The dayspring from on high has visited His people. Indeed, He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. (John 1:10-11) To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:19) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6)
It is for this reason that the Lord Jesus hath invited us into His fold -- when we allow the love and peace of Jesus to rule in our hearts. Why is this important? Because Jesus through the tender mercy of our God, which by the dawn from on high has visited us. He did not send another but came Himself, having robed Himself in sin-prone flesh, and yet without sin. As the scripture declares, the Lord hath come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 9:6)
Indeed, through His tender mercy is the free grace and abundant mercy of our Lord God and Saviour available to each and every one of us who asks Jesus into our hearts, believing on Him who bore our sins upon the cross. We have to make a decision to choose life, and to accept His free gift of salvation that He provided when He shed His own precious holy blood on the cross.
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)
For as the scripture states, it was mercy that moved God to enter into a covenant that included the most high God becoming flesh (as one of us, and yet without sin) and shedding His precious holy blood on a cross for the remission of our sins. His abundant and eternal love in which forgiveness of sin is promised. It was the mercy of God -- His love -- that led the One and Only who created us in the beginning to become a Lamb for a sacrifice. (I Peter 4:1-10)
This is why as believers in Jesus we continue in the faith -- grounded and settled -- in His perfect love. It is also why we choose not to move away from the hope of the gospel that can only be found in Jesus Christ. Even the mystery which hath been hid from the ages and from generations until now -- this appointed time --- and now made manifest to believers in Jesus. His saints "to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of the mystery among the Gentiles" - you and I - which is Christ in you -- the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:23-26)
This same Jesus - which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fades not away -- reserved in heaven for you and I.
This same JESUS - whom the apostles preached to every man and woman they met, teaching the same good news gospel message so that He may present every one of these perfect in Christ Jesus. Because when we come into this world, we know that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Not one of us could make it on our own. But the Lord God who created us had a plan that He decided before the foundation of the world was even formed. A plan of redemption wherein a costly purchase -- with His own holy blood -- had to be made.
For as the scripture states, it was mercy that moved God to enter into a covenant that included the most high God becoming flesh (as one of us, and yet without sin) and shedding His precious holy blood on a cross for the remission of our sins. His abundant and eternal love in which forgiveness of sin is promised. It was the mercy of God -- His love -- that led the One and Only who created us in the beginning to become a Lamb for a sacrifice. (I Peter 4:1-10)
This is why as believers in Jesus we continue in the faith -- grounded and settled -- in His perfect love. It is also why we choose not to move away from the hope of the gospel that can only be found in Jesus Christ. Even the mystery which hath been hid from the ages and from generations until now -- this appointed time --- and now made manifest to believers in Jesus. His saints "to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of the mystery among the Gentiles" - you and I - which is Christ in you -- the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:23-26)
This same Jesus - which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fades not away -- reserved in heaven for you and I.
This same JESUS - whom the apostles preached to every man and woman they met, teaching the same good news gospel message so that He may present every one of these perfect in Christ Jesus. Because when we come into this world, we know that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Not one of us could make it on our own. But the Lord God who created us had a plan that He decided before the foundation of the world was even formed. A plan of redemption wherein a costly purchase -- with His own holy blood -- had to be made.
After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16)
Let that sink in for a moment. Then take hold of His truth in your hearts, and be filled with His joy. Set your affection on things above, not on the things of earth. Put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him. Rejoice inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings that when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. The exceeding joy of Jesus - the "happy are ye" that is spoken of in I Peter chapter four.
Put on too -- as the elect of our Lord God and Saviour -- holy and beloved -- the deep depth of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness and long suffering. And above all these things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness. In other words, let the love and peace of Jesus rule in your hearts. every moment of every day. For Jesus never fails.
Let that sink in for a moment. Then take hold of His truth in your hearts, and be filled with His joy. Set your affection on things above, not on the things of earth. Put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him. Rejoice inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings that when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. The exceeding joy of Jesus - the "happy are ye" that is spoken of in I Peter chapter four.
Put on too -- as the elect of our Lord God and Saviour -- holy and beloved -- the deep depth of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness and long suffering. And above all these things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness. In other words, let the love and peace of Jesus rule in your hearts. every moment of every day. For Jesus never fails.
Stand in the offering plate.
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