Come Now And Let Us Reason Together Saith the Lord - Part 1134

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all [men] liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith -- nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed, for let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." (James 1:5-7)

Why? James writes -- because "a double minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8) But note that this in no way suggests that as double minded, we are also without hope. James instructs us to "draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners, and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded." (James 4:8)

How do we do this? By seeking Jesus through His Word. By becoming fully grounded in the apostles doctrine. (Acts 2:42) Through fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers -- in singleness of heart.

"These all continued with one accord and prayer in supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus and with His brethren. (Acts 1:14) [The reference to "these" here refers to the eleven -- Peter and James, John, Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James [the son of Alphaeus], Simon Zelotes, and Judas [the brother of James]. (Acts 1:13)] We read later in the first chapter of Acts about the appointing of Matthias, to replace Judas who by transgression fell. (Acts 1:22-26) But I digress.

What is important to understand is that the Lord's message to each and every one of us from the beginning of time is unchanging. "Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me; in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me) to do Thy will, O God." (Hebrews 10:5-7; Psalm 40:6-8; Micah 6:6-7)

"The Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing ..." (Hebrews 9:8; Hebrews 7:19)

This is why the Lord said in a vision to Isaiah the prophet, "Come now and let us reason together," saith the Lord, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)

"And the Spirit and the bride say"-- Come." And let him that heareth say -- "Come." And let him that is athirst -- Come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 1:17)

In other words, before we can press into Jesus we need to first get our hearts right. We need to repent of our sins, asking our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ for forgiveness. Water baptism by immersion is next.

"Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death. Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [His] resurrection. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [Him] that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once, but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord ... for sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law but under grace." (Romans 6:3-14)

This is why Peter, standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost told the first 3,000 to be baptized into the new testament church -- "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." (Acts 2:37-38)

The promise? There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit ... for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made [us] free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1-4)

"For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness ... but now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:20-23)

Thus, being then made free from sin, ye become the servants of righteousness. Clothe yourself in the righteousness of Jesus today. Seek His wisdom and knowledge. His mercy and love that continues to say, "Come" and dine with Him at His table.

Stand in the offering plate.