Leaning On
January 25, 2024
I enjoy reading the Bible… well actually, using an audio app, because my one functioning eye is slowly fading, and also, I cannot concentrate when reading for more than a few paragraphs. Anyways, I also enjoy sharing what I am learning by writing essays like this one.
What I have failed to emphasize, however, is that no matter how much (or how little) you or I might know, a person cannot ascend to Heaven or become a child of God through intellectual ascent or moral determination or concentration of will.
Ascending to God in His Heaven is impossible by any mere natural human effort. An illustration of that is the story of the Tower of Babel. Mankind had lost fellowship with God, and when they realized it, they turned to the resources of the “Tree of the Knowledge of Everything” — commonly, but errantly, called the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.” They tried to use their developing technological knowledge — specifically, using newfound construction skills — to build a stairway to heaven… Like most everybody, we think heaven is “up there” somewhere, and we try to build our own pathway there. It should also be noted that when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, Angels were stationed at its entrance to prevent them from returning on their own.
God had a better plan for returning. It would not be regressing. It would be progressing.
Jesus said the kingdom of heaven would be among us, flowing within us and surrounding us when we gathered for His purposes — that is, “in His Name.”
So, God’s ever unfolding plan is to be found in the life, death, and resurrection of my Lord and Savior (Messiah), Jesus of Nazareth.
The way home is found in His Way, His Truth, His Life — as opposed to our own ways, our own truths, and our own lifestyles.
If you are looking for a stairway:
- Step one: turn from your ways to His.
- Step two: pursue His wisdom by reading the Bible.
- Step three: pray, that is, start talking to Jesus and learn to listen, trust, and follow His way.
- Step four: wash, rinse, and repeat.
Talking To Jesus | Elevation Worship & Maverick City
Alan Jackson — Leaning On The Everlasting Arms (Live)
Alan Jackson — What A Friend We Have In Jesus (Live)
References ;
John 3:3–8, New Living Translation; John 6:63, ibid; Genesis 11:1–9, ibid; Genesis 3:7–10, ibid;Rhind Papyrus, Egyptian, https://st udy.com/academy/lesson/rhind-papyrus; Genesis 3:24, NLT; Genesis 3:15 and Ephesians 1:7, ibid; Matthew 18:20 and https://www.studylight.org/lexicons/eng/greek/3686l, Thayer 2. & Matthew, Mark, Luke/Acts, and John, NLT; John 14:6, ibid; Matthew 14:7, ibid; Philippians 1:9, ibid; Matthew 6:9–13, ibid; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, ibid
