Many of the things Jesus spoke to His disciples was so that His chosen disciples (and by extension you and I) might have peace. Indeed, Jesus said, "In the world ye have tribulation; be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
As believers in Jesus the Christ by faith, we become His workmanship. And, thus, we are 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?" (Ephesians 2:10-11)
In other words, this is where we were. But now -- after receiving Jesus into our life, and repenting of our sin, we are baptized/buried into Christ Jesus. As a consequence, ye who sometimes were afar 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 night -- for through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (Ephesians 2:10-18)
Why? Because 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 are ye saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-6)
In other words, when Jesus shed His precious blood on the cross, He took away the first covenant (the law and ten commandments under Moses) so that He could establish the second new testament. (Hebrews 10:16)
Satisfying the former things that included every priest standing daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
But now, because we are sanctified through the blood of Jesus, we understand firsthand that our salvation is totally dependent upon this one man who -- "after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting [or waiting] till His enemies be made His footstool.
For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified, whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us, for after that He said before "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days," saith the Lord, "I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:10-17)
"For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens, who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the people's, for this He did once, when He offered up Himself ... for the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity, but the word of the oath (which was since the law) maketh the Son, who is consecrated for ever more." (Hebrews 7:26-28)
"Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum. We have such an high priest who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle -- which the Lord pitched and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices, wherefore, it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer ... for if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law, who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount .... but now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second ..." (Hebrews 8:1-7)
So why is it that so many are in a hurry to return to the law and the bondage from whence they came? Why are we hearing so many -- who have been set free in the liberty within Christ -- admonishing others for not meeting the law in all aspects of their daily living? Paul put it right when he wrote to the saints in Galatia. That is, "who has bewitched you?"
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3) Likewise, we understand that because of Jesus, we receive a kingdom which cannot be moved. An unshakable kingdom whereby we can approach the throne of grace, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross. (Hebrews 12:2)
Jesus, the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises, for if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. But the first covenant was not without fault. This is why our Lord God decided -- even before the foundation of the world was formed -- that He Himself who knew no sin would have to robe Himself in a sin-prone flesh, if we were ever to obtain salvation.
Almighty God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) The fullness of Jehovah of the old covenant dwelling bodily in the man Christ Jesus. (Colossians 2:9) Emmanuel, meaning God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) This same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
And that love for you and I is beyond measure. We see this just before Jesus went to the cross. His humanity praying to the Father that dwelt within, He said, "And now come I to Thee, and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them My Word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world but that Thou shouldest keep them from evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy Word is truth. As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes, I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth." (John 17:13-19)
Sanctified because of the blood shed on a cross for us while we were yet sinners. But now this is no longer the case. Because we responded to the love of Jesus, we have become members in the household of God. The body of Christ which is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom all the building fit 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 2:19-22)
On that note, let's move unto perfection by pressing into our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.
"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour -- that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)
Stand in the offering plate.
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