In Luke 24, Jesus told His apostles to preach repentance and the remission of sin in His name, among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. In Mark's gospel, we read that he who believes and is baptized shall be saved. In Acts 2, we read about the first 3,000 believers in the church who were baptized by immersion in water "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 2:38-42) In John, Jesus said to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, that "except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)
But like so many of us, Nicodemus didn't understand what Jesus was saying. So he asked Jesus, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Marvel not that I said unto thee, "Ye must be born again." (John 3:4-6)
Therefore, when we ask Jesus into our life by faith, and fully seek His righteousness and Word, we realize that we have been set free because of Jesus atoning death. We are now saved by faith from our previously fallen exiled state. In fact, when we seek Jesus and all His righteousness, we are restored into fellowship with Him -- as the relationship between God and man was originally intended. As a consequence, we can be confident in our salvation. We can be unwavering in the love and joy and peace that surpasses all human understanding.
Do you remember the woman at the well? She was jumping for joy after meeting Jesus. Here was a woman who didn't even go to the well at the same time as the other women (because of her reputation) now running down the main street telling everyone about Jesus. So astonished were the witnesses who watched her that they spoke to the woman, asking her what had happened. Anyone who knows what it is like to meet Jesus and make Him their personal Saviour already knows the answer. But just in case we need a reminder, this woman who met Jesus for the very first time at the well was transformed in her heart. So much so, that she left her water pitchers behind. This is what Jesus does. He gives us peace and joy.
But unfortunately, once we are saved, we too often forget that the Lord does not want us to stop our faith journey there. He desires that we go further in His Word -- therefore, becoming followers of Jesus. Sons and daughters of the Most High King. However, like the woman at the well -- having just received salvation -- we are so overjoyed with redemption that we ask ourselves, "What could possibly be more fulfilling?"
Well, let me tell you. Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
Why? Because without the shedding of blood, there could be no forgiveness of sins. This is why we call His name Jesus for "He shall save His people from their sin." (Matthew 1:21) How can this be, you ask? "All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)
Indeed, He who knew no sin became sin for us. (II Corinthians 5:21) Yes, the same God who created us in the beginning shed His precious blood on the cross so that we could be saved. He paid the price once and for all.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Corinthians 5:17-21)
So, let us come boldly to the throne of grace for "it is finished." Only then did He ascend into heaven and sit down. Why did He sit down? The response is simple. He had, by Himself completed the work of redemption. As a consequence, you are complete in Him. Complete. Complete because there is no salvation available unless it is in the name. His name. The precious name of Jesus whereby salvation was made possible. This is our starting point -- believing in His saving grace.
The next step? Delve into the Word today. Learn as much as you can about the Lord Jesus who loved you and I enough to shed His precious blood on a cross. Like the woman at the well, your life will be transformed. Your heart will be full of His joy and peace that passes all human understanding. You will never again be the same because Jesus never fails. Stand in the offering plate.
Well, let me tell you. Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
Why? Because without the shedding of blood, there could be no forgiveness of sins. This is why we call His name Jesus for "He shall save His people from their sin." (Matthew 1:21) How can this be, you ask? "All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)
Indeed, He who knew no sin became sin for us. (II Corinthians 5:21) Yes, the same God who created us in the beginning shed His precious blood on the cross so that we could be saved. He paid the price once and for all.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Corinthians 5:17-21)
So, let us come boldly to the throne of grace for "it is finished." Only then did He ascend into heaven and sit down. Why did He sit down? The response is simple. He had, by Himself completed the work of redemption. As a consequence, you are complete in Him. Complete. Complete because there is no salvation available unless it is in the name. His name. The precious name of Jesus whereby salvation was made possible. This is our starting point -- believing in His saving grace.
The next step? Delve into the Word today. Learn as much as you can about the Lord Jesus who loved you and I enough to shed His precious blood on a cross. Like the woman at the well, your life will be transformed. Your heart will be full of His joy and peace that passes all human understanding. You will never again be the same because Jesus never fails. Stand in the offering plate.
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