John 17:1-5 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹ When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, ² since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. ³ And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. ⁴ I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. ⁵ And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

This is the essential truth of the gospel. Essential truths are basic understanding for everything that follows. Order is establish, promises are made and the definition of eternal life is stated. Eternal life is to know God the Father and His Son whom He sent.

Do you believe that?

There will be two distinct classifications for those who said yes to that question. The first is of the classification of faith. The second will be a group I shall call scientist. Scientist only believe what they can measure and perform experiments that provide consistent and predictable results.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) By Faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

The first group will read this and say, my faith is my assurance and I am convicted by faith. The second group will say that all the elements required to run an experiment exist to prove faith is key to discovering truth. God provides each group with what they need to discover God the Father and Jesus the Son and obtain eternal life.

If you asked each group who have discovered eternal life, which method is better, they would both say, my way. Which of these two types are you?

Zechariah 4:6 (ESV) Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Yesterday as I left off I said that the flesh might have taken over the reins. There is nothing definitive in the word might. We all have to search within ourselves earnestly to understand our motivations. It has been my experience that some will try to force judgment upon us. We all have the capacity to sin but that does not indicate our inclinations.

Romans 6:1-2 (ESV) ¹ What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ² By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

How can we? The answer to that is in the Spirit by faith. Power and night in Zechariah 4:6 refers to human will and position. Mankind, in their desire to control us will tell us what we must do. Their words will insinuate a guilt that is long gone for many of us and is only meant for those who have not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.

My use of the term might is nothing more than a plea to allow God to reveal truth to you for He is the only one who knows what the truth is for each of us. I know what I have done in the past. I know what others have done to me in the past. Those things are in the past for me. It is possible that others might have similar experiences.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.