"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10: 31)
Once again, context is important to appreciate this verse properly.
The writer of Hebrews is warning his fellow Jewish believers that if they reject the Spirit of Grace, if they refuse to rest in the finality of Jesus' Finished Work at the Cross, the face nothing but judgment and eternal death, because there is no other way:
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14: 6)
Now, if you do believe on Jesus, you have nothing to fear being in His hands.
These are big hands, by the way:
"I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded." (Isaiah 45: 12)
What is he doing with His hands today? Upholding us!
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41: 10)
Guess whose names are written on those hands?
"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." (Isaiah 49: 16)
Jesus affirmed for us who believe on Him that we are safe in His hands:
"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10: 28)
Then:
"29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. " (John 10: 29)
While the writer of Hebrews warned those who do believe of the fearful wrath of God, we who believe have nothing to fear, for we are safe in God's hands.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
God is Avenged through the Blood of His Son
"For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people." (Hebrews 10: 30)
When we read this passage, context is important.
Here, the writer of Hebrews is commenting on the finality of Jesus' death on the Cross, and that there will be no mercy for those who reject it.
To this day, there are many Christians who do not believe that Jesus has finished the work of putting away our sins forever and bringing us into eternal life.
Usually, it is the second part which they fail to receive.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
We face death because of our sin ("The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6: 23), but Jesus died for us and as us, delivering us from both:
"4Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 5For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans 7: 4-6)
Regarding judgment of His people, let us remember that God has judged all our sins in the body of His Son:
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (1 Peter 3: 18)
This vengeance which God sought for Adam's sin, He found in the perfect sacrifice of His Son:
"He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." (Psalm 103: 10)
and also
"23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." (Romans 3: 23-25)
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" (Colossians 1: 14)
In Christ, we have redemption from all sins, and God is avenged for our sins through His Son.
When we read this passage, context is important.
Here, the writer of Hebrews is commenting on the finality of Jesus' death on the Cross, and that there will be no mercy for those who reject it.
To this day, there are many Christians who do not believe that Jesus has finished the work of putting away our sins forever and bringing us into eternal life.
Usually, it is the second part which they fail to receive.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
We face death because of our sin ("The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6: 23), but Jesus died for us and as us, delivering us from both:
"4Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 5For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans 7: 4-6)
Regarding judgment of His people, let us remember that God has judged all our sins in the body of His Son:
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (1 Peter 3: 18)
This vengeance which God sought for Adam's sin, He found in the perfect sacrifice of His Son:
"He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." (Psalm 103: 10)
and also
"23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." (Romans 3: 23-25)
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" (Colossians 1: 14)
In Christ, we have redemption from all sins, and God is avenged for our sins through His Son.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Do Not Reject the Spirit of Grace
"Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" (Hebrews 10: 29)
The finality of the Cross is a serious matter.
Either we believe it, or we do not believe it.
The one work which Jesus preached to the Jews of His earthly ministry, and to all of us today, is "believe":
"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 28-29)
Jesus did not come to bring us rules, but to establish the New Covenant:
"And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them." (Isaiah 19: 20)
and
"33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31: 33-34)
and
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." (Zechariah 9: 9)
What did this Savior do for us? He came to save us from sin and bring us into reconciliation with our Father:
"4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
The finality of the Cross is a serious matter.
Either we believe it, or we do not believe it.
The one work which Jesus preached to the Jews of His earthly ministry, and to all of us today, is "believe":
"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 28-29)
Jesus did not come to bring us rules, but to establish the New Covenant:
"And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them." (Isaiah 19: 20)
and
"33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31: 33-34)
and
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." (Zechariah 9: 9)
What did this Savior do for us? He came to save us from sin and bring us into reconciliation with our Father:
"4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
"5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 54: 4-5)
Now, this spirit of grace is essential for us, because we are dead, in need of life, which we can only receive from Him who has been from the beginning (1 John 2:12-14).
For this reason, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees:
"But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:" (Mark 3: 29)
Man is condemned already because of Adam's sin (John 3: 18), and that is not God's fault, for God has given us His son that we may reign in life through Him (Romans 5: 17).
If we reject His perfect sacrifice, if we do not receive Jesus' life, then we are dead forever, and there is no way out.
Do not reject the Spirit of Grace. Do not treat the blood of Jesus like a common thing, and rest in the truth that He did a perfect job of cleansing away your sins, and that His blood continues to do so (1 John 1: 7).
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Jesus Fullfilled God's Law
"He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:" (Hebrews 10: 28)
Moses' law was a serious matter.
It was no light matter to belittle the law, since it was the ministry of condemnation and death, God's inexorable standard which no one can keep.
The Good News for those who believe on Jesus, however, is that Jesus not only respected the law, since He is the law-giver, but He fulfilled it for us, since no one can be justified by the law:
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." (Matthew 5: 17)
and
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5: 18)
He fulfilled every demand.
Let us also be clear that no one can be justified under the law:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3: 20)
and then
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2: 16)
When Jesus died on the Cross, He not only paid for all our sins, but put an end to the Old Covenant:
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
While no man received mercy for despising Moses' law, we can rest at ease knowing that Jesus was despised and rejected on our behalf, and He fulfilled God's law for us.
Moses' law was a serious matter.
It was no light matter to belittle the law, since it was the ministry of condemnation and death, God's inexorable standard which no one can keep.
The Good News for those who believe on Jesus, however, is that Jesus not only respected the law, since He is the law-giver, but He fulfilled it for us, since no one can be justified by the law:
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." (Matthew 5: 17)
and
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5: 18)
He fulfilled every demand.
Let us also be clear that no one can be justified under the law:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3: 20)
and then
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2: 16)
When Jesus died on the Cross, He not only paid for all our sins, but put an end to the Old Covenant:
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
While no man received mercy for despising Moses' law, we can rest at ease knowing that Jesus was despised and rejected on our behalf, and He fulfilled God's law for us.
Monday, October 27, 2014
We Believe on Him to Remove All Fears
"But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." (Hebrews 10: 27)
The context of this verse applies to those who continue to offer animal sacrifices instead of resting in the finality of the Cross.
If we do not believe that Jesus has completed the work of dying for our sins, we will have nothing but a sense of fear and foreboding of evil in our lives.
The Bible tells us that the key to overcoming fear in our lives has nothing to do with what we do, but what He has done for us:
"14In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." (Isaiah 54: 14)
Notice that righteousness drives away the oppression, the fear, and the terror:
"17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54: 17)
This righteousness is accorded to us as a gift, and a gift which He keeps on giving:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
When Jesus died on the Cross, He completed a perfect work, granting us His standing:
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
If we do not believe that Jesus completed a perfect work for us at the Cross, then we will go back to relying on our efforts to achieve righteousness.
Yet this righteousness cannot be achieved, but received.
When we are established in this truth, all fears are put away from us. When we understand the perfect love of God, which has made us one with His Son (As He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4: 17)), then this perfect love casts out all fear.
Believe on Jesus, believe that He did a perfect Work, believe that He is your righteousness, and behold Him removing all fears from your life.
The context of this verse applies to those who continue to offer animal sacrifices instead of resting in the finality of the Cross.
If we do not believe that Jesus has completed the work of dying for our sins, we will have nothing but a sense of fear and foreboding of evil in our lives.
The Bible tells us that the key to overcoming fear in our lives has nothing to do with what we do, but what He has done for us:
"14In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." (Isaiah 54: 14)
Notice that righteousness drives away the oppression, the fear, and the terror:
"17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54: 17)
This righteousness is accorded to us as a gift, and a gift which He keeps on giving:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
When Jesus died on the Cross, He completed a perfect work, granting us His standing:
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
If we do not believe that Jesus completed a perfect work for us at the Cross, then we will go back to relying on our efforts to achieve righteousness.
Yet this righteousness cannot be achieved, but received.
When we are established in this truth, all fears are put away from us. When we understand the perfect love of God, which has made us one with His Son (As He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4: 17)), then this perfect love casts out all fear.
Believe on Jesus, believe that He did a perfect Work, believe that He is your righteousness, and behold Him removing all fears from your life.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
To Sin Willfully: Not Believing in Jesus
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10: 26)
This passage has brought many people into bondage, falsely so.
For the truth sets us free (John 8:32), and Jesus is the truth (John 14:"6)
He is also the way and the life.
Now, what did the writer of Hebrews mean by sin willfully?
Let us consider the context of this passage in its fullness:
"1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." (Hebrews 1: 1-2)
God, fathers, prophets --- all three signal a Jewish audience.
The writer of Hebrews is addressing Hebrew Christians, or individuals who believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but wanted to go back to the ritual sacrifices for sins.
Throughout the Book of Hebrews, the writer emphasizes that Jesus has completed one sacrifice for sins forever:
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1: 3)
and also
"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6: 20)
and also:
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" (Hebrews 10: 12)
We are called to believe on Jesus, the perfect sacrifice who takes away the sins of the world (John 1: 27; 1 John 2: 1-2):
"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 28-29)
That is the work: believe on Him!
And what is sin?:
"And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Romans 14: 23)
What does our faith connect to? Jesus, who is alive:
"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15: 17)
If we believe that Jesus has not finished the work, if we believe that there is still some sacrifice remaining that we must do, then we are sinning willfully.
Rest in the truth that Jesus has finished it all, and know that there is no condemnation in Christ yesterday, today, and forever (Romans 8:1, Hebrews 13: 8)
This passage has brought many people into bondage, falsely so.
For the truth sets us free (John 8:32), and Jesus is the truth (John 14:"6)
He is also the way and the life.
Now, what did the writer of Hebrews mean by sin willfully?
Let us consider the context of this passage in its fullness:
"1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." (Hebrews 1: 1-2)
God, fathers, prophets --- all three signal a Jewish audience.
The writer of Hebrews is addressing Hebrew Christians, or individuals who believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but wanted to go back to the ritual sacrifices for sins.
Throughout the Book of Hebrews, the writer emphasizes that Jesus has completed one sacrifice for sins forever:
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1: 3)
and also
"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6: 20)
and also:
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" (Hebrews 10: 12)
We are called to believe on Jesus, the perfect sacrifice who takes away the sins of the world (John 1: 27; 1 John 2: 1-2):
"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 28-29)
That is the work: believe on Him!
And what is sin?:
"And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Romans 14: 23)
What does our faith connect to? Jesus, who is alive:
"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15: 17)
If we believe that Jesus has not finished the work, if we believe that there is still some sacrifice remaining that we must do, then we are sinning willfully.
Rest in the truth that Jesus has finished it all, and know that there is no condemnation in Christ yesterday, today, and forever (Romans 8:1, Hebrews 13: 8)
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Church: Encouragement and Comfort in Christ
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10: 25)
This verse could not be clearer.
We get together as believers in the Body of Christ for one reason: to exhort, to encourage one another.
The word "exhort" is παρακαλέω, parakaleo, the same word which references the Holy Spirit.
"But the Comforter [Parakletes], which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14: 26)
The Holy Spirit witnesses of one person: Jesus!:
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" (John 15: 26)
How then do we find encouragement? In Jesus, and when we come together, we encourage one another in our growing knowledge of Jesus. Church was all about celebrating what Jesus did:
23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." (1 Corinthians 11: 23-26)
We also come together to comfort one another with the truth:
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." (2 Corinthians 13: 11)
When false teachers were claiming that the resurrection already passed, Paul spoke the truth:
"16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18)
Peter exhorted his fellow believes to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, too (2 Peter 3: 18)
We come together to encourage and be comforted by our advocate Christ Jesus in our lives, for He is our comfort, the Word made flesh, the way, the truth, and the life:
"I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;" (Isaiah 51: 12)
This verse could not be clearer.
We get together as believers in the Body of Christ for one reason: to exhort, to encourage one another.
The word "exhort" is παρακαλέω, parakaleo, the same word which references the Holy Spirit.
"But the Comforter [Parakletes], which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14: 26)
The Holy Spirit witnesses of one person: Jesus!:
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" (John 15: 26)
How then do we find encouragement? In Jesus, and when we come together, we encourage one another in our growing knowledge of Jesus. Church was all about celebrating what Jesus did:
23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." (1 Corinthians 11: 23-26)
We also come together to comfort one another with the truth:
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." (2 Corinthians 13: 11)
When false teachers were claiming that the resurrection already passed, Paul spoke the truth:
"16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18)
Peter exhorted his fellow believes to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, too (2 Peter 3: 18)
We come together to encourage and be comforted by our advocate Christ Jesus in our lives, for He is our comfort, the Word made flesh, the way, the truth, and the life:
"I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;" (Isaiah 51: 12)
Friday, October 24, 2014
His Love Provokes Us to Love Others
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:" (Hebrews 10: 24)
The word "provoke" evokes a harsh, antagonistic tone for modern readers of the King James.
The original word is "paroxysm", which means irration and incitement, but also excitement and exhortation.
How do we get people excited about loving others and doing good works?
Tell them all that Jesus is and all that He has done for us:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
and also
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)
Paul later writes:
"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5: 15-17)
and also
"20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:20-21)
and also
"4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
When we see how much God loves us (actively, presently, and eternally), how can we not love others?
Is that not what the Bible says, anyway?
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
Paul prayed that we would comprehend His love (Ephesians 3: 16-19), and when we understand His love for us, then we love others.
Today, if you want to get other people excited about loving God and other people, let them know how much God loves them!
The word "provoke" evokes a harsh, antagonistic tone for modern readers of the King James.
The original word is "paroxysm", which means irration and incitement, but also excitement and exhortation.
How do we get people excited about loving others and doing good works?
Tell them all that Jesus is and all that He has done for us:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
and also
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)
Paul later writes:
"15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5: 15-17)
and also
"20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:20-21)
and also
"4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
When we see how much God loves us (actively, presently, and eternally), how can we not love others?
Is that not what the Bible says, anyway?
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
Paul prayed that we would comprehend His love (Ephesians 3: 16-19), and when we understand His love for us, then we love others.
Today, if you want to get other people excited about loving God and other people, let them know how much God loves them!
Thursday, October 23, 2014
He's Faithful, so that We are Faithful
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)" (Hebrews 10: 23)
When we read passages like "hold fast", we may be tempted to thinking of faith as a struggle, or something that we must fight through strenuous effort.
Jesus has given us His faith to believe on Him:
"8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. " (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
And
"20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2: 20-21)
Paul writes to Timothy:
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6: 12)
The better translation (although somewhat awkward for an English-speaking audience):
"Let the good fight of faith be fought."
Jesus defeated Satan, sin, and overcame the world at the Cross (John 16: 33).
We just need to believe that He finished everything when He cried out: "It Is Finished!" (John 19: 30)
God came through for us when we weren't even looking for Him, when we were lost, and had no idea that we were lost:
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8)
Even when we waver and we want to trust ourselves, He is faithful:
"If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." (2 Timothy 2: 13)
Look to the Parable of the Loving Father (Luke 15) to see how faithful God our Father is, even when we as sons think that we can live on our own without Him.
God cannot lie, and He swore by Himself:
"18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; " (Hebrews 6:18-19)
He is faithful. When we understand this, we are growing from faith to faith (Romans 1: 17), and we can hold fast the profession of our faith in Him.
Don't focus on your believing. Focus on how faithful God is, and you will find yourself believing on Him!
When we read passages like "hold fast", we may be tempted to thinking of faith as a struggle, or something that we must fight through strenuous effort.
Jesus has given us His faith to believe on Him:
"8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. " (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
And
"20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2: 20-21)
Paul writes to Timothy:
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6: 12)
The better translation (although somewhat awkward for an English-speaking audience):
"Let the good fight of faith be fought."
Jesus defeated Satan, sin, and overcame the world at the Cross (John 16: 33).
We just need to believe that He finished everything when He cried out: "It Is Finished!" (John 19: 30)
God came through for us when we weren't even looking for Him, when we were lost, and had no idea that we were lost:
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8)
Even when we waver and we want to trust ourselves, He is faithful:
"If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." (2 Timothy 2: 13)
Look to the Parable of the Loving Father (Luke 15) to see how faithful God our Father is, even when we as sons think that we can live on our own without Him.
God cannot lie, and He swore by Himself:
"18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; " (Hebrews 6:18-19)
He is faithful. When we understand this, we are growing from faith to faith (Romans 1: 17), and we can hold fast the profession of our faith in Him.
Don't focus on your believing. Focus on how faithful God is, and you will find yourself believing on Him!
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Let Christ Assure Your Heart Today
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10: 22)
We can come to God knowing that He will never punish us, nor hold our sins against us:
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," (Romans 8: 1, NIV)
John tells us that we do not have to worry about what's on our hearts, in the first place:
"And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him." (1 John 3: 19)
Let us always remember that the truth is a person (John 14: 6), and the truth speaks of the Gospel of Grace.
Grace and truth are one in Christ:
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)
The truth of grace, not the law, sets us free:
"31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8: 31-32)
The truth is all about the Gospel:
"To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you." (Galatians 2: 5)
And the Gospel in short form is provided for you here:
"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Acts 13: 38-39)
But what if our heart is not assured?
20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things" (1 John 3: 20)
We need to know that God knows everything about us, yet He sent His own Son to die for us (John 3: 16), and that He remembers our sins no more (Hebrews 8: 12)
21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
We have this confidence, that all things have been taken care of, and that we are fully washed and sanctified in Christ.
We can come to God knowing that He will never punish us, nor hold our sins against us:
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," (Romans 8: 1, NIV)
John tells us that we do not have to worry about what's on our hearts, in the first place:
"And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him." (1 John 3: 19)
Let us always remember that the truth is a person (John 14: 6), and the truth speaks of the Gospel of Grace.
Grace and truth are one in Christ:
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)
The truth of grace, not the law, sets us free:
"31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8: 31-32)
The truth is all about the Gospel:
"To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you." (Galatians 2: 5)
And the Gospel in short form is provided for you here:
"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Acts 13: 38-39)
But what if our heart is not assured?
20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things" (1 John 3: 20)
We need to know that God knows everything about us, yet He sent His own Son to die for us (John 3: 16), and that He remembers our sins no more (Hebrews 8: 12)
21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
We have this confidence, that all things have been taken care of, and that we are fully washed and sanctified in Christ.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Jesus, Our High Priest Forever
"And having an high priest over the house of God;" (Hebrews 10: 21)
Jesus is our high priest today.
In fact, He ministers on our behalf, and ever stops serving:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45)
and also:
"Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life." (Hebrews 7: 16)
Why is it important for us to know that our High Priest today has an endless life?
Under the Old Covenant, the high priest would go into the Holy of Holies once every year to atone for the sins of the people:
" And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.” (Exodus 30: 11)
This high priest would enter once a year, which signified that the shedding of blood was not enough.
When Jesus shed His blood, the eternal value of His blood covers our sins forever.
Not only that, but because He is a perfect, never-dying priest, we can rest assured that our perfect standing before God will never change.
"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." (Malachi 3: 6)
We are made not just righteous before God, but the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21), and we keep receiving this righteousness (Romans 5: 17) because our righteousness is based on Jesus, our High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (King of Righteousness):
"(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)" (Hebrews 7: 21)
When we understand whose we are, and where we are in (in Christ), then we understand fully who we are:
"Herein is love perfected among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Jesus is our high priest today.
In fact, He ministers on our behalf, and ever stops serving:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45)
and also:
"Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life." (Hebrews 7: 16)
Why is it important for us to know that our High Priest today has an endless life?
Under the Old Covenant, the high priest would go into the Holy of Holies once every year to atone for the sins of the people:
" And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.” (Exodus 30: 11)
This high priest would enter once a year, which signified that the shedding of blood was not enough.
When Jesus shed His blood, the eternal value of His blood covers our sins forever.
Not only that, but because He is a perfect, never-dying priest, we can rest assured that our perfect standing before God will never change.
"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." (Malachi 3: 6)
We are made not just righteous before God, but the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21), and we keep receiving this righteousness (Romans 5: 17) because our righteousness is based on Jesus, our High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (King of Righteousness):
"(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)" (Hebrews 7: 21)
When we understand whose we are, and where we are in (in Christ), then we understand fully who we are:
"Herein is love perfected among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Monday, October 20, 2014
Jesus, Our Living Way to God the Father
"By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;" (Hebrews 10: 20)
Jesus declared to His disciples:
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14: 6)
When most of read this passage, we usually think of a pathway to getting to someone. Then again, how is a person a pathway?
Jesus was speaking to His Jewish disciples then, and the context of coming to God, or getting close to Him, was always tied up in the sacrifices:
"26Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon." (Exodus 20: 26)
and
"And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded." (Leviticus 9: 7)
Because Jesus is the Lamb who takes away (present tense) the sins of the world (John 1: 29), we know that we can come to God our Father anytime, since the blood of His Son Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 7).
Now, what does the veil and the flesh speak of, regarding the living path that we have to God?
When Jesus died on the Cross, the veil in the Temple, which had divided the Holies of Holies from the entire world, was ripped from top to bottom:
"50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; " (Matthew 28: 50-51)
Because Jesus died for us and as us, sin was condemned in His flesh:
"2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:" (Romans 8: 2-3)
When we come to God today, even if we find sinful thoughts and feelings in our bodies, we reckon ourselves dead to these sins, too (Romans 6:11-14), because Jesus' death accomplished a perfect work in purging our consciences and perfecting us forever before God the Father (Hebrews 10: 14).
Jesus is alive, and we live because of Him, and through Him we have perfect access to God our Father, knowing that Jesus perfected us in Him, and thus grants us boldness to come to God in our every time of need (Hebrews 4: 16)
Jesus declared to His disciples:
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14: 6)
When most of read this passage, we usually think of a pathway to getting to someone. Then again, how is a person a pathway?
Jesus was speaking to His Jewish disciples then, and the context of coming to God, or getting close to Him, was always tied up in the sacrifices:
"26Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon." (Exodus 20: 26)
and
"And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded." (Leviticus 9: 7)
Because Jesus is the Lamb who takes away (present tense) the sins of the world (John 1: 29), we know that we can come to God our Father anytime, since the blood of His Son Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 7).
Now, what does the veil and the flesh speak of, regarding the living path that we have to God?
When Jesus died on the Cross, the veil in the Temple, which had divided the Holies of Holies from the entire world, was ripped from top to bottom:
"50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; " (Matthew 28: 50-51)
Because Jesus died for us and as us, sin was condemned in His flesh:
"2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:" (Romans 8: 2-3)
When we come to God today, even if we find sinful thoughts and feelings in our bodies, we reckon ourselves dead to these sins, too (Romans 6:11-14), because Jesus' death accomplished a perfect work in purging our consciences and perfecting us forever before God the Father (Hebrews 10: 14).
Jesus is alive, and we live because of Him, and through Him we have perfect access to God our Father, knowing that Jesus perfected us in Him, and thus grants us boldness to come to God in our every time of need (Hebrews 4: 16)
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Have Boldness to Come to God
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus," (Hebrews 10: 19)
Why do we have boldness to enter before God at any time?
The blood of Jesus!
The previous verse explains what Jesus' blood did for us: taking away all our sins. All of them.
Now, when we read this verse and take in the message about coming to God, we can understand why many people have a hard time coming to Him.
Some of us may feel that He is not big enough:
"Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:" (Isaiah 46: 10)
Some of us may feel that He does not want to help us, because of our sins.
Regarding the guilt of our sins, some have read this passage, perhaps:
"1Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Why do we have boldness to enter before God at any time?
The blood of Jesus!
The previous verse explains what Jesus' blood did for us: taking away all our sins. All of them.
Now, when we read this verse and take in the message about coming to God, we can understand why many people have a hard time coming to Him.
Some of us may feel that He is not big enough:
"Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:" (Isaiah 46: 10)
Some of us may feel that He does not want to help us, because of our sins.
Regarding the guilt of our sins, some have read this passage, perhaps:
"1Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59: 1-2)
Yet that is no longer the case, for He remembers our sins no more (Hebrews 8: 12), and:
"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2: 13)
and
"21And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight." (Colossians 1: 21-22)
Maybe you think that He does not care about what you are going through. Perhaps you had parents who did not care what you were going through.
Jesus knows what you are going through:
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4: 15)
And He cares:
"6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5: 6-7)
Because of Jesus, all He has done and all that He is, we can come to God:
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4: 16)
Saturday, October 18, 2014
There is No Other Offering But the Blood
"Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." (Hebrews 10: 18)
Jesus' blood did away with our sins forever.
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" (Hebrews 10: 12)
These sins are put away from us, and we no longer identify with them. Only when we forget this do we find ourselves not living a victory:
"But he that lacketh these things [traits of godly character] is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." (2 Peter 1: 9)
We do not remove our sins through anything that we have done, but rather everything which Jesus did:
"4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
and then
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
All our trespasses are forgiven because of Jesus' death, and through His death the Mosaic law was fulfilled, and rendered inoperative against us (Matthew 5: 17, Hebrews 8: 13)
In the last days, the greatest fight would be with those who believe that Jesus did not finish the work/ They would not deny that He never existed, or that He never died, but that He did not finish the work:
"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain." (Galatians 3: 1-4)
and
"(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." (Philippians 3: 18-19)
And also
"3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude 3-4)
There is no other way for our sins to be put away forever, because in order to have eternal, there had to be a sacrifice of eternal consequence, the blood of Jesus, which keeps on cleansing us (1 John 1: 7)
Jesus' blood did away with our sins forever.
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" (Hebrews 10: 12)
These sins are put away from us, and we no longer identify with them. Only when we forget this do we find ourselves not living a victory:
"But he that lacketh these things [traits of godly character] is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." (2 Peter 1: 9)
We do not remove our sins through anything that we have done, but rather everything which Jesus did:
"4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
and then
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
All our trespasses are forgiven because of Jesus' death, and through His death the Mosaic law was fulfilled, and rendered inoperative against us (Matthew 5: 17, Hebrews 8: 13)
In the last days, the greatest fight would be with those who believe that Jesus did not finish the work/ They would not deny that He never existed, or that He never died, but that He did not finish the work:
"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain." (Galatians 3: 1-4)
and
"(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." (Philippians 3: 18-19)
And also
"3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude 3-4)
There is no other way for our sins to be put away forever, because in order to have eternal, there had to be a sacrifice of eternal consequence, the blood of Jesus, which keeps on cleansing us (1 John 1: 7)
Friday, October 17, 2014
He Remembers Your Sins No More
"And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10: 17)
I remember reading a Christian author claim that God does not remember our sins anymore, but He does not forget them, either. Even today, there are men and women in the Body of Christ who still think that our sins are recorded somewhere.
What does the Bible say regarding our sins?:
"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43: 25)
How about this?
"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103: 12)
Before Jesus died on the Cross, He promised to send the Comforter, or our Advocate:
"8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 8-11)
We are convicted of righteousness, because we now do believe on Him, we know that the rule of the world has been judged, and we recognize today that He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, justifying us (Romans 8: 31-34)
He does not forget out sins arbitrarily, but rather because someone else paid for all of them: His Son Jesus:
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
and also
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1: 7)
God remembers our sins no more because they have all been paid for, and paid for eternally.
John later writes:
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1: 9)
God our Father is faithful to what Jesus did, and acting justly because His Son did a perfect work at the Cross.
I remember reading a Christian author claim that God does not remember our sins anymore, but He does not forget them, either. Even today, there are men and women in the Body of Christ who still think that our sins are recorded somewhere.
What does the Bible say regarding our sins?:
"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43: 25)
How about this?
"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103: 12)
Before Jesus died on the Cross, He promised to send the Comforter, or our Advocate:
"8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 8-11)
We are convicted of righteousness, because we now do believe on Him, we know that the rule of the world has been judged, and we recognize today that He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, justifying us (Romans 8: 31-34)
He does not forget out sins arbitrarily, but rather because someone else paid for all of them: His Son Jesus:
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
and also
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1: 7)
God remembers our sins no more because they have all been paid for, and paid for eternally.
John later writes:
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1: 9)
God our Father is faithful to what Jesus did, and acting justly because His Son did a perfect work at the Cross.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
The New Laws He Writes on Our Hearts
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;" (Hebrews 10: 16)
Notice that God has made this covenant with us.
We did not make this agreement. He came to us and cut the New Covenant:
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8)
then
"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5: 9)
This New covenant is based on His blood, which speaks better things than the blood of Abel (Hebrews 12: 24), and keeps on cleansing us (1 John 1: 7)
Now, what laws does God places in our hearts?
They are not the Ten Commandments, because every person born into this world has that ministry of condemnation within them:
"
There are a few laws which the New Testament mentions:
"But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans 7: 6)
and then
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8: 2)
We are now led by His Spirit, rather than by outer rules.
Another law, is the law of faith:
"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith." (Romans 3: 27)
There is the law of liberty, which speaks our new freedom in Christ, because the law of Moses has been fulfilled:
"25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1: 25)
That perfect law of liberty is His Spirit:
"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3: 17)
This verse ties right back to the law of the spirit of life.
Now, is there any verse which wraps up these revelations of God's laws written on our minds?
Yes indeed:
"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment." (1 John 3: 23)
The law of faith and the Spirit of life ministers to us to believe on Jesus Christ. The other, love one another, fulfills the law of Moses, but instead of creed of "Don't", the Spirit of God ministers God's love to us:
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 5)
This love enables us to love others:
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13: 32)
and also
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
The law of the Spirit, of faith, of love -- those are the new laws which God has put in our hearts and writes on our minds today.
Notice that God has made this covenant with us.
We did not make this agreement. He came to us and cut the New Covenant:
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8)
then
"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5: 9)
This New covenant is based on His blood, which speaks better things than the blood of Abel (Hebrews 12: 24), and keeps on cleansing us (1 John 1: 7)
Now, what laws does God places in our hearts?
They are not the Ten Commandments, because every person born into this world has that ministry of condemnation within them:
"
There are a few laws which the New Testament mentions:
"But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans 7: 6)
and then
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8: 2)
We are now led by His Spirit, rather than by outer rules.
Another law, is the law of faith:
"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith." (Romans 3: 27)
There is the law of liberty, which speaks our new freedom in Christ, because the law of Moses has been fulfilled:
"25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1: 25)
That perfect law of liberty is His Spirit:
"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3: 17)
This verse ties right back to the law of the spirit of life.
Now, is there any verse which wraps up these revelations of God's laws written on our minds?
Yes indeed:
"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment." (1 John 3: 23)
The law of faith and the Spirit of life ministers to us to believe on Jesus Christ. The other, love one another, fulfills the law of Moses, but instead of creed of "Don't", the Spirit of God ministers God's love to us:
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 5)
This love enables us to love others:
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13: 32)
and also
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
The law of the Spirit, of faith, of love -- those are the new laws which God has put in our hearts and writes on our minds today.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
The Holy Spirit is Our Witness
"Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before," (Hebrews 10: 15)
When we learn about the Holy Spirit, we learn about the gift tongues, miracles, and other supernatural, manifested works.
When Jesus taught His disciples about the Holy Spirit, He described Him as our Paraclete, or our comforter, our advocate:
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" (John 15: 26)
The writer of Hebrews declares that the Holy Spirit is our witness, for He witnesses of Jesus.
The Amplified Bible expounds on the term Paraclete:
"But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me." (John 15: 26, AMP)
The Holy Spirit is our counselor:
"20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2: 20)
and then
"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1 John 2: 27)
He is our helper, when we do not know what to pray:
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Romans 8: 26)
He is our intercessor, speaking on our behalf through Christ Jesus our High Priest:
"And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8: 27)
He also strengthens us, as we pray in the Spirit:
"He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." (1 Corinthians 14: 4)
Because of the Holy Spirit, we also know that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
"5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13: 5)
In the context of the above verse, the Holy Spirit witnesses to us the full contents of the New Covenant.
The Holy Spirit today is our witness of Jesus, and He is our Paraclete, an all-encompassing aid for all things.
When we learn about the Holy Spirit, we learn about the gift tongues, miracles, and other supernatural, manifested works.
When Jesus taught His disciples about the Holy Spirit, He described Him as our Paraclete, or our comforter, our advocate:
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" (John 15: 26)
The writer of Hebrews declares that the Holy Spirit is our witness, for He witnesses of Jesus.
The Amplified Bible expounds on the term Paraclete:
"But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me." (John 15: 26, AMP)
The Holy Spirit is our counselor:
"20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2: 20)
and then
"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1 John 2: 27)
He is our helper, when we do not know what to pray:
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Romans 8: 26)
He is our intercessor, speaking on our behalf through Christ Jesus our High Priest:
"And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8: 27)
He also strengthens us, as we pray in the Spirit:
"He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." (1 Corinthians 14: 4)
Because of the Holy Spirit, we also know that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
"5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13: 5)
In the context of the above verse, the Holy Spirit witnesses to us the full contents of the New Covenant.
The Holy Spirit today is our witness of Jesus, and He is our Paraclete, an all-encompassing aid for all things.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
We Are Perfected, and He Brings Out This Perfection in Us
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 14)
This verse, this promise, is hard for some people to accept.
We are perfected. How? In our actions.
No, because if that were the case, then we would not have to be transformed from glory to glory:
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
Also
"1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3: 1-2)
We are born again in our spirit, and even if our outside is growing old, on the inside we are renewed from day to day:
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4: 16)
So, we are made righteous by our position, because God the Father has seated us in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
He sees us, and He sees His Son, because we are in Him today.
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Christ lives in us, and He is our hope of glory (Colossians 1: 27), and as we grow in grace and knowledge of Him, His glory is revealed in us and through us:
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)
He has perfected us forever, and He is bringing out this perfection in us today:
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" (Philippians 1: 6)
This verse, this promise, is hard for some people to accept.
We are perfected. How? In our actions.
No, because if that were the case, then we would not have to be transformed from glory to glory:
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
Also
"1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3: 1-2)
We are born again in our spirit, and even if our outside is growing old, on the inside we are renewed from day to day:
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4: 16)
So, we are made righteous by our position, because God the Father has seated us in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
He sees us, and He sees His Son, because we are in Him today.
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Christ lives in us, and He is our hope of glory (Colossians 1: 27), and as we grow in grace and knowledge of Him, His glory is revealed in us and through us:
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)
He has perfected us forever, and He is bringing out this perfection in us today:
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" (Philippians 1: 6)
Monday, October 13, 2014
Expect Your Father to Bring Down Your Enemies
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool." (Hebrews 10: 12-13)
Jesus has absolute confidence in His Father, that He will put every enemy under His feet.
Do you have the same confidence in your loving Father?
Perhaps you do not know that God is your loving Father.
That is why we have the Holy Spirit today living in us:
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8: 15)
and also
"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." (Galatians 4: 6)
Now that you know that He is your Father, do you know that He loves you as much as He loves His Son Jesus?
Jesus Himself prayed that we would understand His love for us to this degree:
"23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17: 23)
and also
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
In fact, when God our Father sees us, He sees us as His own Son:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
So, God sees us as His own Son.
He has also seated us at His right hand, in His Son:
"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1: 19-23)
and
"4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
God is your Father, you are His child, He sees you as His only Begotten Son, and He has seated you in Heavenly places at His right hand.
Expect him to bring down your enemies, to make every enemy facing you your footstool.
Jesus has absolute confidence in His Father, that He will put every enemy under His feet.
Do you have the same confidence in your loving Father?
Perhaps you do not know that God is your loving Father.
That is why we have the Holy Spirit today living in us:
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8: 15)
and also
"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." (Galatians 4: 6)
Now that you know that He is your Father, do you know that He loves you as much as He loves His Son Jesus?
Jesus Himself prayed that we would understand His love for us to this degree:
"23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17: 23)
and also
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
In fact, when God our Father sees us, He sees us as His own Son:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
So, God sees us as His own Son.
He has also seated us at His right hand, in His Son:
"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1: 19-23)
and
"4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
God is your Father, you are His child, He sees you as His only Begotten Son, and He has seated you in Heavenly places at His right hand.
Expect him to bring down your enemies, to make every enemy facing you your footstool.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Jesus Sat Down -- When Will You?
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" (Hebrews 10: 12)
When Jesus sat down, he put away our sins.
For how long? Forever.
"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." "(Isaiah 32: 17)
God the Father establishes us in this righteousness":
"In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." (Isaiah 54: 14)
Daniel received the prophesy of this everlasting righteousness:
"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy." (Daniel 9: 24)
and of course:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
This righteousness is a gift which we keep on receiving:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
This is a gift we can keep on receiving:
"As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever." (2 Corinthians 9: 9)
When Jesus sat down, His Father then promised to make every one of His enemies His footstool:
"But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" (Hebrews 1: 3)
We are established in His righteousness, a gift which we keep on receiving, and God invites us to rest and receive all things from Him because of this gift of righteousness.
Jesus has sat down, and He has finished the work. When will you?
When Jesus sat down, he put away our sins.
For how long? Forever.
"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." "(Isaiah 32: 17)
God the Father establishes us in this righteousness":
"In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." (Isaiah 54: 14)
Daniel received the prophesy of this everlasting righteousness:
"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy." (Daniel 9: 24)
and of course:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
This righteousness is a gift which we keep on receiving:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
This is a gift we can keep on receiving:
"As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever." (2 Corinthians 9: 9)
When Jesus sat down, His Father then promised to make every one of His enemies His footstool:
"But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" (Hebrews 1: 3)
We are established in His righteousness, a gift which we keep on receiving, and God invites us to rest and receive all things from Him because of this gift of righteousness.
Jesus has sat down, and He has finished the work. When will you?
Saturday, October 11, 2014
God's Ministry, Not Man's, Ministers to Us
"11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: " (Hebrews 10: 11)
Under the Old Covenant, the priests who ministered on behalf of the Israelites would repeat the sacrifices, and yet they never took away sins:
"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." (Hebrews 10: 4)
On the other hand, the perfect blood of Jesus Christ put away sins forever:
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." (1 Peter 1: 2)
and
"18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1 Peter 1: 18-19)
and
"And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7: 14)
The blood of Jesus does not cleanse once, but keeps on cleansing:
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1: 7)
This blood cleanses, and Jesus' ministry as our high priest does not end, either:
"[Jesus] is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life." (Hebrews 7: 16)
Then
"For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore." (Hebrews 7: 28)
and thus
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" (Hebrews 10: 12)
Jesus is our High Priest forever, and He has enacted a New and Everlasting Covenant for us, that He is our God, and thus His ministry for us never ends.
Under the Old Covenant, the priests who ministered on behalf of the Israelites would repeat the sacrifices, and yet they never took away sins:
"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." (Hebrews 10: 4)
On the other hand, the perfect blood of Jesus Christ put away sins forever:
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." (1 Peter 1: 2)
and
"18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1 Peter 1: 18-19)
and
"And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7: 14)
The blood of Jesus does not cleanse once, but keeps on cleansing:
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1: 7)
This blood cleanses, and Jesus' ministry as our high priest does not end, either:
"[Jesus] is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life." (Hebrews 7: 16)
Then
"For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore." (Hebrews 7: 28)
and thus
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" (Hebrews 10: 12)
Jesus is our High Priest forever, and He has enacted a New and Everlasting Covenant for us, that He is our God, and thus His ministry for us never ends.
Friday, October 10, 2014
God's Will for You: The Grace of God
"8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10: 8-10)
The will of God is not some esoteric set of commands which He feeds to us intermittently.
The will of God is His New Covenant, which Jesus accomplished for us through His Son.
Because of Jesus, we are made holy:
"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1: 30)
Many people are frustrating the will of God because they do not believe that He did a perfect job of sanctifying us before God the Father.
Paul explains the complete work that Jesus did:
"20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2: 20-21)
We have been taken out of ourselves, and brought into Christ, and we live because He lives:
"Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also." (John 14: 9)
Notice also that Paul wrote to the Galatians that he does not frustrate the grace of God in His life.
This grace, which God wants us to receive and live on (1 Corinthians 15: 10), speaks perfectly of God's will for us:
"9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second" (Hebrews 10: 9)
What was done away, and what replaced it? The New Covenant:
"10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
The will of God is not some esoteric set of commands which He feeds to us intermittently.
The will of God is His New Covenant, which Jesus accomplished for us through His Son.
Because of Jesus, we are made holy:
"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1: 30)
Many people are frustrating the will of God because they do not believe that He did a perfect job of sanctifying us before God the Father.
Paul explains the complete work that Jesus did:
"20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2: 20-21)
We have been taken out of ourselves, and brought into Christ, and we live because He lives:
"Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also." (John 14: 9)
Notice also that Paul wrote to the Galatians that he does not frustrate the grace of God in His life.
This grace, which God wants us to receive and live on (1 Corinthians 15: 10), speaks perfectly of God's will for us:
"9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second" (Hebrews 10: 9)
What was done away, and what replaced it? The New Covenant:
"10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
"11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
"12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8: 10-12)
The writer affirms that this New Covenant has finished the Old:
"13In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."
While the Old Covenant was defined by "Thou shalt not. . .", the New Covenant is all about God's "I will". The law has been replaced by grace, and that is God's will for you, that you live by His grace.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Jesus (with the Father) Holds Everything, Including You
15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1: 15-20)
Jesus holds all things together, and everything was made by Him and for Him. When the Bible writes "By Him all things consist", that word "consist" is better rendered "Hold".
He holds the whole world, and everything outside of this planet and far beyond, as well.
We can then trust that He is holding all things together for us, too.
Most importantly, He holds us in His hands:
"28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30I and my Father are one." (John 10: 28-30)
Create this image in your mind:
Jesus holds you in His hands, his nail-pierced hands. Then imagine God the Father's hands holding Jesus' hands, and the Father's hands are also holding you.
You have double security, my friend, in knowing that God the Father is holding Jesus' hand and thus you. God the Father and God the Son have you in their grasp, and you will never fall!
Jesus holds all things together, and everything was made by Him and for Him. When the Bible writes "By Him all things consist", that word "consist" is better rendered "Hold".
He holds the whole world, and everything outside of this planet and far beyond, as well.
We can then trust that He is holding all things together for us, too.
Most importantly, He holds us in His hands:
"28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30I and my Father are one." (John 10: 28-30)
Create this image in your mind:
Jesus holds you in His hands, his nail-pierced hands. Then imagine God the Father's hands holding Jesus' hands, and the Father's hands are also holding you.
You have double security, my friend, in knowing that God the Father is holding Jesus' hand and thus you. God the Father and God the Son have you in their grasp, and you will never fall!
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Not Fans or Followers, but Friends of Jesus
"1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying," (Matthew 5: 1-2)
Since I have grown in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus and all that He is and has and does for us, as we receive from Him, I have noticed that while He was on earth, Jesus had a two-fold ministry.
1. Bring the Law of Moses back to its pristine, absolute, and humanly impossible standard
2. Announce the Gospel: that through the death and resurrection of Christ Himself, we would be made righteousness before God.
For years, I had heard preachers and pastors tell me that the Sermon on the Mount was a guideline for living, or that these precepts would demonstrate what every person would become when they were born again.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our understanding of God's Word, we find that Jesus is speaking to different groups of people, all of whom have different understandings, or different agendas.
To the multitudes, Jesus was a celebrity, someone whom they found fascinating.
To the disciples, Jesus was a great teacher, someone from whom they could learn how to live.
Since I have grown in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus and all that He is and has and does for us, as we receive from Him, I have noticed that while He was on earth, Jesus had a two-fold ministry.
1. Bring the Law of Moses back to its pristine, absolute, and humanly impossible standard
2. Announce the Gospel: that through the death and resurrection of Christ Himself, we would be made righteousness before God.
For years, I had heard preachers and pastors tell me that the Sermon on the Mount was a guideline for living, or that these precepts would demonstrate what every person would become when they were born again.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our understanding of God's Word, we find that Jesus is speaking to different groups of people, all of whom have different understandings, or different agendas.
To the multitudes, Jesus was a celebrity, someone whom they found fascinating.
To the disciples, Jesus was a great teacher, someone from whom they could learn how to live.
Jesus wants us to be His friends, and moreover God the Father wants us to receive Him as Father, that we may be His Sons:
"9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren," (Hebrews 2: 9-11)
and
"1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3: 1-3)
and
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
The Sermon on the Mount is for disciples, not friends or sons, and Jesus is inviting us to be Sons and receive all things from God the Father through this Spirit of Sonship (Romans 8: 15; Galatians 4: 6)
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Job's Need is Our Gain in Christ
"Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
11He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man." (John 33: 8-12)
Job suffered not for his sins, but that as a son of Adam, he has no righteousness of himself, even in his works.
We are dead when we first enter this world:
When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they died:
"17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2: 17)
and
"6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." (Genesis 3: 6-7)
Because of Adam, we are all dead in sins:
"12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." (Romans 5: 12-14)
David prays the truth regarding iniquity in man:
"Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51: 5)
and
"1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, " (Ephesians 2: 1-4)
Of ourselves, we have nothing. We need God's righteousness and grace in our lives at all times for all things:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
and
"And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8: 10)
and
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)
What Job suffered was not for sins that he had committed, but rather that as a sinner he thought he could be righteous. The righteousness that he needed, we have today through Christ Jesus today and forever!
Monday, October 6, 2014
We are Freed From all Sin -- Even in Our Flesh
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:" (Romans 8: 3)
This revelation is just too wonderful not to share, and certainly cannot be missed.
We who live in Christ, whom we know that Christ lives in us, did not just die for our sins, but died as us, in that we are sinners, more specifically that sin still resides in our fallen flesh.
For this reason, Paul would later write:
"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" (Ephesians 4: 22)
and also:
"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them." (Colossians 3: 5-7)
How else do we put off anything old but by identifying with the new, and more specifically with the newness of the Spirit:
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36: 26)
This New Covenant we receive through the Holy Spirit, through the New Testament of Christ's blood, which is forever forgiving us (1 John 1: 7)
"Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (2 Corinthians 3: 6)
We are freed from all sin, beloved, even the sin in our flesh which still lusts to do wrong! Jesus Christ has indeed made us more than conquerors in Himself (Romans 8: 37)
This revelation is just too wonderful not to share, and certainly cannot be missed.
We who live in Christ, whom we know that Christ lives in us, did not just die for our sins, but died as us, in that we are sinners, more specifically that sin still resides in our fallen flesh.
For this reason, Paul would later write:
"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" (Ephesians 4: 22)
and also:
"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them." (Colossians 3: 5-7)
How else do we put off anything old but by identifying with the new, and more specifically with the newness of the Spirit:
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36: 26)
This New Covenant we receive through the Holy Spirit, through the New Testament of Christ's blood, which is forever forgiving us (1 John 1: 7)
"Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (2 Corinthians 3: 6)
We are freed from all sin, beloved, even the sin in our flesh which still lusts to do wrong! Jesus Christ has indeed made us more than conquerors in Himself (Romans 8: 37)
Sunday, October 5, 2014
We Need Life, Which Jesus Gives Us
Whatever we need, we need something deeper than more things, or all things.
Jesus offers Life:
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)
He is this Life:
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14: 6)
In fact, we are dead in our trespasses because of Adam:
"Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." (Romans 5: 14)
and
"1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" (Ephesians 2: 1-2)
As men dead in oru trespasses, we cannot presume to give God anything, except a willingness to believe on Him and receive from Him all things:
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16: 31)
and also
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10: 9)
Let Jesus be your Life today!
Jesus offers Life:
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)
He is this Life:
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14: 6)
In fact, we are dead in our trespasses because of Adam:
"Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." (Romans 5: 14)
and
"1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" (Ephesians 2: 1-2)
As men dead in oru trespasses, we cannot presume to give God anything, except a willingness to believe on Him and receive from Him all things:
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16: 31)
and also
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10: 9)
Let Jesus be your Life today!
Saturday, October 4, 2014
What We Give God: Our Consent to Receive
In the Gospel of Luke, the three persons of God are manifested, showing how much God loves us, how much He does everything for us, who can do nothing for ourselves accept consent to receive:
"4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing." (Luke 15: 4-5)
Then:
"Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost." (Luke 15: 8-9)
And of course, the Parable of the Gracious Father (traditional known as the Prodigal Son), could not be more explicit that we have nothing to give, but everything to receive from God our Father:
"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." (Luke 15: 20-24)
We are poor in ourselves, lost, stranded, with no direction to go in. God finds us, saves us, promotes us, and blesses us indeed (1 Chronicles 4: 9-10; Ephesians 1: 3-6). Who are we to assume that we can give anything to God?
What we can give God through Christ -- that we consent to believe on Him and receive from Him.
"4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing." (Luke 15: 4-5)
Then:
"Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost." (Luke 15: 8-9)
And of course, the Parable of the Gracious Father (traditional known as the Prodigal Son), could not be more explicit that we have nothing to give, but everything to receive from God our Father:
"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." (Luke 15: 20-24)
We are poor in ourselves, lost, stranded, with no direction to go in. God finds us, saves us, promotes us, and blesses us indeed (1 Chronicles 4: 9-10; Ephesians 1: 3-6). Who are we to assume that we can give anything to God?
What we can give God through Christ -- that we consent to believe on Him and receive from Him.
Friday, October 3, 2014
We Must Receive First
Many preachers go on about what we can, or what we must give God. Yet from the moment that man is born into the world, he has nothing to give, because he has nothing.
When Adam and Eve sinned against God, they died. First, God warned them:
"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2: 17)
Yet they did eat from the tree, with the following results:
"6When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.7Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings." (Genesis 3: 6-7)
The first man and woman died because they chose to be independent from God their source, and just as a plant which strips itself from the ground, so too man dies spiritually by taking himself out of God's control and care and instead attempt to control and care for himself.
A dead man has nothing to give, because he has nothing, not even control or care for anything.
Jesus dismissed any value in the abundance of people, places, and things which a man could boast in:
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16: 26)
and also
"13And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12: 13-15)
Let us not presume that we can give God anything of ourselves. Receive from Him first, that we in turn may give to others.
When Adam and Eve sinned against God, they died. First, God warned them:
"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2: 17)
Yet they did eat from the tree, with the following results:
"6When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.7Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings." (Genesis 3: 6-7)
The first man and woman died because they chose to be independent from God their source, and just as a plant which strips itself from the ground, so too man dies spiritually by taking himself out of God's control and care and instead attempt to control and care for himself.
A dead man has nothing to give, because he has nothing, not even control or care for anything.
Jesus dismissed any value in the abundance of people, places, and things which a man could boast in:
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16: 26)
and also
"13And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12: 13-15)
Let us not presume that we can give God anything of ourselves. Receive from Him first, that we in turn may give to others.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
There Should Be No More Conscience of Sins
"For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins." (Hebrews 10: 2)
In this verse, the writer of Hebrews is referring to the inefficacy of blood sacrifices under the Old Covenant.
The blood of bulls and goats could only cover sin, but never wash them away. The conscience, the knowledge within of sin did not go away.
Relying on this fact in every human being, even the most self-righteous among us, we find out why Jesus could dispel the Pharisees and redeem the woman caught in adultery:
"7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst." (John 8: 7-9)
Our conscience cannot be removed, but God has sent His Son, that through His blood our conscience would be purged from all sins.
The writer of Hebrews spoke about this truth at the beginning:
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1: 3)
He purged our sins, He put them away, not just covering them.
Yet for many Christians, there is still a sense of sin, a sense of shame pervasive in our lives.
Why?
Because they are mixing the Old and New Covenants. Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but we have to keep the law still.
That is wrong.
First, Jesus was clear that He came to fulfill the law (not to help us to do it):
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." (Matthew 5: 17)
Paul then explains to the Colossians what Jesus accomplished at the Cross:
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; " (Ephesians 2:14-15)
and also
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
As long as we still hold onto the law, as though the ordinances have not been fulfilled and put away, there will still be a sense of sin.
Yet the blood of Jesus has washed away all our sins, fulfilling the Old Covenant, and has established the New Covenant:
"10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
In this verse, the writer of Hebrews is referring to the inefficacy of blood sacrifices under the Old Covenant.
The blood of bulls and goats could only cover sin, but never wash them away. The conscience, the knowledge within of sin did not go away.
Relying on this fact in every human being, even the most self-righteous among us, we find out why Jesus could dispel the Pharisees and redeem the woman caught in adultery:
"7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst." (John 8: 7-9)
Our conscience cannot be removed, but God has sent His Son, that through His blood our conscience would be purged from all sins.
The writer of Hebrews spoke about this truth at the beginning:
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1: 3)
He purged our sins, He put them away, not just covering them.
Yet for many Christians, there is still a sense of sin, a sense of shame pervasive in our lives.
Why?
Because they are mixing the Old and New Covenants. Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but we have to keep the law still.
That is wrong.
First, Jesus was clear that He came to fulfill the law (not to help us to do it):
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." (Matthew 5: 17)
Paul then explains to the Colossians what Jesus accomplished at the Cross:
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; " (Ephesians 2:14-15)
and also
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
As long as we still hold onto the law, as though the ordinances have not been fulfilled and put away, there will still be a sense of sin.
Yet the blood of Jesus has washed away all our sins, fulfilling the Old Covenant, and has established the New Covenant:
"10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8: 10-12)
Then:
13In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."
Because of this New Covenant, we are now perfected forever before God, too:
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 14)
This perfection speaks to our conscience today because of all that Jesus has done for us, and is doing for us today at His Father's right hand (Romans 8:31-34)
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
His Love Means Everything
Yes, Jesus loves me.
How cool is that?
But if you think that He is nothing bigger than your imagination, that love means nothing in the face of challenges insurmountable or indescribable.
What about tomorrow?
If you think that He is not able to handle your tomorrows, or if you think that you are on your own for those tomorrows, what good is the love of God?
This love is not some warm feeling, but a deep, abiding sense of caring which He has for us:
"6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5: 6-7)
and
"10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
How cool is that?
But if you think that He is nothing bigger than your imagination, that love means nothing in the face of challenges insurmountable or indescribable.
What about tomorrow?
If you think that He is not able to handle your tomorrows, or if you think that you are on your own for those tomorrows, what good is the love of God?
This love is not some warm feeling, but a deep, abiding sense of caring which He has for us:
"6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5: 6-7)
and
"10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
"11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
"12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrew 8: 10-12)
He is a God to all of us who believe on Him.
This love has taken us from dead in ourselves to alive in Him and so God sees us as His own Son:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
As much as it frustrates me, we need to know more about the love of God for us.
This truth, this revelation has been a big problem for me, as I have been so attached to fixing all the problems in my life, as though those solutions would fix all the problems.
What does the Bible say about removing fear from our lives, though?
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4: 18)
Looking back over periods of time where there was great fear, I recognize today that I never realized the new identity I had received in Christ.
I never knew that God the Father sees me in His Son, and thus as His own Son.
I never understood the fullness of this perfect love, this perfect grace that He has for us, for me.
When we settle on how great He is, when we understand the fullness of God's love for us, we receive His power in all things, and discover that He gives us beyond what we can ask or think (Ephesians 3: 20)
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