Take off your shoes for the place whereon you stand is holy ground. Indeed, be still and know that I am God.
The bush burned and yet, was not consumed. So they tarried at Jerusalem, numbering 120 persons. This group had been assembling in an upper room for ten days by this point. The eleven apostles were in attendance and Mary along with other women were all united in prayer and supplication (Acts 1). Within the assembly, they democratically chose another apostle by casting lots through prayer. Two names were on the ballot. They prayed that the Lord would direct the selection (Acts 1:24)
Mathias was chosen. Mathias, he then being numbered with the other apostles restoring the number of apostles to twelve. The underlying requirements for 'apostleship' were outlined in the scriptures. Also note that Mary continued with the others in prayer. She was not singled out to be distinct as suggested by some organizations today. They all, including Mary, continued with one accord. In fact, they all assembled in anticipation of what was to come.
In this context, you will remember that they had previously heard the Master Jesus, and even John the baptist make mention in the scriptures of future occurrences concerning Jesus. Often, they had heard the statement, "He shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." And they, similarly recalling that Jesus had breathed on them saying, "Receive you the Holy Spirit."
But equally important for us seeking salvation today, Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you, and out of your innermost being, shall spring rivers of living waters. Greater is He that will be in you than he that is in the world." And when He, the spirit of truth is come, He will bring all things to your remembrance concerning all that I have said to you in our days together. He will lead and guide you into all truth. Except a man be born again, he cannot see, neither can he enter the Kingdom of God. The scriptures go further. The scriptures state that these signs shall follow them that believe (Mark 16). At the last supper, for example, they witnessed and heard Jesus saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Divide this wine among yourselves. Drink you all of it,"
He did likewise with bread, saying that this was "His body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." This is not transubstantiation. Why? Because there is no transubstantiation. (Luke 22) So the 120 believers entertaining all these unknowns continued with prayer and supplication with one accord right into the day of Pentecost. Suddenly, there came a sound from Heaven, like the noise of a mighty rushing wind, the sound filled all the house where they sat. As the scriptures state, here appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire. These cloven tongues sat on each of them. At this time, they were all filled with His holy spirit and they began to speak in other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance. Lo, the entrance of the new covenant of grace, where God said, "I will be to them God and they shall be to me a people."
It is for this reason that the Heavens are open to the whosoever that will come. Stand in the offering plate. Peace be in Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
IT IS FINISHED - PART 20
Call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sin. The son in whom we have redemption through His blood and similarly, the forgiveness of our sins.
Out of Egypt, have I called my son. Indeed, let my son go that he may serve me, saith the scriptures. This same son, in whom we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of our sins. For without the shedding of his blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. This is why we call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sin. For the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
It is in this context that the veil of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom. So, let us come boldly to the throne of grace for "it is finished." Indeed, "it is finished" was His cry. Only then did He ascend into heaven and sit down, Why did He sit down? The response is simple. He had, by Himself completed the work of redemption. As a consequence, you are complete in Him. Complete. Complete because there is no salvation in any other name.
As the scriptures state, "Sit thou at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool." After ascending, Jesus ministered through His holy spirit. Jesus never changed. Only the fashion of ministering altered. Recall that after His resurrection, Jesus went in and out among them for forty days and nights. During this time, Jesus showed Himself to them in various forms and appeared to them at unsuspected times. By this process, the apostles were introduced to a new avenue of living. With our eyes we cannot see you. Still, we know and feel that you are here.
We can relate to this relationship because we, who love the Lord today have never seen Him. Before ascending, Jesus instructed the apostles to go to Jerusalem and wait there until they be imbued with power from on high. There were other instructions given to them by Jesus after His resurrection. First, they were to go into all the world and preach the good news to everyone. Second, they were to baptise believers into His name, Jesus. Note that these instructions did not state baptism into the descriptive titles - father, son, holy spirit as erroneously presented by the church fathers in AD 300 and admittedly altered by the church fathers(re: Matthew 28:19).
In Luke 24, the scriptures recorded that Jesus told His apostles to preach repentance and the remission of sin in His name. Among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. In Mark's gospel, we read that he who believes and is baptised shall be saved. Jesus had said to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, that "except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." And again, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3)
That which is flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I say to you, “You must be born again.” Jesus, by His atoning death, redeemed us from our fallen exiled state restoring to us fellowship with God, even as Adam fellowships in the garden. Today, we can be confident in the abundance of joy and peace that only gravity keeps us on the ground. But it appears that God would have us go further. We, dragging our feet and yet, not knowing God’s purpose show little sign of pressing forward. After salvation, we are so overjoyed with redemption - what could possibly be more fulfilling? That is why the emphasis seemingly is placed upon us now, that there is something we ought to do or must do to go further. Except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
We are now introduced into the possibility of entering into the kingdom of God, a whole new unbeknownst to us adventure. What is man that you are mindful of him? We will go forward to Jerusalem, for surely where He leads we ought to follow. Stand in the offering plate. Partake of the free gift of redemption, purchased for you with His own blood, the blood of His Holy Spirit. Peace to all who are in Jesus.
Out of Egypt, have I called my son. Indeed, let my son go that he may serve me, saith the scriptures. This same son, in whom we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of our sins. For without the shedding of his blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. This is why we call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sin. For the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
It is in this context that the veil of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom. So, let us come boldly to the throne of grace for "it is finished." Indeed, "it is finished" was His cry. Only then did He ascend into heaven and sit down, Why did He sit down? The response is simple. He had, by Himself completed the work of redemption. As a consequence, you are complete in Him. Complete. Complete because there is no salvation in any other name.
As the scriptures state, "Sit thou at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool." After ascending, Jesus ministered through His holy spirit. Jesus never changed. Only the fashion of ministering altered. Recall that after His resurrection, Jesus went in and out among them for forty days and nights. During this time, Jesus showed Himself to them in various forms and appeared to them at unsuspected times. By this process, the apostles were introduced to a new avenue of living. With our eyes we cannot see you. Still, we know and feel that you are here.
We can relate to this relationship because we, who love the Lord today have never seen Him. Before ascending, Jesus instructed the apostles to go to Jerusalem and wait there until they be imbued with power from on high. There were other instructions given to them by Jesus after His resurrection. First, they were to go into all the world and preach the good news to everyone. Second, they were to baptise believers into His name, Jesus. Note that these instructions did not state baptism into the descriptive titles - father, son, holy spirit as erroneously presented by the church fathers in AD 300 and admittedly altered by the church fathers(re: Matthew 28:19).
In Luke 24, the scriptures recorded that Jesus told His apostles to preach repentance and the remission of sin in His name. Among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. In Mark's gospel, we read that he who believes and is baptised shall be saved. Jesus had said to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, that "except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." And again, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3)
That which is flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I say to you, “You must be born again.” Jesus, by His atoning death, redeemed us from our fallen exiled state restoring to us fellowship with God, even as Adam fellowships in the garden. Today, we can be confident in the abundance of joy and peace that only gravity keeps us on the ground. But it appears that God would have us go further. We, dragging our feet and yet, not knowing God’s purpose show little sign of pressing forward. After salvation, we are so overjoyed with redemption - what could possibly be more fulfilling? That is why the emphasis seemingly is placed upon us now, that there is something we ought to do or must do to go further. Except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
We are now introduced into the possibility of entering into the kingdom of God, a whole new unbeknownst to us adventure. What is man that you are mindful of him? We will go forward to Jerusalem, for surely where He leads we ought to follow. Stand in the offering plate. Partake of the free gift of redemption, purchased for you with His own blood, the blood of His Holy Spirit. Peace to all who are in Jesus.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
CHOSEN VESSEL OF THE LORD - PART 19
While they stoned Stephen, he called upon God saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Stephen in his last moments called upon God, revealing that his God was none other than the Lord Jesus. Stephen was not the only individual to recognize firsthand who God was.
Paul also was a chosen vessel of the Lord who willingly spread the gospel message and His name among the Gentiles. In Acts chapter 22 verse 14, for example, the one who appeared to Paul on his journey to Damascus was none other than the God of our fathers. His name? Jesus. Jesus stands over His word to perform it, and the aforementioned happenings display unforeseen events transpiring in people's lives.
And for us, like Stephen, from a distance viewing the religious madness manifest, have abundant grace lavished. Abundant grace toward Stephen. Mercy untold toward Paul. The Lord standing, observing the circumstances, but not raining down fire and brimstone. Instead, God revealed Himself in vision form. We observe the eminent immediate life tragedy appearing as it was a drastic situation. However, the new covenant is in the hands of the Lord. He alone knows the obstacles that resist its establishment on earth. This means that we can, from our vantage point, view the larger picture which necessitated these happenings.
But the question should be asked for hypothetical reasons. What if there was no old covenant? What if there was no well versed Stephen? If there had not existed any religious fanatics, or a young man Saul living a lie and betraying his heart. None of this confrontation would have occurred if there was no Jesus standing, observing, or recalling His own Word. Inasmuch as you do these things to my brethren you are doing it to me.
Are you persecuting me, portraying long suffering? God is giving this last opportunity to those who oppose the truth to divorce themselves from that old covenant. The constraints of the law. No man can serve two masters, saith the scriptures. Similarly, the law states that no man can have two wives. However if one wife should die, then we are free to marry another. It is in this sense that we are dead to the old covenant by the offering of the body of Jesus. He has already fulfilled all the requirements of salvation and in so doing, He cancelled the curses bequeathed to fall on Adam’s offspring. Therefore, we are free to marry another.
By grace, we have now chosen to be married to the new covenant’s Author JESUS. The same Jesus who arose from the dead. It is this Jesus that we endeavour to worship and serve Him alone in spirit and in truth. As such, we are born free under grace rather than committing adultery. Even after these events transpired, the new covenant believers continued to be persecuted by those proponents of the sin and death old covenant. In fact, the old covenant way, the law was so entrenched in some sectors that certain brethren started to teach gentile believers that they should be circumcised. If they are not circumcised, suggested old covenant advocates, one cannot be saved.
According to Acts chapter 15, dissension in the meeting arose. The scriptures tell the results of apostles and elders assembled with the people to consider the matter of circumcision. The results, as recorded in Acts 15, verses 23 through 31, "so we see that certain elements existed before the law and these are yet retained. We are the temple of His Holy Spirit who alone unfolds the mysteries of God, leading and guiding us into all truth. Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman (man’s way) and the other, the child of promise.
But as of then, the child born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit. So the message today is to cast out the bond woman and her son. Brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman. We are the children of the free. Therefore we need to cease from going around the old covenant mountain. Instead, we should walk in His Spirit, the perfect law of Liberty. Stand in the offering plate and let the peace of God rule and reign within your heart. The gift of God is eternal life. Peace to all who are in Jesus!
Paul also was a chosen vessel of the Lord who willingly spread the gospel message and His name among the Gentiles. In Acts chapter 22 verse 14, for example, the one who appeared to Paul on his journey to Damascus was none other than the God of our fathers. His name? Jesus. Jesus stands over His word to perform it, and the aforementioned happenings display unforeseen events transpiring in people's lives.
And for us, like Stephen, from a distance viewing the religious madness manifest, have abundant grace lavished. Abundant grace toward Stephen. Mercy untold toward Paul. The Lord standing, observing the circumstances, but not raining down fire and brimstone. Instead, God revealed Himself in vision form. We observe the eminent immediate life tragedy appearing as it was a drastic situation. However, the new covenant is in the hands of the Lord. He alone knows the obstacles that resist its establishment on earth. This means that we can, from our vantage point, view the larger picture which necessitated these happenings.
But the question should be asked for hypothetical reasons. What if there was no old covenant? What if there was no well versed Stephen? If there had not existed any religious fanatics, or a young man Saul living a lie and betraying his heart. None of this confrontation would have occurred if there was no Jesus standing, observing, or recalling His own Word. Inasmuch as you do these things to my brethren you are doing it to me.
Are you persecuting me, portraying long suffering? God is giving this last opportunity to those who oppose the truth to divorce themselves from that old covenant. The constraints of the law. No man can serve two masters, saith the scriptures. Similarly, the law states that no man can have two wives. However if one wife should die, then we are free to marry another. It is in this sense that we are dead to the old covenant by the offering of the body of Jesus. He has already fulfilled all the requirements of salvation and in so doing, He cancelled the curses bequeathed to fall on Adam’s offspring. Therefore, we are free to marry another.
By grace, we have now chosen to be married to the new covenant’s Author JESUS. The same Jesus who arose from the dead. It is this Jesus that we endeavour to worship and serve Him alone in spirit and in truth. As such, we are born free under grace rather than committing adultery. Even after these events transpired, the new covenant believers continued to be persecuted by those proponents of the sin and death old covenant. In fact, the old covenant way, the law was so entrenched in some sectors that certain brethren started to teach gentile believers that they should be circumcised. If they are not circumcised, suggested old covenant advocates, one cannot be saved.
According to Acts chapter 15, dissension in the meeting arose. The scriptures tell the results of apostles and elders assembled with the people to consider the matter of circumcision. The results, as recorded in Acts 15, verses 23 through 31, "so we see that certain elements existed before the law and these are yet retained. We are the temple of His Holy Spirit who alone unfolds the mysteries of God, leading and guiding us into all truth. Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman (man’s way) and the other, the child of promise.
But as of then, the child born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit. So the message today is to cast out the bond woman and her son. Brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman. We are the children of the free. Therefore we need to cease from going around the old covenant mountain. Instead, we should walk in His Spirit, the perfect law of Liberty. Stand in the offering plate and let the peace of God rule and reign within your heart. The gift of God is eternal life. Peace to all who are in Jesus!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF JESUS BLOOD - PART 18
Lo, I come to do your will, O God. He takes away the first covenant, also recognized as the old covenant, so that He could establish a second new covenant. By His will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus the Christ once and for all. At the beginning of the Holy Spirit ministries in Jesus, we find Jesus reading from the prophetical book of Esaias. There He read a passage that stated, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captive, and recover the sight of the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." And He closed the book. The acceptable will of the Lord.
The day of God’s visitation, He takes away the first, while firmly establishing the second. Recall when Jesus had completed all that was required to secure our redemption? He sat down. Here we find Jesus standing, and in so doing, a new dispensation of grace, or unmerited favour commences. In Acts 7, verse 56, Stephen presented the good news of salvation to a group of religious people, laying out these same historical events. Note in Acts 7 that Jesus was standing. The significance of standing is that this was to be the final call to a religious Jewish nation. They were at that moment to be cut off because of their stubborn unbelief.
Saul who was party to all these happenings, was to be met by the Lord when he journeyed to Damascus. While he journeyed to Damascus, the Lord revealed that Saul, renamed Paul was a chosen vessel to Him. As a result, Paul would now be His Apostle to the Gentiles. Jesus stood up while Stephen was being stoned to death. This sojourning is further expanded upon in Acts chapters 8 and 9.
But the good news is that this meeting led to the complete altering of future events now. The Lord's way is not our way, He looks not on the outward appearance of men. He looks into one's heart. God swung open the door of obtainable salvation to the Gentiles. The Lord redeemed to Himself a believing people, who wouldbe His own people. He is going to call them by His name. These people will be His bride. The Jesus People.
Recall that in the Garden, God said it was not good that man should dwell alone. God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam. God operated on Adam, removing one of his ribs. From that removed rib, God made a woman from Adam’s rib bone. A woman to be loved by him, even as he would take care of his own flesh. Why? Because the woman being the bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. Now consider Calvary, when Jesus hung on the roman cross. It is recorded in John 19:33, that one of the soldiers with a spear pierced the side of Jesus. When he did, the scriptures record, forthwith, there came out blood and water.
Without the shedding of His blood, there shall be no remission of sin. We are washed with the water of the Word of God and now we are clean. We are clean through the Word that He has spoken to us. As He said, he that is internally clean needs nothing more than to wash His feet. Peter was admonished of God when God alerted him that what He, God has cleansed we must never call (His believing bride ) common or unclean. We are bone of his bone and flesh of His flesh. A new covenant was established and brought us into the reality of being purchased by God Himself. Nothing shall separate us from the love of God toward us. God’s love being visibly expressed when He gave Himself for us. Stand in the offering plate. Peace to all who are in Jesus.
The day of God’s visitation, He takes away the first, while firmly establishing the second. Recall when Jesus had completed all that was required to secure our redemption? He sat down. Here we find Jesus standing, and in so doing, a new dispensation of grace, or unmerited favour commences. In Acts 7, verse 56, Stephen presented the good news of salvation to a group of religious people, laying out these same historical events. Note in Acts 7 that Jesus was standing. The significance of standing is that this was to be the final call to a religious Jewish nation. They were at that moment to be cut off because of their stubborn unbelief.
Saul who was party to all these happenings, was to be met by the Lord when he journeyed to Damascus. While he journeyed to Damascus, the Lord revealed that Saul, renamed Paul was a chosen vessel to Him. As a result, Paul would now be His Apostle to the Gentiles. Jesus stood up while Stephen was being stoned to death. This sojourning is further expanded upon in Acts chapters 8 and 9.
But the good news is that this meeting led to the complete altering of future events now. The Lord's way is not our way, He looks not on the outward appearance of men. He looks into one's heart. God swung open the door of obtainable salvation to the Gentiles. The Lord redeemed to Himself a believing people, who wouldbe His own people. He is going to call them by His name. These people will be His bride. The Jesus People.
Recall that in the Garden, God said it was not good that man should dwell alone. God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam. God operated on Adam, removing one of his ribs. From that removed rib, God made a woman from Adam’s rib bone. A woman to be loved by him, even as he would take care of his own flesh. Why? Because the woman being the bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. Now consider Calvary, when Jesus hung on the roman cross. It is recorded in John 19:33, that one of the soldiers with a spear pierced the side of Jesus. When he did, the scriptures record, forthwith, there came out blood and water.
Without the shedding of His blood, there shall be no remission of sin. We are washed with the water of the Word of God and now we are clean. We are clean through the Word that He has spoken to us. As He said, he that is internally clean needs nothing more than to wash His feet. Peter was admonished of God when God alerted him that what He, God has cleansed we must never call (His believing bride ) common or unclean. We are bone of his bone and flesh of His flesh. A new covenant was established and brought us into the reality of being purchased by God Himself. Nothing shall separate us from the love of God toward us. God’s love being visibly expressed when He gave Himself for us. Stand in the offering plate. Peace to all who are in Jesus.
Monday, January 31, 2011
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 17
Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been His counsellor? Who would have known that the Lord God had already decided a plan of redemption. And that, step by step, God would reveal His plan. A plan, developed from the beginning of eternity appearing, even as it is, and still to this day, marvellous in our eyes. Truly our eyes have seen your salvation and our ears have heard the good news. As a consequence, our heart rejoices with exceeding great joy!
Sacrifices and offerings - I have no pleasure in. Like the old temporary covenant, the law complete with sacrifices, was a temporary bandage. Indeed, the law only effective until the promised seed arrived. When the promised seed arrived, the bandage was discarded, for the salvation of the Lord was now complete. The Lord sacrificed Himself as a son so that we might have salvation.
Announcing the sins and iniquities of the human race, God says I will remember no more. As far as the east is from the west, that is how far I have removed people's transgressions. took on our sin by Himself. He was raised from death for our justification and in so doing, the slate board record of our sin was wiped clean. Now redeemed, we are ushered into a new covenant. The royal law, the perfect law of liberty, the everlasting covenant, a covenant of grace and mercy, a covenant written by the hand of the Lord on the fleshy tables of our heart. This covenant now inscribed in our hearts and within our being.
As the saying suggests, Christ in our heart is much better than a chain around our neck. Similarly, Christ in our heart is much better than a hand over our heart. Our liberty is not a statue. The indwelling spirit of Jesus encourages us to follow Him. It is His spirit that we received, and as a consequence of His grace, adopts us into His family. What a wonderful adoption, complete in every form. We are now citizens of Heaven, a city which has a solid rock foundation, whose builder and maker is God.
We were reborn, but not by the will of the flesh nor of the will of man. We are born of God who Fathered us in His own body. The same God appearing in fashion as a man thereby displaying to us what is achievable in ourselves when we walk with Jesus the Christ, whose Spirit now possesses us. His Spirit of grace presented as a gift from God our Father, who loves us and has given Himself for us. Herein perceive we the love of God. Inasmuch as He has laid down His life as a son for us so that we might enjoy eternal life. There is no more sacrifice for sin. Put the old covenant on the shelf. And do so now. Why? Because it is old and that which is old and decayed vanishes away. Remember, God has done all that was necessary to obtain man’s salvation. He ascended to Heaven and He sat down. "It is finished." Stand in the offering plate. He offered Himself for you. In return, God wants you to offer yourself to Him. Peace in Jesus.
Sacrifices and offerings - I have no pleasure in. Like the old temporary covenant, the law complete with sacrifices, was a temporary bandage. Indeed, the law only effective until the promised seed arrived. When the promised seed arrived, the bandage was discarded, for the salvation of the Lord was now complete. The Lord sacrificed Himself as a son so that we might have salvation.
Announcing the sins and iniquities of the human race, God says I will remember no more. As far as the east is from the west, that is how far I have removed people's transgressions. took on our sin by Himself. He was raised from death for our justification and in so doing, the slate board record of our sin was wiped clean. Now redeemed, we are ushered into a new covenant. The royal law, the perfect law of liberty, the everlasting covenant, a covenant of grace and mercy, a covenant written by the hand of the Lord on the fleshy tables of our heart. This covenant now inscribed in our hearts and within our being.
As the saying suggests, Christ in our heart is much better than a chain around our neck. Similarly, Christ in our heart is much better than a hand over our heart. Our liberty is not a statue. The indwelling spirit of Jesus encourages us to follow Him. It is His spirit that we received, and as a consequence of His grace, adopts us into His family. What a wonderful adoption, complete in every form. We are now citizens of Heaven, a city which has a solid rock foundation, whose builder and maker is God.
We were reborn, but not by the will of the flesh nor of the will of man. We are born of God who Fathered us in His own body. The same God appearing in fashion as a man thereby displaying to us what is achievable in ourselves when we walk with Jesus the Christ, whose Spirit now possesses us. His Spirit of grace presented as a gift from God our Father, who loves us and has given Himself for us. Herein perceive we the love of God. Inasmuch as He has laid down His life as a son for us so that we might enjoy eternal life. There is no more sacrifice for sin. Put the old covenant on the shelf. And do so now. Why? Because it is old and that which is old and decayed vanishes away. Remember, God has done all that was necessary to obtain man’s salvation. He ascended to Heaven and He sat down. "It is finished." Stand in the offering plate. He offered Himself for you. In return, God wants you to offer yourself to Him. Peace in Jesus.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 16
Paul, an apostle to the Gentiles, asks this question of believers, "O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth? Received you the Spirit by doing the works of the law? Or, by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, you are now made perfect by fleshly works." (Galatians, 3)
Jesus, while conversing with a woman at a well in Samaria said that he who drinks of the water that He shall give shall never thirst. Indeed, the water that Jesus shall give him will be like a well of living water springing up from within. Here, Jesus was talking concerning the near future when those who believed on Him would become partakers of His holy Spirit. However, the Holy Ghost was not as yet given, because Jesus was not yet crucified, buried, resurrected, ascended. Until all of these events transpired, Jesus would not yet be glorified. At that point, the point of His glorification would the outpouring of His own Spirit be poured out onto and into all who exercise faith in His redemptive work of salvation. It is no wonder that Paul said, "are you so foolish, having begun in the Spirit you are now made perfect by the works of the law?"
Salvation is not of works. Jesus, who is God manifest in the flesh purchased our complete salvation. As of that moment in time, believers were offered a free gift. That gift is eternal life. It is a new covenant written on the fleshy tables of our heart. This new covenant, being the now revealed mind of God when He covenanted with Himself as a man. The perfect law of liberty. There is no other explanation.
Therefore, if you are preaching salvation by law, you would be declaring that the sacrifice of God Himself as a son to be inadequate. Who has bewitched you? This new covenant is not an addendum to the old covenant which had been written on stone tablets. This new covenant is allowing Jesus to breathe on you - His breath of life emanating from His Spirit.
Note that this new covenant was before the old covenant. In fact, it was contained in a promise delivered to Abraham, promising him that in his seed would all the nations of the earth be blessed. The promise specifically said seed. Seed in the singular. Not seeds. And that promised Seed referred to Christ, the law never having as yet been delivered. The law was delivered 430 years after the promise was made. It is for this reason that the the law cannot be tagged on to a promise. (A promise being a promise or else what good would a promise be?)
The law was added because of people's transgressions. It had a limited time frame, one that only lasted until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made. And that Seed, the Seed to which we refer, appeared clothed in earthly fashion as a son conceived of the Holy Ghost in the womb of Mary. The Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary. Hence, the beginning of dispensations and the BC and AD timeline. The law of sin and death is exactly what it is. It makes one totally aware of their sin. Being now condemned by the introduction of law I died. If one was not feeling bad enough, this law of sin and death puts the icing on top. The Law is law without spirit. The law in reality is like a school master revealing that man needs a Saviour.
In this context, the law accomplished its purpose. The Lord our God became our Saviour redeeming us from those curses enshrined in the law. He Himself becoming cursed and enshrouding Himself willingly with all our sins and transgressions. When one is redeemed there is no longer a need for law.
Why? Because we have in Jesus a pure lamb offered, one that was offered without blemish. The God who cannot lie fulfilled His promise in Jesus. His body given so that we could be sanctified. Sanctify them through the truth. Thy Word is truth.
Jesus said, "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself that they also might be sanctified through the truth." (John 17:17-19) "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ -- once for all ... for by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:10-14)
Peace to all in Jesus name! Stand in the offering plate.
Jesus, while conversing with a woman at a well in Samaria said that he who drinks of the water that He shall give shall never thirst. Indeed, the water that Jesus shall give him will be like a well of living water springing up from within. Here, Jesus was talking concerning the near future when those who believed on Him would become partakers of His holy Spirit. However, the Holy Ghost was not as yet given, because Jesus was not yet crucified, buried, resurrected, ascended. Until all of these events transpired, Jesus would not yet be glorified. At that point, the point of His glorification would the outpouring of His own Spirit be poured out onto and into all who exercise faith in His redemptive work of salvation. It is no wonder that Paul said, "are you so foolish, having begun in the Spirit you are now made perfect by the works of the law?"
Salvation is not of works. Jesus, who is God manifest in the flesh purchased our complete salvation. As of that moment in time, believers were offered a free gift. That gift is eternal life. It is a new covenant written on the fleshy tables of our heart. This new covenant, being the now revealed mind of God when He covenanted with Himself as a man. The perfect law of liberty. There is no other explanation.
Therefore, if you are preaching salvation by law, you would be declaring that the sacrifice of God Himself as a son to be inadequate. Who has bewitched you? This new covenant is not an addendum to the old covenant which had been written on stone tablets. This new covenant is allowing Jesus to breathe on you - His breath of life emanating from His Spirit.
Note that this new covenant was before the old covenant. In fact, it was contained in a promise delivered to Abraham, promising him that in his seed would all the nations of the earth be blessed. The promise specifically said seed. Seed in the singular. Not seeds. And that promised Seed referred to Christ, the law never having as yet been delivered. The law was delivered 430 years after the promise was made. It is for this reason that the the law cannot be tagged on to a promise. (A promise being a promise or else what good would a promise be?)
The law was added because of people's transgressions. It had a limited time frame, one that only lasted until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made. And that Seed, the Seed to which we refer, appeared clothed in earthly fashion as a son conceived of the Holy Ghost in the womb of Mary. The Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary. Hence, the beginning of dispensations and the BC and AD timeline. The law of sin and death is exactly what it is. It makes one totally aware of their sin. Being now condemned by the introduction of law I died. If one was not feeling bad enough, this law of sin and death puts the icing on top. The Law is law without spirit. The law in reality is like a school master revealing that man needs a Saviour.
In this context, the law accomplished its purpose. The Lord our God became our Saviour redeeming us from those curses enshrined in the law. He Himself becoming cursed and enshrouding Himself willingly with all our sins and transgressions. When one is redeemed there is no longer a need for law.
Why? Because we have in Jesus a pure lamb offered, one that was offered without blemish. The God who cannot lie fulfilled His promise in Jesus. His body given so that we could be sanctified. Sanctify them through the truth. Thy Word is truth.
Jesus said, "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself that they also might be sanctified through the truth." (John 17:17-19) "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ -- once for all ... for by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:10-14)
Peace to all in Jesus name! Stand in the offering plate.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 15
Peter's response to an individual who thought the gift of the Holy Spirit could be purchased with money? His money should perish along with him for thinking such a thought. Peter's summation was simple. He said, "I perceive that you are still in the bond of iniquity." Yes, there are still some things that even money can't buy. Salvation is one of them. Why? Because God does not require your money. The cattle on a thousand hills are His. So is all of the earth and its inhabitants.
But when it was written, that the love of money is the root of all evil, there was a message there. A lesson. It also offers a rationale as to why believers are admonished when giving. When giving, we are to give as unto the Lord, not grudgingly because we think we have to nor of necessity, but out of appreciation for all that God has given us. God loves a cheerful giver. Abraham, when met by the priest of the most high God, who brought nothing more than bread and wine to this meeting, blessed Abraham with these. The blessings were so sufficient. In fact, more than sufficient to suffice is the bread and wine, symbolical of the life of Jesus. Our salvation was purchased with the life and blood of God’s spirit manifested in the flesh.
Remember again the words of Peter. When asked for money, Peter said that "silver and gold I have none but what I do have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus (the Christ), rise up and walk." Listen please. Our salvation was not purchased with silver and gold. You have been bought with a price. Therefore, we ought to glorify God in our mortal body, which is no longer our own. We are now a habitation of God’s Spirit. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink. The kingdom of God is righteousness and joy and peace in His Holy Spirit.
Paul made a very fitting statement that is equally applicable in today's society. After his departing, Paul said that grievous wolves would enter in among the flock of believers, not sparing the flock. He further states that even among your own selves shall men rise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves. Paul reminds the assembled elders that for three years he warned them, night and day with tears that this condition would be forthcoming. In fact, Paul repeatedly warned that the elders should take care of the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers. He instructed the elders to feed the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood.
In this context, Paul lays out a work ethic example for elders and believers alike. That one should work with his own hands providing for his own necessities as Paul himself does. In short, Paul was saying, do not fleece God’s people. Does not the scripture also say that if a man does not work, he ought not to eat? And again, if any man provide not for his own family, he is worse than an infidel. He then, by refusing to work is denying his faith. Shepherds feed themselves.
Further to this point, the scriptures state that on the first day of the week of Sabbaths, let each one lay aside monies as God has prospered him. These monies then are to be distributed among the poor saints. The individuals distributing the monies must be chosen by the people, and be individuals whose credentials include "men filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom" as outlined in the scriptures. If this dual criteria is met, then they may be appointed.
This is why we are a new nation taken out of all nations. We enter into God’s salvation, where there is no preferential treatment. We enter into God's salvation regardless of gender, male or female, or whether we are in bondage or free in our personal circumstances. We enter into God's salvation regardless of whether we are Jew or Gentile. We are all one in Jesus. We are all members of God’s sacrificed body, our glorious liberty purchased by Him who alone is worthy. When we enter into God's salvation, we become the inheritors of eternal life. This is the covenant I will make with them.
The early believers continued steadfastly in the teachings of the Holy Spirit, being delivered to us by those chosen by Him to be His witnesses to the uttermost part the earth. Delivering this gospel to a dying world really requires little or no money. It requires only that you and I testify concerning Him who loves us and now lives in our circumcised hearts.
If we consider the example of doubling a penny every day for 28 days, until it amounts to 1 million dollars, it is easy to see how witnessing to people can multiply. Let us therefore preach to the "whosoever" that the scriptures speak about in John 3:16. Freely you have received, and as a consequence, so likewise should you freely give.
Stand in the offering plate with Jesus. Peace in Jesus.
But when it was written, that the love of money is the root of all evil, there was a message there. A lesson. It also offers a rationale as to why believers are admonished when giving. When giving, we are to give as unto the Lord, not grudgingly because we think we have to nor of necessity, but out of appreciation for all that God has given us. God loves a cheerful giver. Abraham, when met by the priest of the most high God, who brought nothing more than bread and wine to this meeting, blessed Abraham with these. The blessings were so sufficient. In fact, more than sufficient to suffice is the bread and wine, symbolical of the life of Jesus. Our salvation was purchased with the life and blood of God’s spirit manifested in the flesh.
Remember again the words of Peter. When asked for money, Peter said that "silver and gold I have none but what I do have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus (the Christ), rise up and walk." Listen please. Our salvation was not purchased with silver and gold. You have been bought with a price. Therefore, we ought to glorify God in our mortal body, which is no longer our own. We are now a habitation of God’s Spirit. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink. The kingdom of God is righteousness and joy and peace in His Holy Spirit.
Paul made a very fitting statement that is equally applicable in today's society. After his departing, Paul said that grievous wolves would enter in among the flock of believers, not sparing the flock. He further states that even among your own selves shall men rise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves. Paul reminds the assembled elders that for three years he warned them, night and day with tears that this condition would be forthcoming. In fact, Paul repeatedly warned that the elders should take care of the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers. He instructed the elders to feed the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood.
In this context, Paul lays out a work ethic example for elders and believers alike. That one should work with his own hands providing for his own necessities as Paul himself does. In short, Paul was saying, do not fleece God’s people. Does not the scripture also say that if a man does not work, he ought not to eat? And again, if any man provide not for his own family, he is worse than an infidel. He then, by refusing to work is denying his faith. Shepherds feed themselves.
Further to this point, the scriptures state that on the first day of the week of Sabbaths, let each one lay aside monies as God has prospered him. These monies then are to be distributed among the poor saints. The individuals distributing the monies must be chosen by the people, and be individuals whose credentials include "men filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom" as outlined in the scriptures. If this dual criteria is met, then they may be appointed.
This is why we are a new nation taken out of all nations. We enter into God’s salvation, where there is no preferential treatment. We enter into God's salvation regardless of gender, male or female, or whether we are in bondage or free in our personal circumstances. We enter into God's salvation regardless of whether we are Jew or Gentile. We are all one in Jesus. We are all members of God’s sacrificed body, our glorious liberty purchased by Him who alone is worthy. When we enter into God's salvation, we become the inheritors of eternal life. This is the covenant I will make with them.
The early believers continued steadfastly in the teachings of the Holy Spirit, being delivered to us by those chosen by Him to be His witnesses to the uttermost part the earth. Delivering this gospel to a dying world really requires little or no money. It requires only that you and I testify concerning Him who loves us and now lives in our circumcised hearts.
If we consider the example of doubling a penny every day for 28 days, until it amounts to 1 million dollars, it is easy to see how witnessing to people can multiply. Let us therefore preach to the "whosoever" that the scriptures speak about in John 3:16. Freely you have received, and as a consequence, so likewise should you freely give.
Stand in the offering plate with Jesus. Peace in Jesus.
Friday, January 28, 2011
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 14
He was crucified, buried, rising again on the third day. This was prophesied earlier. As Jonas was three days and three nights in the belly of whale, likewise must the son of man be three days and three nights in the bowels of the earth. The Spirit of God would not suffer that His previous inhabited body see corruption. Instead, judgement ended when the now cursed body of the man Jesus was declared dead by one of His executioners. Two of His followers removed Jesus' body from the Roman cross. This Jesus, being none other than God Himself veiled in sinful flesh and appearing as a Son, remained entombed for three days and three nights.
Ironically, formal religionists subscribe to the belief that He remained entombed from Friday to Sunday. But, simply put, that would be very bad math. When generational error is seated, only God can remove the scales from one's spiritual eyes. When one dies, it is only the outer shell that dies. The punishment then being administered to one's bodily carcase. The suffering, hurt and pain that one feels however is spiritual. For example, the inner man squirms when the outer shell receives some out of ordinary affliction.
This is the reason why Jesus is to us such a faithful high priest. He endured the all for you and me. Jesus had revealed His imminent future to His followers that all these things must come to pass. First, that He would be crucified. Second, that He would be buried. Third, that He would rise from death the third day. Fourth, that there would be a resurrection.
After the resurrection, Jesus walked with two of His followers who thought that Jesus was a stranger to the vicinity. To them, He was in the dark concerning recent events, having to inform Jesus that today is the third day since these things came to pass. Jesus rose from the tomb on the first day of the week of sabbaths fulfilling Leviticus Chapter 23. Here, some would advance the presentation that Jesus appeared to His disciples on Sunday and that the following Sunday again appeared to them. This second time, appearing when Thomas was present. In so doing, they endeavour to establish a pattern that Jesus was appearing weekly. However, once again entertaining bad math.
Jesus' second appearance, as is recorded was eight days later. Paul by the Spirit, states that Jesus was crucified, then buried before rising again the third day. We are presented with what John saw and noted at the tomb. He noted that the head wrappings which had encased Jesus' head were now folded and laid separate from the rest of the body wrappings which were not moved. Indeed, the body wrappings remained exactly intact as they had been laid.
Jesus is the only Head of this body known as the Church, and the one Head of this church body was completed with death. Note that the main redeemed church has still to pass through death (the last enemy to be conquered is death!). As stated, first we were sown with a natural body but after death we are quickened receiving a spiritual body. Absent from the body and present with the Lord. No Detours. No side roads to pursue.
This spiritual body, when jointly and custom framed together by the Lord Himself, will be the only temple in which He is pleased to dwell. His habitation. His body of which He is the sole head. The first day of the week of sabbaths is the Resurrection Day. Paul called the elders together on the first day of the week of sabbaths to break bread. Not to have communion which would have remembered His death. They had assembled to break bread, which typifies a resurrected living indwelling saviour.
In this context, the early believers went from house to house breaking bread and eating their meat with singleness of heart. Jesus the Bread of Life. Jesus was known to them in the breaking of bread. LORD, break the bread of life to us that we may grow in grace and knowledge of you. Stand in the offering plate. Empty handed. One cannot purchase eternal life. Your debts and mine have been paid in full. Come. Stand in the offering plate.
Ironically, formal religionists subscribe to the belief that He remained entombed from Friday to Sunday. But, simply put, that would be very bad math. When generational error is seated, only God can remove the scales from one's spiritual eyes. When one dies, it is only the outer shell that dies. The punishment then being administered to one's bodily carcase. The suffering, hurt and pain that one feels however is spiritual. For example, the inner man squirms when the outer shell receives some out of ordinary affliction.
This is the reason why Jesus is to us such a faithful high priest. He endured the all for you and me. Jesus had revealed His imminent future to His followers that all these things must come to pass. First, that He would be crucified. Second, that He would be buried. Third, that He would rise from death the third day. Fourth, that there would be a resurrection.
After the resurrection, Jesus walked with two of His followers who thought that Jesus was a stranger to the vicinity. To them, He was in the dark concerning recent events, having to inform Jesus that today is the third day since these things came to pass. Jesus rose from the tomb on the first day of the week of sabbaths fulfilling Leviticus Chapter 23. Here, some would advance the presentation that Jesus appeared to His disciples on Sunday and that the following Sunday again appeared to them. This second time, appearing when Thomas was present. In so doing, they endeavour to establish a pattern that Jesus was appearing weekly. However, once again entertaining bad math.
Jesus' second appearance, as is recorded was eight days later. Paul by the Spirit, states that Jesus was crucified, then buried before rising again the third day. We are presented with what John saw and noted at the tomb. He noted that the head wrappings which had encased Jesus' head were now folded and laid separate from the rest of the body wrappings which were not moved. Indeed, the body wrappings remained exactly intact as they had been laid.
Jesus is the only Head of this body known as the Church, and the one Head of this church body was completed with death. Note that the main redeemed church has still to pass through death (the last enemy to be conquered is death!). As stated, first we were sown with a natural body but after death we are quickened receiving a spiritual body. Absent from the body and present with the Lord. No Detours. No side roads to pursue.
This spiritual body, when jointly and custom framed together by the Lord Himself, will be the only temple in which He is pleased to dwell. His habitation. His body of which He is the sole head. The first day of the week of sabbaths is the Resurrection Day. Paul called the elders together on the first day of the week of sabbaths to break bread. Not to have communion which would have remembered His death. They had assembled to break bread, which typifies a resurrected living indwelling saviour.
In this context, the early believers went from house to house breaking bread and eating their meat with singleness of heart. Jesus the Bread of Life. Jesus was known to them in the breaking of bread. LORD, break the bread of life to us that we may grow in grace and knowledge of you. Stand in the offering plate. Empty handed. One cannot purchase eternal life. Your debts and mine have been paid in full. Come. Stand in the offering plate.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 13
Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. We can be assured that we are a nation of believers, brought into existence in one day. Who would have possibly thought that a desolation of destruction would suddenly become a garden of Eden, where the desert could blossom like a rose? Surely, words are incapable of expressing these feelings that were non existing in aforetimes. But now, in the centuries afterward, we can actually say that we sit in Heavenly places because of these totally unforeseen blessings. In this context, we have become partakers of the aforegiven promise of God. In blessing, God said, I will bless you.
So what really did happen? Essentially, the Lord of Glory had a plan. A previously concealed plan now revealed not only in word form, but a plan being launched in real life. The star of this real life drama is the Lord Himself, appearing in like form as a son of man. The Lord Himself born as we were born, of a young girl who was in the genealogical chain which commenced with God's promise to Eve. The mother of all living.
The promise that would change destiny? Certainly. The seed of woman would bruise the head of the same one who had deliberately lied to them in the Eden garden. The Lord deliberately allowed His own Seed to be clothed in Mary’s womb with the only clothing that a woman’s womb could furnish. In this case, the Lord was clothed in human clothing, totally prone to sin. This holy child named Jesus was not of Mary, the willing surrogate mother in God's plan of salvation. Still, this child was, and still is man’s only Saviour. As the scriptures state, I, the Lord your God have become your Saviour. This man named Jesus came with one purpose, and that is to redeem man from his fallen state.
Even though this man Jesus was tempted, and tried in all ways, even as we are. He never succumbed to sin in any form. The reason for this? His only parent was God conceived of the Holy Spirit. Therefore being parented by God Himself, who is spirit then the Spirit indwelling in Jesus is God. All the vials of our sin, being poured out on Jesus, who drank the cup, right down to the last dregs willingly, knowing that death was imminent. And being man's only hope for salvation, He endured like a lamb being brought to the slaughter. He opened not His mouth. He loved us so much that He became cursed for us. “For cursed is everyone that is hung/nailed on a tree.”
Indeed, this body of Jesus was the only body, inhabited by God. Jesus body now accursed, leaving God with no fleshly earthly body to indwell. His own body was now cursed because of sin so that we were reconciled in His now cursed body. In reality, we were made alive - quickened - because He took our place. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and dies, it abides alone. But if the seed dies (as He died) it brings forth much fruit. In other words, Jesus was the only "begotten" son of God. And now, because of His sacrifice, we also can become the sons of God having received of God the same Spirit that was in Jesus.
In fact, that same Spirit now abides with us forever. Jesus walked the earth in that sin prone and fallen estate body so that now, His spirit can indwell in our prone to sin bodies. Jesus knows all about our frailties. That is why He is our High priest. Surely, He is touched with feelings of our infirmities, He knows how to succour us. He is more than able to quicken. His ear will always be attentive to our call. This is His covenant (the New Covenant) brought into the now by the shedding of the blood of His own Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of God has a ghostly presence. Be still and know that I am God. This is my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Peace to all those who are now walking in the same Spirit that previously inhabited the man Jesus, the Christ. Stand in the offering plate.
So what really did happen? Essentially, the Lord of Glory had a plan. A previously concealed plan now revealed not only in word form, but a plan being launched in real life. The star of this real life drama is the Lord Himself, appearing in like form as a son of man. The Lord Himself born as we were born, of a young girl who was in the genealogical chain which commenced with God's promise to Eve. The mother of all living.
The promise that would change destiny? Certainly. The seed of woman would bruise the head of the same one who had deliberately lied to them in the Eden garden. The Lord deliberately allowed His own Seed to be clothed in Mary’s womb with the only clothing that a woman’s womb could furnish. In this case, the Lord was clothed in human clothing, totally prone to sin. This holy child named Jesus was not of Mary, the willing surrogate mother in God's plan of salvation. Still, this child was, and still is man’s only Saviour. As the scriptures state, I, the Lord your God have become your Saviour. This man named Jesus came with one purpose, and that is to redeem man from his fallen state.
Even though this man Jesus was tempted, and tried in all ways, even as we are. He never succumbed to sin in any form. The reason for this? His only parent was God conceived of the Holy Spirit. Therefore being parented by God Himself, who is spirit then the Spirit indwelling in Jesus is God. All the vials of our sin, being poured out on Jesus, who drank the cup, right down to the last dregs willingly, knowing that death was imminent. And being man's only hope for salvation, He endured like a lamb being brought to the slaughter. He opened not His mouth. He loved us so much that He became cursed for us. “For cursed is everyone that is hung/nailed on a tree.”
Indeed, this body of Jesus was the only body, inhabited by God. Jesus body now accursed, leaving God with no fleshly earthly body to indwell. His own body was now cursed because of sin so that we were reconciled in His now cursed body. In reality, we were made alive - quickened - because He took our place. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and dies, it abides alone. But if the seed dies (as He died) it brings forth much fruit. In other words, Jesus was the only "begotten" son of God. And now, because of His sacrifice, we also can become the sons of God having received of God the same Spirit that was in Jesus.
In fact, that same Spirit now abides with us forever. Jesus walked the earth in that sin prone and fallen estate body so that now, His spirit can indwell in our prone to sin bodies. Jesus knows all about our frailties. That is why He is our High priest. Surely, He is touched with feelings of our infirmities, He knows how to succour us. He is more than able to quicken. His ear will always be attentive to our call. This is His covenant (the New Covenant) brought into the now by the shedding of the blood of His own Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of God has a ghostly presence. Be still and know that I am God. This is my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Peace to all those who are now walking in the same Spirit that previously inhabited the man Jesus, the Christ. Stand in the offering plate.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
JESUS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER - PART 12
This same Jesus who was taken from them shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go. As a cloud received Him out of their sight, according to the scriptures, and likewise, so shall Jesus return. Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever. It is in Him that we live and move and have our being. Indeed, He never changes. Jesus is the one who was and is to come. He is the Almighty. He Himself led captivity captive and in turn gave the free gift of salvation to men.
Jesus the holy child, conceived of the Holy Spirit into the womb of Mary, and clothed with earthly fleshy garments. This holy child receiving nourishment from her natural fallen sinful flesh inherited from Eve - the mother of all living. (For more on this point, review previous blogs) Here it is desired to present the life walk of this only begotten son of the Holy Spirit, humbling Himself to be veiled in fleshly fashion, even as fallen sinful men. What condescension that it behoved Him to be made like unto men. He enters into His own created world with one mission. That mission - to seek and to save those which were initially totally lost. Man needed a Saviour. In response, God became our Saviour. For most of us, the thought of God loving us so much is totally beyond our comprehension.
Still, God had a plan. He, being totally clothed in sin was tempted and tried. He was tempted and tried in all ways, with all temptations common to man. We have all heard the expression, "I was tempted and did not mean to do it." Jesus was not only tempted, but He resisted sin. He overcame evil with good. He did not start a new religion. He simply said that man ought to have faith in God. That man should simply believe that God had a plan of salvation. Only believe, He said. All things are possible to those that believe.
Indeed, Jesus went about doing good, healing people that were oppressed with a range of afflictions. He said it was not that sinful veil of flesh that enabled Jesus to minister these liberating blessings. Rather, as stated in the scriptures, He said "it is not me that is performing these miracles, it is the Spirit of God within me that is doing this work."
This is why, in the scriptures, it is stated that within Him is life. Jesus is the author of eternal life. He is the creator of eternal life. And now, God extends this same gift of eternal life to man even though it was purchased in such a humiliating manner by the Lord God almighty. Such extreme punishment for sin, openly displaying man's depravity and God’s righteous judgement against sin. Man’s depravity being weighed against God’s righteousness. Man's depravity being weighed against Jesus' sinless life. With this weighed measure of judgement, the scale is more than balanced. One man's sin enslaved us. One man’s righteous walk liberates man freely. Yes, that measurement ought to have sufficed as far as redemption is concerned.
So then, what about sin? The response is simple. Jesus' suffering took care of our sin. His blood was shed so that all of our sins, past, present, future could be wiped clean from the slate. He sacrificed Himself. There are no more sacrifices for sin.You are totally complete in what He finished. We are free by what He has already done. It is finished! Jesus became cursed for our sin. Wow! Truly this was the son of God. God Himself as a son. Fathered us who believe. We now know Him who was the Son of God as a Father going further. He breathed on us His spirit. And of His spirit, have we believers received. God conceived all His redeemed children in a son's body. This is why we that have the Son has the Father also.
We walk in His one spirit enjoying fellowship divine. What a Saviour! Stand in the offering plate. He stands at the door of your heart. The door may be locked on the inside. However, you can unlock the door and ask Jesus into your heart. Then beloved, we can become the sons of God. We can find peace in knowing that God loved us so much that He would take on an earthly form to provide salvation. Peace in Jesus' name. Having now the same Spirit as was dwelling in Jesus within our hearts. Let us walk the walk and talk the talk.
Jesus the holy child, conceived of the Holy Spirit into the womb of Mary, and clothed with earthly fleshy garments. This holy child receiving nourishment from her natural fallen sinful flesh inherited from Eve - the mother of all living. (For more on this point, review previous blogs) Here it is desired to present the life walk of this only begotten son of the Holy Spirit, humbling Himself to be veiled in fleshly fashion, even as fallen sinful men. What condescension that it behoved Him to be made like unto men. He enters into His own created world with one mission. That mission - to seek and to save those which were initially totally lost. Man needed a Saviour. In response, God became our Saviour. For most of us, the thought of God loving us so much is totally beyond our comprehension.
Still, God had a plan. He, being totally clothed in sin was tempted and tried. He was tempted and tried in all ways, with all temptations common to man. We have all heard the expression, "I was tempted and did not mean to do it." Jesus was not only tempted, but He resisted sin. He overcame evil with good. He did not start a new religion. He simply said that man ought to have faith in God. That man should simply believe that God had a plan of salvation. Only believe, He said. All things are possible to those that believe.
Indeed, Jesus went about doing good, healing people that were oppressed with a range of afflictions. He said it was not that sinful veil of flesh that enabled Jesus to minister these liberating blessings. Rather, as stated in the scriptures, He said "it is not me that is performing these miracles, it is the Spirit of God within me that is doing this work."
This is why, in the scriptures, it is stated that within Him is life. Jesus is the author of eternal life. He is the creator of eternal life. And now, God extends this same gift of eternal life to man even though it was purchased in such a humiliating manner by the Lord God almighty. Such extreme punishment for sin, openly displaying man's depravity and God’s righteous judgement against sin. Man’s depravity being weighed against God’s righteousness. Man's depravity being weighed against Jesus' sinless life. With this weighed measure of judgement, the scale is more than balanced. One man's sin enslaved us. One man’s righteous walk liberates man freely. Yes, that measurement ought to have sufficed as far as redemption is concerned.
So then, what about sin? The response is simple. Jesus' suffering took care of our sin. His blood was shed so that all of our sins, past, present, future could be wiped clean from the slate. He sacrificed Himself. There are no more sacrifices for sin.You are totally complete in what He finished. We are free by what He has already done. It is finished! Jesus became cursed for our sin. Wow! Truly this was the son of God. God Himself as a son. Fathered us who believe. We now know Him who was the Son of God as a Father going further. He breathed on us His spirit. And of His spirit, have we believers received. God conceived all His redeemed children in a son's body. This is why we that have the Son has the Father also.
We walk in His one spirit enjoying fellowship divine. What a Saviour! Stand in the offering plate. He stands at the door of your heart. The door may be locked on the inside. However, you can unlock the door and ask Jesus into your heart. Then beloved, we can become the sons of God. We can find peace in knowing that God loved us so much that He would take on an earthly form to provide salvation. Peace in Jesus' name. Having now the same Spirit as was dwelling in Jesus within our hearts. Let us walk the walk and talk the talk.
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