Category: Salvation

Borrowed Time—Little or Much

Sunday, October 16, 2016

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not” (Job 14:1,2 KJV).

“Amen and Amen!”

My family just received news that a neighbor was severely injured in an out-of-town automobile accident. This young, single mother has two small children. She is now on a respirator, clinging to life. Tragically, she may not survive, and, to my knowledge, does not have a testimony of salvation in Christ.

Friends, let us give today’s Scripture some heavy thought. We do not know when death will come for us. It is a morose topic, and rarely discussed, since many people are “too busy” thinking about “life right now” than “life hereafter.” Some reply, “Oh, I believe in life before death, not life after death!” Well, we respond, “You have a right to your opinion. If you want to be wrong, you can. After death, you will certainly believe in life after death!”

Others may say, “Oh, I have plenty of time to trust Christ. Let me enjoy my life first, and have a good time in sin!” Friends, remember my neighbor’s predicament. People commonly die unexpectedly and young. You think you may have several decades left to live, when you may actually have just a few minutes! Thousands of people living in the world today will not see tomorrow. Some of us may be in that crowd. We had better not play around with eternal matters! Only God knows just how many people in history have procrastinated concerning trusting Christ. They waited too long, were dead before they realized it, and it is now too late for them!

If we have not done so, let us take a moment to trust the Gospel of the Grace of God: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Christ Jesus died to pay for everything wrong with us. Now, we need to trust Him as the fully-satisfying payment for our sins, so we can go to heaven when we leave this life. Friends, we are living on borrowed time. This life may be over more quickly than we think!

Gospel Truth

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:9-12 KJV).

Have you ever heard the expression, “It is the gospel truth?” Someone says this when he or she wants others to believe his or her statements. In other words, it functions as verification. (Yet, who of these people actually believe the Gospel is “truth?”)

People will believe what other humans say in a moment’s notice. Sadly, we humans can be very naïve. Incidentally, I recently saw friends of mine circulating on social media what they assumed was a true news headline. In reality, it was fake! The website was spelled very similarly to a popular, legitimate news organization’s site. What should have caught their attention was the news article’s absurd title. Alas, my friends—and many others—were easily deceived!

Whenever people talk about the Bible, especially critics, they invariably mention its “unreliability.” They scoff at and deride the Scriptures, even though the Bible has abundant internal proof to demonstrate itself to be the Word of God. Yet, they refuse that testimony. No, they do not want to hear what God has to say. They would rather listen to and believe another human’s gossip, read and believe another human’s opinions and speculations, and broadcast and believe fantasy and folly another human originated. But, believe the Word of God that never lies? Never!

Today’s Scripture says God offers us eternal life in His Son, Jesus Christ. We either believe this or we do not. So many believe eternal life is found in rituals, rites, ceremonies, commandments, denominations, and organizations. They, having received and believed “the witness of men,” and having rejected “the witness of God,” will be sorely disappointed at death because they rejected TRUE Gospel truth!

The Precious Blood of Christ #8

Saturday, September 24, 2016

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18,19 KJV).

God the Father and God the Holy Ghost think the blood of Jesus Christ is “precious.” And you?

When people tell us the blood of Christ is “slaughterhouse religion” or “too offensive to stress,” what they really mean is God’s purpose and plan for creation means nothing to them! “Without shedding of blood is no remission [forgiveness]” (Hebrews 9:22). Life is in the blood, Leviticus 17:10-14 tells us. Save for the shed blood of the sinless God-Man, we sinners have no life—we would remain dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). The person who rails against the blood of Christ does so in ignorance. He or she has not a clue that just as sin brought us death, so the blood of Christ brings us life (cf. Romans 5:1-21).

By faith in the shed blood of Christ, any person can come to Father God and be justified (declared righteous) because he or she will share Christ’s identity. In today’s Dispensation of Grace, the believer joins the Church the Body of Christ. In time past, it was the nation Israel. In the ages to come, it will be the nation Israel. Regardless of which agency—Israel (Earth) or Body of Christ (Heaven)—both require faith in Christ’s shed blood to join. Now, we see how God will reconcile Heaven and Earth unto Himself. He will toss out Satan and his minions and replace them with His saints!

Romans 3:24-26: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” ’Tis only possible because “the precious blood of Christ” was shed so rich and free… for you and for me! 🙂

The Precious Blood of Christ #7

Friday, September 23, 2016

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18,19 KJV).

God the Father and God the Holy Ghost think the blood of Jesus Christ is “precious.” And you?

In Ephesians 2:19-22 (the Church the Body of Christ) and 1 Peter 2:5-10 (the nation Israel), Jesus Christ is the “chief corner stone.” A “corner stone” is absolutely critical, “valuable” and “precious,” to the structure or function of something else. Without the cornerstone, an arch falls, a wall tumbles, and a house collapses. Jesus Christ is “precious” (1 Peter 2:6,7). His blood is also “precious” (today’s Scripture): by it, God’s life is displayed in heaven and earth in the ages to come. Redeemed Israel is God’s “house” and the Body of Christ is God’s “house”—they have His life in them because Jesus’ “precious” blood has redeemed them all from sin!

Colossians 1:16 says: “For by him [Jesus Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” Satan and sinful man tainted those offices of government that were to originally glorify Jesus Christ. Verses 20-22 are God’s solution: “[20] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. [21] And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled [22] In the body of his flesh through death….”

“Through the blood of [Christ’s] cross,” God will reconcile all the governments of heaven and earth unto Himself. Without that shed blood, God’s life cannot be imparted to sinful man. Although Satan and his angels have corrupted heaven, and sinful mankind has corrupted the earth, God’s original plan for creation will still come to pass. The “precious blood of Christ” is the means whereby God overthrows Satan forever (Colossians 2:13-15), both in heaven and in earth….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why did God demand blood sacrifices?”

The Precious Blood of Christ #6

Thursday, September 22, 2016

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18,19 KJV).

God the Father and God the Holy Ghost think the blood of Jesus Christ is “precious.” And you?

Remember, God’s original purpose in creating the nation Israel was to form an earthly people whom He would use to glorify His Son in the earth. That was the intention of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3). Israel was to remain separate from the world’s nations and religions (all Satanically-inspired). However, Israel increasingly intermingled with heathenism. By the time we get to Christ’s earthly ministry, 2000 years after Abraham, Israel is far removed from God’s Word. They are in no condition to recognize God’s Son when He shows up and offers to be their king. Pagan idolatry, false religion, has so deceived them that they are under Satan’s control like the rest of the world!

However, the Little Flock of today’s Scripture is reminded that they, as Israel’s believing remnant, have been purchased from that vain manner of living they received by tradition from their fathers. God has taken them out of that apostate nation Israel. Their purchase price was “the precious blood of Christ.” As the Passover lamb’s blood saved Israel from God’s wrath in Egypt, so the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, will save believing Israel from the wrath about to consume the apostate Jews.

No amount of silver or gold could provide these Jews spiritual life. It was the valuable blood of Christ. They are “born again… by the word of God” (verse 23)—given new life. Now, they are to behave according to their new identity. They are to be holy practically because God is holy (verse 16). With Israel’s believing remnant coming by faith to God through “the precious blood of Christ,” they have left Satan and become the nation God originally intended them to be! They are His kingdom of priests, His holy nation (1 Peter 2:9), able to reach believing Gentiles in the future Millennium. Israel can finally be that nation to restore God’s authority in the earth….

The Precious Blood of Christ #5

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18,19 KJV).

God the Father and God the Holy Ghost think the blood of Jesus Christ is “precious.” And you?

When Scripture says the blood of Christ is “precious,” it means “valuable” or “esteemed.” That word is rendered “had in reputation” in Acts 5:34 when referring to the respected rabbinical scholar, Gamaliel. Paul confessed that, despite all his afflictions for preaching the Gospel of Grace, he did not count his life “dear” to himself (Acts 20:24). We read about “precious” stones (or gemstones) symbolizing good doctrine at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:12). Marriage is called “honourable” in Hebrews 13:4. God’s promises to Israel are called “precious” (2 Peter 1:4). That word “precious” is also used to describe the immense wealth of the Antichrist’s future religious-political system (Revelation 17:4; Revelation 18:12,16). “Precious” is descriptive of the radiant stones that make up New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:11,19).

Chapter 2 of 1 Peter, not far away from today’s Scripture, declares: “[4] To whom [the Lord] coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious… [6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture [Isaiah 28:16], Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. [7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is become the head of the corner….” This is the cross-reference for the “precious blood of Christ” in today’s Scripture.

Father God “laid in Sion” a “chief corner stone” means His Son’s earthly ministry, culminating with His crucifixion. Believing Israel (to whom Peter is writing) embraced Jesus, while the nation’s religious leaders encouraged most Jews to reject Him. To Father God, Jesus Christ is “precious” and His blood is “precious.” Believing Jews agreed. Still, what makes Jesus’ blood so “precious?” It is ever so valuable because it holds together God’s purpose for creation….

The Precious Blood of Christ #4

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18,19 KJV).

God the Father and God the Holy Ghost think the blood of Jesus Christ is “precious.” And you?

The verse immediately following today’s Scripture says: “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you….” The “who” is Jesus Christ; the “you” is Israel. Again, Christ’s death was planned before the foundation of the world. The triune Godhead decreed it before sin had even entered… before man had even been created!

From the establishment of the Mosaic Law all the way up until Christ’s earthly ministry—about 1,500 years—Israel had been trained every year to remember the innocent lamb whose blood was shed at Passover (Exodus 12:4,5). That blood saved Israel from God’s wrath in Egypt. Beloved, innocent Jesus dying at Passover centuries later was no coincidence! When Israel saw Jesus die during their Passover feast, they should have realized it—for all those centuries, that Passover lamb represented Him! Alas, most of Israel was blind. They had no faith in the verses He fulfilled, so they did not recognize who He was. Praise God, however, a small group of Jews believed in Jesus as Messiah! They are “the little flock” (Luke 12:32). Peter is writing to them in the epistle from which today’s Scripture is extracted.

In addition, a similar believing Israeli remnant will live during the future seven-year Tribulation. They will follow that epistle of 1 Peter as well. In verses 6 and 7 (context of today’s Scripture), believing Israel is “in heaviness through manifold temptations” and experiencing “a trial of [their] faith.” Having separated themselves from apostate Israel following Antichrist, they are experiencing severe hardships and horrific persecution. Their families have been torn apart: their relatives are now their enemies. They are waiting for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming to end those awful seven years. Today’s Scripture says they have been purchased, with a heavy price, for His glory….

The Precious Blood of Christ #3

Monday, September 19, 2016

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18,19 KJV).

God the Father and God the Holy Ghost think the blood of Jesus Christ is “precious.” And you?

While God did not reveal the complete meaning of Jesus Christ’s death until the Apostle Paul, we can look back into some of the Bible’s most ancient portions and see God had the death of His Son in mind all along. For example, Acts 2:23 reminds us: “Him [Jesus Christ], being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” Before there ever was a creation—one angel, one devil, one human, one star, one tree, or even one atom—the three Members of the triune Godhead conferred. God the Father had a most glorious plan, God the Son would lay down His life to make that plan possible, and God the Holy Spirit would execute all the details.

God arranged it so that, as soon as sin entered the world, He began to teach man that sin meant an innocent life had to be taken, and innocent blood would have to be shed. The precedent was Genesis 3:21 (Adam and Eve); it carried on to the shed blood offered by Abel (Genesis 4:4) and Noah (Genesis 8:20). When we come to Israel in Egyptian bondage, the blood of the innocent Passover lamb saves them from God’s righteous wrath against their idolatry (Exodus 12:3-14). God said Israel is to observe the annual Passover literally “for ever” (verse 14). Throughout the Book of Leviticus, we read about various animal sacrifices and the priests’ daily shedding of animals’ blood to make atonement for sins. Israel’s national forgiveness relied on the annual Day of Atonement, involving more animals’ blood (Leviticus chapter 16).

That intricate religious calendar was God’s way of reinforcing in Israel’s mind the plan He had from before the foundation of the world. The “precious blood of Christ” was going to be shed….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What does, ‘All Israel shall be saved,’ mean?”

The Precious Blood of Christ #2

Sunday, September 18, 2016

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18,19 KJV).

God the Father and God the Holy Ghost think the blood of Jesus Christ is “precious.” And you?

Unfortunately, since liberalism and modernism strangled “Bible-believing” (?) America during the mid-20th century, “Christian” teaching about Jesus’ blood has significantly decreased. For example, in a 1990 video, a preacher gave a sermon on that very subject. He said he had not heard one televangelist in the last 30 years (so, since 1960) present a message dedicated exclusively to the blood of Christ. They had delivered whole messages on other theological subjects—but never Jesus’ blood. That very aged brother went to heaven not long ago. We can only wonder how many televangelists he heard talk about the blood of Christ in the nearly 30 years since 1990! Friend, think about it. How many topical sermons have you ever heard about the blood of Christ—on television, radio, internet, or in person at a local church? Few… if any!

A prevalent objection to the “blood of Christ” is summarized as, “Christianity is a ‘slaughterhouse’ religion. The preaching of Calvary’s cross is a ‘violent’ message.” For fear of offending someone, the shed blood of Christ is vaguely, if ever, referenced. It is so “negative” a topic, such a “detestable” idea. In fact, some groups have taken great pains to remove from hymnals all songs that emphasize the blood of Christ. To them, the blood of Jesus Christ means nothing! But, what does the blood of Christ mean to us?

The very first time shed blood appears in Scripture is Genesis 3:21: “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Once Adam and Eve sinned, God killed one or two animals. The animal skins were used to cover the physical bodies of Adam and Eve; the shed animal blood covered their spiritual bodies. That concept of shed blood for the forgiveness of sins continued all the way up through the Bible….

The Precious Blood of Christ #1

Saturday, September 17, 2016

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18,19 KJV).

God the Father and God the Holy Ghost think the blood of Jesus Christ is “precious.” And you?

A layperson once asked a theologian in his particular denomination, “What does the blood of Jesus Christ mean to you?” The theologian gave a dry, non-personal, “scholarly” answer. Again, he was asked, and again, he spoke of the blood of Christ in a very distant manner. Time and time again, that “scholar” held firm to his standard, “academic” reply. What did the blood of Jesus Christ mean to this theologian? Evidently, it meant nothing to him, for he never answered the question about what it meant to him! He had merely, and repeatedly, analyzed the blood of Christ from a theological perspective. There was no heart faith in that divine blood! Unlike him, we should agree with today’s Scripture concerning Jesus’ blood being “precious.”

Now, just to be clear, we must rightly divide the word of truth. Remember, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). While Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, are written to and about us, and we have no relation to Israel’s program, that does not mean we cannot see various parallels between our mystery program and Israel’s prophetic program. The blood of Christ is one example. Whether in prophecy—that which God “hath spoken since the world began” (Acts 3:21)—or in mystery—that which God “kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25)—the blood of Jesus Christ is the crucial foundation. As that shed blood cleanses Israel of her sins and saves her from everlasting hellfire, it cleanses us (the Body of Christ) of our sins and saves us from everlasting hellfire. Just as Christ’s blood is “precious” to believing Israel, so it is “precious” to us.

In our upcoming studies, we will exposit today’s Scripture to see just how “precious” the blood of Christ really is!