Paul and Silas were arrested in the Greek city of Philippi for preaching the Good News . They were beaten and scourged then thrown in jail. But they did not moan and groan and even curse, instead they were singing and praying. Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the jail, all the doors of the cells opened, and all the prisoners’ chains came off. The warden awoke and thought there was a jailbreak and the prisoners escaped. He was about to commit hara-kiri, when Paul called out to assure him everyone was in. He came to Paul and Silas as asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They answered and said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household. That night the jailer took them to his house, cleaned them up, fed them, all the while listening to Paul and Silas as they preached to them the Way to salvation, then baptized the whole household.” Acts 16: 16-40.
Nicodemus, a ranking Jewish ruler, member of the Sanhedrin (a Jewish national council) came to Jesus at midnight to dialogue with him, but Jesus sensed his need and said “You must be born again”. This shook Nicodemus badly, could not understand what Jesus meant and Jesus had to explain to him about being born again. Then Jesus told him about God’s great love for man and He said, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes him should not perish but have everlasting life. Only at the crucifixion did Nicodemus understand what Jesus said to him that night and he became a believer of Jesus. John 3:1-2
The thief on the cross did not have time to listen to the preaching of Jesus, but he perceived that the man being crucified beside him was an extraordinary being. He heard him forgive those who were nailing his hand and feet on the cross, did not struggle to get away, or raged at the people crucifying him. With faith in his heart, he asked the Lord to remember him when he came to his kingdom. Immediately, Jesus gave him the assurance that he, the forgiven thief, will be with Jesus in Paradise. He did not go to Paradise that day, because Jesus died and was buried and was resurrected on Sunday. But the assurance of salvation lingered in the heart of the thief until he died on the cross. Luke 23:43
King David asked these rhetorical questions, which actually meant the same thing “who will be saved?” Did those three people have time to do all what David said they must do to be able to dwell in God’s holy mountain? Paul and Silas preached to the warden and his family in one night, Nicodemus had three years and a half to listen to Jesus, and the thief had only that day to watch Jesus being crucified with them. He only had but one prayer that is the Lord will remember him when he gets to his kingdom and he got the assurance of salvation. In all three, we could see the work of the Holy Spirit. No man in his normal state could come to the point of accepting Jesus to be his savior without the work of the Holy Spirit in his heart.
The king answered his own question. What did he say? Verses 2-5 of Psalm 15 gives the answer; 2 The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; 3 whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; 4 who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; 5 who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things, will never be shaken. Psalm 15. NIV To discuss all the points brought out will take a book to explain, but they all come to one central thought and that that is keeping all the Ten Commandments of God—Man’s duty to God, and Man’s duty to his fellow man. King David further said in Psalms 24: 3-6, “3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.[a]
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. (NIV) Again the king asks the question, “Who will go up to the mountain of God”? The answer comes back, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart”...will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their savior.”
Finally, in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes is an admonition to all especially the young people, and also to those who are older, King David’s son, Solomon, has this to add, 1” Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “ I have no pleasure in them”. He explains further, “ 9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars[b] are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” Ecclesiastes 12: 1, 9-14.
Do we want to be with Jesus in his kingdom and live with him forever and ever? Let us walk with him. Let us worship him and keep his commandments for this is our duty for he said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Shalom. Peace be to all. Amen.
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