Be Glad with Singleness of Heart - Part 811

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:8-9) 

"But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him." (I John 2:27)

In spite of what the religious culture and traditions of this day would have us believe, salvation (according to the scriptures) can not be attained by good works or by traditional religious exercises. In fact, if either of these were -- in the eyes of our Lord God and Saviour -- capable of redeeming man from the bondage of sin , then why would He deem it necessary for a righteous one to be crucified and therefore, become cursed of God? 

The scriptures state: "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 5:21) 

As such, not only did justice demand that a righteous one die but that His precious blood be totally shed so that our sins could be forgiven. This is why the cost alone associated with man’s redemption from sin is the best love story ever told. That is, the precious blood that was shed on the cross at Calvary WAS the lifeblood of the Holy Spirit. It was not human Adamic sin prone blood. Rather, the body crucified on the cross was the sinless body of God, for it is written "Hereby perceive we the love of God -- because He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (I John 3:16) 

"Greater love hath no man than this -- that a man lay down His life for His friends." (John 15:13)

Therefore, when we believe in Jesus by faith, and seek His righteousness, we are reconciled to the same Lord God who later became our Saviour.

"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given unto 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 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 sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Corinthians 5:18-21)

Moreover, when one receives the promised gift of His Holy Spirit, it is likened to a well of life springing up from one's innermost being. Happiness abounds! This is why those of us who know God's presence firsthand describe His presence as an unspeakable joy that is glorious. Indeed, we become victorious through Jesus who lives within. But I digress. 

Ephesians chapter two is insightful for those who read it and ask the Lord Jesus to provide His wisdom and council. If you haven't yet asked Jesus to be Lord of your life, ask Him into your heart today. Come to Jesus and discover for yourself His goodness and mercy. His grace. His love. You will not be disappointed. Ephesians 2 states:

"And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past, ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands ... that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God ... and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:1-22) 

Salvation cannot be earned. There is nothing we can do to become a new creature in Christ, other than believe in Jesus and His name. Then, when we seek His righteousness, the next step is to be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins according to Acts 2:38-42, so that we too (like the first 3,000 to be saved in this current dispensation of grace) can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Stand in the offering plate.