Shincheonji Bible: Grace

What is grace to you?

There are many definitions of grace and some may simply define it as a heart of gratitude. Others define just by a movement of elegance. However in the Bible, we are able to define grace through the pain and suffering of God and the many people who saw their lives as nothing in comparison to the word.

Within the history of the Bible, there are many events where we see grace in reality. For example, the sinful woman who washed Jesus' feet perceived grace. How? She understood that she was a sinful woman yet she was forgiven despite her sins. In her act of being thankful for the grace, she washed and put perfume on Jesus' feet. If we were in the situation of sitting with Jesus, would we sit next to him like a friend, or would you be face down in tears while washing his feet?

Today we live in grace. What is that grace? It is truth. For it says in John 1:17 that grace and truth came through Jesus. The words that Jesus came with were the words fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies and also the prophecies of the New Testament. We have to be thankful for these words because the disciples gave up their lives thinking of people in the future who may have the words of Jesus. Then if the words of truth we have today came with so much grace, what could we do in thankfulness? The best we can honestly do is obey the words that were given. In fact, God wants us to have these words in our hearts and our minds (Hb 8:10-12).

If we cannot obey these words, how can we show God we are thankful? If we don't even understand, how can we obey? Therefore, let us remember that understanding follows with obedience and obedience leads to action that can repay the grace God has given us. Amen.

Shincheonji Bible:What does life mean to you? Part 2

Do you remember the question that I asked about your life? Do you think your life is precious? If so, what is your plan with your precious life?  We have to think about our lives in the perspective of God because God is one who gave us life. For example if someone falls into the ocean, they struggle and flounder in the ocean in order to live. A lifeguard who sees that individual struggle will dive into the ocean to save their life. Do you think that individual should just walk away from the lifeguard because after surviving from the treacherous ocean waves? Shouldn’t the individual be thankful to the lifeguard who saved their life? Like this story, we have to think about God who is root of all life. If we are still breathing at this time, we have to think about God with every breath that we take.  

In the bible, there are lot  people who sacrificed their lives  for God. In Hebrews chapter 11, many prophets were stoned, put to death by the sword,  persecuted and mistreated when they spread the gospel. How were they able to sacrifice their lives for God?  It was because they understood God’s heart through His Word that they were able to dedicate the most precious thing to God, which were their lives. Then in this era, what can we do with this precious life? We have to keep God’s Word in our hearts and our minds that came from prophets who sacrificed their lives for His Word.  God is looking for a person who has His Word because God’s heart is recorded within the Word. (John1:1-5) Those who think God’s Word as life will keep hold to their precious lives forever and ever. Amen.

 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” –Ecclesiastes 3:11

              

Shincheonji Bible: What It Means to Be Wise

A quick Google search will reveal that wisdom can be defined as "the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment." In other words, someone that is considered wise is expected to be able to make the correct choices.

For example, in many cultures the elderly are deemed to be wise because by definition they have lived more years and have more experience and knowledge. People end up respecting their judgments as a result of this understanding of wisdom. But is simply living longer or knowing more the key to truly having wisdom?

When Jesus began his ministry he was only thirty years of age. Furthermore, as a carpenter's son he was not brought up to serve in the temple courts like the Pharisees and Sadducees. Despite these things, Jesus was the very Messiah that the Jews were waiting for! Yet did the religious leaders at that time, those that the people looked to for guidance, make the correct choice and tell everyone to follow Jesus?

Then, there must be better way to define wisdom. The religious leaders were considered wise because of how much they studied and preached but at the most crucial moment they proved that they were not. The only ones that truly had good judgment were those that followed Christ and the words from God that he came with.

The standard has to be on God and the Word. The key to truly having wisdom is understanding what God has described in the Bible and discerning what God's will really is.

Shincheonji Bible: Where Does True Wisdom Stem From?

Just decades ago, someone who obtained a college degree was extremely respected and idolized.

Nowadays, a college degree has become the norm. In the United States alone, there are about 4,100 universities/colleges, and 8 Ivy League universities. Individuals who graduate from these Ivy Leagues are considered to be exceptionally intelligent and "wise," and generally end up with reputable jobs, which allow financially comfortable ways of living.

Because the world puts such a high emphasis of connection between education and living "well," it's easy to get sucked into this mindset, even without us realizing. However, we as children of God, need to constantly reflect and think about what type of wisdom is acknowledged not by people, but by God. 

2,000 years ago, in the eyes of the world, Jesus did not really pertain to much. He had "no beauty or majesty" (Isaiah 53:2), and he was simply a carpenter's son. He had no prestigious college degree, occupation, or anything appealing in his appearance. However, those who were able to perceive the words of Jesus were able to discern that Jesus was the true son of God, the only one who was granted the true wisdom of heaven. 

Contrasting to the religious leaders at that time, the Pharisees and Sadducees were esteemed in the eyes of man, highly educated and polished. However, they only spoke lies and blocked the path of heaven from God's people (Matthew 23:13). 

So, what was the difference between these religious leaders and Jesus? Why was Jesus the only one granted the wisdom of heaven out of all people? That is because only Jesus had a true understanding of God's word. True wisdom of heaven only comes from true understanding of God's word. 

People today are devoting incredible amounts of time and effort in studying to obtain wisdom of the world. However, if we claim to be truly be believers of God, we have to constantly check ourselves and see how much time and effort we are devoting into understanding God's word, where the only true wisdom of heaven is recorded today.

Shincheonji Bible: Wisdom at its Finest

What does it mean to be a wise individual? Is wisdom defined by a person's ability to make money? Is it defined by a person's ability to be successful? How do you define wisdom?

Many people have different interpretations of what a wise individual is. However, in terms of the bible, wisdom is an absolute necessity in order to understand God's plan and will. God has left us many mysteries for us to know as it says in Colossians 2:2-3. Furthermore, we cannot become individuals who see the lack of wisdom as a benefit. There is a saying that ignorance is bliss, but in God's eyes, ignorance is the beginning of lacking knowledge and wisdom. If we lack wisdom we much ask God to grant us it as it mentions in James 1:5. 

Solomon was such a character in the Bible who asked for wisdom. He asked for wisdom to discern what is good and evil (1 Ki 3:9). God was pleased when he asked for such things and granted the wisdom as James 1:5 states as well.

Therefore, we must be ones who strive for wisdom. Wisdom is not something some individuals should have, but the entire world. I hope we can earnestly ask God everyday for this heart forevermore, Amen!