Jesus Paved the Way For His Joy and Peace to Fill Our Hearts -- Our Cup Runneth Over - Part 1416

Before we were introduced to faith, we were in many ways imprisoned under the law. In this realm, we were incapable of escaping as if there were no plan of escape. Conversely, even if there was such a plan, what would we be escaping too? Certainly, it would be hard to have a battle of wits with an unarmed man, particularly if that man had never been introduced to faith or of its effectiveness. Like so many aspects of life, for those things which I do not know, I need an instructor.

Indeed, while we may have read of Abraham's faith, we were incapable of grasping the meaning. We needed to have our understanding opened and the meaning expanded upon. Who would open the cell doors of our mind? Well, definitely none of our cell mates, for they also were wallowing in the mire of sin, imprisoned by the law of sin and death, without a key.

But God works in mysterious ways! The scriptures ask, "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who was His counselor? So, in the beginning days, after Adam sinned, the law had become our custodian. The law was like a strict governess in charge of us. That is, until we looked beyond our hopeless predicament and called in our hearts for a deliverer.

In this capacity, God was and still is the only hope for us. Out of our hopelessness we looked up with expectancy. It was here that faith was seeded in men’s heart. So, by our imprisonment we were taught the defined meaning of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And the incurred wages, we swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. In other words, we dug our own hole, a hole so deep that we could not climb out of it.

Like the simple analogy of the man and woman walking at night and falling into a deep hole. They were unable to scale the walls of earth so they did what most people would do. They started calling for help. Along came a priest (it could be a rabbi too) who, upon hearing the yells of distress, ventures over to the hole. When he sees the man and woman in the hole, he starts praying but then walks away.

The man starts calling again and this time a doctor hears the cry. He approaches the hole and seeing the situation, takes a note pad from his pocket and writes the two a prescription. He throws the prescription into the hole and then turns around and walks away.

In many ways, this resembles society today - the 'powers that be' may be in power but they do not have the solution. Still, the two people stuck in the hole start yelling louder than before. Surely, there must be some intelligent  and compassionate life up there who will help us get out of this predicament. Just then, a friend just happens to be taking an evening stroll when he hears the distressed call. He approaches the hole, peruses the situation and immediately jumps into the hole.  Wow! The man and woman in the hole start thinking, "Well, that was not too smart!"

Here we are, with nothing but a prayer and a prescription and you decide to join us too! Well, the friend smilingly says,  “Only believe. I know the way out." I can help you get out of this mess.

The reality is this. The world does not have the answer. When no one else could help, His love, the love of Jesus, lifted me. Hear the good news song.

He came to me. I could not go to where He was so He instead came to us. And all we have to do  is believe in Him by faith -- the Lord of Glory. The King of kings. The Great I AM. Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending.. Thus, the message here is to step out in faith and trust the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Cast all your cares and concerns upon Him. Why? Because He cares for you. Let me say that again --- He really cares for you.

So, in terms of covenants (the old and new) you are not under law. You are under the dispensation of grace, whereby the Lord has declared peace and goodwill to all. Indeed, Glory to God in the highest!

This explains why when you believe, you are under the new testament -- the covenant of grace -- grace that is given and yet unmerited. While the law was given through angels to Moses, note that God's plan of salvation, grace and truth came to us through Jesus the Christ. Personally delivered to you and me. Jesus said to call upon Him and He -- "I shall deliver you."

My kinsmen according to the flesh. Faith in Jesus is the victory that can overcome the world. REad Acts 2:36-47 today and understand the peace and joy that will fill your heart if you would only ask Jesus to be both Lord and Christ in your heart. God manifest in the flesh. Now that is love!

Stand in the offering plate.