ignorance to deceive us.

We must never forget that God is our Father.

And our Father delights to give good things to His children.

Let us read Luke 8:49–56.

“While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.” (Luke 8:49–56)

There was once an experiment designed to see how much a patient trusted his doctor. Without telling the patient about the experiment, the doctor instructed him to do things that had nothing to do with his illness. He told him repeatedly to sit down and stand up, and even had him stand with his hands raised.

Surprisingly, the patient did everything the doctor told him to do. After the experiment, he was asked, “Didn’t you think those instructions were strange? Why did you do everything the doctor told you?”

The patient gave a very simple answer: “Because he is a doctor.”

People readily accept the words of someone they trust. On the other hand, when they do not trust someone, they find it difficult to accept that person’s words, even when those words are true.

Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, had an only daughter who was dying. He fell down at Jesus’ feet and pleaded with Him to come to his house. Jesus went with Jairus toward his home.

But while they were on their way, someone came from Jairus’ house and said, “Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.”

When Jairus heard those words, everything must have seemed to be over. Until that moment, he still had hope that if Jesus came, his daughter might live. But the moment he heard that she had died, there seemed to be no reason left to hold on to that hope.

It was precisely then that Jesus said:

“Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.” (Luke 8:50)

When Jesus arrived at Jairus’ house, the people were already weeping and mourning for the dead child. Jesus said:

“Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.” (Luke 8:52)

Then the people laughed Him to scorn because they knew that the child was dead.

In fact, their laughter was a natural reaction. If the girl had merely been sleeping, the people would not have been weeping and mourning as they were. No one there was unable to distinguish between sleep and death. If someone insisted that something black was actually white, people would probably question either his eyesight or his sanity. To those people, the words of Jesus must have sounded just as unreasonable.

But Jairus was different.

Jairus also knew that his daughter was dead. Yet he did not leave Jesus. He did not give up in despair and turn back. He continued walking with Jesus toward his house.

The Difference Was Trust

What separated Jairus from the others?

It was the difference in whom they trusted.

The people trusted more in the reality they could see and knew to be true. Therefore, they could not accept Jesus’ words, “She is not dead, but sleepeth.”

Jairus, however, trusted Jesus more than the reality he could see and understand. So when Jesus said, “Fear not: believe only,” Jairus held on to His words and continued walking with Him.

If we were to tell people, “Because Jesus has washed away all my sins, I am holy before God,” some might think we were out of our minds. Those who know us especially well might say, “I know you. You call yourself holy? Even a child would laugh at that.”

Then what is the difference between those who laugh at us and us?

Again, it is a difference of trust.

We trust God, who declares that the blood of Jesus has cleansed us from all our sins. They trust what they see and what they know about us.

Trusting God Is the Essence of Faith

Abraham is one of the clearest examples in Scripture of this principle of faith. Romans 4:19–21 describes his faith this way:

“And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” (Romans 4:19–21)

Consider Abraham’s circumstances. He was about a hundred years old, and his body was as good as dead. Sarah’s womb was also beyond the natural ability to bear a child.

In essence, this was the same kind of reality Jairus faced. Just as Jairus faced the undeniable fact of his daughter’s death, Abraham faced the undeniable fact that he and Sarah were naturally unable to have a child.

Yet Scripture tells us that Abraham did not become weak in faith.

It was not because Abraham was unaware of his physical condition. He knew it very well. But he trusted God more than the circumstances before his eyes. God had said:

“Lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son.” (Genesis 18:10)

Sarah herself had initially laughed within herself when she heard that she would have a son. Yet she too eventually trusted the faithfulness of the One who had made the promise. As a result, countless descendants came from them. Hebrews says:

“Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.” (Hebrews 11:11–12)

Here we see that Sarah did not merely believe a promise. She trusted the faithfulness of the God who had made the promise.

This is the essence of faith.

A person who trusts God holds on to His Word.

Following the Example of Those Who Lived by Faith

Scripture records many people who trusted God, and their stories were written not only for them but also for us. Romans 4 says:

“Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:23–25)

Abraham and Sarah knew the reality of their own bodies, yet they laid aside their dependence upon what they could see and trusted God.

In the same way, rather than making what we know about ourselves the final standard, we must trust God, who justifies us through Jesus Christ.

Jesus was truly delivered for our offences, and He was raised again for our justification.

Therefore, just as Jesus said to Jairus, He calls us to trust Him:

“Fear not: believe only.” (Luke 8:50)

Let us read Galatians 1:6–8.

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6–8)

There are many gospels in the world that differ from the gospel of Jesus Christ revealed in Scripture. It is practically impossible to identify and refute every false gospel one by one. However, it is not so difficult to discern whether the gospel someone preaches is the true gospel or another gospel. We simply need to know accurately the true gospel taught in Scripture.

I once heard a story about a young man who began working at an antique shop. From his very first day, however, the owner gave him no other work to do. Instead, he handed him an antique and told him to clean it carefully. One day passed, then two, then three, yet every day the young man continued polishing the same antique.

Then one day, the owner asked him to assist a customer. At first, the young man was bewildered because he did not think he had enough knowledge to determine whether an antique was genuine or counterfeit.

To his surprise, however, he was able to recognize quite easily whether the object brought in by the customer was genuine or fake. The antique he had been polishing every day was authentic. By handling and examining the genuine article day after day, he had unknowingly become familiar with its characteristics. Therefore, whenever an object differed even slightly from the genuine antique he knew so well, he could quickly recognize it as a counterfeit.

I do not know whether this story actually happened, but the principle makes sense. Doctors can recognize abnormalities in an X-ray because they know what normal anatomy should look like. When something differs from what is normal, they recognize that something is wrong.

The same principle applies to the gospel. Rather than searching out every false gospel and studying why each one is wrong, it is far more important to know accurately the true gospel revealed in Scripture.

Another Gospel Entered the Galatian Churches

What was the “other gospel” against which Paul warned in Galatians?

The false teaching that entered the Galatian churches taught that faith in Jesus Christ alone was not enough, but that works of the law must also be added in order for a person to be justified. In other words, human works were being added to the merit of Christ.

Suppose a student asks his Bible teacher, “Teacher, can I go to heaven simply by believing in Jesus?”

The teacher replies, “Wouldn’t believing in Jesus alone be insufficient? Shouldn’t we also live a good life?”

At first, the teacher’s answer may sound reasonable, but it is actually another gospel.

Of course, many passages of Scripture teach that believers should live according to the will of God and become His people who are zealous for good works. But if good works are taught as a condition for salvation, the gospel has been corrupted.

Good works are the fruit produced in the lives of those who have been saved, and they are evidence that they are children of God. But good works cannot become the condition of salvation.

If a person could be justified by his own works, there would have been no reason for Jesus to die on the cross. The cross of Christ would have been unnecessary. This is why the apostle Paul said:

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21)

By Faith Alone

In the early church, there was controversy over circumcision, but religious works such as circumcision could never become the basis of salvation. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, the apostle Paul clearly said:

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:6)

This is why many people regard John 3:16 as one of the central verses of the Bible:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

This verse clearly shows that the basis upon which a person receives eternal life is not human works. God gave His only begotten Son, and whoever believes in Him receives everlasting life.

Jesus also connected the lifting up of the brass serpent by Moses in the wilderness with His own death on the cross:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:14–15)

When the Israelites were bitten by the fiery serpents, God caused everyone who looked upon the brass serpent to live. They did not survive because they treated their own wounds, nor did they survive because they proved their own righteousness. They lived because, according to the Word of God, they looked upon the brass serpent lifted up on the pole.

In the same way, we are not saved because of our works. We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ, who died in our place and made us righteous.

This is the gospel.

What Must Not Be Mixed with the Gospel

If human works are added as a condition of salvation, the gospel is no longer the gospel taught in Scripture. The moment something is added to the merit of Christ, the gospel is corrupted and becomes another gospel.

Leviticus 19:19 says:

“Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.” (Leviticus 19:19)

This command contains a spiritual lesson that reminds us not to mix our own works with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must not add human merit to the merit of Christ, nor human righteousness to the grace of God.

God allowed the Israelites who had been bitten by the fiery serpents to live simply by looking at the brass serpent. In the same way, God saves us, though we are sinners, when we believe in Jesus Christ. Both reveal the grace God has given us because He loves us.

Therefore, Paul gives this solemn warning:

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:4)