THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 228

ONE LORD - ONE FAITH - ONE BAPTISM
In discussing redemption into the new birth, we concluded that decisions had to be made. The audience had heard the presentation delivered by the 12 apostles in Acts chapter 2 - the same apostles who were filled with and recipients of God's Holy Spirit. Up until this time period, none of Adam’s fallen sin to prone race had received of God’s Spirit.

The reason for this is that Jesus had not yet been glorified. But now, as the scriptures reveal, Jesus had been glorified. This new experience of receiving God’s Spirit confirms that JESUS has now been glorified. Similarly, at the same time, the heavens acclaim that not only is JESUS the Christ the only begotten Son of God but that He, JESUS, is also LORD OVER ALL!

It has also pleased the unseen God that JESUS is also the brightness of His Glory. And that JESUS is the wisdom of God. That JESUS is the express image of HIS BEING and that now God the INVISIBLE is now VISIBLE.

In other words, it has pleased the unseen Spirit of God that in JESUS who is the SEED of His own Holy Spirit coming forth from God’s innermost should all God’s fullness dwell bodily. This is the same JESUS to which they who were part of Adam’s disobedient offspring had earlier declared that this just man JESUS (who performed good deeds and healed the oppressed) should be crucified so that this man would not rule over them. So they carried out their evil horrendous crime urged on by a blind religious system of total error.

So in response to the torment in their hearts, many in the audience cried out to the apostles, "What shall we do?" They had seen the folly of their earlier decision - the mob mentality or as we term the notion today - groupthink. They knew that they were in need of salvation. A similar example can be found in the scriptures when JESUS met Paul journeying to Damascus. Paul was also endeavouring to climb the ladder of fame doing everything contrary to his heart. Some might call this type of person a man-pleaser. But JESUS stopped him, addressing Paul with these words. It is hard for you to kick against your conscience. Are you being true to yourself? In other words, do you really believe in what you are doing? If not, then why continue. Why not quit?

Certainly, as Acts 2 points out, redemption is readily available to the “whosoever will.“ Salvation was paid for in full by the Lord of glory JESUS who they had consented to crucify. Indeed, in so doing, Jesus was beyond recognition. Only the shell of a man remained. In fact, He was more marred than any other yet He is the tree of life. No branches, no dangling fruit. Rather, a completely dead trunk of a tree. What a hideous sight that must have been.

Even the scriptures state that there was no beauty that we should desire Him. So instead we hid our faces from Him. Holes in His hands and in His feet. A gaping hole in His side out of which poured blood and water. Not only blood but blood and water together.

The scene was so pathetic that even the light of the sun would not shine on this horrendous sight. So what must we do? they asked. Readily our ancestral father Adam ate the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. It did not result in a world that is prosperous and equally kind to all peoples wherever they are. Still, Jesus offers a better world for those who believe.

I wonder how many people reading this will desire to eat of the fruit of the Tree of Life. I wonder how many will recognize that the sword that previously blocked man's way to the Tree of Life because of sin state has been torn asunder. JESUS plan of redemption rolled out the red carpet for you and me. God‘s invitation to all is come!