THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 346

This message is a continuation of the earlier post where we endeavoured to present to you this message. That the blood shed at Calvary was not Adamic sinful blood. Neither was the blood that was shed at Calvary a mixture of Mary’s blood (His willing surrogate mother) and that of the Holy Spirit. For it is written in the scriptures - that which is conceived within you Mary is of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the SEED’S were that which came forth of God. For JESUS is proclaimed to be the Only Begotten Son of God.

It is important here to distinguish between the word begotten and begat. Begotten means "coming forth" from the innermost being of God. JESUS, the child was clothed in His mother’s sinful flesh, and as a result of being clothed with flesh in Mary’s womb, the child flesh could be tempted and tried in all points. Very similar to the temptation experiences we have. The difference is that JESUS did not succumb to sin. Therefore He alone could be man’s redeemer and Saviour.

Further, as we recognize from reading the scriptures, man’s redemption required the sacrificial death of a righteous man. God had already searched for a righteous man but found none righteous enough. However, because God is love - which love we had not known of until JESUS arrived - that same JESUS, God Himself as a Son took our place on the cross. In so doing, JESUS gave us life. The same Jesus who is in fact the life of God. Indeed, in JESUS, we clearly see that God is altogether love. Inasmuch as He - God - willingly laid down His life for our redemption and salvation.

The BLOOD then that was shed at Calvary was the pure holy un-defiled blood of the Holy Spirit. Yes, Jesus died once, and that once was for once and for all - and extended to and throughout all generations. What do the scriptures state? Keep yourself from blood. Why? Because the blood of JESUS the CHRIST that was shed at Calvary cleanses us from all sin. Henceforth, there is no more sacrificial offering for sin.

Even still, there are church fathers today presenting religious traditions that date back to 300/400 AD. Within those traditions, these institutions re-sacrifice Jesus at their man made altars where they proclaim the doctrine of transubstantiation. For those unfamiliar with the term transubstantiation, it is the word used by certain clergy as a means for explaining why the wine and bread or wafer are miraculously and mystically transformed. Each element apparently receiving a change of state respectively into the flesh and blood of Jesus the Christ.

Within these institutions, usually only the priest drinks the wine that has been - according to the doctrine of transubstantiation - transformed into blood. The people only partake of the bread, for it is apparently not necessary that the people partake of the bread transformed into flesh. For in the flesh there supposedly remains traits of blood. Is it any wonder that the scriptures declare that whosoever eats this bread and drinks this fruit of the vine unworthily, eat and drink damnation to themselves? For this reason are many of you weak and sick and many die. Because you did not stop long enough to discern that in your so doing you are re-sacrificing the Lord of Glory in pretense.

Still, throughout our journey we need to remember that the scriptures are true. In this context, the normal fruit of a vine is not blood - of which we have been warned to restrain from partaking blood. As well, drinking blood is a no-no. We previously read that it seemed good to the Holy Spirit that we keep ourselves from blood. Why? The answer is simple. We are not cannibals. Neither were we created to be cannibals. This is why the Bible states that the blood which is the life thereof, we are not permitted to drink. Please read I Corinthians chapter 11 for more detail.

And then remember that JESUS laid down His life for you and I saying, "It is finished!" The WORD of God is coming to you and I - not from us - so that we can believe in God's ultimate plan of salvation. How are you or I going to escape if we neglect God’s redemption and salvation plan? Really are we to think that JESUS death at Calvary was insufficient? Stop and ponder who it was who died for you. Call on JESUS today!