Bible Study

This is a copy of the Sunday School Lessons presented to an adult class each Sunday.

Name:
Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States

Retired, Lobbyist in Washington,DC - Management - BS Chemistry and various continuing education courses

Friday, September 30, 2016

Life After Life Upon Earth - Sharing An Experience - September 30, 2016 (Draft)



LIFE AFTER DEATH/LIFE (Draft)
By: W. Anthony Shaw
 Introduction: (I have written a more detailed article regarding life after death, which I will publish later. That is why I refer to "book" in this excerpt. I felt led to publish this portion now.)
 The event you are about to read is true. It happened to me in 1971 while driving from Charlotte, NC to Spartanburg, SC. The experience is unusual because it is not a deathbed or near death experience. It involves the death of a Christian lady, Mrs. Myrtle Parris Green and her transition from earth to heaven.
  I read Mrs. Green’s obituary and a paraphrase of it reads,
Mrs. Green is the wife of Odus Max Green and has two daughters Elsie Peeler and Estelle Willis. Mrs. Green died at 4:10 PM on August 25, 1971 after one year of declining health and one day serious illness.
 Unknown to me on the day Mrs. Green died, she was taken to the hospital while I was on a trip to Washington, DC. I was returning from that trip on Wednesday, August 25, 1971 and driving south on Interstate 85 after flying into Charlotte, NC.
This experience is unique for several reasons. It happened, while I was driving on the Interstate, very alert, in broad-open daylight and without knowledge that Mrs. Green had been taken to the hospital that day. I knew that she had cancer because we had been praying for her. Her daughter and I worked together.
I shared this experience verbally with members of the family and in a letter to Mrs. Green’s husband, Max, dated May 28, 1976. The letter is dated five years after this event. I wondered, why did I waited five years? I had no idea at that time. All I knew was that THE LORD prompted me to write the letter to Mr. Green as HE has prompted me to write about this event.
However, I found it interesting, while verifying the dates given for this writing, that Mrs. Green’s birthday is May 29; unknown to me until preparing this book. THE LORD always has a plan and purpose for all things.
I will explore with you, what GOD’S WORD, the Holy Bible, reveals about life after we depart earth later in another writing in more detail. This account is written to glorify GOD and HIS Only SON, JESUS CHRIST and to give all a glimpse in the mystery of life after life through this experience.
The Bible gives us insight into the mystery of death. In the New Testament in First Corinthians Chapter 15, Verses 55 through 57*, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? Now sin is the sting of death and sin exercises its power (upon the soul) through (the abuse of the) the law. But thanks be to GOD, WHO gives us the victory – making us conquerors – through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.” JESUS CHRIST is the answer to life after the death of our bodies. (Amplified Bible published by Zondervan)
In 1971, my wife and I were living in Spartanburg, SC. I was working at Hoechst Fibers Industries. I had meetings in Washington, DC and drove from Spartanburg to Charlotte, NC to catch a plane to Washington, DC, on Tuesday, August 24, 1971. I stayed overnight in Washington and flew back to Charlotte the next day, which is Wednesday, August 25, 1971. I was returning to the plant where I worked. The plant is located a few miles outside Spartanburg on Interstate 85.
 I was in the vicinity of Gaffney, SC, when this event happened.  Mrs. Green lived in Gaffney near the Interstate.
 While driving, all of a sudden outside the automobile and in the sky, slightly to my right side, I saw what appeared to be a picture, a scene or a vision. I saw two people walking down what appeared to be a reddish path with green shrubs on each side of the path. They appeared to be coming over what appeared to be a horizon in the background. The person on my left is taller than the person on my right. The person on the right is a woman. I can see all of her. The way the scene is angled, I can only see the person to my left from the shoulders down. The person on the left, whose head or face I cannot see, is dressed in a green garment, something like a robe and the woman is dressed in a white garment, again something like a robe.
[Revelation 6:8 - 8 And I looked, and there was a pale green horse. The horseman on it was named Death, and Hades was following after him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill by the sword, by famine, by plague, and by the wild animals of the earth.]
They appeared to be coming down a hill and approaching a curve in the path. The path curved to the left of the scene, which would have been a right turn for them. As mentioned earlier, this scene was outside my automobile, high in the sky at an angle to the right side of my automobile.
 Combined with the scene, which lasted a few seconds, is a booming, very distinctive voice. A voice of which I have never heard or since said, “Mrs. Green has just passed away but she is walking with the LORD!” At that moment a joy like I have never experienced before swept over me and I was signing, happy and full of joy. I heard the voice again, “I told you Mrs. Green is fine, she is walking with the LORD, you pray for the family!”
I prayed for the family and looked at my watch and it was 3:45 PM.
I arrived at the plant a few minutes after 4:00 PM and went straight to my office and asked my Secretary if she had heard from Mrs. Green.  Mrs. Green is the mother of Mrs. Elsie Peeler, a fine Christian lady who worked in the lab where I was the Manager.
When I was on the road, my secretary always wanted me to check with her for messages. I had not spoken to her that day, since I was planning to come back to the office. She asked me, “Did you call in today?” That meant, did you call and speak to the lab supervisor and not get her to transfer you to me for messages. These were the days before cell phones. I said, “no.” Then she said, “then how did you know about Mrs. Green?” I said, “know what about Mrs. Green?” Then she said, “Mrs. Green took a turn for the worse and they had to put her in the Hospital.” I said, “well?” She said, “well what? She is going fine. In fact, Elsie called after lunch and stated that her mother was resting well and they (meaning her, her sister (Estelle) and father (Mr. Green) would probably go home and get some rest so someone could stay with her mother through the night. She thought their preacher and his wife were coming to relieve them.”
(I learned later that Elsie and Estelle stayed at the hospital.)
I said, “let me tell you what I saw while driving down the road.” So I told her what I had seen and she said, “well if she had died we would know it because not more than five minutes ago, Evelyn (the lab supervisor) was in here and told us that Mrs. Green was resting in the hospital.”
I said, “I am going to talk to Evelyn.” My secretary said, “I told you she was just in here and she would have told us if she had died.” I said, “I am going to talk to her anyway.”
The lab has double lock doors to keep the lab at standard lab conditions for testing purposes. I stepped through the lab doors and Evelyn was just inside the lab doors. I asked her about Mrs. Green and she told me exactly what my secretary had told me. I then told her what I had seen and heard while driving down the road.
At the moment I finished the story, the lab telephone rang and Evelyn answered the phone. After a few minutes on the phone and while still on the phone, I saw her gasping for breath and over heard her say, “my boss was just telling me something he saw while coming down the road today.”
 As soon as she hung up the telephone, she came over to me and said, “that was Mrs. Green’s pastor’s wife. She said Mrs. Green passed away a few minutes after 4:00 PM.” Mrs. Green’s pastors’ wife said, “they had gone to the hospital to relieve the family, so the family could go home and get some rest before coming back to the hospital to stay with Mrs. Green through the night.” (Mrs. Green’s two (2) daughters, Elsie and Estelle, did not leave but stayed at the hospital.The pastors’ wife said, “Mr. Green left for home, believing that Mrs. Green was stable. This was about 3:30 PM. Some time after 3:30 PM, I looked at Mrs. Green and thought her color did not look good, so I called a nurse. The nurse came into the room and looked at Mrs. Green, asked us to leave the room and called a doctor. The doctor pronounced her dead a few minutes after 4:10 PM.”
 Well guess what? I looked at my watch after I saw the vision and Mrs. Green was walking with THE LORD at 3:45 PM.
 Before I left on my trip to Washington, DC, I knew that Mrs. Green had cancer and we had been praying for her. My knowledge base when I left on my trip was that she had been working on a limited basis and was at home. To my knowledge death was not close at hand. She had to have some fluid drawn from her body a few days or so before I left for my trip to DC.
 I never met Mrs. Green while she was alive on this earth. I saw her physical body for the first time in the casket at her funeral. Her physical body had aged and she had some gray hair, as one would expect of a 53 years old person. What I saw in the scene or vision was a young brunette, probably in her early or mid twenties with long, flowing hair coming to her waist/hips. The top of her head came to the top of the shoulder of CHRIST. I say CHRIST because the voice said, “Mrs. Green is walking with the LORD!” She is dressed in a white garment and CHRIST is dressed in a green garment.
In my wildest imagination, I would have never thought of CHRIST being in a green garment. I always thought of CHRIST in a white garment. None-the-less CHRIST was in a green garment.
I have thought many times about this scene and thought could it have been a reflection of some sort? Had I been thinking about Mrs. Green?  The answer is always the same, “no”! I saw what I saw and I did not have Mrs. Green on my mind. No, I was not on any medication or under the influence of anything that would have caused me to see things.
Again, if I had ever tried to envision CHRIST, I would have put HIM in a white robe. I usually thought of those in heaven as wearing white robes or garments, because that is how we generally see the departed depicted. During the writing of this book, I discovered that the Bible talks about white robes.
 The booming voice accompanying the vision “Mrs. Green has just passed away, but she is walking with the LORD!” certainly got my attention and could not have been imagined.
 I share this event with you because the LORD allowed me to witness it and HE has prompted me to write about it. HE alone is the one to be glorified and HE alone must be the focus of this event. HE alone is the ONE who gives us life after the death of our earthly body or as I like to think of our body as our earth suit. I simply share this event, so others who may question life after death or want to know more about this mystery, may know that there is life after death or life after this life on earth.
Death will come and it is not something to which we look forward.  Christians possess eternal life and pass from death to life while upon earth, through faith in JESUS. That decision must be made now, while we are still in our earthly body or earth suits. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life believing that HE gave HIS life for you. 
You will experience the miracle of rebirth in your spirit and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Holy Spirit is your confirmation and assurance of being born into GOD'S family and that you have received the gift of eternal life. Once born into GOD'S family you will never be unborn but you can disappoint GOD. When we sin, as Christians we must confess our sins to remain in fellowship with HIM, so we can obediently serve HIM. Death is something every human faces. Where will you spend eternity? The choice is yours to make. Accept JESUS as your Savior and you will spend eternity with GOD and CHRIST. Reject JESUS and spend eternity without GOD and CHRIST, where the fire never is quenched. 
Death is a reality but just as life is a reality so is eternal life with GOD and CHRIST. Now is the time for you to make that decision. Do not delay.
Tony Shaw
 
 

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Bible Study - Unvarnished (5) - One Great Committment - Romans 10:1-3, 8-13 - October 2, 2016



Bible Study – Unvarnished (5) – One Great Commitment – October 2, 2016

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Unvarnished Truth: Life’s Greatest Story.”

Our focus scripture is Romans 10:1-3, 8b-13.

To be saved, I must trust in CHRIST.

Let’s read Romans 10:1-3:

Righteousness by Faith Alone

1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation!
         The Apostle Paul addressed fellow Christians as “brothers.” He expressed his fervency for the salvation of his fellow Jews in the statement “my heart’s desire.” He followed through with his fervency of heart with “prayers to GOD” for the salvation of his fellow Jews and Gentiles who did not know JESUS as their Savior.  

Those of us who know the truth, is our heart’s desire to pray and reach out to those who are lost/in need of salvation?

The “them” are just as relevant today as in Paul’s day. Christians are fully equipped to know and reach out to those who are in need of salvation. The “them” are the Spiritually lost. When Paul wrote this he was referring to Israel/the Jews.

People can be religious but miss the saving knowledge of CHRIST. Paul knew this better than anyone. He was trained as a Pharisee and had great zeal in serving GOD by rounding up Christians and punishing them. He thought he was doing the will of GOD until he encountered CHRIST on the road to Damascus. His encounter with CHRIST changed his life forever. That is what true salvation does. We see CHRIST and GOD in the light of truth.
Paul’s continues in our next verse.

2 I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

Paul knew all about the religious Jews because he had been one. He knew that they understood the law judicially but failed to comprehend its purpose. The religious Jews had zeal for GOD and worked at religion but they were without salvation.  

Paul addressed this in Galatians 2:16:

16 yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.
and Galatians 3:21-26:
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.

22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.

24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.

25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, (NIV)

Let’s continue reading Romans 10:3:

3 Because they disregarded the righteousness from God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to God's righteousness.

The Jews rejected GOD’S gift, the promised Messiah, JESUS Who was sent to fulfill the law and bring salvation to all who will place their faith in HIM. All who place their faith in HIM will be born Spiritually into GOD’S family and be under HIS love and grace. The truth of this is confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who is a Christian’s guarantee/assurance of salvation. The Holy Spirit is GOD’S seal upon every Christian that he or she belongs to GOD for eternity.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

The law cannot make a person righteous. In fact, the law reveals how much we fail to measure up to GOD’S righteousness.

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law: The one who does these things will live by them.

6 But the righteousness that comes from faith speaks like this: Do not say in your heart, "Who will go up to heaven?" that is, to bring Christ down

7 or, "Who will go down into the abyss?" that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.

Let’s read on.

Let’s read Romans 10:8-10:

8 On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim:

The righteousness that comes from faith is --- as we read the next verse.

9 if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Confession means to agree with or declaring something is true. The mouth is the instrument through which this confession is made. This is not a cursory confession but a confession that comes from our very core “the eyes of our heart.” A person acknowledges that “JESUS is Lord.” This confession ties GOD as identified in the Old Testament to JESUS and links JESUS with GOD HIS Father. This was to help the Jews to see this relationship and to confess this relationship. JESUS is GOD!

The heart of belief is “that GOD raised HIM (JESUS) from the dead.

10 With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.

In the “eyes of the heart” is where you and GOD come together. It is where faith is either confirmed or denied. Once faith is established in the core of a person’s being it results in salvation which in turn results in eagerness for him or her to share the Good News of CHRIST to others. The spring of living water bubbles up from within those who have accepted JESUS as their Savior and flows to others who need JESUS. Christians are the light of the world and are to share the light of CHRIST to others.

Believing is not agreeing with a fact but embracing the truth of JESUS as GOD’S only Son, HIS passion and resurrection.

Copied from page 66 of the Advanced Bible Study, fall 2016, LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175, Dr. John Dent wrote [The center of Christianity rests on this truth. GOD took the worst the Devil could do (having JESUS crucified) and turned it into the best for human beings (JESUS’ resurrection and our salvation.]

Consider verses 9 and 10 again:

When a person truly believes in his or her heart that JESUS is GOD and that GOD raised HIM from the physically dead it produces a result. That faith, as expressed by confession/action, results in righteousness and salvation. Righteousness and salvation are the result of GOD’S love for every person who places his or her faith in JESUS.

Let’s read Romans 10:11-13:

11 Now the Scripture says, No one who believes on Him will be put to shame,

Salvation is open to and available to anyone who believes. The Gospel of JESUS does not discriminate. When a person truly encounters JESUS his or her life is changed for eternity. Others may ridicule you but because of your core faith nothing will put you to shame because you know the truth. You know that you are GOD’S child through the miracle of rebirth. The Holy Spirit indwells you and gives you assurance, enlightenment, power and confidence.

At a time in my life the Lord kept bringing this scripture to my mind. I did not know why until months later. A person who did not like me was trying to hire someone to do the job I was doing. It was not that I was not doing the job but that I was doing too good of a job. It is strange how jealousy manifests itself. I did not know that this was taking place but it blew up in the face of the person who was trying to do this. GOD knew my heart. I was doing a good job because HE was with me and I was in HIS will.

12 for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him.

Salvation is available to every person regardless of race, creed, color, national origin or gender. What does this mean? Let’s read on.

13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Everyone who calls “on the name of the LORD,” underscores a confidence that JESUS is GOD. GOD does not discriminate! This expression in words, calls, constitutes faith in JESUS and reflects the true heart of the person calling on the name of the LORD. Confession is all about the heart; the very core of the person. What is your heart telling you?

The reference to “will be saved” refers back to the fact that GOD has reconciled us to HIM through the shed blood of JESUS. But we must accept HIS gift of reconciliation that is available to us through JESUS. Our faith in JESUS triggers the process of justification, sanctification and glorification. Salvation and justification are instantaneous. Sanctification is the process of being made into the image of JESUS as we walk with JESUS as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Glorification is the final crowning glory GOD reveals when Christians have completed their life upon earth and stand in HIS presence. Glorification is when we hear these words “well done good and faithful servant.”

Every person will stand before GOD one day. JESUS said it best in John 5:24:

24 "I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

True Christians will not come under the wrath of GOD. They will not be judged regarding their salvation because they have already passed from death to eternal life. But they will be given rewards based upon their obedient service to GOD as directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

John 3:14-21:

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,

15 so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.

16 "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

19 "This, then, is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.

20 For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.

21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God."

GOD loves you and desires for you to accept HIS free gift of salvation through faith in JESUS, HIS Only Son. Now is your opportunity. Do not delay. Eternity is but a heartbeat away. Blessings!!!

Friday, September 23, 2016

Bible Study - Unvarnished (4) - One Great Savior - Romans 5:6-11 - September 25, 2016



Bible Study – Unvarnished (4) – One Great Savior – September 25, 2016

This lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Unvarnished Truth: Life’s Greatest Story.”

Our focus scripture is Romans 5:6-11.

GOD offers us hope and forgiveness through JESUS CHRIST.

In last week’s lesson, we learned that all humans are sinners. There is nothing anyone can do to earn salvation. But GOD in HIS wisdom has a plan for man or woman to be redeemed but it would cost the physical life of HIS, sinless, only Son, JESUS.

We learned about the word “propitiation” which the shed blood of JESUS provides a covering such that sinful man or woman can come to GOD. Before JESUS gave HIS life on the cross, that covering was the shed blood of animals which was a temporary place holder until JESUS paid the sin debt, in full, for all who will place their faith in JESUS.

Romans 5:1-5: (Lead-in)

Faith Triumphs

1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who else in the Bible was declared righteous by faith?

Genesis 15:6:

6 Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.

Galatians 3:6:

6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness,

2 Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,

4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

5 This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

These verses reveal the benefits of salvation. Our focus scripture reveals the source of salvation.

Let’s read Romans 5:6-8:

Those Declared Righteous Are Reconciled

6 For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly.

The Apostle Paul used the word “helpless.” All people are “helpless” to earn their way to heaven. GOD had a redemptive plan but GOD did not execute HIS plan until just the precise moment. JESUS gave HIS life for the ungodly. HIS shed blood covered those who placed their faith in GOD in the Old Testament, as well as, covers all until the end of the age. JESUS gave HIS physical life by the shedding of HIS blood to break the sin barrier between GOD and mankind.

The shed blood of JESUS broke the sin barrier but each person must choose to accept what JESUS did by faith.

1 Peter 3:18-19: (Looking back to those who died before JESUS died.)

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—

It is believed that the time between JESUS’ death on the cross and HIS resurrection that HE went to the places where those who had died were kept. HE announced that HE was the promised Messiah and those in Paradise went to heaven. Other Bible scholars proclaim that CHRIST went to Hades and claim victory over sin and death. One day we will know the truth.

Let’s continue with our focus scripture:

7 For rarely will someone die for a just person-though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die.

The Apostle Paul seems to pause and ask his readers to stop and ponder what JESUS did for those who will place their faith in HIM. Just think for a minute, is it normal for a person to give his or her life for someone? It is possible, if that person is your child, spouse or close friend but for a complete stranger to do so? I don’t think so. But consider this ---

8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!

Consider the fact that JESUS gave HIS life for all sinners who will place their faith in HIM. That is the height of love for you. Not only did HE give HIS life for you but all who place their faith in HIM. There is more as we read on --

Let’s read Romans 5:9:

9 Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.

Those who place their faith in JESUS are declared righteous. When a person places his or her faith in CHRIST he or she is justified (justification – just-as-if-I-never-sinned). The process of transformation begins (sanctification – to be set aside for GOD’S purpose) which means he or she is being made into the image of JESUS and continues until he or she is perfected at death which is Glorification – crowning glory.

How does this take place? It is through faith in JESUS. Why? It is to escape the wrath of GOD at judgment day. Sin separates every person from GOD. That is why every person must be reconciled with GOD. GOD knows that and HE made the plan for redemption by HIS grace. Grace equals love.

Do you remember 2 Corinthians 5:17-21?

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.

18 Now everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

19 that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God."

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Let’s read Romans 5:10-11:

10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, [then how] much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!

Consider what being reconciled to GOD means. It means that your relationship with GOD is restored as if you never sinned. Yet, we know we sin. First John 1:8-9 reveals to us:

8 If we say, "We have no sin," we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Christians sin and we have to confess and repent of our sins. GOD cleanses and restores. Christians live under GOD’S grace. The key is that you belong to GOD through faith in JESUS.

Being reconciled to GOD through the death of JESUS is essential but how much more there is to the death of JESUS. Consider JESUS’ resurrection.  “Saved by HIS life” refers to HIS resurrected life. GOD demonstrated by the resurrection of JESUS that JESUS’ death paid the debt for sin, in full, and that HIS death conquered both sin and eternal death. The resurrection of JESUS guarantees that all who place their faith in HIM will be forgiven for their sins and are born into GOD’S family and will receive their New Glorified Resurrected bodies at the second coming of JESUS.

Thus the last statement “saved by HIS life,” refers to HIS resurrected life. Our path to GOD is through faith in JESUS. Now that is Good News!

Christians do not serve a dead Savior but a living Savior who intercedes for them when they sin.

11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

The shed blood of JESUS reconciles sinners with GOD. Each person must choose whether or not to accept this open opportunity to place his or her faith in JESUS. Those who do are redeemed from the consequences of sin, which is eternal death. Those who place their faith in JESUS have been justified, made righteous, received eternal life, born-Spiritually into GOD’S family as HIS Son or Daughter, with the right to call GOD Daddy, citizenship in Heaven, sanctified and awaiting glorification.

This is the Good News! Have you accepted JESUS as your Savior? HE gave HIS life just for you. If you have not by faith asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and asked HIM to come into your life as your Savior, why not? Keep in mind the words that JESUS spoke to the Apostle Thomas in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Now is your opportunity to accept JESUS as your Savior. Why wait?

Blessings!!!