THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 303

The Lord is One Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is joy and liberty. Did not the Lord say that He came so that man might have life - an abundant life - eternal life?

JESUS breathed upon His disciples saying unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." (John 20:22) The Holy Ghost was the life of the Spirit of God which indwelt His fleshly sin prone body. JESUS' blood was the blood of the Holy Ghost. In fact, JESUS was the only begotten Son of the Holy Ghost!

JESUS was conceived of the Holy Ghost into the womb of a surrogate mother named Mary. But Mary was not the mother of God. For it is written, that that "holy thing" that shall be born of you Mary, shall be called the Son of God (that holy thing refers to the sin prone flesh in which the SEED of the Holy Ghost would be clothed in whilst in Mary womb.) (Luke 1:30-35)

JESUS descriptive title name is Immanuel - which translated means `God with us.' Appearing in fashion as a son, God appeared in the same fashion as we. Therefore when we call upon His name - the name of JESUS - the name given to all men whereby we can be saved - we understand that it is JESUS who will save HIS people from their sin. (Matthew 1:18-23)

How do we know? In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own accepted Him not ... And the Word was made flesh ..." (John 1:1-18)

Indeed, JESUS was the Word of God, now appearing in flesh for the express purpose of bringing us salvation. God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6) He also had an underlying purpose and that was to destroy the work of the devil who has (and is) wreaking havoc on His people. And then also to expose the devil for what it is - the cause of sin, sickness, disease, suffering, and death. None of these consequences were what God had intended for men and women when He created the world in the beginning. (Genesis 1:1) Although considerable blame is directed at God, it is yet another lie put forward by the enemy.

This is why JESUS who is God Himself manifest in the flesh came into our world - not to condemn man but rather God took the form of man upon Himself purposely to suffer death on a cross at that place called Calvary! Understand here that God took upon Himself the FULL penalty for all of our sin - the total abolition of our sin which formally required the death penalty. He took all this sin upon Himself - the reality of death on a cross carried out upon Him - a pure, holy, righteous man.

Why would He do this? Because, there was not anyone who was a pure, holy, righteous on earth who could bring salvation to people in the eyes of God. Therefore, God who created humanity veiled Himself in the flesh! What condescension. The very God who made this world entered into the world that he Had created to lay down His sinless life for you and me. (I Timothy 3:16) Now that is what God did, and as a consequence, the whole world revolves and rotates upon this historical fact.

Still, we have options. We can judge ourselves unworthy of the gift of eternal life OR we can yield ourselves to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Each one decides for him or herself. Just like we were created with a free will, we likewise have the responsibility of making the right decision. However, to all who receive JESUS, to them it is given of God that they be endued with power (GRACE) to become the sons and daughters of God.

The scriptures elaborate on salvation, sharing that salvation is the gift of God - a gift that is free to one and all. JESUS paid the PRICE in FULL for our redemption. JESUS is the door. There is a direct connect between Jesus and man. Not a man-made church or religion or for that matter whatever other ism man conjures up. Salvation is attainable to every person - free of charge. Just come to JESUS with sincerity and truth.

When they asked Peter (standing with the eleven other apostles) what must they do to be saved, Peter answered, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:37-42)

And then, stand fast in the liberty that is in Jesus. Read His Word. Step into the offering plate and offer yourself to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Bring yourself to His cross and cling to the God who not only made you but loved you enough to die for you too.

With arms wide open God will pardon you ...