Case in point, and as a "type".... the tabernacle as Israel carried it through the wilderness. To the observing heathen nations, they saw nothing but the outside covering of badger skins. Yet inside..... THE GLORY OF THE ETERNAL GOD, with vessels and ornaments of PURE GOLD! Folks, "true Christianity" is JESUS, and the only Means to Jesus... is the CROSS!.......DAILY!!! I remember, before I got saved (and then AFTER, for a number of years), my concept of Christianity was that of "rules, regulations, rituals, and regimens" (as I lived under "LAW", instead of exclusively by "GRACE THROUGH FAITH" in the shed... Blood of Christ on Calvary); And so... there was nothing appealing about it whatsoever. In fact, it was b-o-r-i-n-g. I was seeing only "the outward badger skins".
But it was THE INWARD SPIRITUAL dynamic of TRUE Christianity, those "Living Waters" (the HOLY SPIRIT) that turned my world UP-SIDE-DOWN; And now... it is the most exciting adventure EVER, this "Life in the Spirit". HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2.
3. Why has the Lord seemingly waited so long (many centuries) before His return- to end all evil, injustice & pain, and to make all things right upon earth? Why the delay?
"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise (of His return), as some men count slackness; but is lngsuff...ering to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE." -(2 Pet. 3:8-9) ....
The soul that sinneth, it shall die (be eternally separated from God, cut off from Life)...
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?" -(Ezek. 18:20,23...)
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise (of His return), as some men count slackness; but is lngsuff...ering to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE." -(2 Pet. 3:8-9) ....
The soul that sinneth, it shall die (be eternally separated from God, cut off from Life)...
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?" -(Ezek. 18:20,23...)
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son ( on the Cross as a Blood Sacrifice), that whosoever believeth in Him should NOT perish, but have eternal Life...
...He that believeth not is CONDEMNED ALREADY..." -(John 3:1...6,18).
"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
How do you think? If a man has an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and go into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray...?
And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Even so IT IS NOT THE WILL OF YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN, THAT ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES SHOULD PERISH." -(Matt. 18:11-14).
**** Bottom line **** - God has waited so long.... because He wants to save as many people as possible, before He ends this dispensation of Grace for man. And in the end, He will right all wrongs, punish the wrong-doers,and vindicate the righteous. You see... He has ALL ETERNITY to work with!! He is not limited by time, like we are. He cannot die.
4. The crucifixion of Jesus was not an execution nor an assassination: It was a BLOOD SACRIFICE OF A SINLESS MAN, to secure the redemption of repentant man from his sins. Jesus could have stopped it at any moment if He so desired; He did it willingly in LOVE for those hostile towards Him! (see Jn. 10:17-18; Mt. 26:52-53; Rom. 5:6-8).
THINK of that! WHO DO YOU KNOW... that would be willing to do such a thing. And yet, GOD was! I get sick and tired of hearing about how God is mean, uncaring, and unfair. Nine passages in the book of Matthew foretell the Crucifixion (16:21; 17:12,22; 20:17-19,28; 26:20,28,31,45).
5. It is "the knowledge of TRUTH" that sets one free from bondages of "the world, the flesh, and the devil" (John 8:32). "TRUTH" (the BIBLE- Jhn. 17:17) can only be revealed by "the SPIRIT OF Truth" (Jhn. 14:26; 1 Jhn. 2:27) to those who are "OF the Truth" (Jhn. 18:37)....
.... and the Holy Spirit's not gonna DO that unless the person surrenders His heart to GOD"S Way (JESUS) and Means (THE CROSS). Until then, the person remains "in darkness" (deceived). (see 2 Thes. 2:10-12). True Christianity is not in "religion" (a set of do's and don'ts); It is in a PERSON- JESUS CHRIST. Jesus said "I am the Light of the world: He that followeth Me shall NOT walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life." -(John 8:12). As we are "in Him" (Jhn. 1:4; Rom. 8:2) through repentance of sins (Acts 3:19), and faith in Him (Rom. 10:4) & what HE has done (Jhn. 3:16), the Holy Spirit will illuminate God's Word (the Holy Bible, KING JAMES OR N.A.S VERSIONS) to reveal... the "Truth" to us.
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a LIGHT unto my path." -(Psa. 119:105)
"The entrance of Thy words giveth LIGHT; It giveth understanding unto the simple." -(Psa. 119:130).
The "BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES" is also vital for the full moving and operation of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life as well. Look at the following scriptures.: Right here it is in the Bible: Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:6-8; Acts 1:4-5,8; 2:1-4; 4:31; 8:14-17; 10:44-47; 11:13-17; 19:2-6; Eph. 5:18; 1 Cor. 14:18; Rom. 8:26-27). This is for every believer. A free gift of God's grace for all those who "believe" (IE: FAITH).
6. "He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth theneedy out of the dunghill; That He may set him with princes." -(Ps. 113:7-8).
"The Lord. Killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The Lord maketh poor, and He Maketh rich: He bringeth low, and lifteth up. HE RAISETH THE POOR OUT OF THE DUST, AND LIFTETH UP THE BEGGAR FROM THE DUNGHILL, TO SET THEM AMONG PRINCES...." -(1 Sam. 2:6-8).
"Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall bemade low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain." -(Isa. 40:4)
HALLELUJAH, MY GOD HAS A-L-L P-O-W-E-R, AND MAKES ALL THINGS RIGHT!!!
"He will keep the feet of His saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness, for by strength shall no man prevail."" -(1 Sam. 2:9).
7. "The message of the Cross for sanctification" needs to be MORE than "intellectual head knowledge"; It needs to be"HEART REVELATION" by the Holy Spirit.
... and He will not GIVE it, friend, unless you surrender your heart- 100%- to Christ and HIS Righteousness; YOUR pitiful righteousness (through your "do's and don'ts) has GOT TO GO! This is nothing but foolish pride. Don't ya know. .... that "God RESISTETH the proud, but giveth grace to the HUMBLE." ? Yes.
8. The "Message of the Cross for Sanctification" is the "religious" person's worst nightmare, for it exposes "self-righteousness" (Look at what... I... do!) like NOTHING ELSE! Either that religious person will REPENT and accept the Message, or he will be at enmity with those who DO (embrace it). It in essence tells all those who believe in any other means for righteousness that they are "wrong", hurting their pride (which should not be there to begin with), and inciting their anger, hostility, and persecution towards those who preach & teach this glorious Truth.
9. "In the Light of the King's Countenance is Life; and His Favour is as a cloud of the latter Rain." -(Prov. 16:15). The Favour (GRACE) of God, as well as His Light (spiritual enlightenment) - all brought about by THE HOLY SPIRIT ("cloud of the latter Rain") - is given to the believer as His faith is exclusively in Christ and His Blood Sacrifice on the Cross (a FINISHED WORK)...... DAILY. (see 1 Cor. 1:23-24; Rom. 8:2).
10. "... N-A-R-R-O-W IS the Way, which leadeth unto Life, and few there be that find it." -(Matt. 7:14).
"Thou wilt shew me the Path of Life: In Thy Presence is fulness of joy; at Thy Right Hand (Jesus) are pleasures evermore." -(Psa. 16:11).
"And a Highway shall be there, and it shall be called 'the way of holiness'; the unclean shall not pass over it.... No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the REDEEMED shall walk there." -(Isa. 35:8-9).
"Yea, thoughI walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for THOU ART WITH ME; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." -(Psa. 23:4).
"Jesus....I AM the WAY, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me. -(Jhn.14:6).
11. God hates "SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS"; This is far more common among professing Christians than one would imagine, even among those who claim to know the Message of the Cross for Sanctification! What IS this, according to the Holy Bible? (see Lk. 18:9-12; 10:25-29; 16:14-15; Philip. 3:9; Rom. 10:3-5; Rev. 3:15-18).
According to the above scriptures, a person who is self-righteous... #1) trusts in "himself", that HE is righteous, looking down upon others who do not seem to measure up to HIS spirituality, #2) likes to compare himself with others and wha...t THEY do, #3) takes pride in what he DOES (or does NOT do), #4) attempts to justify himself before MEN (rather than allow GOD to justify him!), #5) attempts to establish his OWN righteousness, which is of the "law" (could be the ten commandments, or any system of do's and dont's), #6) will not submit himself unto the Righteousness of God (which is solely by faith in Christ and the Cross), #7) will be deceived into thinking he is "A-Okay", when in reality, he is wretched and miserable, poor, blind, and naked in the sight of God!, #8) Clearly sees the faults of others (and points them out), rather than concentrating on himself and his OWN faults (Matt. 7:3-5). KNOW ANYONE LIKE THIS? Look a-r-o-u-n-d you! lol.
Finally, self-righteousness BLINDS a person to "Truth" (see Isa. 6:9-11; Matt. 13:13-15; 15:12-14; Lk. 6:39; Jhn. 9:39-41; 2 Thes. 2:10-12). God has judicially set things up this way, that this type of person, whose HEART is filled with PRIDE, may be deceived by Satan and consequently fall into verrrry hard times. This so that he may "humble himself", cry out to God for mercy, and be healed as he turns EXCLUSIVELY IN HIS HEART to Christ and His finished Work on the Cross; Upon CHRIST'S SPOTLESS RIGHTEOUSNESS ALONE. If the person refuses (and most do, unfortunately), he will perish.
Is God "mean" for doing this? No, He cannot have proud, rebellious, hypocrites messing up His Kingdom, like they are messing up this present earth. Then EVERYTHING will be destroyed, which is what SATAN wants! .....God's Plan will proceed just as declared in His Word, with, or without, you or I.
12. Jesus was "bruised for our iniquities (sins)" (Isa. 53:5; Gen. 3:15d), to heal OUR bruises/hurts (Lk. 4:18).
...He that believeth not is CONDEMNED ALREADY..." -(John 3:1...6,18).
"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
How do you think? If a man has an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and go into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray...?
And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Even so IT IS NOT THE WILL OF YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN, THAT ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES SHOULD PERISH." -(Matt. 18:11-14).
**** Bottom line **** - God has waited so long.... because He wants to save as many people as possible, before He ends this dispensation of Grace for man. And in the end, He will right all wrongs, punish the wrong-doers,and vindicate the righteous. You see... He has ALL ETERNITY to work with!! He is not limited by time, like we are. He cannot die.
4. The crucifixion of Jesus was not an execution nor an assassination: It was a BLOOD SACRIFICE OF A SINLESS MAN, to secure the redemption of repentant man from his sins. Jesus could have stopped it at any moment if He so desired; He did it willingly in LOVE for those hostile towards Him! (see Jn. 10:17-18; Mt. 26:52-53; Rom. 5:6-8).
THINK of that! WHO DO YOU KNOW... that would be willing to do such a thing. And yet, GOD was! I get sick and tired of hearing about how God is mean, uncaring, and unfair. Nine passages in the book of Matthew foretell the Crucifixion (16:21; 17:12,22; 20:17-19,28; 26:20,28,31,45).
5. It is "the knowledge of TRUTH" that sets one free from bondages of "the world, the flesh, and the devil" (John 8:32). "TRUTH" (the BIBLE- Jhn. 17:17) can only be revealed by "the SPIRIT OF Truth" (Jhn. 14:26; 1 Jhn. 2:27) to those who are "OF the Truth" (Jhn. 18:37)....
.... and the Holy Spirit's not gonna DO that unless the person surrenders His heart to GOD"S Way (JESUS) and Means (THE CROSS). Until then, the person remains "in darkness" (deceived). (see 2 Thes. 2:10-12). True Christianity is not in "religion" (a set of do's and don'ts); It is in a PERSON- JESUS CHRIST. Jesus said "I am the Light of the world: He that followeth Me shall NOT walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life." -(John 8:12). As we are "in Him" (Jhn. 1:4; Rom. 8:2) through repentance of sins (Acts 3:19), and faith in Him (Rom. 10:4) & what HE has done (Jhn. 3:16), the Holy Spirit will illuminate God's Word (the Holy Bible, KING JAMES OR N.A.S VERSIONS) to reveal... the "Truth" to us.
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a LIGHT unto my path." -(Psa. 119:105)
"The entrance of Thy words giveth LIGHT; It giveth understanding unto the simple." -(Psa. 119:130).
The "BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES" is also vital for the full moving and operation of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life as well. Look at the following scriptures.: Right here it is in the Bible: Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:6-8; Acts 1:4-5,8; 2:1-4; 4:31; 8:14-17; 10:44-47; 11:13-17; 19:2-6; Eph. 5:18; 1 Cor. 14:18; Rom. 8:26-27). This is for every believer. A free gift of God's grace for all those who "believe" (IE: FAITH).
6. "He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth theneedy out of the dunghill; That He may set him with princes." -(Ps. 113:7-8).
"The Lord. Killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The Lord maketh poor, and He Maketh rich: He bringeth low, and lifteth up. HE RAISETH THE POOR OUT OF THE DUST, AND LIFTETH UP THE BEGGAR FROM THE DUNGHILL, TO SET THEM AMONG PRINCES...." -(1 Sam. 2:6-8).
"Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall bemade low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain." -(Isa. 40:4)
HALLELUJAH, MY GOD HAS A-L-L P-O-W-E-R, AND MAKES ALL THINGS RIGHT!!!
"He will keep the feet of His saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness, for by strength shall no man prevail."" -(1 Sam. 2:9).
7. "The message of the Cross for sanctification" needs to be MORE than "intellectual head knowledge"; It needs to be"HEART REVELATION" by the Holy Spirit.
... and He will not GIVE it, friend, unless you surrender your heart- 100%- to Christ and HIS Righteousness; YOUR pitiful righteousness (through your "do's and don'ts) has GOT TO GO! This is nothing but foolish pride. Don't ya know. .... that "God RESISTETH the proud, but giveth grace to the HUMBLE." ? Yes.
8. The "Message of the Cross for Sanctification" is the "religious" person's worst nightmare, for it exposes "self-righteousness" (Look at what... I... do!) like NOTHING ELSE! Either that religious person will REPENT and accept the Message, or he will be at enmity with those who DO (embrace it). It in essence tells all those who believe in any other means for righteousness that they are "wrong", hurting their pride (which should not be there to begin with), and inciting their anger, hostility, and persecution towards those who preach & teach this glorious Truth.
9. "In the Light of the King's Countenance is Life; and His Favour is as a cloud of the latter Rain." -(Prov. 16:15). The Favour (GRACE) of God, as well as His Light (spiritual enlightenment) - all brought about by THE HOLY SPIRIT ("cloud of the latter Rain") - is given to the believer as His faith is exclusively in Christ and His Blood Sacrifice on the Cross (a FINISHED WORK)...... DAILY. (see 1 Cor. 1:23-24; Rom. 8:2).
10. "... N-A-R-R-O-W IS the Way, which leadeth unto Life, and few there be that find it." -(Matt. 7:14).
"Thou wilt shew me the Path of Life: In Thy Presence is fulness of joy; at Thy Right Hand (Jesus) are pleasures evermore." -(Psa. 16:11).
"And a Highway shall be there, and it shall be called 'the way of holiness'; the unclean shall not pass over it.... No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the REDEEMED shall walk there." -(Isa. 35:8-9).
"Yea, thoughI walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for THOU ART WITH ME; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." -(Psa. 23:4).
"Jesus....I AM the WAY, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me. -(Jhn.14:6).
11. God hates "SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS"; This is far more common among professing Christians than one would imagine, even among those who claim to know the Message of the Cross for Sanctification! What IS this, according to the Holy Bible? (see Lk. 18:9-12; 10:25-29; 16:14-15; Philip. 3:9; Rom. 10:3-5; Rev. 3:15-18).
According to the above scriptures, a person who is self-righteous... #1) trusts in "himself", that HE is righteous, looking down upon others who do not seem to measure up to HIS spirituality, #2) likes to compare himself with others and wha...t THEY do, #3) takes pride in what he DOES (or does NOT do), #4) attempts to justify himself before MEN (rather than allow GOD to justify him!), #5) attempts to establish his OWN righteousness, which is of the "law" (could be the ten commandments, or any system of do's and dont's), #6) will not submit himself unto the Righteousness of God (which is solely by faith in Christ and the Cross), #7) will be deceived into thinking he is "A-Okay", when in reality, he is wretched and miserable, poor, blind, and naked in the sight of God!, #8) Clearly sees the faults of others (and points them out), rather than concentrating on himself and his OWN faults (Matt. 7:3-5). KNOW ANYONE LIKE THIS? Look a-r-o-u-n-d you! lol.
Finally, self-righteousness BLINDS a person to "Truth" (see Isa. 6:9-11; Matt. 13:13-15; 15:12-14; Lk. 6:39; Jhn. 9:39-41; 2 Thes. 2:10-12). God has judicially set things up this way, that this type of person, whose HEART is filled with PRIDE, may be deceived by Satan and consequently fall into verrrry hard times. This so that he may "humble himself", cry out to God for mercy, and be healed as he turns EXCLUSIVELY IN HIS HEART to Christ and His finished Work on the Cross; Upon CHRIST'S SPOTLESS RIGHTEOUSNESS ALONE. If the person refuses (and most do, unfortunately), he will perish.
Is God "mean" for doing this? No, He cannot have proud, rebellious, hypocrites messing up His Kingdom, like they are messing up this present earth. Then EVERYTHING will be destroyed, which is what SATAN wants! .....God's Plan will proceed just as declared in His Word, with, or without, you or I.
12. Jesus was "bruised for our iniquities (sins)" (Isa. 53:5; Gen. 3:15d), to heal OUR bruises/hurts (Lk. 4:18).
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