Bible Study - All In (3) - Committed to HIS Word - Psalm 119:1-11 - November 1, 2020

 

Bible Study – All In (3) – Committed to HIS Word – November 1, 2020

This is lesson three in our series entitled, “All In: A Life of Commitment.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 119:1-11.

GOD’S Word gives trustworthy guidance for all of life.

Our overarching statement is, “GOD’S Word gives trustworthy guidance for all of life.” These are words on a page until we experience the reality of their truth. Where do we experience this reality? We must first seek GOD and desire for HIM to reveal Himself to us in the “eyes of our hearts.” The Apostle Paul reveals to us that the most secret place in our being, is the “eyes of our heart” in Ephesians 1:17-19:

¹⁷ I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^[g] would give you the Spirit^[h] of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

“The eyes of your heart” is the most secret place in our being. It is where truth meets reality and trust is either confirmed or rejected.

David, wrote Psalm 119. It is what is referred to as an acrostic, an alphabetic poem. Much thought has to go into writing such a poem. The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters our alphabet has 26 letters. In this case, David, began with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet which is “aleph” and penned eight verses. Thus, eight times twenty-two equals 176 verses. The second letter of the Hebrew alphabet is “beth” and he penned eight more verses and the third letter is “gimel.” David went through the Hebrew alphabet. He had to consider each letter and seek GOD’S message in each letter of the alphabet. That requires an intimate relationship with GOD. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Psalm 119:1-4:

Delight in God’s Word

א Aleph

¹ How^[a] happy are those whose way is blameless,
who walk according to the Lord’s instruction!
² Happy are those who keep his decrees
and seek him with all their heart.
³ They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.
⁴ You have commanded that your precepts
be diligently kept.

Happiness and completion are centered around the Hebrew word “Happy.” The Hebrew word for “happy” carries the idea of being “fully satisfied.” Your relationship with GOD is complete because you know GOD and GOD knows you. Nothing is hidden from GOD. You are an open book before GOD. You walk in step with GOD because your desire is to live/walk according to GOD’S instruction.

The word “blameless” comes from a root word that means “to be complete.” It does not imply sinless perfection. It does carry the idea of a person whose life is in harmony with GOD’S purpose.

When a person walks/lives according to GOD’S purpose, his or her desire is to know and fully obey what GOD reveals.

This means that there are no barriers between you and GOD. You can have a personal, loving and intimate relationship with GOD. GOD is not to be feared, as to be afraid of, but to be sought as a friend WHO desires the very best for you as you live life upon earth.

A person’s heart, the eyes of his or her heart, must be in harmony with the heart and desires of GOD and that means hide nothing from GOD.

GOD hates sin. When David penned these words, JESUS had not come into the world to pay, in full, the penalty for sin. David longed for the day when he could experience what we, as Spirit-born Christians have since JESUS paid, in full, for the sins of all who place their faith in HIM.

David knew there was more to experience in his relationship with GOD. That more came at Pentecost when JESUS sent The Holy Spirit to indwell all who place their faith in JESUS as their Savior. Not only does the Holy Spirit confirm our faith in JESUS but HE is our guarantee that we are GOD’S Son or Daughter and are guaranteed eternal life. The Holy Spirit is every Christian’s assurance of life after earthly death.

David was seeking a permanent relationship with GOD. Let’s read on---

Let’s read Psalm 119:5-8:

⁵ If only my ways were committed
to keeping your statutes!
⁶ Then I would not be ashamed
when I think about all your commands.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart
when I learn your righteous judgments.
⁸ I will keep your statutes;
never abandon me.

“If only my ways,” or my human nature was changed from flesh desires to Godly desires, life would be so much better to live as GOD desires. David knew there was more to being in right relationship with GOD than mechanically obeying the statutes of GOD. It is a relationship. Is GOD your very best friend? A friend you respect and appreciate HIS counsel; A friend WHO will tell you the truth.

David thought when he learned how GOD judged our activity upon earth as humans, he would be able to walk the talk. In the meantime, David would keep GOD’S statutes with the request that GOD not abandon him while he figured out how to live as GOD desired for him to live.

GOD reveals to those who have placed their faith in JESUS that HE will never leave us or forsake us. Since JESUS gave HIS sinless life upon the cross and JESUS sent the Holy Spirit to earth to indwell all who place their faith in JESUS, GOD lives within all Spirit-born Christians. Spirit-born Christians are the temple of GOD as it is written in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body ^[a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.

David longed for this relationship and it is available to all who ask JESUS to forgive them for their sins and for JESUS to come into their hearts and lives. Does this mean no more issues in our lives? No! But it does mean GOD is in lock step with us as we face the issues of life.

Let’s read Psalm 119:9-11:

ב Beth

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping your^[b] word.
¹⁰ I have sought you with all my heart;
don’t let me wander from your commands.
¹¹ I have treasured your word in my heart
so that I may not sin against you.

David asked himself a pointed question, “How can a young man keep his way or life or walk pure?”

There was but one way and that was, “By keeping Your Word!”

David confessed that he had diligently sought the right relationship with GOD but he needed more than his strength. He needed GOD’S strength and power. David desired more in his relationship with GOD.

David knew that GOD’S Word had power and the strength to overcome his human desire to sin when he applied it in his life. David discovered the secret. He “treasured” GOD’S Word to help him live/walk through life as GOD desired for him to live/walk.

JESUS knew to pay for the penalty for sin, HE had to shed HIS sinless blood. Why? The scripture reveals in Hebrews 9:22 - ²² And according to the law almost all things are ^[a]purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no ^[b]remission. But there was another vital issue that had to be conquered. HE had to conquer the consequence of sin, eternal death.

JESUS shed blood not only paid, in full, for the sins of all who will place their faith in HIM, but HIS death satisfied the wrath of GOD because of sin and opened the path for all Spirit-born Christians to experience GOD’S Grace. Then to top it all off, GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead to eternal life. The resurrection is every person’s proof and guarantee of eternal life which is confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Romans 8:16 - ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

David knew the power that was in GOD’S Word which foretold the coming of the Messiah. DAVID LONGED FOR THAT TIME AND WE CAN EXPERIENCE IT AS SPIRIT-BORN CHRISTIANS. CHRIST in every Christian is our hope and power – Colossians 1:27 - ²⁷ To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: ^[a]which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  

Do you desire to know GOD? Then HE will reveal truth to you.

I know of people who are trying to break free from addictions. They often carry scripture verses with them to help them fight the temptation to yield to an addiction. Yes, GOD’S Word is powerful. Scripture reveals to us in Hebrews 4:12:

¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  

This is why we hide GOD’S Word in our hearts. That is why we treasure GOD’S Word. GOD’S Word is our weapon against Satan when he brings evil desires into our minds and hearts. We are armed with the indwelling Holy Spirit Who is greater that Satan as written in 1 John 4:1-4:

4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, ³ and every spirit that does not confess ^[a]that Jesus ^[b]Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

⁴ You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world. 

False notions come into our minds that may seem logical but, as Christians, we all need discernment to separate truth from fiction.

Discern what I write, what you read, what you listen to and what you hear preached because the days are evil and Satan is eager to destroy you as a Christian or you as a seeker of eternal life and one who places your faith in JESUS. Where you spend eternity is at stake. Choose wisely.

How can we live life as GOD desires for us to live it? First, we must place our faith in JESUS. To help us build on that foundation, we must treasure GOD’s Word and keep it in our hearts. Truth exposes error. GOD’S Word is truth.

Does that mean we will never sin as Christians? NO! What does 1 John 1:8-9 reveal to us - ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

As Spirit-born Christians, GOD extends to us, HIS Grace. So, why do we have to confess our sins? How did we begin our lesson? Being open and honest with GOD hiding nothing. HE knows anyway. Be honest and open with GOD, HE loves that because HE first loved you and sent HIS Only SON, JESUS to give HIS sinless life for you. Today is the day of salvation. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life. If you made that decision some time ago but have not been living for JESUS, then confess it and return to living truth. Remember HE never leaves you or forsakes you. Once GOD’S Child always GOD’S Child. Welcome Home!

Blessings!!!                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Bible Study - All In (2) - Our Commitment to CHRIST- Mark 10:13-22 - October 25, 2020

 

Bible Study – All In (2) – Our Commitment to CHRIST – October 25, 2020

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “All In: A life of Commitment.”

Our focus scripture is Mark 10:13-22.

Commit your whole life in trust and obedience to CHRIST.

Let’s explore!

Let’ s read Mark 10:13-16:

Blessing the Children

¹³ People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive^[e] the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on them and blessed them.

People were bringing little children to JESUS. Why? What did the people see in JESUS that motivated them to bring their children for JESUS to touch them? Did they see JESUS as a prophet? Or the true Son of GOD, the Messiah? They saw something of value.

As a child and young adult, I recall an evangelist referred to as “The Goat Man.” He came through my home town in a wagon pulled by goats and camped as he traveled. It took him several days to make it from one side of town to the other. He preached the Gospel. But, were the people attracted to him for his message or for his uniqueness?

So, in our lesson, we have people bringing children to JESUS for HIM to touch them. The people saw something unique in JESUS. Were they using the children for them to have an excuse to hear what JESUS had to say? Did they see JESUS as a prophet or the true Son of GOD, The promised Messiah?

The question each person has to answer is, “How do we see JESUS and why do we come into HIS presence?”

When we attempt to come into the presence of JESUS, often there are those who attempt to prevent us. Satan’s job is to block those who seek truth from finding it. The busy things we do in life often are barriers to discovering truth in JESUS. Also, those with whom we associate can be a hinderance.  

The truth is that all people have to come to JESUS as little children seeking truth. Why? It is because JESUS is truth and the source of the living water that springs from the well of truth.

Have you experienced coming to JESUS and having HIM touch you with the truth of the Gospel? If not, why not now, while you can choose truth over error. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your life and to teach you through the empowering and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.

We all come to JESUS as children. Once we accept JESUS as our Savior is when Spiritual growth begins. Why do you think the scripture compares us to children?

Children are eager to learn. Their minds are like sponges and ready to soak up truth. They will test truth. This is where some of us get into trouble.

Consider 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22:

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Test all things; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

What is the purpose of the refining (testing) process? It is to purify the substance to be refined.

An onlooker watched as a goldsmith refined gold. The goldsmith would turn up the heat on the melted gold and slag or dross would float to the top. The goldsmith would skim the dross off and continue to turn up the heat. After that process went on for a number of times, the onlooker, somewhat frustrated, asked the goldsmith, “How do you know when the gold is ready?”  The goldsmith responded with, “That is a good question and there is a simple answer. When I have the heat as high as I can get the heat and look over into the melting pot and see my reflection, it is ready.”

JESUS’ disciples meant well when they “rebuked them.” The disciples were still learning themselves and JESUS had to teach them to look beyond the immediate and not to look upon what they considered a nuisance as an opportunity for both them and those coming to JESUS.

Did the disciples later ask JESUS why HE told them to let the children come to HIM? They thought the adults were HIS main concern. Why do we present the Gospel to children today?  Why do we as adults come to JESUS as children?

The desired endpoint that GOD has in mind for HIS Children is to come to HIM with open hearts to receive a touch from JESUS. We must keep in mind that the circumstances we face in life, as GOD helps us through them, helps us to see the dross coming from our lives as we serve our LORD. We look at the dross as bad but GOD looks at it as good.

Do you recall the scripture, “iron sharpens iron?” The issues we face in life sharpens us as we place our trust in GOD as HE leads us through them. GOD is our FATHER through faith in JESUS. Salvation is the beginning of a lifelong process of molding us into the image of JESUS.

Yes, we come to JESUS as little children and desire for HIM to touch us and help us as we seek to know truth. When we accept JESUS as our Savior, the Holy Spirit joins our human spirit and we become Spirit born. Our human spirit is literally Spirit born into GOD’S Family, never to be unborn. YES, once saved always saved! Many may ask, “Saved from what?” Eternal death! The spirit-born person is not based upon intellectual knowledge or his or her efforts. The truth is salvation is based upon GOD’S provision through faith in our risen Savior, JESUS. This leads us to our next scripture -------

Let’s read Mark 10:17-20:

The Rich Young Ruler

¹⁷ As he (JESUS) was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother.”^[f]

²⁰ He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.”

JESUS was setting out to go on a journey and a man ran up to JESUS and knelt down before HIM. JESUS was leaving the area and this man had a burning question to ask HIM before HE left. This man desperately wanted JESUS to place HIS stamp of approval on him before HE left the area. There was a sense of urgency.

This man asked a very important and vital question, “good teacher, what must “I” do to inherit eternal life?” Notice the “I” do from a works view point. JESUS responded with a question, “why do you call me good?”

That is a question all of us must answer, “How do we look at JESUS?” Is HE a good man who lived and died or is HE the true SON OF GOD WHO lived as 100% sinless human, subject to sin, gave HIS sinless life upon the cross, shed HIS sinless blood to abolish the consequence of sin, which is eternal death? Did GOD raise HIM from physical death to eternal life as proof that HE conquered eternal death for all who place their faith in HIM? Of course, JESUS was on an earthly journey to HIS ultimate destination, the cross and physical death, to conquer sin for all mankind.

Here we have to be careful. Yes, JESUS conquered sin and opened the pathway between mankind and GOD but every person must choose whether or not he or she will accept what JESUS did for him or her. GOD did not make us robots but with the freedom of choice. The question is, “How do you choose?”

JESUS asked this young man about his practice of keeping the Ten Commandments to which the young man gave a positive sincere reply.

GOD knows our hearts and as we read in our next scripture ----

Let’s read Mark 10:21-22:

²¹ Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come,^[g] follow me.” ²² But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

JESUS looked at him and HE knew his heart. JESUS knew that this young man was sincere in following the Commandments but there was one more thing that was vital to complete his relationship with GOD. What was it? What do we have in our lives that blocks our relationship with GOD? Stubbornness, greed, unbelief and the list goes on ----

Has the HOLY SPIRIT brought to your mind something that you are holding back that is blocking you from experiencing the joy of being in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS? Is it Spiritual or relational? Do you need to forgive someone of a wrong done to you or you ask him or her to forgive you of a wrong you did to them? Ask the Holy Spirit to examine your heart and reveal to you any thing that blocks you from having the relationship GOD desires for you to have with HIM.

Will you walk away sad and grieving because HE told you to give HIM something that is more precious to you and you want to keep it?

Are you afraid that GOD may reveal to you something that you do not want to give up?

Do you desire to serve GOD through faith in JESUS? Then ask HIM to forgive you for the sin in your life and accept HIM as your Savior. Then you have become Spirit-born. If you sense a barrier, then ask HIM to reveal to you anything that blocks that relationship. Once HE does, then confess it and do whatever HE reveals that you need to do. This is for the sinner to become a Christian. But it also applies to Christians who have allowed things to come into their lives that hinder their relationship with JESUS, they too need to ask JESUS to reveal areas in their lives that they need to confess and turn from and restore that right relationship.

Blessings!!!

 

Bible Study - All In (1) - CHRIST'S Commitment to Us - Romans 8:6-21 - October 18, 2020

 

Bible Study – All In (1) – CHRIST’S Commitment to Us – October 18, 2020

This is lesson one in our series entitled, “All In: A Life of Commitment.”

Our focus scripture is Romans 5:6-12, 18-21.

Even at our worst, CHRIST fully committed to love us and bring us to GOD.

The old adage of “when life gets tough the tough gets going.” Living life is tough. When we take our first breath the rest of life is tough.

We who are parents fight for our children and seek the best for them. When they are sick, we care for them. When they have fallen into sin or addictions, I have seen a parent or parents fight hard for their child to get beyond their sin or addiction. Why? It is because they love their child or children. John 3:16-21 gives us an idea of the love GOD has for every person born or to be born upon earth:

¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[e] He gave^[f] 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 to condemn the world, but to save the world 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 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 does evil hates the light and avoids it,^[g] so that his deeds may not be exposed. ²¹ But anyone who lives by^[h] the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

We begin a new series of study for the next seven (7) weeks:

-         CHRIST’S Commitment to Us

-         Our Commitment to CHRIST

-         Committed to HIS Word

-         Committed to HIS Church

-         Committed to Pray

-         Committed to HIS Worship

-         Committed to HIS Mission

These studies are active studies and some may think, “I or we are home bound and cannot be active.” That is Satan’s lie. Where you are is a sanctuary. Where you and the LORD JESUS come together is a Holy Place because JESUS is there in you and with you.

The overarching statement in your study book on page 11 is “Seek GOD. Seeking GOD is not something we do casually or only when we feel like it. A full commitment to CHRIST means, we intentionally and continually seek after GOD and the things of GOD. As we deepen our walk and commitment to CHRIST, it only deepens our desire to seek HIM, know HIM (my addition – serve HIM) and please HIM.”

So, warriors suit up for battle and rejoice because we are fighting a battle that has already been won, we just have to claim it, in the name of JESUS as we head toward the goal and receive our victory crowns. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Romans 5:6-8:

The Justified Are Reconciled

⁶ For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. ⁸ But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Most of you know that I find Ephesians 1:3-4 exciting “³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c]

Equally exciting is the fact that JESUS left HIS home in Glory and willingly came to earth to give HIS sinless life for anyone who will place his or her faith in HIM. When did GOD know you? Read the scripture, “before the foundation of the world –” No one can save himself or herself by doing good works because salvation comes as a gift from GOD through faith in JESUS and GOD’S Grace.

The Apostle Paul wrote in our focus scripture, “at the right time, CHRIST died for the ungodly.” We were helpless to save ourselves through works but we could through faith in GOD e.g. GOD counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness. As we read in Genesis 25:6 - ⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Guess what? When we accept JESUS as our Savior we are declared righteous before GOD, by GOD, and no longer face the wrath of GOD. GOD hates sin but loves the sinner. We are under GOD’S Grace. GOD’S Grace is not a license to sin but to live knowing that we, as Spirit-born Children of GOD, we belong to GOD.

If this is true then we never have to confess our sins? No! As GOD’S Children we confess our sins to maintain our right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Consider 1 John 1:6-10:

 ⁶ If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. ⁷ If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 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. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

GOD tested Abraham in a number of ways but to me the ultimate test was when GOD told him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. That meant that Abraham was going to kill Isaac and reduce him to ashes. But Abraham had the faith that GOD would resurrect Isaac from the burnt ashes. How do we know that? Consider Genesis 22:2-6:

² “Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”

³ So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. ⁴ On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. ⁵ Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” ⁶ Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the knife, and the two of them walked on together.

This is a foreshadow of GOD sending HIS only SON, JESUS, WHO willingly gave HIS sinless life for all who will place their faith in HIM. That is ultimate love for the vilest person who has ever lived upon earth. Sin is vile to GOD. We try to categorize sin but sin is sin to GOD and GOD required JESUS to give HIS sinless life for the forgiveness of sin. Thus, CHRIST gave HIS life for just you and just me.

In Genesis 3, GOD reveals that HE has HIS plan of salvation already in place as we read:

¹⁴ So the Lord God said to the serpent:

Because you have done this,
you are cursed more than any livestock
and more than any wild animal.
You will move on your belly
and eat dust all the days of your life.
¹⁵ I will put hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.^[d]
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.

The offspring of woman is JESUS. If the offspring of woman, then human, yet divine. If human, then he/HE can physically die. Yes, JESUS physically died and GOD resurrected HIM as proof that HE conquered physical death. All who place their faith in JESUS receive eternal life and will never experience physical death. What? Never experience physical death? Yes, you got it and will experience this one day.

I must add the clincher as we read in 1 Corinthians 2:7-9:

⁷ On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ But as it is written,

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him.^[c]

THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!! HOW MUCH MORE! LET’S  EXPLORE!

Let’s read Romans 5:9-11:

⁹ How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. 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. ¹¹ And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

All who have placed their faith in JESUS have experienced the overwhelming JOY of salvation. But salvation is only the beginning. There is still much more to come as we obediently serve our LORD as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. All Spirit-born Christians are on a journey of discovery. Let’s explore!

By placing our faith in JESUS, we have been justified. What does that mean? WOW! Glad you asked. It means just-as-if-I-never-sinned. How can that be? The shed blood of JESUS washes away all of your sin when you place your faith in HIM. Not just some sin but all sin – past, present, future.

What else? All who place their faith in JESUS have been “reconciled to GOD.” There is no longer any separation. All who place their faith in JESUS are one with GOD. Sin had separated us from GOD and the shed blood of JESUS removed the sin barrier and we are at one with GOD.

Consider 2 Corinthians 5:20-21:

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He (GOD) made the one who did not know sin (JESUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him (JESUS) we might become the righteousness of God.

WOW! This is how much GOD loves us that HE would make HIS only SON, sin!

Now that Spirit-born Christians have experienced Spiritual birth, what do we do with the rest of our lives? We tell others of this Great News. Salvation has come to all of mankind. All can live forever through faith in JESUS. How can that be as we read on -----?

Let’s read Romans 5:12, 18-21 (Focus) But I printed 12-21.)

Death through Adam and Life through Christ (my additions)

Adam and Eve had eternal life until they sinned. At the instant they sinned, they lost their eternal life.

¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned.^[d] 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One.

¹⁵ But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s (Adam) trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one-man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. ¹⁶ And the gift (salvation from sin through faith in JESUS) is not like the one man’s sin (Adam), because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift (because of sin, GOD sent JESUS to break the sin barrier), resulting in justification (for all who place their faith in JESUS).^[e] 17 If by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. (WOW!)

¹⁸ So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act (JESUS gave HIS sinless life upon the cross by the shedding of HIS blood. Why did JESUS have to shed HIS sinless blood? Hebrews 9:22: ²² According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.) there is justification leading to life for everyone. ¹⁹ For just as through one man’s disobedience (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s (JESUS, fully human) obedience the many will be made righteous. ²⁰ The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more ²¹ so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The law amplified how we in our human efforts failed to measure up to GOD’S standard of righteousness. JESUS taught there is the physical law and the spirit of the physical law. JESUS used the example of hate. Hate is the same as killing as JESUS expressed in Matthew 5: ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder,^[d] and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. ²² But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister^[e] will be subject to judgment. 

We all fail to keep the letter of the law. Our hearts are deceitful and need to be changed. If you have not asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins, pleas do so now and ask JESUS to come into your life and make you HIS child through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

Blessings!!!