Based on Luke 2:25-35 (New King James Version)
“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.’ And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’”
What we can completely trust is the Word of God. There is nothing more reliable, nor anything more solid in the entire universe. Many will say: “It sounds like fanaticism.” But, if you saw God as who He truly is, in all His reality, you would know that it is not fanaticism, but something totally logical. To begin, the Word of God itself explains to us that no one has an excuse for not being able to believe in God, because everything that surrounds us, even our own existence, speaks of His greatness, majesty, and incredible ability and intelligence. This is what the Word says: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. Everything speaks of God. We see so many things that are beyond our control and reach, and they all happen and exist without the will of man. We breathe, we think, and we do many things involuntarily (as science says) at every moment not because of our ability, but because the being of God allows it, and makes it possible, as it is also written: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. And how were all of these things done and are? Through one thing alone: the Word of God, as it is written: “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:3. So, there is more than enough proof and evidence to be able to not only know who the Lord is, and what He is capable of, but also to be able to fully trust Him. Now, if a person says that they cannot come to have (or live) such faith is no longer a matter of lack of evidence, but rather, it is a choice, that they simply do not want to accept undoubted facts, and this leads us to the following.
Everything about the Lord is conditional with regard to how He fulfills His promises in us. God has set immovable things like these examples: salvation, eternal life, and eternal rewards through the Lord Jesus Christ. It's all by His grace. But ultimately, we will receive those things if we do what we must. And God is interested in the intention and the fruit of those intentions than the work itself. If we look at today's passage, we saw this Simeon who was given revelation by the Holy Spirit, and who would not see death before he saw the Lord's Anointed. The revelation was by grace. The promise was by divine decision. But, Simeon lived his life in a way that demonstrated with actions the faith he had. The Word emphasizes certain things in the life of Simeon, that he was a righteous and godly man, that he looked forward to the consolation of Israel, and that the Holy Spirit was upon him. So, what do we mean by this? That although God gives things by grace like this revelation and promise, there was a complement. Simeon lived according to such faith that the Holy God of Israel had granted him something because he genuinely believed in Him, because he lived according to that faith. There are many people who think that they can live as they want, without seeking the will of God, even less, without any repentance of sins, nor taking Jesus as the Lord of their lives. And they think that because God gives out of grace, that God in His goodness will give everything else as well. Some will say, “Do you believe that something must be added to faith in order to receive forgiveness of sin, salvation and eternal life, and the eternal rewards of God?” And based on the Word of God, I can say very surely yes, because if a person does not live the faith they say they have, I'm sorry, but there is no forgiveness of sins, there is no salvation or eternal life, and even less, eternal rewards. Simeon lived a true faith, in such a way that even before the dispensation of the grace of God through the Lord Jesus Christ, he lived justly and piously, waiting on the Lord, and even more and by virtue of his faith in God, he had even the Holy Spirit upon him. We see this passage that solidifies the Word of God, and how things are fulfilled in us, depending on how we live our lives: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. ‘But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. ‘Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:35-51
The Word of God is very clear. Even though a person may supposedly be a servant of God, if there isn’t a true faith, they will receive absolutely nothing. They cannot have any right to any of God’s promises, no matter what they think. And what’s worse is that if a person does not live a faith that shows God that it is real, they will be punished harshly, and He will appoint him his portion with the hypocrites where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. There is only one place that God describes in that manner, and it is not heaven. Perfection is not a requirement because no one can be perfect in this temporary condition. But, yes, there should be a true walk with the Lord. So then, do you live your life in a such a way that you will receive God’s promises, focused only on Him? Lord bless! John. Support Israel. Pray for Israel. God will bless those that bless Israel.