Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Yes, we just discussed this verse yesterday but the emphasis was on something else. This part- 'for He is faithful that promised' just bears a little more discussion.
Do you know anyone who is faithful? Most of us would love to say yes, and most of us will say yes, but do we really? We can't know the heart of anyone can we? I'm being pessimistic…or perhaps realistic, who knows. Time and time again people have been disappointed by others, by those they thought they could trust. I'm not talking foolish people. I'm talking people just like you and I and we don't consider ourselves foolish, or at least not for the most part, right? We shouldn't consider ourselves foolish if we are Christians, the foolish are obviously NOT wise and we are to be wise. With that in mind we have to realize that even wise people are deceived. If you trust others then you will be deceived, and yet we have to trust others. We can't live our lives paranoid and distrustful, Christ would have us live in faith, live in love, live in thinking the best of others and leave their eternal fates up to His judgment. Even when someone despitefully uses us we are to love them. Even our enemies we are to love. Even to those who we believe to be faithful and turn out not to be faithful, we are to offer love. But it's NOT our love. It's the love of Christ. It's the choice to love them that we must make even as our flesh nature, our carnal nature, would have us despise them.
To read these words- 'for He is faithful that promised' can't be taken at face value, can't be passed over quickly, because we live in a world where very few, if ANY are able to be truly faithful in word, thought, and deed- yes, all three. Faithful in word- people do keep their promises don't they? Some do. Faithful in deed- people often seem to act faithful, their actions seem to be honorable and they really could be. Faithful in thought- now there's the tricky one. We can never know another's thoughts, but we know our own thoughts and truthfully they're not always the best of thoughts- are they? It' s hard to imagine that Satan would leave anyone's thoughts alone. The great tempter's playground is our thoughts. To be honest, and that's what we are trying to be, you can scarcely commit an action, or speak a word without thinking it first. Is it any wonder that Satan strives to gain control of our thoughts? Is it any wonder that Satan is happy to have us unfaithful in our minds even if outwardly we are seemingly faithful? Jesus Himself said this…
Mat 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
When you look on another to lust- (Yes, I said another- not woman because women lust after men too and the principle is the same.) when you look on another to lust- what's happening? Where is the lust coming from? Your THOUGHTS. What is lust? Unlawful desire is one description. And desire according to Webster's, in part is- An emotion or excitement of the mind, directed to the attainment or possession of an object from which pleasure, sensual, intellectual or spiritual, is expected; a passion excited by the love of an object, or uneasiness at the want of it, and directed to its attainment or possession…
An emotion or excitement of the mind. OF THE MIND. Thoughts. Lust.
We cannot know another's mind, ever. What we can know and cynical or not, what we can know is that every human being is of a carnal nature. Not one of us can escape the carnal part of ourselves. We can be born again- our Spiritual nature can be born within us carnal people. The spiritual nature that is born again within us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior can overcome the carnal nature. So, yes, it is possible for us carnal people to become spiritual, to become Christ's and have Christ's mind in us. And yes, it's possible for our thoughts to be guided by Him. However, as long as we are under our carnal nature our thoughts will be of the carnal kind. Even Paul struggled with all this-
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Carnal and Spiritual.
No. We cannot know the thoughts of others. We cannot know if they are faithful, we can't be faithful ourselves, but there is ONE that is faithful above all!
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
HE is FAITHFUL that promised!
We don't have to wonder, we don't have to worry, we don't have to think about the FAITHFUL ONE ever being unfaithful. He is FAITHFUL that promised. We can hold on to that and hold on very tightly. We can HOLD FAST to our FAITH because WE DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CHRIST EVER BEING UNFAITHFUL IN ALL HE'S PROMISED. HE is our HOPE! We aren't to place our hope in any other human being, not one! Not even our family, not even our loved ones. When EVERYONE lets us down, CHRIST will NEVER let us down. CHRIST IS FAITHFUL!
Christ promises us eternal life and He is faithful. Christ does not promise us eternal happiness in this current world. Through HOPE we live with the promises of the faithful One. The FAITHFUL One. Christ is FAITHFUL. Is it any wonder we are to place all our hope, all our faith in Him and Him alone? As we live our daily lives we live it through faith in the faithful One. We can't live our lives having faith in any other. No, I'm not saying we can't hope that others around us are faithful to us, but we have to always remember they are like us, like Paul. Only Christ is truly Faithful.
We can hold fast to the profession of our faith and NOT waver knowing that Christ is faithful to all the promises He's made to us. We don't have to doubt at all, not in the least.
All glory to our Lord and Savior! All praise to our King!
By the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, God's Only Son! In His love, in His righteousness!
Amen.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Hold Fast!
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)
The profession of our faith, the profession of our hope- what is the profession of our faith, our hope?
Our profession is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, the Son of God crucified and raised from the dead, even now living in Heaven, even now alive for us, ministering as our High Priest before God. This is our profession, this is our faith, this is our hope-- our Savior. There is no hope in any other, there is faith in no other. We have to HOLD FAST to this profession of our faith. Holding fast meaning what? Hold tightly, possess, seize, keep in memory.
Yes, keep in memory. We most certainly cannot grasp physically our faith, our hope. We must grasp it mentally, emotionally, we must KEEP IT IN OUR MEMORY. We much HOLD FAST, we cannot forget for a single moment where all our hope, all our faith comes from. This is something we need to keep before us always- seriously! I'm not joking here! I'm not blowing hot air here, or rather I'm not writing gibberish to be ignored for lack of understanding, for lack of importance. This is very important!!!
We cannot forget our hope in our Savior- not ever!
Life is going to throw instance after instance of trials and tribulations at us and some of those trials are so minor we call them simply- everyday life and we decide we can handle these little things all on our own, we don't need any help, we don't need to get down on our knees and bother God without little upsets. WRONG! In all we do we have to have God. It's a huge mistake to EVER think that any problem we have is a small one that WE can take care of. It's dangerous to start down that road. So the faucet starts leaking in the kitchen sink, no big deal. Yes, it's irritating but easily enough fixed- the inconvenience it brings is annoying, well guess what… that annoyance, that little irritating thing will effect so much else. What starts out tiny and unassuming can grow. If we leave God out of the small things we will have a tendency to take glory to ourselves when those small things are fixed. All glory has to go to God in all things! It's ONLY through God we even live to do anything at all!
We are proud creatures and the most prideful of all creatures, Satan, will encourage that pride and if he can't get us to take glory in the big things- he will endeavor to get us to 'pat ourselves on the back' for the small things. In all we do God must never be forgotten, never! When we wake in the morning we need to pray for God to direct all our actions, for God to go before us in all things, even the smallest of things.
We must HOLD FAST the PROFESSION OF OUR FAITH. This is no idle statement. This is a powerful verse. We must forever and ever and ever in all things hold fast to our Savior, to let go of our Savior, to let go of the hope we have in our Savior, would be like a soldier dropping all his armor, all his protection, right in the middle of a raging battle. What do you think the result of that would be? If that soldier isn't instantly killed you can be assured that he will quickly be injured.
We forget so easily that we are living with our lives immersed in a spiritual battle- a raging battle where there is no retreat, no respite, no leaves. This spiritual battle rages on continuously and will continue to do so until our Savior returns to take us to heaven with Him.
Is it any wonder we are admonished to HOLD FAST WITHOUT WAVERING?! When the big picture becomes clear we can understand how much these words mean. When our eyes are truly open to see the spiritual realm we live in we know that only our Savior matters, only holding fast to our hope found in our Lord is truly important, all else is nothing.
In holding fast to our profession of faith- we will live as Jesus would have us live. We cannot waver, we cannot set down that hope for even a moment, we cannot dare to walk in this wicked spiritual realm without our Savior, we just can't. He is our protection, He is our SAVIOR- SAVING US! How stupid and how deadly it would be to step away from our Savior, from our Protector in the middle of the battle we live in. Just because we are not in the flesh in the middle of the battle field we forget we are in a battle. It's easy to forget the spiritual.
Right now, wherever you are as you read this, you are in the battle. Don't laugh, you are. No, it doesn't feel like we're in a battle, at least not for the majority of people. Why? Because they don't realize life is a real battle, just living is a real battle. Sure if you're in the midst of what we call a crisis you are more in tuned to the reality of life's battles, but if your life is at an even keel or even on an upswing, the tendency to forget the battle is great. How can we imagine we are in a war when we are laughing and having a good time? No, I'm not saying we are not to laugh or enjoy life, I’m not saying that at all, but seriously- shouldn't our laughter and enjoyment be found in the things our Savior would laugh and enjoy? If the things we laugh at and enjoy aren't the sort that our Savior can take part in what does that say about us? Yes, laughter is good- who doesn't know this verse or a version of it-
Pro 17:22 'A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…'
So, no, I’m not saying we aren't to laugh and enjoy life but we can never forget we are in a battle, a spiritual battle and in that spiritual battle unlike any conventional form of warfare we have to realize that even things that are seemingly innocuous can be deadly, even laughter, even enjoyment can lead to death, can lead us away from Christ and not to Him. The enemy of this battle will use ANY means to get us from Christ and we can't ignore that fact. We aren't just face to face with our opponent on a battlefield as we dodge bullets, we are face to face with our opponent when we are with others and a tasteless joke is made, when gossip begins, when coveting is underway, when jealousy rears up, when loud laughter at another's expense is going on - we can find our enemy in all those things and trust me on this… our enemy is everywhere wearing many disguises, calling evil good at every turn. So if the Holy Spirit convicts you even in the tiniest way that something you are involved in (even a conversation) isn't Godly then you need to remember you are in a battle and the enemy is at your door, in your face, trying to thrust a spiritual sword into your back, front, it doesn't matter to him. We need to pray for guidance when we find ourselves in those situations. We need to pray hard… remember the Christian (spiritual) armor we are to wear--after the armor is put on we are told to pray always.
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit
Spiritual armor for a very real spiritual battle. We are not just flesh, we are flesh and spirit beings too many forget the spiritual part of our existence and they look for so much to fill that part of their lives that belongs to God. Nothing can fill that spiritual void but God, however, Satan will do all he can to fill that part with false gods, false religion, false truths.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)
Our Savior is FAITHFUL without any room for doubt. Our Savior's promises are true. We need to hold fast to our faith, to the hope we have in our faithful Savior.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord, our Savior, our God, our King, may we hold fast in Him now and forever without end, ever trusting in Him, ever loving Him.
Amen.
The profession of our faith, the profession of our hope- what is the profession of our faith, our hope?
Our profession is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, the Son of God crucified and raised from the dead, even now living in Heaven, even now alive for us, ministering as our High Priest before God. This is our profession, this is our faith, this is our hope-- our Savior. There is no hope in any other, there is faith in no other. We have to HOLD FAST to this profession of our faith. Holding fast meaning what? Hold tightly, possess, seize, keep in memory.
Yes, keep in memory. We most certainly cannot grasp physically our faith, our hope. We must grasp it mentally, emotionally, we must KEEP IT IN OUR MEMORY. We much HOLD FAST, we cannot forget for a single moment where all our hope, all our faith comes from. This is something we need to keep before us always- seriously! I'm not joking here! I'm not blowing hot air here, or rather I'm not writing gibberish to be ignored for lack of understanding, for lack of importance. This is very important!!!
We cannot forget our hope in our Savior- not ever!
Life is going to throw instance after instance of trials and tribulations at us and some of those trials are so minor we call them simply- everyday life and we decide we can handle these little things all on our own, we don't need any help, we don't need to get down on our knees and bother God without little upsets. WRONG! In all we do we have to have God. It's a huge mistake to EVER think that any problem we have is a small one that WE can take care of. It's dangerous to start down that road. So the faucet starts leaking in the kitchen sink, no big deal. Yes, it's irritating but easily enough fixed- the inconvenience it brings is annoying, well guess what… that annoyance, that little irritating thing will effect so much else. What starts out tiny and unassuming can grow. If we leave God out of the small things we will have a tendency to take glory to ourselves when those small things are fixed. All glory has to go to God in all things! It's ONLY through God we even live to do anything at all!
We are proud creatures and the most prideful of all creatures, Satan, will encourage that pride and if he can't get us to take glory in the big things- he will endeavor to get us to 'pat ourselves on the back' for the small things. In all we do God must never be forgotten, never! When we wake in the morning we need to pray for God to direct all our actions, for God to go before us in all things, even the smallest of things.
We must HOLD FAST the PROFESSION OF OUR FAITH. This is no idle statement. This is a powerful verse. We must forever and ever and ever in all things hold fast to our Savior, to let go of our Savior, to let go of the hope we have in our Savior, would be like a soldier dropping all his armor, all his protection, right in the middle of a raging battle. What do you think the result of that would be? If that soldier isn't instantly killed you can be assured that he will quickly be injured.
We forget so easily that we are living with our lives immersed in a spiritual battle- a raging battle where there is no retreat, no respite, no leaves. This spiritual battle rages on continuously and will continue to do so until our Savior returns to take us to heaven with Him.
Is it any wonder we are admonished to HOLD FAST WITHOUT WAVERING?! When the big picture becomes clear we can understand how much these words mean. When our eyes are truly open to see the spiritual realm we live in we know that only our Savior matters, only holding fast to our hope found in our Lord is truly important, all else is nothing.
In holding fast to our profession of faith- we will live as Jesus would have us live. We cannot waver, we cannot set down that hope for even a moment, we cannot dare to walk in this wicked spiritual realm without our Savior, we just can't. He is our protection, He is our SAVIOR- SAVING US! How stupid and how deadly it would be to step away from our Savior, from our Protector in the middle of the battle we live in. Just because we are not in the flesh in the middle of the battle field we forget we are in a battle. It's easy to forget the spiritual.
Right now, wherever you are as you read this, you are in the battle. Don't laugh, you are. No, it doesn't feel like we're in a battle, at least not for the majority of people. Why? Because they don't realize life is a real battle, just living is a real battle. Sure if you're in the midst of what we call a crisis you are more in tuned to the reality of life's battles, but if your life is at an even keel or even on an upswing, the tendency to forget the battle is great. How can we imagine we are in a war when we are laughing and having a good time? No, I'm not saying we are not to laugh or enjoy life, I’m not saying that at all, but seriously- shouldn't our laughter and enjoyment be found in the things our Savior would laugh and enjoy? If the things we laugh at and enjoy aren't the sort that our Savior can take part in what does that say about us? Yes, laughter is good- who doesn't know this verse or a version of it-
Pro 17:22 'A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…'
So, no, I’m not saying we aren't to laugh and enjoy life but we can never forget we are in a battle, a spiritual battle and in that spiritual battle unlike any conventional form of warfare we have to realize that even things that are seemingly innocuous can be deadly, even laughter, even enjoyment can lead to death, can lead us away from Christ and not to Him. The enemy of this battle will use ANY means to get us from Christ and we can't ignore that fact. We aren't just face to face with our opponent on a battlefield as we dodge bullets, we are face to face with our opponent when we are with others and a tasteless joke is made, when gossip begins, when coveting is underway, when jealousy rears up, when loud laughter at another's expense is going on - we can find our enemy in all those things and trust me on this… our enemy is everywhere wearing many disguises, calling evil good at every turn. So if the Holy Spirit convicts you even in the tiniest way that something you are involved in (even a conversation) isn't Godly then you need to remember you are in a battle and the enemy is at your door, in your face, trying to thrust a spiritual sword into your back, front, it doesn't matter to him. We need to pray for guidance when we find ourselves in those situations. We need to pray hard… remember the Christian (spiritual) armor we are to wear--after the armor is put on we are told to pray always.
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit
Spiritual armor for a very real spiritual battle. We are not just flesh, we are flesh and spirit beings too many forget the spiritual part of our existence and they look for so much to fill that part of their lives that belongs to God. Nothing can fill that spiritual void but God, however, Satan will do all he can to fill that part with false gods, false religion, false truths.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)
Our Savior is FAITHFUL without any room for doubt. Our Savior's promises are true. We need to hold fast to our faith, to the hope we have in our faithful Savior.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord, our Savior, our God, our King, may we hold fast in Him now and forever without end, ever trusting in Him, ever loving Him.
Amen.
Friday, October 15, 2010
New and living way
Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Where there is a remission of sin, where there is a remission of iniquities = there is NO more offering for sin. Why? Because the sins and iniquities are remembered no more. You need no offering for something that isn't remembered.
If you are lucky enough to have someone forget your trespasses against them, that person isn't going to punish you because they have forgotten you deserve punishment. How many children breathe a sigh of relief when their parents have forgotten to exact some promised punishment? Most if not all, right? Well, God will choose to remember no more our sins and iniquities if His Son's blood covers us. He understands that the price has been paid for our sins and He will remember them NO MORE. The price having been paid means NO payment is needed. We know all about paying something ahead of time, don't we? We can put $100,000,000.00 into a bank account and then electronically have it set up so that our bills are paid out of that account. For the rest of our lives (as long as we are very frugal people and live as the average middle class American *g*) we won't have to worry about paying our bills ever again. We know we have the money in that account sufficient to cover the bills- the money we put there a long time ago. We put the money in there ONCE, so we don't have to put any more money in there even though we continue to have bills. So until the bills are done away with and we can live bill free- we are covered. Christ's sacrifice for sin was sufficient to cover all the sins of those who have faith in Him, for those who believe in Him. There is NO need for any more offering for sin, the perfect offering was made. Our sins and iniquities will be remember no more- and where there is a remission- a pardon- a forgiveness- of our sins and iniquities- we need no other offering for those sins.
*******
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus
Boldness to enter into where?
Boldness to enter into the HOLIEST.
Where is the holiest? In the Heavenly Sanctuary, not into the holy play, but into the holiest place- the most holy place. We are represented by our Savior who has entered in the holiest. Because our Savior has entered into the holiest, we with boldness enter the holiest by His blood.
Before Christ's sacrifice who was allowed into the earthly most holy place once a year? Only the High Priest. We're the common people allowed into the most holy place? NO. The common people remained outside the temple in the court. Our Savior did away with the earthly sanctuary but entered the heavenly sanctuary and because we are to be one with our Savior we too can spiritually enter into the most holy place, enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
Only the arrival of the true can do away with the type. Only the arrival of the perfect can do away with the lesser, imperfect example. Christ - God's Son - sacrificed Himself for us. All the sacrifices made over the years all pointed towards the perfect sacrifice, realized in our Savior.
*******
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God
We can boldly enter into the holiest by Jesus' blood. A new way of life was to take a place of the old way. A new and LIVING way. Christ's way- Christ's death and resurrection- the new way. The full revelation of life is found in our Savior. The new way was made holy by our Savior, by the sacrifice of His life- through His death in the flesh. Christ offered His life's blood, Christ offered His very body- His humanity- His flesh and through this most amazing of sacrifices the way to Him is forever revealed to us.
We have - PRESENT TENSE - a high priest over the house of God.
Read that again… WE HAVE - PRESENT TENSE - A HIGH PRIEST OVER THE HOUSE OF GOD.
A high priest.
We serve and dedicate our lives to our high priest.
If we put that on a different level- if I say there are people who worship the earthly elements and they've elected a high priest and to that high priest they dedicate their lives promising to serve him- it sounds all wrong, doesn't it? We ARE NOT to serve any earthly high priest! However, you could picture that scenario couldn't you? A group of people surrounding a man possibly dressed in high priestly attire, bowing down to that man, worshipping that man, venerating that man. It became instantly more real because we put an earthly common man into the role, and we put a group of fictitious people that we aren't a part of, around that man. We quickly believe those *followers* of that earthly high priest are duped, they're a bunch of suckers, they're people easily swayed and easily deceived. Yet we can imagine the reality of the situation, can't we?
Now, we have to ask ourselves can we picture as a reality, Jesus as our heavenly high priest? Can we picture ourselves in all reality bowing down to Him? Can we picture ourselves worshipping our High Priest? We need to, we really do need to. Christ has to be a REALITY to us. We have to be willing to get down on our knees before our Savior. We have to be willing to defer to Him in all things. This has to be a reality to us. Too many of us are too proud. Too many of us don't want to think about the reality, but would rather keep our Savior out of reach of our reality, leaving Him in heaven and giving Him a mythical existence. He's not a myth!!! My Savior is real! My Savior is living! My Savior, my High Priest is in heaven right now and I am told this...
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
We are to DRAW NEAR with a true heart in full assurance of faith.
Our hearts are to be sprinkled from an evil conscience.
Our bodies are to be washed with pure water.
Our hearts sprinkled clean from evil.
Our flesh washed with pure water.
Only Christ's blood, only our Savior's sacrifice, only our High Priest can sprinkle our hearts free from an evil conscience and wash our flesh with pure water. By His grace! By His mercy! Let us boldly enter into the most holy place and come before our High Priest who alone can forgive us and cleanse us free of all sin!
In His amazing love!
Amen.
Heb 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Where there is a remission of sin, where there is a remission of iniquities = there is NO more offering for sin. Why? Because the sins and iniquities are remembered no more. You need no offering for something that isn't remembered.
If you are lucky enough to have someone forget your trespasses against them, that person isn't going to punish you because they have forgotten you deserve punishment. How many children breathe a sigh of relief when their parents have forgotten to exact some promised punishment? Most if not all, right? Well, God will choose to remember no more our sins and iniquities if His Son's blood covers us. He understands that the price has been paid for our sins and He will remember them NO MORE. The price having been paid means NO payment is needed. We know all about paying something ahead of time, don't we? We can put $100,000,000.00 into a bank account and then electronically have it set up so that our bills are paid out of that account. For the rest of our lives (as long as we are very frugal people and live as the average middle class American *g*) we won't have to worry about paying our bills ever again. We know we have the money in that account sufficient to cover the bills- the money we put there a long time ago. We put the money in there ONCE, so we don't have to put any more money in there even though we continue to have bills. So until the bills are done away with and we can live bill free- we are covered. Christ's sacrifice for sin was sufficient to cover all the sins of those who have faith in Him, for those who believe in Him. There is NO need for any more offering for sin, the perfect offering was made. Our sins and iniquities will be remember no more- and where there is a remission- a pardon- a forgiveness- of our sins and iniquities- we need no other offering for those sins.
*******
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus
Boldness to enter into where?
Boldness to enter into the HOLIEST.
Where is the holiest? In the Heavenly Sanctuary, not into the holy play, but into the holiest place- the most holy place. We are represented by our Savior who has entered in the holiest. Because our Savior has entered into the holiest, we with boldness enter the holiest by His blood.
Before Christ's sacrifice who was allowed into the earthly most holy place once a year? Only the High Priest. We're the common people allowed into the most holy place? NO. The common people remained outside the temple in the court. Our Savior did away with the earthly sanctuary but entered the heavenly sanctuary and because we are to be one with our Savior we too can spiritually enter into the most holy place, enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
Only the arrival of the true can do away with the type. Only the arrival of the perfect can do away with the lesser, imperfect example. Christ - God's Son - sacrificed Himself for us. All the sacrifices made over the years all pointed towards the perfect sacrifice, realized in our Savior.
*******
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God
We can boldly enter into the holiest by Jesus' blood. A new way of life was to take a place of the old way. A new and LIVING way. Christ's way- Christ's death and resurrection- the new way. The full revelation of life is found in our Savior. The new way was made holy by our Savior, by the sacrifice of His life- through His death in the flesh. Christ offered His life's blood, Christ offered His very body- His humanity- His flesh and through this most amazing of sacrifices the way to Him is forever revealed to us.
We have - PRESENT TENSE - a high priest over the house of God.
Read that again… WE HAVE - PRESENT TENSE - A HIGH PRIEST OVER THE HOUSE OF GOD.
A high priest.
We serve and dedicate our lives to our high priest.
If we put that on a different level- if I say there are people who worship the earthly elements and they've elected a high priest and to that high priest they dedicate their lives promising to serve him- it sounds all wrong, doesn't it? We ARE NOT to serve any earthly high priest! However, you could picture that scenario couldn't you? A group of people surrounding a man possibly dressed in high priestly attire, bowing down to that man, worshipping that man, venerating that man. It became instantly more real because we put an earthly common man into the role, and we put a group of fictitious people that we aren't a part of, around that man. We quickly believe those *followers* of that earthly high priest are duped, they're a bunch of suckers, they're people easily swayed and easily deceived. Yet we can imagine the reality of the situation, can't we?
Now, we have to ask ourselves can we picture as a reality, Jesus as our heavenly high priest? Can we picture ourselves in all reality bowing down to Him? Can we picture ourselves worshipping our High Priest? We need to, we really do need to. Christ has to be a REALITY to us. We have to be willing to get down on our knees before our Savior. We have to be willing to defer to Him in all things. This has to be a reality to us. Too many of us are too proud. Too many of us don't want to think about the reality, but would rather keep our Savior out of reach of our reality, leaving Him in heaven and giving Him a mythical existence. He's not a myth!!! My Savior is real! My Savior is living! My Savior, my High Priest is in heaven right now and I am told this...
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
We are to DRAW NEAR with a true heart in full assurance of faith.
Our hearts are to be sprinkled from an evil conscience.
Our bodies are to be washed with pure water.
Our hearts sprinkled clean from evil.
Our flesh washed with pure water.
Only Christ's blood, only our Savior's sacrifice, only our High Priest can sprinkle our hearts free from an evil conscience and wash our flesh with pure water. By His grace! By His mercy! Let us boldly enter into the most holy place and come before our High Priest who alone can forgive us and cleanse us free of all sin!
In His amazing love!
Amen.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Teach us to number our days
Psa 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Teach us to NUMBER OUR DAYS.
In a world where people kill other people and steal their internal organs so others can take those organs and replace their own diseased organs and live longer, numbering our days is something people do NOT want to do. We don't like to think about the number of our days. We don't want to talk about our own death- it's considered morbid. People who talk about numbering their days are told to stop doing that and just concentrate on living endlessly. Even people who are on death's door are told to keep hoping, never give up hope.
The Bible tells us - Teach us to number our days. Why? So that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
How does numbering our days apply our hearts to wisdom?
It is WISE to understand our life here and now is temporary and it is wise for us to understand that this life, in this corrupted earth will NOT go on endlessly. It is wise for us to realize that we are judged in this life and that our names are entered into heavens books- The Book of Life, Book of Remembrance, books people are judged out of.
Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works
We are judged out of those things which are WRITTEN in the books according to our works.
Before you start shouting that it can't be, that we are saved by grace and not of works, let me tell you I agree. We are saved by grace but NOT everyone will be saved by grace. Why not? Because NOT everyone will choose to be saved by grace but rather choose their own brand of salvation which is them trying to save themselves apart from the grace of Christ. Even some who profess to know Christ will in fact know of Him, but not really know Him and be known by Him, they will be trying to save themselves under self delusion thinking it's Christ saving them. It's true we are judged by our works- those who are not written in the Lamb's book of life will have their lives judged by their own lives not His. If our names are written in the Lamb's book of life then it is HIS life that is judged for us and His life has already been found acceptable. If we do not have His life covering ours then our life in all it's sinfulness will be revealed- it will be judged. So, yes, it is important to number our days, to be taught to number our days so we can apply our hearts to wisdom.
Psa 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Our hearts applied to wisdom. We want our hearts applied to wisdom and we need to be taught to number our days- to know that our lives are not endless. In fact we haven't a clue as to when our lives will end. Some live very short lives, others very long - but those in each case had no clue how long they would live. Yes, there are cases of illnesses and disease that give a person an idea of the length of their lives- if a doctor tells you you're dying and you truly are in the latest stages of some horrible disease that even you yourself suspect will be no turning back from - then you know that numbering your days is something upon you, those numbers are up. However, even those who contract such an illness are involved in some horrific accident - before these events they do not know the number of their days are drawing to a close.
People aren't born knowing the number of their days. If face according to Psalms 90:12 it says-- teach us to number our days. TEACH US.
This isn't an instruction for disaster and morbid thinking, this isn't an instruction for depression or a recipe for choosing to live recklessly. This is an instruction for wisdom, for understanding the truth of our existence. Once again knowing that there is no continued living right after death, a slippery slide into the next life, a closing of eyes only to appear instantly transported where the number of our days just continues on and on. Our days are numbered. We are going to face death, there is an inevitability in this.
Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
The living know that they shall die.
The living know their days are numbered and applying this to our thinking is heart wisdom if we are taught from God to do this as He wills us to through His understanding and not our own.
Not morbidity, but comprehending even more so that this life is not endless, and we truly must live for eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, not live for the days we have in this mortal existence, days that are numbered.
Please precious Lord, teach us to number our days so we can apply our hearts unto wisdom as You would have us do. Open our hearts and our minds to Your love, to Your mercy, to Your grace, to all knowledge in You.
By Your love now and forever and ever.
Amen.
Teach us to NUMBER OUR DAYS.
In a world where people kill other people and steal their internal organs so others can take those organs and replace their own diseased organs and live longer, numbering our days is something people do NOT want to do. We don't like to think about the number of our days. We don't want to talk about our own death- it's considered morbid. People who talk about numbering their days are told to stop doing that and just concentrate on living endlessly. Even people who are on death's door are told to keep hoping, never give up hope.
The Bible tells us - Teach us to number our days. Why? So that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
How does numbering our days apply our hearts to wisdom?
It is WISE to understand our life here and now is temporary and it is wise for us to understand that this life, in this corrupted earth will NOT go on endlessly. It is wise for us to realize that we are judged in this life and that our names are entered into heavens books- The Book of Life, Book of Remembrance, books people are judged out of.
Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works
We are judged out of those things which are WRITTEN in the books according to our works.
Before you start shouting that it can't be, that we are saved by grace and not of works, let me tell you I agree. We are saved by grace but NOT everyone will be saved by grace. Why not? Because NOT everyone will choose to be saved by grace but rather choose their own brand of salvation which is them trying to save themselves apart from the grace of Christ. Even some who profess to know Christ will in fact know of Him, but not really know Him and be known by Him, they will be trying to save themselves under self delusion thinking it's Christ saving them. It's true we are judged by our works- those who are not written in the Lamb's book of life will have their lives judged by their own lives not His. If our names are written in the Lamb's book of life then it is HIS life that is judged for us and His life has already been found acceptable. If we do not have His life covering ours then our life in all it's sinfulness will be revealed- it will be judged. So, yes, it is important to number our days, to be taught to number our days so we can apply our hearts to wisdom.
Psa 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Our hearts applied to wisdom. We want our hearts applied to wisdom and we need to be taught to number our days- to know that our lives are not endless. In fact we haven't a clue as to when our lives will end. Some live very short lives, others very long - but those in each case had no clue how long they would live. Yes, there are cases of illnesses and disease that give a person an idea of the length of their lives- if a doctor tells you you're dying and you truly are in the latest stages of some horrible disease that even you yourself suspect will be no turning back from - then you know that numbering your days is something upon you, those numbers are up. However, even those who contract such an illness are involved in some horrific accident - before these events they do not know the number of their days are drawing to a close.
People aren't born knowing the number of their days. If face according to Psalms 90:12 it says-- teach us to number our days. TEACH US.
This isn't an instruction for disaster and morbid thinking, this isn't an instruction for depression or a recipe for choosing to live recklessly. This is an instruction for wisdom, for understanding the truth of our existence. Once again knowing that there is no continued living right after death, a slippery slide into the next life, a closing of eyes only to appear instantly transported where the number of our days just continues on and on. Our days are numbered. We are going to face death, there is an inevitability in this.
Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
The living know that they shall die.
The living know their days are numbered and applying this to our thinking is heart wisdom if we are taught from God to do this as He wills us to through His understanding and not our own.
Not morbidity, but comprehending even more so that this life is not endless, and we truly must live for eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, not live for the days we have in this mortal existence, days that are numbered.
Please precious Lord, teach us to number our days so we can apply our hearts unto wisdom as You would have us do. Open our hearts and our minds to Your love, to Your mercy, to Your grace, to all knowledge in You.
By Your love now and forever and ever.
Amen.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Law written in our minds
Heb 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Laws in our hearts.
Laws written in our minds.
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
The Gentiles…those not chosen by God to be His people- those NOT born from those chosen to be God's people did not have the law given to them. Not having the law some of them would by NATURE do the things contained in the law- they were naturally followers of God's law. Their lives revealed the work of the law WRITTEN IN THEIR HEARTS. Their CONSCIENCE and their THOUGHTS bear them witness- accusing or excusing one another.
We see this all the time don't we? I know I'm not Jewish by blood, I'm one of the Gentiles grafted into the family of God. When a stickler for the law holds fast the law and no more, they're not of God. The Pharisees of Jesus' time were sticklers for the law and they left love out of the law. By God, who is love, the law was given to us. Having compassion is paramount with God. His laws were given OUT of love for us not out of dominance and dictating. When love is left out of the law the law is empty. How is it possible that people not chosen to be God's natural people could keep the law? Because their hearts were with God- the law of God was written in their hearts.
To have the law in our inward parts, to have the law written in our hearts, means we will have God in our hearts and we will be God's people.
1Ki 8:57 The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:
1Ki 8:58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
1Ki 8:59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:
1Ki 8:60 That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
1Ki 8:61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
And having read the above from 1st Kings, it is true we must walk in God's law, the law He's written in our hearts. That HE may incline our hearts to HIM, to walk in ALL His ways. No, we don't have to uphold the ceremonial sacrificial laws because Christ is the embodiment of that law, but we will forever have to keep God's law, laws that are possible to be kept naturally even when people aren't given the law. The law of our hearts with God.
By the grace and mercy of God we will have His law ALWAYS in our heart, always!
Through the love of our Savior now and forever and ever without end.
Amen.
Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Laws in our hearts.
Laws written in our minds.
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
The Gentiles…those not chosen by God to be His people- those NOT born from those chosen to be God's people did not have the law given to them. Not having the law some of them would by NATURE do the things contained in the law- they were naturally followers of God's law. Their lives revealed the work of the law WRITTEN IN THEIR HEARTS. Their CONSCIENCE and their THOUGHTS bear them witness- accusing or excusing one another.
We see this all the time don't we? I know I'm not Jewish by blood, I'm one of the Gentiles grafted into the family of God. When a stickler for the law holds fast the law and no more, they're not of God. The Pharisees of Jesus' time were sticklers for the law and they left love out of the law. By God, who is love, the law was given to us. Having compassion is paramount with God. His laws were given OUT of love for us not out of dominance and dictating. When love is left out of the law the law is empty. How is it possible that people not chosen to be God's natural people could keep the law? Because their hearts were with God- the law of God was written in their hearts.
To have the law in our inward parts, to have the law written in our hearts, means we will have God in our hearts and we will be God's people.
1Ki 8:57 The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:
1Ki 8:58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
1Ki 8:59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:
1Ki 8:60 That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
1Ki 8:61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
And having read the above from 1st Kings, it is true we must walk in God's law, the law He's written in our hearts. That HE may incline our hearts to HIM, to walk in ALL His ways. No, we don't have to uphold the ceremonial sacrificial laws because Christ is the embodiment of that law, but we will forever have to keep God's law, laws that are possible to be kept naturally even when people aren't given the law. The law of our hearts with God.
By the grace and mercy of God we will have His law ALWAYS in our heart, always!
Through the love of our Savior now and forever and ever without end.
Amen.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Perfected Forever
Heb 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God
We know that Jesus revealed Himself on earth after His death first before He had seen His Father when no one could touch Him, and then afterwards where He was able to be touched and to eat. He was very much REAL, very much alive after His death and He did not ascend immediately to His Father, and sit down on the right Hand of God. The point here being that the ONE sacrifice for sins for ever is something we need to be fully aware of. To a people used to offering many sacrifices- daily sacrifices- morning and night to have that done away with is a HUGE deal. We have never lived that sort of existence. God's chosen people were DAILY aware of the fact that sacrifices for sins were being made twice daily. God's chosen people KNEW that the entire sacrificial system was in place to keep the one with God- God's chosen. Think about it for a moment, really think… every day blood sacrifices, the death of animals on your behalf, blood being shed for real. It seems really *WOW* to me, but to a people used to that way of life I can imagine it's no different than knowing the meat I put on my table has been killed for me. We don't really THINK about it, it's just the way of life. I suppose even for those doing the killing it can become a way of life without any true significance. The service could be done by rote- even the killing. The shock value of realizing the whole sacrificial system was enacted to bring God and man together would be gone after a bit, just as for a lot of people (dare I say- most people) are on fire for God when they are at first born again but after a bit- a year, two years- more or less that fire that was roaring becomes mere embers and oft times just goes out altogether. Even for those who don't lose the fire completely most would admit to having their bonfire for Christ becoming a campfire for Christ, some would even admit to having mere hot coals. Why is it? In life it's that way a lot for many things isn't it? The newness of something bring excitement but quickly that excitement gives way to slowly fading.
Anyways we were talking about the sacrificial system again. Jesus offered Himself ONCE for us. He hasn't died over and over and over and endlessly over for our sins. He died ONCE and that sacrifice is applicable for taking away all sin. The power in Christ's sacrifice is perfect. That power isn't used in a blanket effect automatically covering ALL sin everywhere. That power is used for those that would be His.
Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
By ONE offering He hath perfected for ever THEM THAT ARE sanctified. Sanctified meaning--
Sanctified
SANC'TIFIED, pp.
1. Made holy; consecrated; set apart for sacred services.
2. Affectedly holy.
*
Perfected for ever THEM that are MADE HOLY.
How are we made holy?
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Through the word of God.
Who is the word of God?
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Them that are SANCTIFIED… are perfected by Christ's sacrifice. They aren't perfected through ANY thing they do themselves outside of their accepting Christ's sacrifice for them.
Not everyone will be sanctified. It's the truth. There is NO one blanket sanctification covers all human kind. People WANT to believe there is guaranteed salvation, guaranteed life after death, guaranteed continuance in some way, shape, or form- endlessly. How sad an existence people must have if they truly believe this life is all they have. You hear it all the time- make the best of things because this is it. People get down on other people for not living their lives with abandoned because why not live it that way- this is all there is there ain't no more. Seize the day, you've heard that saying I'm sure. Seize the day because you aren't promised tomorrow. But WE ARE promised tomorrow, we are! We are promised tomorrow in the realm of eventual eternal existence without any death. Why would ANYONE want to live for the here and now believing this is all life is and all they'll have or be, that every person only has what this life gives them or what they can take from life. Tell that to the person born deformed, tell that to the child who is dying, tell that to the person born ugly, to the person born with an abrasive personality they can't seem to alter, to the person who has been labeled unlucky, to the less intelligent person who can't seem to learn like others can learn. TOO many people believe that others CAN change things in this life but you know what, A LOT Of things can't be changed! I can't change my shyness, believe me, I've tried! People can't change a lot about themselves and some that find changing themselves simple are a rarity and those people believe others should be able to be like them- find changing easy. I know from my limited experience with life that some things are inherited from our parents and it doesn't matter who raises you those inherited traits will still be there. I'm talking mannerisms, emotions, attitudes… I know this to be true because my children who were raised by a man that was not their birth father have many of their birth father's traits. Having NOT been raised by their birth father if those things weren't inherited HOW did they get them? Seriously. There is a lot we inherit from our parents and they from their parents and so on, a lot - and a lot of it can be good things, and a lot can be bad things. The point being that becoming the person we imagine would be perfection doesn't exist in this world. No matter what you will have heart ache and pain in this world- no matter how perfect you are with your better than thou attitude, with your attitudes of superiority, you will cry. This world will give you grief. You will find out that you're not all you are cracked up to be. When the blinders are pulled away and you face some of the rawest emotions in existence, and you feel touched by despair that you could never have imagined, maybe then you can admit the truth of it all- this LIFE is not all there is- not for you and not for me, not for anyone ever. There IS no guaranteed forever, it is conditional and it is based upon your relationship with God. Even Jesus' forever was based upon His relationship with His Father, His Father raising Him from the dead and giving Him back His life. No, people don't want to believe that obtaining forever is conditional- it's just easier to believe it's automatic. We have media of all sort willing to feed this delusion and Satan right there to reassure you that you're good enough to go to heaven or rather, God is good enough to allow bad you into heaven. Yes, I said Satan is right there to reassure you. Satan wants people to believe in the 'everybody is going to heaven' delusion. He wants you to believe that you can work your way to heaven. What HE doesn't want you to believe is that you have to daily commit your life to Christ and His will, trusting in Christ to save you, trusting in Christ's righteousness.
Daily commit.
Trusting.
Having faith in Christ.
Christ has to be real to you, you have to have a real relationship with Christ, a living, breathing relationship with our Savior. He has to KNOW you and you have to know Him.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
May we all be Sanctified by our Lord and Savior perfected by Him through His love, His sacrifice.
By His grace!
Amen.
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God
We know that Jesus revealed Himself on earth after His death first before He had seen His Father when no one could touch Him, and then afterwards where He was able to be touched and to eat. He was very much REAL, very much alive after His death and He did not ascend immediately to His Father, and sit down on the right Hand of God. The point here being that the ONE sacrifice for sins for ever is something we need to be fully aware of. To a people used to offering many sacrifices- daily sacrifices- morning and night to have that done away with is a HUGE deal. We have never lived that sort of existence. God's chosen people were DAILY aware of the fact that sacrifices for sins were being made twice daily. God's chosen people KNEW that the entire sacrificial system was in place to keep the one with God- God's chosen. Think about it for a moment, really think… every day blood sacrifices, the death of animals on your behalf, blood being shed for real. It seems really *WOW* to me, but to a people used to that way of life I can imagine it's no different than knowing the meat I put on my table has been killed for me. We don't really THINK about it, it's just the way of life. I suppose even for those doing the killing it can become a way of life without any true significance. The service could be done by rote- even the killing. The shock value of realizing the whole sacrificial system was enacted to bring God and man together would be gone after a bit, just as for a lot of people (dare I say- most people) are on fire for God when they are at first born again but after a bit- a year, two years- more or less that fire that was roaring becomes mere embers and oft times just goes out altogether. Even for those who don't lose the fire completely most would admit to having their bonfire for Christ becoming a campfire for Christ, some would even admit to having mere hot coals. Why is it? In life it's that way a lot for many things isn't it? The newness of something bring excitement but quickly that excitement gives way to slowly fading.
Anyways we were talking about the sacrificial system again. Jesus offered Himself ONCE for us. He hasn't died over and over and over and endlessly over for our sins. He died ONCE and that sacrifice is applicable for taking away all sin. The power in Christ's sacrifice is perfect. That power isn't used in a blanket effect automatically covering ALL sin everywhere. That power is used for those that would be His.
Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
By ONE offering He hath perfected for ever THEM THAT ARE sanctified. Sanctified meaning--
Sanctified
SANC'TIFIED, pp.
1. Made holy; consecrated; set apart for sacred services.
2. Affectedly holy.
*
Perfected for ever THEM that are MADE HOLY.
How are we made holy?
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Through the word of God.
Who is the word of God?
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Them that are SANCTIFIED… are perfected by Christ's sacrifice. They aren't perfected through ANY thing they do themselves outside of their accepting Christ's sacrifice for them.
Not everyone will be sanctified. It's the truth. There is NO one blanket sanctification covers all human kind. People WANT to believe there is guaranteed salvation, guaranteed life after death, guaranteed continuance in some way, shape, or form- endlessly. How sad an existence people must have if they truly believe this life is all they have. You hear it all the time- make the best of things because this is it. People get down on other people for not living their lives with abandoned because why not live it that way- this is all there is there ain't no more. Seize the day, you've heard that saying I'm sure. Seize the day because you aren't promised tomorrow. But WE ARE promised tomorrow, we are! We are promised tomorrow in the realm of eventual eternal existence without any death. Why would ANYONE want to live for the here and now believing this is all life is and all they'll have or be, that every person only has what this life gives them or what they can take from life. Tell that to the person born deformed, tell that to the child who is dying, tell that to the person born ugly, to the person born with an abrasive personality they can't seem to alter, to the person who has been labeled unlucky, to the less intelligent person who can't seem to learn like others can learn. TOO many people believe that others CAN change things in this life but you know what, A LOT Of things can't be changed! I can't change my shyness, believe me, I've tried! People can't change a lot about themselves and some that find changing themselves simple are a rarity and those people believe others should be able to be like them- find changing easy. I know from my limited experience with life that some things are inherited from our parents and it doesn't matter who raises you those inherited traits will still be there. I'm talking mannerisms, emotions, attitudes… I know this to be true because my children who were raised by a man that was not their birth father have many of their birth father's traits. Having NOT been raised by their birth father if those things weren't inherited HOW did they get them? Seriously. There is a lot we inherit from our parents and they from their parents and so on, a lot - and a lot of it can be good things, and a lot can be bad things. The point being that becoming the person we imagine would be perfection doesn't exist in this world. No matter what you will have heart ache and pain in this world- no matter how perfect you are with your better than thou attitude, with your attitudes of superiority, you will cry. This world will give you grief. You will find out that you're not all you are cracked up to be. When the blinders are pulled away and you face some of the rawest emotions in existence, and you feel touched by despair that you could never have imagined, maybe then you can admit the truth of it all- this LIFE is not all there is- not for you and not for me, not for anyone ever. There IS no guaranteed forever, it is conditional and it is based upon your relationship with God. Even Jesus' forever was based upon His relationship with His Father, His Father raising Him from the dead and giving Him back His life. No, people don't want to believe that obtaining forever is conditional- it's just easier to believe it's automatic. We have media of all sort willing to feed this delusion and Satan right there to reassure you that you're good enough to go to heaven or rather, God is good enough to allow bad you into heaven. Yes, I said Satan is right there to reassure you. Satan wants people to believe in the 'everybody is going to heaven' delusion. He wants you to believe that you can work your way to heaven. What HE doesn't want you to believe is that you have to daily commit your life to Christ and His will, trusting in Christ to save you, trusting in Christ's righteousness.
Daily commit.
Trusting.
Having faith in Christ.
Christ has to be real to you, you have to have a real relationship with Christ, a living, breathing relationship with our Savior. He has to KNOW you and you have to know Him.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
May we all be Sanctified by our Lord and Savior perfected by Him through His love, His sacrifice.
By His grace!
Amen.
Perfected Forever
Heb 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God
We know that Jesus revealed Himself on earth after His death first before He had seen His Father when no one could touch Him, and then afterwards where He was able to be touched and to eat. He was very much REAL, very much alive after His death and He did not ascend immediately to His Father, and sit down on the right Hand of God. The point here being that the ONE sacrifice for sins for ever is something we need to be fully aware of. To a people used to offering many sacrifices- daily sacrifices- morning and night to have that done away with is a HUGE deal. We have never lived that sort of existence. God's chosen people were DAILY aware of the fact that sacrifices for sins were being made twice daily. God's chosen people KNEW that the entire sacrificial system was in place to keep the one with God- God's chosen. Think about it for a moment, really think… every day blood sacrifices, the death of animals on your behalf, blood being shed for real. It seems really *WOW* to me, but to a people used to that way of life I can imagine it's no different than knowing the meat I put on my table has been killed for me. We don't really THINK about it, it's just the way of life. I suppose even for those doing the killing it can become a way of life without any true significance. The service could be done by rote- even the killing. The shock value of realizing the whole sacrificial system was enacted to bring God and man together would be gone after a bit, just as for a lot of people (dare I say- most people) are on fire for God when they are at first born again but after a bit- a year, two years- more or less that fire that was roaring becomes mere embers and oft times just goes out altogether. Even for those who don't lose the fire completely most would admit to having their bonfire for Christ becoming a campfire for Christ, some would even admit to having mere hot coals. Why is it? In life it's that way a lot for many things isn't it? The newness of something bring excitement but quickly that excitement gives way to slowly fading.
Anyways we were talking about the sacrificial system again. Jesus offered Himself ONCE for us. He hasn't died over and over and over and endlessly over for our sins. He died ONCE and that sacrifice is applicable for taking away all sin. The power in Christ's sacrifice is perfect. That power isn't used in a blanket effect automatically covering ALL sin everywhere. That power is used for those that would be His.
Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
By ONE offering He hath perfected for ever THEM THAT ARE sanctified. Sanctified meaning--
Sanctified
SANC'TIFIED, pp.
1. Made holy; consecrated; set apart for sacred services.
2. Affectedly holy.
*
Perfected for ever THEM that are MADE HOLY.
How are we made holy?
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Through the word of God.
Who is the word of God?
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Them that are SANCTIFIED… are perfected by Christ's sacrifice. They aren't perfected through ANY thing they do themselves outside of their accepting Christ's sacrifice for them.
Not everyone will be sanctified. It's the truth. There is NO one blanket sanctification covers all human kind. People WANT to believe there is guaranteed salvation, guaranteed life after death, guaranteed continuance in some way, shape, or form- endlessly. How sad an existence people must have if they truly believe this life is all they have. You hear it all the time- make the best of things because this is it. People get down on other people for not living their lives with abandoned because why not live it that way- this is all there is there ain't no more. Seize the day, you've heard that saying I'm sure. Seize the day because you aren't promised tomorrow. But WE ARE promised tomorrow, we are! We are promised tomorrow in the realm of eventual eternal existence without any death. Why would ANYONE want to live for the here and now believing this is all life is and all they'll have or be, that every person only has what this life gives them or what they can take from life. Tell that to the person born deformed, tell that to the child who is dying, tell that to the person born ugly, to the person born with an abrasive personality they can't seem to alter, to the person who has been labeled unlucky, to the less intelligent person who can't seem to learn like others can learn. TOO many people believe that others CAN change things in this life but you know what, A LOT Of things can't be changed! I can't change my shyness, believe me, I've tried! People can't change a lot about themselves and some that find changing themselves simple are a rarity and those people believe others should be able to be like them- find changing easy. I know from my limited experience with life that some things are inherited from our parents and it doesn't matter who raises you those inherited traits will still be there. I'm talking mannerisms, emotions, attitudes… I know this to be true because my children who were raised by a man that was not their birth father have many of their birth father's traits. Having NOT been raised by their birth father if those things weren't inherited HOW did they get them? Seriously. There is a lot we inherit from our parents and they from their parents and so on, a lot - and a lot of it can be good things, and a lot can be bad things. The point being that becoming the person we imagine would be perfection doesn't exist in this world. No matter what you will have heart ache and pain in this world- no matter how perfect you are with your better than thou attitude, with your attitudes of superiority, you will cry. This world will give you grief. You will find out that you're not all you are cracked up to be. When the blinders are pulled away and you face some of the rawest emotions in existence, and you feel touched by despair that you could never have imagined, maybe then you can admit the truth of it all- this LIFE is not all there is- not for you and not for me, not for anyone ever. There IS no guaranteed forever, it is conditional and it is based upon your relationship with God. Even Jesus' forever was based upon His relationship with His Father, His Father raising Him from the dead and giving Him back His life. No, people don't want to believe that obtaining forever is conditional- it's just easier to believe it's automatic. We have media of all sort willing to feed this delusion and Satan right there to reassure you that you're good enough to go to heaven or rather, God is good enough to allow bad you into heaven. Yes, I said Satan is right there to reassure you. Satan wants people to believe in the 'everybody is going to heaven' delusion. He wants you to believe that you can work your way to heaven. What HE doesn't want you to believe is that you have to daily commit your life to Christ and His will, trusting in Christ to save you, trusting in Christ's righteousness.
Daily commit.
Trusting.
Having faith in Christ.
Christ has to be real to you, you have to have a real relationship with Christ, a living, breathing relationship with our Savior. He has to KNOW you and you have to know Him.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
May we all be Sanctified by our Lord and Savior perfected by Him through His love, His sacrifice.
By His grace!
Amen.
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God
We know that Jesus revealed Himself on earth after His death first before He had seen His Father when no one could touch Him, and then afterwards where He was able to be touched and to eat. He was very much REAL, very much alive after His death and He did not ascend immediately to His Father, and sit down on the right Hand of God. The point here being that the ONE sacrifice for sins for ever is something we need to be fully aware of. To a people used to offering many sacrifices- daily sacrifices- morning and night to have that done away with is a HUGE deal. We have never lived that sort of existence. God's chosen people were DAILY aware of the fact that sacrifices for sins were being made twice daily. God's chosen people KNEW that the entire sacrificial system was in place to keep the one with God- God's chosen. Think about it for a moment, really think… every day blood sacrifices, the death of animals on your behalf, blood being shed for real. It seems really *WOW* to me, but to a people used to that way of life I can imagine it's no different than knowing the meat I put on my table has been killed for me. We don't really THINK about it, it's just the way of life. I suppose even for those doing the killing it can become a way of life without any true significance. The service could be done by rote- even the killing. The shock value of realizing the whole sacrificial system was enacted to bring God and man together would be gone after a bit, just as for a lot of people (dare I say- most people) are on fire for God when they are at first born again but after a bit- a year, two years- more or less that fire that was roaring becomes mere embers and oft times just goes out altogether. Even for those who don't lose the fire completely most would admit to having their bonfire for Christ becoming a campfire for Christ, some would even admit to having mere hot coals. Why is it? In life it's that way a lot for many things isn't it? The newness of something bring excitement but quickly that excitement gives way to slowly fading.
Anyways we were talking about the sacrificial system again. Jesus offered Himself ONCE for us. He hasn't died over and over and over and endlessly over for our sins. He died ONCE and that sacrifice is applicable for taking away all sin. The power in Christ's sacrifice is perfect. That power isn't used in a blanket effect automatically covering ALL sin everywhere. That power is used for those that would be His.
Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
By ONE offering He hath perfected for ever THEM THAT ARE sanctified. Sanctified meaning--
Sanctified
SANC'TIFIED, pp.
1. Made holy; consecrated; set apart for sacred services.
2. Affectedly holy.
*
Perfected for ever THEM that are MADE HOLY.
How are we made holy?
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Through the word of God.
Who is the word of God?
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Them that are SANCTIFIED… are perfected by Christ's sacrifice. They aren't perfected through ANY thing they do themselves outside of their accepting Christ's sacrifice for them.
Not everyone will be sanctified. It's the truth. There is NO one blanket sanctification covers all human kind. People WANT to believe there is guaranteed salvation, guaranteed life after death, guaranteed continuance in some way, shape, or form- endlessly. How sad an existence people must have if they truly believe this life is all they have. You hear it all the time- make the best of things because this is it. People get down on other people for not living their lives with abandoned because why not live it that way- this is all there is there ain't no more. Seize the day, you've heard that saying I'm sure. Seize the day because you aren't promised tomorrow. But WE ARE promised tomorrow, we are! We are promised tomorrow in the realm of eventual eternal existence without any death. Why would ANYONE want to live for the here and now believing this is all life is and all they'll have or be, that every person only has what this life gives them or what they can take from life. Tell that to the person born deformed, tell that to the child who is dying, tell that to the person born ugly, to the person born with an abrasive personality they can't seem to alter, to the person who has been labeled unlucky, to the less intelligent person who can't seem to learn like others can learn. TOO many people believe that others CAN change things in this life but you know what, A LOT Of things can't be changed! I can't change my shyness, believe me, I've tried! People can't change a lot about themselves and some that find changing themselves simple are a rarity and those people believe others should be able to be like them- find changing easy. I know from my limited experience with life that some things are inherited from our parents and it doesn't matter who raises you those inherited traits will still be there. I'm talking mannerisms, emotions, attitudes… I know this to be true because my children who were raised by a man that was not their birth father have many of their birth father's traits. Having NOT been raised by their birth father if those things weren't inherited HOW did they get them? Seriously. There is a lot we inherit from our parents and they from their parents and so on, a lot - and a lot of it can be good things, and a lot can be bad things. The point being that becoming the person we imagine would be perfection doesn't exist in this world. No matter what you will have heart ache and pain in this world- no matter how perfect you are with your better than thou attitude, with your attitudes of superiority, you will cry. This world will give you grief. You will find out that you're not all you are cracked up to be. When the blinders are pulled away and you face some of the rawest emotions in existence, and you feel touched by despair that you could never have imagined, maybe then you can admit the truth of it all- this LIFE is not all there is- not for you and not for me, not for anyone ever. There IS no guaranteed forever, it is conditional and it is based upon your relationship with God. Even Jesus' forever was based upon His relationship with His Father, His Father raising Him from the dead and giving Him back His life. No, people don't want to believe that obtaining forever is conditional- it's just easier to believe it's automatic. We have media of all sort willing to feed this delusion and Satan right there to reassure you that you're good enough to go to heaven or rather, God is good enough to allow bad you into heaven. Yes, I said Satan is right there to reassure you. Satan wants people to believe in the 'everybody is going to heaven' delusion. He wants you to believe that you can work your way to heaven. What HE doesn't want you to believe is that you have to daily commit your life to Christ and His will, trusting in Christ to save you, trusting in Christ's righteousness.
Daily commit.
Trusting.
Having faith in Christ.
Christ has to be real to you, you have to have a real relationship with Christ, a living, breathing relationship with our Savior. He has to KNOW you and you have to know Him.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
May we all be Sanctified by our Lord and Savior perfected by Him through His love, His sacrifice.
By His grace!
Amen.
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