Rejoice in the Lord always. Likewise, "be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God ... and the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
Unfortunately, we live during a time when many voices cry out in defiance of the original good news salvation message delivered to humanity personally by our Lord God and Saviour Jesus. This same defiance is not new. In the old testament, Hosea wrote that "people would be destroyed from a lack of knowledge." Moreover, the prophet wrote, "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as My priests, because you have ignored the law of your God. [Indeed,] the more priests there were, the more they sinned against Me. They exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful. They feed on the sins of My people and relish their wickedness." (Hosea 3:4-5)
What is sad is that we see this same tendency in many religious institutions today. Instead of focusing on the ultimate salvation message that gives people from all walks of life an opportunity to experience true peace and freedom, the tendency by institutions is to promote some form of legalism as the norm, encouraging members of congregations and parishioners alike to become subject to the Law and Ten Commandments that was prevalent under the Old Covenant.
The idea that as believers "we are victorious through our Lord Jesus Christ" is rarely mentioned. Neither is Romans 8:2 which states that "through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set [us] free from the law of sin and death." The salvation message that states when we believe in Jesus, we are "made free from sin ... we become the servants of righteousness." (Romans 6:18)
Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." (Luke 4:16-18) He is the only mediator
This is why we as believers should read the Word daily -- and willingly desiring to do His will in our lives -- so that we will know the truth -- the truth that will set us free. (John 8:32) And as a consequence, we can understand the importance of embracing the new covenant -- His salvation message that includes abundant grace, mercy and love that passes all human understanding.
You see, death was swallowed up in victory when Jesus shed His precious blood on the cross for you and I. "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God -- who gave us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."(I Corinthians 15:54-57)
It is here that we were set free from sin once and for all. No more weekly confessions to priests and their institution appointed representatives but rather given a direct connection to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus -- our heavenly Father who became flesh so that you and I might have life -- and have life more abundantly. Remember, we can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us.
Or, as Paul wrote, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) This is why we take hold of His promises that were intended from the beginning of time. And God's plan of salvation decided before humanity was ever made -- so that we can become sons and daughters of the Most High King -- Jesus -- the Word in the flesh -- our Lord God and Saviour.
Therefore, be ye steadfast, un-moveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Stand in the offering plate.
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