Do You Know This?

Romans 8:21-22 - ...creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Do you know this? This is a wonderful promise of God for those who know Him. We can be excited about our future. While the things of the world grow dimmer and creation is now groaning in its troubles, there is a hope of a better life. That hope only comes through Jesus Christ.  

When sin entered into this world thousands of years ago separating us from a holy God, He knew He had to bring about a way (Way) for mankind to be reconciled back to Him. But it would be voluntary. It would not be forced upon anyone. This way He would know it was our choice, by our own will. He would call us and if we would respond...

God sent His Son, Jesus, into this world to reveal Himself to us. He spoke words that would bring life to those who would receive Him and those words. But not everyone liked what they heard. They had their way of living and opted not to choose a new and better way (Jesus Christ). Even today people do not like what they hear.

Some day, as the Bible tells us also, Jesus will return. He will return for what is called His Bride, those who have followed Him, trusted Him and watched as the world crumbles in its sins of diversity (of multiple ways leading to Him or even church doctrine), tolerance (of lifestyles He abhors), murder (abortion) and self (pride)...all forms of what He looks at as wrong and evil. We know He came into this world not to bring peace but division (Luke 12:51)...which we see, because His truth is not accepted.  He will come again (Revelation 1:7), this time to cleanse this world of all that has corrupted it. He will come, next time, to bring peace for His followers.

That bondage of corruption believers must live amidst these days will come to a complete end, leaving those who chose corruption to die in their sins. Those choosing Christ, however, will live with Him forever. We will sit beside Him at His table. We will see Him face to face. We will have received new bodies...no pain, no tears, no sorrow (Revelation 21:4).

This promise is held out here for anyone to receive. He is our Promise. He is our Everlasting Life. He is our Lord and Savior. Don’t think just knowing of Him is enough to be seated at that table with Him. 

Religion doesn’t get one there. Following the rules isn’t enough. Saying a prayer one time and not experiencing a heart change won’t do it. If one does not read His Word, has no desire to, thinks church is an obligation or attendance only necessary at Christmas and Easter, consider themselves a good person, they have been deceived. This is not MY opinion! 

If one’s church doesn’t preach about sin and repentance but only love and mercy, the truth is not being fully heard. He is love but also just. If one hears the truth and becomes angry, it has not been received and neither has He. He offended many during the three years of His ministry. But He never gave up. And today we have His Word in book form to continue to hear those words. He still does not give up!

Oh, the joy unspeakable when one hears the Word and receives it and relishes it! When truth becomes so important and life-giving...when Jesus steps into one’s life.  

We need to shake off the old ideas, the old person and take in the new. The old is corrupt; the new is being regenerated. Praise God for the new life He offers all. It is a heart change, not a head change. The head thinks it’s about ME. The heart knows it’s only what Jesus has done. Who was beaten and whipped? Who remained silent as false accusations were spoken against Him? Who hung on the cross to save souls? Only Jesus. Not any of us. He came to do it all. He chose to do it. Only His blood was shed. Nothing but His blood.

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon this I see: 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

For my cleansing this my plea: 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

Nothing can for sin atone: 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

Naught of good that I have done: 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

This is all my hope and peace: 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

This is all my righteousness: 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

O precious is the flow 

that makes me white as snow; 

no other fount I know; 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

He chose to die. So we must choose too, to our selves, our beliefs. Choose to believe and follow whole-heartedly this Man called Jesus. Trust in Him. Choose His spilled blood. Choose to listen to His Word and accept His truths. Do not be deceived any longer. He is the only Way, Truth and Life. 

Hebrews 10:19-22 - Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

He Will Pass Over Us!

Exodus 12:13,23 - Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.

This is far from being anything new (nothing new under the sun!).

The people of Israel were in captivity in Egypt watched as God used Moses and Aaron exact plagues on Pharaoh and Egypt. Plague after plague came upon them but Pharaoh would not let these people go out of the city to worship their God. His heart was hardened.

The last plague was to be administered and God told Moses what he was to say to Pharaoh. This would be the judgment that would finally frustrate Pharaoh. This last plague would have been devastating. All Egyptian families and livestock would be affected. All the firstborn would be killed. This would truly get Pharaoh’s attention and bring much grief.

None of God’s people, Israel, would be affected so long as they did as God instructed Moses to instruct the people. They were to take an unblemished year old male lamb and on a certain day at a certain time they were to kill it and prepare it for a meal. The blood was to be applied to the doorposts and lintel of any home preparing this meal. It was their protection. When God came through the land He would kill any firstborn of a house without the blood at the door. All the people of Israel would be saved.

This is symbolic, a precursor, of what Christ’s blood has done for those who receive Him. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. When we receive Him His blood covers us, spiritually. He was killed that we might live. God will protect us from the destroyer. I think that destroyer can be satan and his lies or those who hate us for our beliefs. If we should die defending our faith, we will be in that truly better place. It will be worth it.

As I say often, this is not a head knowledge of Jesus. This is a heart knowledge, having His Spirit living within us and guiding us.

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing but the blood. There’s a scripture that is so powerful and true: Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. (1Corinthians 10:11-12) There is a reason for the Bible. To reveal God’s glory and judgment, reveal Christ and His saving grace, point us to what is right and true and point us to our salvation in Jesus Christ alone. If we don’t know the Bible, how can we understand this? We must search for ourselves and let God show Himself to each of us personally.

When God has had enough of what’s going on in this world He will bring about judgment. While this example was for Israel and Egypt, it’s also for us and the world today. There are signs listed in the Book. More than the signs, there is scripture after scripture showing us what we need to do to receive Christ, to know Him and be saved by Him. When we search for them and call out to Him for His wisdom, He will show us...and some day when this judgment hits, He will pass over us. It’s so important to know this. He sacrificed His life for us. How can we take this so matter of fact-like? It needs to be taken seriously.

Romans 5:8-10 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.