What Would Jesus Do?

“…Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? Isa 53:1

"... He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God..." John 1:10-13.

"....But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:.."

"....That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them…” John 12:37-40.

"... For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God..."

"...Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh..." Col 2:20-23.

Then Wouldn’t He Do The Same Now?

LM - 8’s

Oh, the hope of free salvation!
Brought and paid for by Christ the Lord;
Here He owns us, His creation,
And shows all Grace was in Him stored.

This, to the world's a paradox,
True faith only, will this allow;
To unbelief, unorthodox,
Says, "I can't see the Why or How."

The Son of God came to this earth,
And made His people trust in Him;
But first He gave them heav’nly birth,
While many still were left in sin.

He did not come to offer life,
Or came, man’s praises here to win;
Or in their streets, with them to strive,
Or plead with them to turn from sin.

Then, the brusied reed did not break,
Still, made men to His counsel bow;
Though made the heavens and earth shake,
And by His Power, He does so now.

Man’s honor He did not desire,
As men now seek, from man to man;
Nor vain lip-service, though so fair,
These things His counsel there did ban.

If He needed not man’s help then,
Then why does He need their help now?
- If then was not received by men,
Why to His power, would they now bow?

For if men could not know Him then,
How are they changed to know Him now?
If they must go and die in sin,
Will not such men do also now?

Has fallen nature changed so much?
(Though men can never prove just how;)
And strive to make us believe such,
Though we, such fables can't allow.

If man in nature, can’t believe
The Power which God, did Christ endow,
Then, can that nature now receive,
And know that Power’s still in Him now?

Then, nature’s blindness could not see
That Christ did save us - He knew how;
If then, True mercy not believe,
Why would they believe in Him now?

If then the crowd believed Him not,
But said to Him, “What doest Thou?”
- God’s works in Him, would not allow,
Nor to His Word and Power would bow;

If there they showed no love to Him,
As all His children He shows how;
- If men did not show these things then,
Then why would they show these things now?

Did He make offers to men then?
- That they might with these, close somehow;
Why would He do this all again,
To those who can’t now to Him bow?

When on the tree He bled and died,
And this world's prince, He there cast out;
When He, unto His Father cried,
Is not this old prince, still shut out?

If on Him, they could not believe,
The Truth in Him, could not receive;
And to His truth, their hearts concede,
Then why would such men do so now?

If He chose few out of the crowd,
That they from Him, in Hope might plow;
When to others, this not allow,
Why wouldn’t He do the same now?

For man believes, when God’s Great Power
In Christ draws him - may know not how;
When Love and Grace on him does shower,
And makes them trust in Jesus now.

Jesus saved us, and showed us how,
That He did not, we can’t allow;
Our believing hearts, to this bow,
How can we help, but praise Him now?

No conditions does Jesus make,
Nor ask us to a weak God bow,
All is done for His Own Name’s sake,
And there we rest upon this bough.

No conditions there, we can add,
-To man’s free agency won’t cow;
Christ gave, not offered, all He had,
And this is the true Gospel now.

*Copyright 2001

O. Allen Bailey

*This material may be freely copied and distributed, but shall not be sold for profit, in accordance with copyright laws.