Wisdom for Living: The four categories

By Tope Banso
“Then Jesus said to the Jews who believe Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed'” (John 8:31 NKJV).
During His earthly ministry, Jesus had four categories of audience.
1. Those who did not believe in Him (John 12:37, 7:48).
2. Those who believed in Him but were afraid to declare it publicly (John 9:22-23, 12:42-43).
3. Those who believed in Him but later turned away (John 6:66).
4. Those who believed in Him and remained steadfast though they sometimes didn’t understand Him (John 8:30, Luke 9:44-45).
Today, we still have people in these four categories depending on the response of each person to Jesus and His message being preached. In which category are you? This Christmas season, you should make the right decision about Jesus if you haven’t yet.
God’s desire is that you believe in Jesus and be steadfast in your walk with Him.
Romans 10:16 says, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?'” (NKJV). You should believe and obey the word of God you hear.
You may not understand everything but that doesn’t make it untrue. Isaiah 7:14b says, Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name lmmanuel (KJV). That prophecy by Isaiah didn’t make sense at the time he spoke it but centuries later it came to pass. Jesus was born by a virgin, Mary. God’s word is always true.
Believe it even if you don’t fully understand. That may sound stupid but it’s wisdom. Some things you will only understand later!
Don’t be like those who sought a sign before they would believe Jesus, and he answered them appropriately (Luke 11:16-20, 29-32, Matthew 12:38-42, 16:1-4, John 2:18-21, 6:30).
Seeing signs does not mean you will believe (John 12:37). Jesus is the real sign! “And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12 NKJV).
Believe in Jesus. Believe in His word.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing.
Merry Christmas!
(For more inspiring messages, visit www.cedarministry.org)
T. O. Banso,
Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
cedarministryint@yahoo.com
cedarministryng@gmail.com