If The Salt Loses Its Saltiness, How Can It Be Made Salty Again? (Mark 9:38-50)

 

If The Salt Loses Its Saltiness, How Can It Be Made Salty Again? (Mark 9:38-50)

What is the mark of a Christian? It is salt that gives off a salty taste. It is like a pungent mustard seed. It walks to a different beat than this world. Loving and forgiving is the mark of a Christian. However, the outward appearance of attending worship on Sunday, giving offerings, and evangelizing is not the mark of a Christian.

In Mark 9:38-50, Jesus taught to live in harmony and accept one another. He also warns of the seriousness of sin that causes a brother or sister to stumble. As shepherds of the people, failing to be an example of salt and light, and pursuing one's own benefit in the name of religion, is to have lost the taste of salt. Jesus commanded that if your hand, eye, or foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. Sin produces death. Never take it lightly; you must hate and oppose it.

Those who are for us (Mark 18:6-9; Luke 9:49-50; 17:1-2)

38 "Teacher," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us." 39 "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us." (Mark 9:38-40)

John saw someone who was not with the disciples driving out demons in Jesus' name, and he forbade him. He believed that driving out demons was a work that only the twelve disciples should do. At that time, there were many in the land of Judea who listened to Jesus' words, saw His power to heal, and believed. However, Jesus said that those who perform miracles in the Lord's name are for the Lord. It means do not forbid them.

This world bears structural problems of division and conflict due to political, economic, and social reasons. Opinions differ according to region, class, race, political party, and background. Human history is stained with blood because of this. Countless wars and conflicts have occurred, and they are still ongoing. The so-called law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, prevails.

Since World War II, the world has been investing astronomical costs for peace and coexistence centered on the UN. However, lasting peace is a long way off and is merely a wish. The peace that this world maintains is temporary and no one knows when it will collapse. Even among families, there are not a few cases of fighting and dividing.

The religious world is no exception. Even within Protestantism, it is divided into countless denominations, and it is still ongoing. Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement over the issue of Mark and eventually headed to different regions (Acts 15:39). The Corinthian church was divided into the Paul faction, the Apollos faction, the Cephas faction, and even the Christ faction (1 Corinthians 1:12).

However, there is an undeniable commonality in Christ. All people were created in God’s image and in His likeness (Genesis 1:27). There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6).

Each person has received one Spirit in Christ. However, this does not mean that everyone becomes the same person in Christ. Although knowledge, understanding, and expression are still diverse and different, they are members forming one body of Christ. God made people different and diverse. Even if they are twins, their appearance is similar, but their personalities, thoughts, and expressions are different.

God gave grace to each person according to the measure of Christ’s gift (Ephesians 4:7). So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Therefore, although the depth and breadth of knowledge to understand each other in Christ are different, and the shapes and expressions are different, they form the body of Christ with one heart and one mind. One heart and one mind come from love, hope, and faith in God (Ephesians 4:13). Therefore, believers in Christ are not in a relationship of competition and strife with one another, but are brothers and sisters who love, accept, and forgive one another.

Even If You Give A Cup Of Water

"Anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will truly not lose their reward. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea" (Mark 9:41-42).

Giving a cup of water refers to an act of kindness. Showing kindness is evidence of welcoming, respecting, and loving the other person. When we accept, love, and forgive one another, there is a corresponding reward in heaven. The reward of heaven and the reward of this world are different. This world rejects the love and forgiveness of Christ’s cross and calls it foolish (1 Corinthians 1:23).

The love of Christ is bearing the shame, insult, and punishment on behalf of sinners and becoming a sacrificial offering. However, God did not let Christ’s death be in vain. Looking at the blood of His Son, He opens the gates of heaven and gives eternal life as a gift to everyone who believes (John 3:16). Through the merit of the precious blood shed by the Lord Jesus Christ, any sinner can receive the grace of redemption.

Now, because we have received the redeeming love of Christ, it is the duty of the saints to love others with the love of the cross. Loving one another with the love of Christ is God’s new commandment (John 13:34). If we listen to and obey the words of God’s commandments, God pours out heavenly rewards.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

The reward that God gives is different from what is obtained in this world. The reward of heaven is invisible and does not necessarily involve recognition or praise. On the contrary, it is accompanied by shame, insults, and pain. This was true for the prophets of the Old Testament, the apostles, and countless saints, and above all, the Lord Jesus Christ was treated as if He were a criminal and received death.

However, God’s reward is eternal, unchanging, and is a power and authority that governs life. The Lord’s reward is rest and peace enjoyed amidst pain and pressure. God’s reward comes into our inner being. His love, joy, and peace come in, and we are not buried in pain and sorrow, and we gain freedom from complaints and resentment. This is because we sit and reign with the Lord at the right hand of God’s throne (Ephesians 2:6).

If You Cause One Of These Little Ones To Stumble

However, Jesus taught that causing one of these little ones to stumble carries an unimaginable price. Here, a large millstone refers to a millstone pulled by an animal such as a donkey. The "little ones" refers to anyone who is caused to stumble. Specifically, it refers to cases where they are caused to stumble by so-called religious leaders. Such cases are still happening frequently today. This includes sexual abuse, exploitation, and making unjust financial gains.

Valuing the traditions of the elders, like Corban, more than the Word of God, and condemning little ones who do not follow them, is also hypocrisy that causes others to stumble. Jesus warned His disciples about the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod (Mark 8:15). The early church consisted of not only Jews but also Gentile believers. Some Jewish false teachers caused a disturbance by forcing Gentile believers to be circumcised (Acts 15:1; Galatians 2:4, 6:12). This is also causing them to stumble.

Leviticus sets regulations concerning various foods and regulations concerning feasts such as circumcision, Passover, and Pentecost. The Law and regulations of God are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ (Colossians 2:17). Through regulations on food and feasts, God revealed and taught His good will and plan. In the regulations, an unclean animal is not evil in itself; it is to teach that its characteristics are unclean in the sight of God.

Everything God made was good in His sight. Jesus taught that what goes into the mouth does not make a person unclean, but what comes out of the heart makes a person unclean (Mark 7:15). Therefore, Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19).

"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day" (Colossians 2:16).

Why is causing someone to stumble serious? It is because it is causing the little ones, whom God purchased with the blood of Christ, to stumble (Romans 8:11). In Romans 14, Paul deals with the issue of eating food sacrificed to idols. Since idols are nothing, even food sacrificed to them is not unclean (Romans 8:4). Those who have knowledge can eat the sacrifice without any hesitation, but those who do not have knowledge are hindered, and their conscience, being weak, becomes defiled (Romans 8:7).

Those with knowledge are free regarding food. However, they must be careful not to let that freedom cause those with weak faith to fall (Romans 8:9). In this way, sinning against a brother and injuring their weak conscience is sinning against Christ (Romans 8:12).

"So if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall" (Romans 8:13).

If Your Hand Causes You To Stumble, Cut It Off

"If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other" (Mark 9:43-49).

One sins with the hand, foot, and eye. If one sins, the corresponding result surely follows. Therefore, Jesus taught that if one sins, proactive action must be taken. Sin is serious. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Therefore, one should never treat sin lightly or overlook it. One must oppose and hate it.

Jesus spoke about heaven, and at the same time, repeatedly mentioned hell (Matthew 5:2, 5:29, 5:30, 10:28, 18:9, 23:15, 23:33). Hell is a state where the way to go before God is completely blocked, so one can never get out (Luke 16:26). Therefore, the time before Jesus returns is called the year of the Lord’s favor (Isaiah 61:2). However, when the day of the Lord arrives, all flesh must stand before the Judge of all things and receive the judgment of righteousness. This day is called the day of vengeance of our God (Isaiah 61:2).

Jesus called His disciples the salt and light of this world (Matthew 5:13-16). Salt performs the role of making things salty and preventing decay. Salt losing its saltiness means that as a Christian, one is not following the way of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is failing to obey God’s commandment to love one another.

The instruction to have salt among yourselves and be at peace with each other means do not compete over who is the greatest, and do not forbid others from driving out demons in the name of the Lord. Instead, you must love, forgive, and serve one another. Also, you must send kindness and encouragement to those who work in the name of the Lord.

Amen!

June 7, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

You Must Be One Who Serves All People (Mark 9:30-37)

 

You Must Be One Who Serves All People (Mark 9:30-37)

Who is the greatest? The greatest in this world and the greatest in the kingdom of heaven are different. The greatest in the kingdom of heaven has no self, relies wholly on God, and reigns with the Lord. They are not a slave to discontent and complaining, but enjoy gratitude, peace, and rest.

In Mark 9:30-37, Jesus taught who the greatest person is. The disciples had a strong desire to become great, but they did not yet know how to become the greatest. Jesus personally demonstrated the secret of becoming the greatest in the kingdom of heaven through His death on the cross and His resurrection. That secret is that He bore the sins of the whole world and obeyed God the Father even unto death. At this time, God raised the Son to life again, seated Him at the highest throne in heaven, and made Him King of kings and Lord of lords.

He Speaks Of His Death And Resurrection For The Second Time (Matthew 17:22-23; Luke 9:43b-45)

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it (Mark 9:30-32).

Jesus did not want anyone to know. This was to teach the disciples first. The disciples did not yet know the suffering Christ. They expected Jesus to be an earthly Messiah who would build a liberated kingdom of Israel.

However, Jesus came to this earth as the suffering Christ. He came to be the Passover Lamb who would lead those under the power of sin and death to eternal life by liberating them from that darkness and those chains (John 1:29). Jesus gave His own body a sacrificial offering to atone for the sins of humanity, enabling those who believe in Him to gain eternal life. The suffering Christ is the true Messiah prophesied by the Law and the Prophets.

Therefore, Jesus repeatedly taught the disciples about the suffering He would receive and His resurrection. This was the second time. Jesus spoke specifically that He would be condemned by the Jewish religious leaders and be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles to be killed. However, He also said that He would rise again three days after His death. The time was not long left.

However, the disciples did not understand what Jesus said and were afraid to ask. When Jesus first spoke of His death and resurrection, Peter and the disciples argued that such a thing would never happen (Mark 8:31-32). But this time, not only did they not understand, they were even afraid to ask what it meant. This is proof that they were having difficulty accepting Jesus’ death.

We are no exception. Why do we experience difficulty? No one wants self-denial—that is, to die. Observe yourself to see how you react when you are criticized without cause. Christ had no reason to suffer, but He endured the suffering of shedding His blood and dying to redeem this world. It is not an easy path to understand this truth through life and obey it.

Self-denial is dying with Christ. This is laying down one’s self-assertion and demands completely. Death is laying down all discontent and desires as well. That is truly a difficult thing. Self-denial is truly difficult because it means that the self disappears. For the self to disappear is for one’s existence to completely collapse.

However, this is not the end. It is the starting line of new life. It is the first step of living by the power of the resurrection. It is the beginning of the ability and authority to truly govern life, to love one’s enemies, and to forgive. It is the only way to rest and be at peace while suffering randomly, amidst the pressures and challenges of reality.

Who Is The Greatest (Matthew 18:1-5; Luke 9:46-48)

33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest (Mark 9:33-34).

However, the disciples did not yet know the gospel truth of the cross and resurrection. Instead, they argued over who was the greatest in the kingdom Jesus would establish. Their keenest interest was who would become the prime minister and who would be the second-in-command in Jesus’ kingdom. There was no better hope than the dream that a permanent free kingdom would be established, liberated from Roman oppression.

Everyone wants to be great. They seek recognition, praise, and glory. Of course, this does not mean so-called success like wealth or power that can be obtained in this world. The presence or absence of wealth or power does not determine who is great. The great person is big-hearted, generous, composed, and above all, fears God.

The Desire To Be Great Originally Came From God

God created man in His own image and likeness. This means that man was created as a temple for God’s Holy Spirit to dwell in (1 Corinthians 3:16). From the beginning, God made man a holy being of glory and honor in whom His Spirit dwells. From the beginning, He blessed man to be united with Him and to rule over all things together with Him (Genesis 1:26-28).

What is the promise God gave to Abraham? It is that He would make him into a great nation and make his name great (Genesis 12:1-2). However, Israel is not a great nation on earth, but merely a small minority (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). And Abraham only fathered a few sons, including Isaac. The promise God gave to Abraham is not fulfilled in this world (Hebrews 11:39). It means He made him the father of faith. Therefore, through Abraham, He reveals the way for anyone to be justified by faith (Genesis 15:6). He shows the path of faith that restores man to the original purpose and intent for which He created him.

God created man to be a little lower than the angels for a time, but in Christ, man rules over all things with Him (Hebrews 2:7-8). To accomplish this, Jesus accepted the sacrifice of death on the cross (Hebrews 2:9). Therefore, whoever is in Christ Jesus shall not perish but have eternal life.

God chose Israel to be His own possession, to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6). A king rules, and a priest performs the role of going before God to offer sacrifices. He called and blessed them to rule together before God.

Truly Great People Rule Their Lives

Therefore, a great person rules their life in the Lord. They are free from fear and anxiety and enjoy peace. Being free from the shackles of feelings of loss and complaining, they offer thanksgiving and praise. Liberated from being slaves to hatred and desire for revenge, they love and forgive. Not bound by worldly things such as material wealth or success, they look toward the hope of heaven.

What truly troubles people? Physical, economic, political, and social environments seem to be the factors. But that is not so. It is an unquenchable thirst and desire. No matter how much one possesses or achieves, the human heart cannot be filled. It is different from animals that lie down and sleep when full. From the beginning, man was created as a being that cannot be filled by material things alone.

The one who can fill a person is God the Father, who pours out the water of eternal life from heaven within Christ Jesus. God wants and blesses us to come to the Lord, drink the living water, and have eternal life, regardless of where we are, when it is, or what our circumstances are. God did not spare His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the true bread of man, and gave Him up for us.

"But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14). "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" (John 6:51).

We obtain true life by eating and drinking the Word of God, that is, the Lord Jesus Christ. By faith in the merit of the torn flesh and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are forgiven of all sin and unrighteousness. And we boldly come before the throne of grace in heaven to drink the living water—drink, and drink again. By faith, we eat our true food daily and sit with the Lord Jesus Christ at the right hand of the heavenly throne, ruling over all things.

53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me” (John 6:53-57).

The One Who Serves All Is First

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me” (Mark 9:35-37).

Jesus taught the secret of truly becoming first. In fact, the Lord Jesus Christ set the example Himself. Though Jesus was originally in the very nature of God, He laid aside His equality, took the form of a man, and came to this earth. Although Jesus could still have judged this world as God, He instead took the sins of this world upon Himself and died on the cross (Philippians 2:6-8).

God raised the Lord Jesus Christ, who took the form of a servant and was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross and burial, with the power of resurrection on the third day. And He exalted Him to the highest throne in heaven, making every knee in heaven, on earth, and under the earth bow to His authority, government, and power (Philippians 2:9-11).

Therefore, the way to be first is to be the last of all and the servant of all. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). What disturbs the human heart is the thirst to be served, recognized, and praised. Following the example of Jesus, if you deny yourself and follow the way of the Lord’s cross, you will gain peace and rest through the power of resurrection.

Jesus said that welcoming one little child is welcoming Him, and welcoming Him is welcoming God who is in heaven. A little child is weak and is in absolute need of protection. The Law commanded us not to forget or neglect to care for the orphan and the widow (Exodus 22:22-23; Deuteronomy 14:28-29). We are all like little children before God. That is why God feeds, cares for, and protects us.

The kind word of forgiveness, the love, and the forgiveness we show to someone today is a living sacrifice offered to the Lord Jesus Christ and God.

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

Amen!

May 31, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

Everything Is Possible For One Who Believes (Mark 9:14-29)

 

Everything Is Possible For One Who Believes (Mark 9:14-29)

What is faith? It is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is not something that can be obtained through education; it is a gift from heaven. Faith is the power to overcome darkness, sorrow, and fate. Through faith, we hope for the kingdom of heaven, which is in glory, honor, and power, though unseen to the eye. Therefore, the righteous will live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17).

In Mark 9:14-29, Jesus healed a boy possessed by an evil spirit. The disciples at the foot of the mountain were in a difficult situation because they could not drive out the evil spirit. Jesus taught them, "This kind can come out only by prayer." Faith is relying on God entirely from beginning to end. Therefore, we must always pray (Luke 18:1).

The Disciples Were Arguing With The Teachers Of The Law

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” (Mark 9:14-18)

There was a significant difference between the top of the mountain and the bottom. On the mountain, the disciples witnessed the scene where Jesus, having been transfigured in honor and glory, was conversing with Moses and Elijah. The cloud of God’s glory surrounded them, and they heard the voice saying, "Listen to him." There was no chaos there, only radiance, power, and order reigned.

However, the bottom of the mountain was quite different. The disciples were arguing with the teachers of the law, and they were in a very difficult situation. The reason was that the disciples were unable to drive out a spirit that was tormenting a boy. The disciples at the foot of the mountain, drawing on their past experience of missionary journeys, believed that they would be able to drive out the spirit in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 6:13).

However, the situation became increasingly difficult. Except for the three disciples, the eight disciples who remained at the foot of the mountain could not drive the spirit out at all, and they were at a complete loss. To make matters worse, the Sadducees appeared and questioned the disciples as to why they could not heal him. The disciples were in a dilemma.

What is the problem? In verse 29, Jesus said that this kind can come out only by prayer. Prayer is entrusting God for our needs. We can ask with faith in God and His promises. Not asking with faith is a double-minded heart. This means that if there is no answer to prayer, they have their own thoughts.

"But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do" (James 1:6-8).

Jesus sent the disciples out on a missionary journey and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits (Mark 6:7). They went from village to village and drove out many spirits with the power Jesus had given them. However, this time, they did not rely on Jesus' power, did not pray with faith, and relied on their own experience.

In Christ, There is No Condemnation

We have received forgiveness of sins and have been born again through His blood in Christ. This means that we are now able to cast out demons by the power of God and Christ. What does this mean? Because we are in Christ, we are no longer under the power of sin and death. Although Satan the devil tries to deceive us with lies, we can effectively drive him away by relying on the merit of Christ's blood. We cannot do it by our own strength, but we do it by the power of Christ.

However, even believers get cancer, fail, stumble, and commit sins. At such times, the devil unfailingly laughs at what our situation and state are, pressuring us by saying we are unqualified, and trying to increase our sense of condemnation. This is a typical lie of Satan. Because those who believe in God are in Christ, there is no longer any condemnation (Romans 8:1).

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4)

In Love, God Disciplines and Refines Us

Also, when you face difficult and trying problems, the devil plants doubts about God’s love. He shoots arrows of doubt, asking, "If God is love, how could this happen?" However, God is the same yesterday and today and forever, unchanging in His love (Hebrews 13:8).

What is the evidence of God’s love? The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people (Romans 1:18). God’s wrath stems from His holy love. If there were no consequences for committing evil, it would be a world of chaos and lawlessness. However, the wrath of God is surely revealed against all wickedness and evil. God does not abandon people to head toward destruction, but He leads them to turn from evil, repent, and find salvation. This is God’s holy love.

"O Faithless Generation, How Long Shall I Put Up With You?"

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. (Mark 9:19-22a)

Jesus groaned at the sight of a faithless generation. God lamented when He saw the faithless world in the time of Noah (Genesis 6:6). The door to salvation through faith is always open. However, there is a time limit, which is from the time a person is born until they die. The reason Jesus groaned was because of the stubborn and hardened hearts of the people who, though they see, do not perceive, and though they hear, do not understand.

God is righteous and just, and He has granted the same opportunity to everyone. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ, the Son whom God has sent, shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). However, if one denies, rejects, and refuses to welcome Jesus Christ, the Son whom God has sent, until the end, they will face eternal destruction.

God does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, God sent prophets and made earnest appeals (Isaiah 1:18; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Peter 2:4; James 4:8). Furthermore, God left behind the word of truth. He gave us the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. Blessed is the one who reads, understands, and obeys the word of God and bears fruit (Revelation 1:3).

The word of God's truth is the key that reveals the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Although perfect justice has not yet been achieved on this earth, God will ultimately establish all justice (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9). This is the secret of the kingdom of heaven. He will repay those who believe in God and endure suffering with the crown of life and rest, but he will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).

Bring Him To Me

But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:22b-29)

When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion and terrified him. From the time the boy was small, the spirit had ruthlessly thrown him into fire and water to kill him. The spirit’s purpose is to kill cruelly. As the father of lies, it is a master at causing harm through lies, threats, and violence. Satan ruthlessly attacked Job without any cause, taking away all his children and possessions in a single day, and as if that were not enough, he inflicted him with painful sores all over his body, plunging him into unbearable suffering (Job 1:13–2:10).

The spirit was originally created as an angel of light, but it did not keep its own domain and rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:12). The devil did not submit to God, but rather sought to become higher than God (Isaiah 14:13-14). Therefore, God cursed the devil for not obeying. Now, until the time of judgment, his days are numbered (Revelation 12:12). That is why Satan struggles desperately to cause even more harm.

However, Satan can do nothing on his own without God’s permission (Job 1:12, 2:6). Then, why did God allow Satan to strike Job? It is for God’s discipline and refinement (Hebrews 12:5-6). God refined Job to teach him what he did not know. That truth is that God is already restraining the evil that has taken root within man (2 Thessalonians 2:6).

For The Believer, There Is Nothing That Cannot Be Done

What God looks for is whether one comes forth with the gift of faith that has been sent down from heaven. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). God opens the heavens to those who live by faith and pours out blessings upon blessings. He gives the blessing of knowing and understanding the truth, the blessing of discerning and resisting the lies of Satan, and the blessing of following the way of Jesus' cross.

Above all, God blesses us not to desire earthly things in this world, but to hold onto the hope of the glorious kingdom of heaven. He blesses us to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, and patience. He gives the blessing of forgiving, loving, and comforting others. He removes the complaining and resentment lurking within our hearts and fills them instead with thanksgiving and peace.

Furthermore, He makes us realize our lack of faith and pours out the blessing of faith upon us. By faith, we do not doubt God’s love; by faith, we hold fast to His promises and are filled with the hope of the kingdom of heaven.

19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone (Romans 4:19-23).

Amen!

May 24, 2026

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Scripture quotes are from the NIV.