JESUS PAID IT ALL

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)

            Although the identity of the one assuming our sin debt is not specifically declared in Isaiah, scholars have always believed it to be Jesus Christ.  Consider the weight of the sins of all men from the beginning of time to this very day.  It was that enormous burden that caused droplets of blood to intermingle with Jesus’ sweat in the Garden of Gethsemane as He asked that “this cup” of pain and suffering be taken from Him (Luke 22:39-44).  In the end He did as we should all do when faced with difficult decisions; nevertheless, may Your will be done and not my own. 

            An innocent party had taken on the penalty for the sins of all mankind.  This is love, grace and mercy personified in one man.  Many interpret the healing spoken of in these verses as a physical healing from sickness and disease and without question God has, does and will continue to heal us in that regard.  However, I believe a far more important healing is being spoken of.  I believe it speaks of a spiritual healing, which takes place when we ask for and receive forgiveness and embrace Christ as our all in all.  Those seeking to define love, mercy and grace need look no further than Calvary’s cross.  What does Christ’s death mean to you?  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

OUR SUBSTITUTE

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

What exactly is sin?  It’s anything that separates us from Almighty God, for sin cannot abide in His presence.  There is no sin in heaven; therefore sin in a person’s life must be removed before he can enter in.  The American Heritage Dictionary defines it this way: “Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God.  A condition of estrangement from God resulting from such disobedience.”  Scripture tells us in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”  So if all have sinned and sin cannot abide in the presence of God, what hope do we have of ever entering into heaven after death?  Our answer lies in Paul’s second letter to the believers in Corinth.  The “him” referred to is God’s Son, Jesus Christ.  He took on our sin, thus removing it from us; however, this isn’t automatic by just existing, we must admit our sinful state, repent of it and receive forgiveness.  We are then righteous in His sight due to the price paid for our sin.  It is then that our new journey begins. It is a spiritual journey that enables us to have a personal relationship with God.  How close we get to God is up to us; He isn’t going anywhere.  Praise God for His mercy and grace.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

ONE SAVIOR

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.”  (1 Timothy 2:5-6a)

There are those who don’t believe in the existence of a god.  There are those who believe there are many different ways to get to heaven. There are still others who don’t believe in sin or hell.  In Paul’s instructional letter to Timothy we see that there is only one God and only one who reconciles man to God. Let it be known far and wide that Jesus Christ, friend of sinners and the one true Son of God willingly went to a cross for all mankind to pay for their sins once for all time.  He gave Himself a ransom for many.  It’s a gift that is to be received, not rejected; however it is rejected every day.  As believers we must see lost souls as if they are walking a tight wire over a fiery abyss, for in reality, that is exactly what they’re doing.  They dance with the devil each day without knowing it or being aware of its consequences.  We have been enlisted into the army of God not to judge, threaten or scare the unsaved into repentance, but rather to love them into the kingdom with words of hope, peace and forgiveness.  Let it be so.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

FIND REST IN GOD

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”  (Psalm 62:1-2)

Through all the trials and tribulations King David encountered in his life, still he proclaimed that he found rest in God.  All knowing and all-powerful, the Lord is the rock on which believers stand.  God is all places at one time, ever present in our time of need. He provides forgiveness for even our most grievance indiscretions. He is our salvation and our provision.  He is our all in all; all we will ever need this side of heaven. 

         Think of what a fortress is.  Stonewalls many feet thick to provide protection from unwanted intruders. It represents stability and security and can be relied upon.  Unlike God, stonewalls can be breached.  God can never be breached.  God will never give way.  God will never fail.  God is God; The Almighty Jehovah, Creator of the universe and all that is in it. 

          When standing for God you are never alone, for with you stands all the power and authority of the One who was and is and ever shall be.  Nothing can harm you and nothing can overtake you if you but place your unwavering and unyielding trust and reliance on the One who made the stars.  Find rest as David did in God and God alone. For true rest is found in no other.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

CHRIST-LIKE CONDUCT

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”  (Philippians 1:27)

                  Paul wrote to the believers at Philippi⁽¹⁾ regarding the issue of unity among the brethren.  His desire more than anything else was that they stand together in the faith and live in a manner that was exemplary of Christ. 

So it is with us today.  With all the temptations that flood our senses each and every day, there are times when it is difficult to discern that which is proper and improper behavior.  That’s the reason we must stay close to God.  We are expected, as devoted followers of Christ, to draw near to Him through His word and by various other means.  This will enable us to withstand the wiles of the enemy who would like nothing better than to trip us up.  Our focus must be on the Lord and not that which is around us for our surrounding can be deceiving.  God will not fail us nor forsake us.  No matter how distant He may seem, He’s right there with you and even within you by His Holy Spirit.  Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ; therefore, live your life as one who has been forgiven so that you do not cheapen His grace.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

⁽¹⁾ The city of Philippi was the site of the first Christian mission in Europe. It resulted from Paul's response to “the Macedonian call” (Ac 16).  The city, named after Philip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, was located eight miles north of Neapolis, the port city. Philippi became a Roman colony in 42 b.c.  It was a strategic city for the launching of Western Christianity.  [The Asbury Bible Commentary]

TRUE FORGIVENESS

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9)

Forgiveness isn’t a blanket that arbitrarily covers any and all people.  It involves confession.  Just like an alcoholic or drug addict must first admit they have a problem, man too must admit they have a sin problem that they cannot fix alone.  We must come before God and admit our problem, trusting that He is quick to forgive and pronounce us righteous in His sight because of what Christ has done on the cross at Calvary. 

Acknowledging the existence of God is not enough.  Making a 180 degree turn from your past life is.  This is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit who comes to reside within you when first forgiven.  Forgiveness has nothing to do with anything we could ever do.  It has everything to do with who God is and what He has done. 

            They say confession is good for the soul.  In this case, as I said above, confession is necessary.  Forgiveness will be unattainable unless we are will to admit we cannot make a go of things by ourselves.  In a macho, ‘me first’ society, this has become increasingly difficult; especially for men who see surrender as a dirty word.  True forgiveness and a fulfilling life await those who surrender their life to God.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

PROTECT YOURSELF

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  (Proverbs 4:23)

         “In the Old Testament, the ‘heart’ is more than the seat of emotion. It represents the basis of character, including the mind and the will.”*  While we are under God’s grace or unmerited favor, that is not a license to do as we please.  Rather, it gives us the freedom to be obedient and serve the one true living God.   We are no longer slaves to sin, but now are slaves to righteousness.  We are to operate under a whole new set of standards.  Instead of thinking of ourselves first, we are to think of ourselves last.  Instead of judging those around us, we are to dispense mercy and grace in the measure it has been given to us. 

       Everything that enters our hearts migrates to our minds and at one point or another comes out of our mouths or shows up in our actions.  So guard your heart.  Protect it by feeding it the spiritual nourishment that comes from God’s word.  Be mindful of Him day and night and seek to please the Lord in all you think, say and do.  By guarding your heart you will ward off temptation and steer clear of the resulting sin.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

* From the Reformation Study Bible; P & R Publishing; 2nd Edition w/maps edition (November 1, 2010).