"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate," saith the Lord, "and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters," saith the Lord Almighty." (II Corinthians 6:16-18)
Interestingly, the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, the same Lord God who hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm -- nothing being too hard for Thee -- instructs us to take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase He Himself made on the cross, and His lovingkindness unto those who have sinned against Him to know that this is the day of salvation. After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16)
Indeed, as the scripture declares, now is the accepted time. (II Corinthians 6:2)
Why? So that they [us] "shall be My people and I will be their God, and I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear Me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good: but I will put My fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from Me." (Jeremiah 32:38-40)
Herein, the Lord God, our creator, is speaking forward in prophecy to the time when He Himself would be made flesh and dwell among us -- soon to become our Saviour, our Redeemer, our Shepherd.
The Word made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory. (John 1:1-18)
When "the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see [it] together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it]." (Isaiah 40:5)
But now, after the cross wherein God displayed His humanity for one and all to behold, His glory has been revealed. His love for His creation manifest to all the world. His handiwork displayed in the heavens so that we are without excuse.
Yes, He became the perfect sacrifice so that we can have eternal life in Him. He paid the price once and for all, sealing the purchase with His own precious holy blood, ushering in a new testament. (Hebrews 9:15-18)
From Hebrews 2:1-18:
"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him]; God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with diverse miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?
For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, "What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest Him? Thou madest Him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst Him with glory and honour, and didst set Him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under His feet. For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing [that is] not put under Him. But now we see not yet all things put under Him.
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became Him, for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, "I will declare Thy Name unto My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee."
And again, "I will put my trust in Him."
And again, "Behold I and the children which God hath given Me.Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
For verily He took not on [him the nature of] angels; but He took on [Him] the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto [His] brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted."
Meditate these thoughts in your heart this day. Stand in the offering plate.
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