Hebrews 9:8-14
9:8 The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the holy place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing. 9:9 This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper. 9:10 They served only for matters of food and drink and various washings; they are external regulations imposed until the new order came. Christ’s Service in the Heavenly Sanctuary
9:11 But now Christ has come as the high priest of the good things to come. He passed through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, 9:12 and he entered once for all into the most holy place not by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood, and so he himself secured eternal redemption. 9:13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow sprinkled on those who are defiled consecrated them and provided ritual purity, 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.
(NET)
How often do we seem to think that following the law will save us? Following the law won't even change us. It was just a ceremonial cleanliness. Christ is the only righteousness. I need Christ's righteousness, because I cannot stand upon my own. I also desperately need the blood of Christ to change me and purify me from my sinful self. I am afraid of who I would be if it weren't for grace. I would be so lost in my own selfish black hole. I would be tearing down everyone around me. Sometimes I am still like. The blood of Christ cleanse me and change me!! Wash me clean! Take my life and purify my dead works, changing them to a life and works of worship of the living God.
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Friday, May 4, 2007
Sin and Accountability
Hebrews 3:12-14
3:12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God. 3:13 But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception. 3:14 For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the end.
(NET)
Sin will drag me down and drown me. It will suffocate my soul until my heart turns to stone in unbelief. They way to avoid sin is to be accountable to other believers so that we can encourage each other. Then we can combat sin's deceitful lies and avoid the hardened hearts and blackened souls. Also, is it possible that we will only share in Christ's mercy if we hold fast to our faith "firm until the end"? A question debated by many theologists. Can an individual turn their back on their faith in Christ's redemptive work, returning to sin and the old creation, and forfeit eternity? Or, does such a lifestyle reveal that the person never actually believed in Christ's death, Resurrection, and return from the beginning? I am not sure yet.
3:12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God. 3:13 But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception. 3:14 For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the end.
(NET)
Sin will drag me down and drown me. It will suffocate my soul until my heart turns to stone in unbelief. They way to avoid sin is to be accountable to other believers so that we can encourage each other. Then we can combat sin's deceitful lies and avoid the hardened hearts and blackened souls. Also, is it possible that we will only share in Christ's mercy if we hold fast to our faith "firm until the end"? A question debated by many theologists. Can an individual turn their back on their faith in Christ's redemptive work, returning to sin and the old creation, and forfeit eternity? Or, does such a lifestyle reveal that the person never actually believed in Christ's death, Resurrection, and return from the beginning? I am not sure yet.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Isaiah 61
The first three verses of this chapter are great.
61:1 The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has chosen me.
He has commissioned me to encourage the poor,
to help the brokenhearted,
to decree the release of captives,
and the freeing of prisoners,
61:2 to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor,
the day when our God will seek vengeance,
to console all who mourn,
61:3 to strengthen those who mourn in Zion,
by giving them a turban, instead of ashes,
oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning,
a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement.
(NET)
The applied to Isaiah as he wrote about the future delivery of Israel from captivity and of the comming of Christ. The verses were the very work of Christ as he was here on earth and to this day. However, as I read this tonight God was telling me that "The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon ME, because the Lord has chosen ME." (emphasis added) He sends me "to encourage the poor,to help the brokenhearted,to decree the release of captives,and the freeing of prisoners, to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor,the day when our God will seek vengeance,to console all who mourn, to strengthen those who mourn in Zion,by giving them a turban, instead of ashes,oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning,a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement." My life, my daily life needs to be proclaiming Christ and setting people free from their bondage. My life now even while I am in school needs to proclaim Christ. I can't sit on my hands waiting until the day my training is finished and I go to a mission field to become a missionary. I live amoung the lost and God's passion and desire is to them saved as well as the lost in foreign countries.
The second portion of the chapter that moved me tonight was verse 10
61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
I will be overjoyed because of my God.
For he clothes me in garments of deliverance;
he puts on me a robe symbolizing vindication.
I look like a bridegroom when he wears a turban as a priest would;
I look like a bride when she puts on her jewelry.
(NET)
Praise God that he clothed me with deliverance, salvation and righteousness. For I have no righteousness of my own that I could wear. I would stand naked before the Almighty God if Christ had not provided my righteousness.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from The NETBible® Copyright© 2005 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org
All Rights Reserved
61:1 The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has chosen me.
He has commissioned me to encourage the poor,
to help the brokenhearted,
to decree the release of captives,
and the freeing of prisoners,
61:2 to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor,
the day when our God will seek vengeance,
to console all who mourn,
61:3 to strengthen those who mourn in Zion,
by giving them a turban, instead of ashes,
oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning,
a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement.
(NET)
The applied to Isaiah as he wrote about the future delivery of Israel from captivity and of the comming of Christ. The verses were the very work of Christ as he was here on earth and to this day. However, as I read this tonight God was telling me that "The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon ME, because the Lord has chosen ME." (emphasis added) He sends me "to encourage the poor,to help the brokenhearted,to decree the release of captives,and the freeing of prisoners, to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor,the day when our God will seek vengeance,to console all who mourn, to strengthen those who mourn in Zion,by giving them a turban, instead of ashes,oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning,a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement." My life, my daily life needs to be proclaiming Christ and setting people free from their bondage. My life now even while I am in school needs to proclaim Christ. I can't sit on my hands waiting until the day my training is finished and I go to a mission field to become a missionary. I live amoung the lost and God's passion and desire is to them saved as well as the lost in foreign countries.
The second portion of the chapter that moved me tonight was verse 10
61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
I will be overjoyed because of my God.
For he clothes me in garments of deliverance;
he puts on me a robe symbolizing vindication.
I look like a bridegroom when he wears a turban as a priest would;
I look like a bride when she puts on her jewelry.
(NET)
Praise God that he clothed me with deliverance, salvation and righteousness. For I have no righteousness of my own that I could wear. I would stand naked before the Almighty God if Christ had not provided my righteousness.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from The NETBible® Copyright© 2005 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org
All Rights Reserved
Sunday, April 29, 2007
The Shaping of a Soul
This will be used to shape and sharpen myself. It is amazing how life changes me. What is most amazing is how Grace changes me. It changes and formes continually, always. However, does God change me and shape me when I refuse. Will he drag me kicking and screaming. Does he carry me to Grace and Mercy even when I am throwing a tantrum and refuse his Forgiveness and Love. Or....does he stand by patiently until my yells and tears subside. Does he then gently remind me that he still loves me and is still willing to claim me as his child. Still willing to say to the world and his Father this one is mine. Despite the shame I have brought on my self and witness I have tainted.
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