2017-06-23
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Once again, I have been commanded to continue discussing the evolution of the church in response to human sinfulness. Two issues arise: the fate of the church and the consequences of believing in the Lord Jesus vs. not believing in Him. Allow me to table the fate of the church, which is discussed in the books of Daniel and Revelation for now. HE 12: 22-24 deals with the utter difference between the old and new covenants. Jesus is clearly defined as “the Mediator of the new covenant,” meaning that it was through His blood shed on the cross that salvation, eternal forgiveness, and justification were made available to those who genuinely confessed their sins and professed faith in Him (24). Mt. Zion, the highest point in the heavenly Jerusalem was identified as “the city of the living God” in (22). While the law revealed what pleases God and what doesn’t, it didn’t do what Christ’s sacrifice on the cross did for believing mankind.
The church was first established in “the city on the hill” [MT 5: 14-16]-Jerusalem. Those who are true believers in Christ will come to the heavenly Jerusalem and be “the light that cannot be hidden” where “the church of the Firstborn will meet in joyful assembly.” Those believers will have their names written in heaven, and will “come to God Who will judge all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect…” (HE 12: 23). True believers are the redeemed and are heirs with Christ to the Kingdom (RO 8: 17). Men like Abel and Abraham are referred to as spirits here, because they await the resurrection of the righteous. Their justification wasn’t accomplished until Christ’s Atonement, even though people like Abraham were set apart for justification as far back as GN 15: 6. For those of us who are Messianic Jews, that can be taken as a hint that righteous Jews will eventually be given the same blessings that other true believers in Christ have. I particularly love to cite HE 11: 40 at the end of the great faith chapter of this book no one should miss reading. “God had planned something better for us, so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” The fulfillment for all true believers is Christ, “Who is the Resurrection and the Life” [JN 11: 25-26]. All, who had gone before us and had focused their faith on God Himself and His promises, and true believers of more modern times will come to the Lord Jesus, having their redemption complete in Him [RO 3: 24-28; RO 4: 23-25].
If we look at HE 7: 22and 8: 6, further support for what is being discussed is seen. “Because of this oath [NU 23: 19] Jesus has become the Guarantee of a better covenant…But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs (the high priests) as the covenant of which He is Mediator (the new Covenant of Grace) is superior to the old one (Covenant of the Law), and is founded on better promises.” NU 23: 19, “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind; You are a priest forever.” This is a divinely affirmed oath [1 TIM 2: 5; HE 9: 11-12, 15; HE 12: 24]. Why does Christ’s blood speak a better word than Abel’s? Abel’s blood cries out for justice and retribution; Christ’s cries out for forgiveness and reconciliation [HE 9: 12; HE 10: 19; COL 1: 20; 1JN 1: 7]. The blood of Jesus purifies us from sin, and we live in mutual fellowship in Christ’s light. I can’t think of a better reason to become and remain a true believer in Him!
PRAYER: O Lord, in as many ways You have shown in the Bible that we, who believe in Christ, are truly blessed, our human limitations don’t allow us to fully understand the extent of it. People who commit the one unforgivable sin, serial unbelief, suffer a fate that is horrible-spiritual death [LK 12: 10]. Spiritual death is conscious and eternal torment from which there is no escape. We have freely chosen not to suffer that fate by means of the pathway You have made available to us, faith in and obedience to Christ. You did this with the sacrifice of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. While He gave up His physical life for us, He did not give up His spiritual and eternal life. Therefore, He is alive at Your side in heaven. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” HE 11: 1. It demands the honest appraisal of our heart attitude, open confession of sins, and profession of true belief in Your Son. True belief involves obedience to Your teaching, while understanding that it is in our best eternal interests. We express these truths today out of love, reverence, and awe for You. If asked what we want in exchange for our loyalty and trust in You, it would be what You already give us—inner joy and peace! No human being can do for us what You do, whether referring to which of Your three personalities, the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit. We offer this prayer in an attitude of thanks and praise, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: Hope is a powerful, life-changing, and intangible thing. It is what we are given when we have faith in Jesus Christ. Next week, I’m led to write about Christ and that hope that He gives to the church. As I gaze out my window, I can see my neighbor’s very young grandchildren playing and riding their bicycles fitted with training wheels. They laugh with the glee that the challenges of life often destroy in people as they take on the responsibilities of adulthood. This latter theft of joy happened to me in the past, and God kept His promise not to ignore it. I was too down in the dumps at that time to realize it until it was almost too late, that God was reaching out to me. Once I did realize it, I could feel Him scoop me up in His arms and carry me to the place where I could learn to walk taking His hand. That’s my way of describing the beginning of the blessings He has had for me on my life’s journey. Once I met the requirements for the blessings Christ’s Atonement that true faith in Him gives one, He never stopped blessing me. That’s what I want to share with each of you, who read my weekly devotions. These blessings are available to any person willing to listen and obey Him. I pray you will bring more people to Him as I am trying to do, so they too can enjoy inner peace, hope, and joy. Praise and thanks be to Him for making them available!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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