This is the message that was disseminated from the beginning of time. That is, our Lord God loved His creation -- you and I -- so much, that He would willingly become our Saviour. Willingly lay down His life for us so that we have an opportunity to openly fellowship with our heavenly Father. Willingly shed His precious blood for us so that we can experience His love -- His salvation.
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God ..." (I John 3:1)
When we believe on Jesus, and seek His righteousness, "now are we the sons [and daughters] of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (I John 3:2-3)
But what exactly does believing in Jesus mean?
First, it is accepting that He -- our Lord God and Creator -- was manifested to take away our sins. (I John 3:5) God became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-14) For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9)
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
Second, that we recognize that whosoever commits sin transgresseth the law "for sin is the transgression of the law" but whosoever is born of God does not commit sin -- "for His seed remains in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God." (I John 3:4)
Third, we understand that we have all -- each and every one of us -- fallen short of the glory of God. And in this context, we can only be saved by His grace. His mercy. His love reaching out to us.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (II Corinthians 12:9)
Most of all, believing Jesus is knowing that "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Because of His sacrifice, we can be thankful that He who knew no sin became sin for you and I. "And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him ..." (Hebrews 5:9)
Why? So that we could be born again -- as in the case of Nicodemus. (John 3:1-21) So that we can rest knowing "who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." (II Timothy 1:9)
Receive the gift of salvation according to Acts 2:37-42 today.
Therein, when the brethren asked, "What must we do to be saved?" Peter said, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
In this scriptural example, "they that gladly received His word were baptized ... and they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:41-42)
We need to do the same. That is, each and every one of us need to "repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that we also can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Therefore, "let us come boldly upon the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) Stand in the offering plate.
No comments:
Post a Comment