THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 414

Without faith it is impossible to please God. Indeed, faith in God is the ingredient that the world system totally neglects. But Abraham believed in God and because of his simple faith, God accounted to Abraham righteousness. If conversely, Abraham had not embraced that God is, then he like so many others before him would remain in God’s eyes as spiritually dead in their trespasses and sin.

Men and women blessed of God naturally produce offspring which in most cases they protect and shield from evil. The parents would gladly offer themselves even to death to shield their offspring. In this same way, God has done likewise. God is not willing that anyone should perish. Not anyone. In this same context, God is no respecter of persons. In God’s eyes, all have sinned. Each and every one of us are guilty and as the scriptures state, "There is none righteous, no not one."

It is for this reason that God veiled Himself in flesh as a Son. The difference being that God was not a sinner and even though He was tempted and tried even as we are, He sinned not. God who is Spirit veiled Himself in flesh allowing sinful men and women to unjustly condemn Him to death as they shouted - crucify Him - for we will not have this man to rule over us.

It is because of this latter example that there is neither a Jew or Gentile who can assert that they are guiltless. This is not to suggest that those who have never heard the gospel message of salvation will be judged as having heard the gospel message. But for those who have heard the gospel message and have willingly shunned God’s message, they should take heed - for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God! We need to repent and ask the same God who made the world to come into our hearts once and for all.

On a totally different topic, there are those who constantly assert that the Jews are the people of God. It would appear that they have forgotten that the Jews were cut off from God. The question then is this. If one is cut off from God, who is the Vine referred to in the scriptures? Doesn't the scriptures state that when a choice is made to oppose God, that there is a withering away from the vine? Some might suggest that such is the condition of the Jews today. Still opposing the New Testament, while continually endeavouring to re-establish the Law that was given through Moses. Remember that the Law was added until. Taking this initial stance further, some even assert that the Jews are the SEED of blessing as spoken of to Abraham.

But Abraham believed God. For it is written in the scriptures that when the Jews asserted that Abraham was JESUS' father, He replied, "Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and when he saw that it was forthcoming he rejoiced and was glad!"

These same folks further assert that yeshua is the messiah (the Christ) even insinuating that they knew the name yeshua 700 years prior to the birth of Christ. Still, the name JESUS was given of God to men. As such, there is no salvation in any other name. This is why the name of JESUS is so hated that many produce all sorts of alternate names rather than simply believe that the Lord who is God alone, has become Our Only Saviour. Or that His Name is JESUS. IMMANUEL meaning God with us! Therefore, God’s name is not jehovah or jahweh as often asserted. These are in fact deliberate fabrications of men endeavouring to hinder us - you and I - from the revealed truth found in the scriptures. That is, that the God who made the world was in the world! His name is JESUS!