"The Sufficient Sacrifice"

“The Sufficient Sacrifice”

 

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified.  The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this.  For after He says:  “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days,” says the Lord; “I will put My laws on their hearts and write them on their minds,” He adds:  “I will never again remember their sins and their lawless acts.”  Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.       Hebrews 10:14-18

 

The TRUE BELIEVER is SANCTIFIED or SET APART for God’s purpose, through the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was/is the PERFECT SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE.  This is a ONCE and for ALL sacrifice.  Meaning that those who TRULY BELONG to God, can approach Him with FULL ACCEPTANCE, which is provided through the SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE, the death of Jesus Christ.

 

This is accomplished when a person comes to Christ, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, for the FORGIVENESS of their sins.  In verse twelve, we are told that this Man, Jesus Christ, after offering ONE SACRIFICE for sins FOREVER, sat down at the right hand of God. 

 

It all comes down to this, the Old Testament sacrifices were INSUFFICIENT to TAKE AWAY ALL of mankind’s sins.   Jesus Christ, in OBEDIENCE to His Holy Father, says:  “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, I will put My Laws on their HEARTS and write them on their MINDS, I will NEVER AGAIN remember their sins and their lawless acts.”   The author of Hebrews, then says:  “Now where there is FORGIVENESS of these, there is NO LONGER an OFFERING for sin.”  This is because JESUS CHRIST is the PERFECT, SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE.  NOTHING or NOBODY can do what He has done, and bring a ONCE FOR ALL SALVATION to those who are WILLING to ACCEPT IT. 

 

You cannot LOSE it, have it TAKEN AWAY from you, or GIVE it back.  REMEMBER:  “Where there is FORGIVENESS of these (sins), there is NO LONGER an OFFERING for sins.  So if we could LOSE it, or have it TAKEN AWAY, or GIVE it back, we would have to CRUCIFY Christ over and over again.  He would not be a ONCE for ALL SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE.  And for those who REJECT this SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE, they have NO REAL SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE to turn to.  Now, this does NOT mean that, the TRUE BELIEVER, can live a SINFUL LIFE, and not be REPRIMANDED by GOD for their DISOBEDIENCE.  A TRUE BELIEVER, strives to be OBEDIENT to God.  They are tempted and sometimes they FALL to that temptation.  When this happens they are CONVICTED of those sins, by the HOLY SPIRIT, which indwells them.  It is then, up to them to REPENT. And they are FORGIVEN and their sins are COVERED by the BLOOD of CHRIST, and REMEMBERED NO MORE.  Have your sins been COVERED by the BLOOD of Jesus Christ, the SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE?  They are NOT if you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God by:  TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  And ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and have the ASSURANCE that you are FORGIVEN, and have HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME, because of GOD’S SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!! 

 

 

 

 

"Alienated or Reconciled?"

“Alienated or Reconciled?”

 

Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds because of your evil actions.  But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him---if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard.       Colossians 1:21-23

 

ALIENATED means to be “cut off” or “separated.  People who are still living a sinful lifestyle, and have NOT REPENTED of their EVIL ACTIONS are ALIENATED and HOSTILE, separated from God, because of their EVIL ACTIONS.  When a person is born, they are born with a SINFUL NATURE.  The desire to sin is there, and they began to PRACTICE EVIL ACTIONS.  And so from the age of accountability, which is different with each person, but from that time on, they are RESPONSIBLE for their EVIL ACTIONS, until they become RECONCILED to God.  And they have NO HOPE for an ETERNITY in Heaven, unless they REPENT and are RECONCILED to God.

 

RECONCILED means to bring together, to make FRIENDLY again.  This is what happens when a person has REPENTED of their EVIL ACTIONS.  It is ONLY POSSIBLE through ACCEPTING the RECONCILING ACT of JESUS CHRIST, through the SHEDDING of His blood on the cross.  Hebrews 9:22 tells us that; “without the shedding of blood there is NO FORGIVENESS,” and therefore NO RECONCILIATION.  Through the SHED BLOOD of Christ, one is presented to God as, HOLY, FAULTLESS, and BLAMELESS.  One is SEPARATED from their sins and SET APART for God, this is the act of JUSTIFICATION, and will provide HEAVEN as their ETERNAL HOME. 

 

But you MUST REMAIN GROUNDED and STEADFAST in your FAITH.  And not easily shifted away from the HOPE you have received, because of your RECONCILIATION with God. This is possible for EVERY TRUE BELIEVER, because they have become NEW CREATURES, and the Holy Spirit is indwelling them, and providing the GUIDANCE and STABILITY they need.  So, are you ALIENATED or RECONCILED to God?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are ALIENATED from Him.  And you will be spending ALL of ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  However, Jesus Christ, God’s ONLY SON, has provided a WAY for you to be RECONCILED to God.  And to RECEIVE this RECONCILIATION, you MUST BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  And ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become a TRUE RECONCILED CHILD of the LIVING GOD.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

 

 

"The Repentant Heart Becomes a Redeemedj Soul"

“The Repentant Heart Becomes a Redeemed Soul”

 

You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God.  Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.       Acts 8:21-22

We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.      Ephesians 1:7

 

To have a REPENTANT HEART, is to be SORRY for the wrong-doings that you are guilty of.  To be REMORSEFUL of the sins you have committed, is to have the desire to TURN AWAY from your sins, and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  When you do this your feet are on the RIGHT path, which will lead you to an ETERNITY in Heaven.

 

Simon, was a man, who practiced sorcery, and when he heard Philip, a disciple  of Jesus Christ, preach the GOOD NEWS about the Kingdom of God, and of Jesus Christ, Simon BELIEVED and was BAPTIZED.  But Simon, offered money to the disciples, if they would lay hands on him, in order to RECEIVE THE Holy Spirit.  However, Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought the gift of God could be obtained with money!”  Peter was outraged at Simon’s request, Simon was only interested in the POWER of the Spirit.  And Peter’s STRONG words, were because of Simon’s misunderstanding of God’s GRACE, God’s FREE gift of SALVATION.

 

Therefore, Peter told him, what is also applicable to EVERYONE, who desires to be SAVED.  Your HEART is NOT right before God.  And you MUST REPENT of your SINS, and ask for God’s FORGIVENESS, which is considered a REPENTANT HEART before God.  If we CONFESS our sins, He (God), is FAITHFUL and RIGHTEOUS to FORGIVE us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)  Then the Holy Spirit of God comes and INDWELLS the BELIEVER.

 

Jesus Christ, God’s Only Begotten Son, shed His precious BLOOD and DIED on an old, rugged cross to FREE MANKIND from their sins.  He IS the ONLY WAY for mankind to have an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  This is REDEMPTION!  And it is the RESULT of a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  So when there is a TRUE REPENTANT HEART it becomes a REDEEMED SOUL.  Do you have a TRUE REPENTANT HEART and a REDEEMED SOUL?

 

If NOT, you can, if you will TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  And ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and ESCAPE an ETERNITY, in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and RECEIVE an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  And possess a TRUE REPENTANT HEART and a REDEEMED SOUL.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

 

"Trusting At ALLTimes"

“Trusting At ALL Times”

 

Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our Refuge.      Psalm 62:8

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in Whom I trust.”                  Psalm 91:2

 

TRUST:  putting CONFIDENCE in the RELIABILITY of someone or something.

 

King David tells us that we SHOULD TRUST in God at ALL TIMES.  Not just when we SEE or FEEL His POWER at work, or when He has BLESSED us, but EVEN when we are DISCOURAGED, BURDENED, or HEARTBROKEN.  David tells us that we NEED to POUR OUT our HEARTS to Him, because He is our REFUGE, our PLACE of SAFETY.   Maybe someone NEEDS to do that NOW.

 

God is the BEST of the BEST REFUGE and He is a STRONG and MIGHTY FORTRESS, where we can run to, and find REST from ALL that we encounter in our DAILY, EARTHLY lives. 

 

I think King David said it best when he said:  “Let the morning bring me word of Your UNFAILING LOVE, for I have put my TRUST in You.  Show me the way I should go, for to YOU I entrust my life.”  (Psalm 143:8)  Have you ENTRUSTED your LIFE to God?  Do you TRUST Him at ALL times?  Is He YOUR REFUGE and FORTRESS?  Have you EXPERIENCED His UNFAILING LOVE? 

 

You can ENTRUST your LIFE to Him and have Him as your REFUGE and STRONG FORTRESS, and TRUST HIM at ALL times, if you will TURN FROM YOUR sinful ways and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and ENTRUST your LIFE to Him for ALL of ETERNITY in Heaven, and ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  So do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

“Far and Near”

 

The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.   Proverbs 15:29

The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.       Psalm 145:18

 

The Lord is FAR from the wicked, God distances Himself from the WICKED because He is RIGHTEOUS and HOLY, and He DETESTS wickedness.  Psalm 101:4, whose writer is David, says that: “The Perverse of heart shall be FAR from Me; I will have nothing to do with what is EVIL.” And the Psalmist Asaph, tells us that those who are FAR from God will PERISH; God will destroy ALL who are UNFAITHFUL to Him.  Are you FAR from God?

 

For those who are NEAR to Him, the RIGHTEOUS, has the ASSURANCE that God hears their PRAYERS.  David says:  “The Lord is NEAR to ALL who CALL on Him, to ALL who call on Him in TRUTH.”  In order to draw NEAR to God you MUST do what James 4:8 tells us:  “Come NEAR to God and He will come NEAR to you.  WASH your hands, you sinners, and PURIFY your HEARTS, you double-minded.”  The WASHING of the HANDS and PURIFYING of the HEART refers to CEREMONIAL CLEANSING.  However, notice that James addressed his readers as SINNERS, therefore there is a NEED for CLEANSING of the HEART. That is done when you come to JESUS CHRIST for the SALVATION of your SOUL.  He does the CLEANSING with the BLOOD He shed on CALVARY to FREE ALL mankind from SIN and to provide ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN for those who ACCEPT His OFFER.  

 

To those who have ACCEPTED His offer, those who are NOW in Christ Jesus and were ONCE FAR AWAY have been brought NEAR by the BLOOD of Christ.  (Ephesians 2:13)  Those who have done this are considered to be RIGHTEOUS, and they need to be PATIENT and STAND FIRM in their FAITH, because the Lord’s coming is NEAR.  The END of ALL things is NEAR.  Therefore, be ALERT and of SOBER MIND so that you may be able to PRAY.  (1 Peter 4:7)   PRAYING for ALL who are FAR from God and NEED to be brought NEAR to Him.   

 

If you are one who is FAR from God, because you have REJECTED Him and His Son, time and time again, you are destined to PERISH, and spend ALL of ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  But God wants you to be NEAR Him, and to do that you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  And ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION and be NEAR TO HIM, with the ASSURANCE of an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

“Two Paths”

 

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.   Then you will understand what is right and just and fair---every good path.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.          Proverbs 2:6, 9-11

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.  Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.  The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.  But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.         Proverbs 4:14-15, 18-19

 

In this life we are faced with choosing one of two paths, which are MAJOR PATHS.  One PATH is for the RIGHTEOUS, the other is for the WICKED.   If you are a TRUE CHILD of God you are considered RIGHTEOUS.  If you seek after WISDOM, and ASK God for it, He will GIVE it to you.  The writer of this Proverb, tells us that from God’s mouth come KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING.  And when we ASK, He will give us UNDERSTANDING of what is RIGHT, JUST and FAIR, which concerns EVERY GOOD PATH, or the way we live our lives.  God PROTECTS those who by His wisdom are MORALLY UPRIGHT, those who belong to Him.

This WISDOM is MORE than intellectual abilities, it is using SOUND JUDGMENT.  When WISDOM enters your HEART, DISCRETION will bring you PROTECTION and UNDERSTANDING will KEEP you. 

 

In Proverbs 4:14-15, are commands to STEER CLEAR of the PATH of the WICKED:  Do NOT set foot on the PATH of the WICKED or WALK in the WAY of EVILDOERS.   AVOID IT!!  Do NOT travel on it; TURN AWAY from it and GO on YOUR way.  The two PATHS are DRASTICALLY different.  The RIGHTEOUS PATH is STRAIGHT, and the LIGHT on the path leads the TRUE BELIEVER on an UNHAMPERED path.  However, the PATH of the WICKED is clouded in DEEP DARKNESS and is CROOKED and full of STUMBLING, BUMBLING obstacles.  The WICKED will PERISH, but the RIGHTEOUS will FLOURISH.

 

The PATH of the RIGHTEOUS leads to an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  The PATH of the WICKED leads to an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  Which PATH are YOU on?   If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, I’m afraid that you are on the PATH of the WICKED, headed for an ETERNITY in HELL.  However, God wants YOU to make a WISE choice and choose the PATH of the RIGHTEOUS.  IN order to CHANGE your PATH, you MUST BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO HIM, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  And ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and get on the PATH of the RIGHTEOUS, and be able to ENTER your ETERNAL HOME, HEAVEN.  Do this NOW, while you still can He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Destiny of the Righteous and the Wicked"

“The Destiny of the Righteous and the Wicked”

 

Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.  For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones.  Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed the offspring of the wicked will perish.  The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.             Psalm 37:27-29

Hope in the LORD and keep His way.  He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.        Psalm 37:34

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.   But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.        Psalm 37:37-38

 

This Psalm of David, puts the DESTINIES of the RIGHTEOUS and the WICKED in a fairly plain view.  He begins with the differences in the attitudes of the RIGHTEOUS and of the WICKED.  The RIGHTEOUS are NOT to FRET over the evil ones; they are to TRUST in the Lord and to do GOOD; and to COMMIT their way to the LORD; they SHOULD BE STILL before the LORD, and WAIT PATIENTLY for Him; they should have HOPE in the LORD, and they will INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN. 

 

The WICKED may prosper for a while, but the Psalmist tells us that they will be DESTROYED. They will not be found; their POWER will be BROKEN; they will PERISH; there will be NO FUTURE for the WICKED.  They will have to FACE the JUDGMENT SEAT of God, and be SENTENCED and CONDEMNED for their SINFUL LIFESTYLE and their CONTINUED REJECTION of the Lord Jesus Christ as their SAVIOR and LORD.  They will NOT inherit HEAVEN as their ETERNAL HOME, but they will SPEND ALL of ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and there is NO WAY of ESCAPE.

 

So, if you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to GOD that is your DESTINY.  In order to become one of the RIGHTEOUS, you MUST BE WILLING TO TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  And ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and LIVE as one of the RIGHTEOUS, and INHERIT HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!