I have found that most people do not see their iniquity (Sin). They have no sense of the enormity of their crimes, guilt and rebellious insult, against Deity. One who does not see or believe that they have broken any laws against the Law-giver God, have no conviction in their heart. One who does not realize that they are lost will not seek to be rescued or welcome the Rescuer. One who does not know that they are dying will not seek to be saved or look for a Savior. It isn’t about trying to convince “good” people that they were in trouble with an angry and vengeful God, but convincing “sinful” people that they deserve the wrath and anger of a “good” God. Once we see our crimes, our acts of rebellion against the holiness, the justice, the wisdom and righteousness of God, and understand our guilt and shame, which rightfully deserves the wrath of God, we will then seek mercy, accept God’s plan of salvation and come to true repentance that leads to faith and life; a justified and sanctified life in Christ, filled with His presence. Psalm 51:1-4 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.”
But, be clear that repentance is not about escaping the judgment and wrath to come with attempts to earn or deserve our way to salvation through our human efforts. Though repentance means to change one’s ways, to turn around and go 180 degrees in the opposite direction, because of contrition in their heart; where does that conviction of wrong-doing come from? It is the light of truth, revealed by God that leads to that conviction of sin in our hearts and realization in our minds of our transgressions before Him, then leads to regret, remorse, repentance and acceptance of the atoning death of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior to pay the penalty for our sin. We receive the reward of His suffering in salvation to eternal life in Heaven as a gift of total mercy & grace, plus the restoration of righteousness before God with a new heart. Though this process starts with the fear of eternal judgment in Hell for our sins; the process of sanctification doesn’t stay there, because once we willingly surrender all and accepted the free gift, true salvation has taken place, we are safe in Christ (our Redeemer) as Noah was saved in the Ark from the flood; not hanging onto the outside hoping not to slip off nor on deck hoping not to fall off, but safely inside. We may stumble and fall in the Ark (a symbol of Christ), but never fall out of the Ark, once truly saved – the moment we first believe. Our sins have been paid for, our hearts are transformed – “born again” of the Spirit and we are safe in Christ. We know that our salvation is sure through the “finished” work of Jesus Christ - this is “blessed assurance”. Our saved souls are the reward of the sacrificial Lamb that was slain. He died and rose that we may live and have life through Him; our good Shepherd, who we follow as Lord. John 10:27-30 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." We trust and stand firm on the promises of God Almighty, Creator of Heaven & Earth.
From that point, Christianity is about loving, obeying, praising, glorifying, worshipping and serving God because He is worthy and deserves our love, obedience, praise, glory, worship and service.
Our focus is not on self, but discipleship, bringing glory to the Lord and living a life pleasing to God because they (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) are worthy. Revelation 5:9-12 "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Brian
But, be clear that repentance is not about escaping the judgment and wrath to come with attempts to earn or deserve our way to salvation through our human efforts. Though repentance means to change one’s ways, to turn around and go 180 degrees in the opposite direction, because of contrition in their heart; where does that conviction of wrong-doing come from? It is the light of truth, revealed by God that leads to that conviction of sin in our hearts and realization in our minds of our transgressions before Him, then leads to regret, remorse, repentance and acceptance of the atoning death of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior to pay the penalty for our sin. We receive the reward of His suffering in salvation to eternal life in Heaven as a gift of total mercy & grace, plus the restoration of righteousness before God with a new heart. Though this process starts with the fear of eternal judgment in Hell for our sins; the process of sanctification doesn’t stay there, because once we willingly surrender all and accepted the free gift, true salvation has taken place, we are safe in Christ (our Redeemer) as Noah was saved in the Ark from the flood; not hanging onto the outside hoping not to slip off nor on deck hoping not to fall off, but safely inside. We may stumble and fall in the Ark (a symbol of Christ), but never fall out of the Ark, once truly saved – the moment we first believe. Our sins have been paid for, our hearts are transformed – “born again” of the Spirit and we are safe in Christ. We know that our salvation is sure through the “finished” work of Jesus Christ - this is “blessed assurance”. Our saved souls are the reward of the sacrificial Lamb that was slain. He died and rose that we may live and have life through Him; our good Shepherd, who we follow as Lord. John 10:27-30 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." We trust and stand firm on the promises of God Almighty, Creator of Heaven & Earth.
From that point, Christianity is about loving, obeying, praising, glorifying, worshipping and serving God because He is worthy and deserves our love, obedience, praise, glory, worship and service.
Our focus is not on self, but discipleship, bringing glory to the Lord and living a life pleasing to God because they (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) are worthy. Revelation 5:9-12 "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Brian
1 comment:
Great article Brian, I did a study this past Sunday for a friend on Vacation, and the text was Luke 24:13-35. The Road to Emmaus.
These two disciples were lost not because they didn’t have directions, not because they were not told the truth, but because they chose to only have a partial understanding. Their theology , like a lot of the church today , is we want the salvation, the majesty, the heavenly reward, but we
missed the part on what it cost, what Lordship means, what being a slave to God means.
The Messiah must suffer, then comes the glory, Jesus said to His disciple, " If you want to follow me then you will be carrying a cross. "
After Christ took them to the word and showed them the Truth, their eyes were open and they believed.
We know they believed, but we also know they took the cost as a privilege to their Lord. God bless Greg
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