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We are all guilty before God. How guilty? Guilty of deserving death. So just because our crime record seem without flaws, does not mean it is flawless in the sight of God. No, quite the contrary. We have all fallen and broken His Holy Law. Hence we are deserving of death, all of us. "As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;" - Romans 3: 10 "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." -Romans 3:22-23 There is nothing good in our own flesh, we can only be redeemed by the blood of Christ and choose daily to take up our cross and crucify our own nature. This can only happen by the grace of God, and believing in Christ and His way of the cross to be saved. He is the master and sanctifier who can fashion us into His image. Hence we must be born again, receiving His spirit, His law on our hearts, His imputed righteousness. A hard and painful process, but there is no other way. Knowing that we are guilty and deserve death, why not receive His offer of both forgiveness if we turn from our evil ways, and power to sanctification and salvation. Endure the fiery trials here, with Christ, the only human without sin, who traveled the same way of the cross, as our guide and healer of minds and hearts, unto salvation? Rather than having to endure the fire afterwards, unto final destruction? Hebrews chapter 12.
That is the great news, the everlasting gospel, the everlasting law and covenant of Jesus Christ. While it is very tough and challenging, we should be very grateful still...
Maý God have mercy upon our souls...
"This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and *the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus*. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? *The law that requires works?* the old law and covenant = the law and spirit of the flesh, of this world "No, because of *the law that requires faith*" [the new, mature law and covenant. = the law through faith, by the spirit of God]. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. *Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold (establish) the law*. [From old, immature, limited law and covenant, to new, mature, everlasting law and covenant]
Romans 3:21-31 "until we all reach unityin the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
Ephesians 4:13. Justification = sanctification. The path of righteousness = the way of the cross. By the law of faith = the new, eternal law, covenant and order where Jesus Christ is high priest. Not the law of works of the flesh = the old law, covenant and order. But by the law of faith =new, mature law, covenant and order.(the fullness of Christ).
Sanctified by having the commandments of God written on our hearts and minds by grace through faith. The faith of Jesus. = His new, everlasting law, covenant and order. See Rev 14:12.
"And the sanctification in which no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14 How many are willing to face the truths of their criminal record before God, and take up their cross and follow Jesus? Your / our position means nothing. Whether you are in prison, whether you are a prison guard, whether you are a nurse, doctor, psychologist, pastor, life coach, layman, evangelist, missionary, a humanitarian No matter how perfect your life and your position may seem on the surface, you are still doomed to the death penalty in God's court, and completely dependent on God's grace and power every day. We should all weep (with or without tears) for our sins far more than we do. You can try to ignore this message as much as you want, but that is the truth. But fortunately, Jesus has shown us the way to salvation. It is free to receive, if you repent and repent and receive His sanctification. But His discipline and school are the toughest school you can be in. Do not deceive yourself. Those who endure the way of the cross to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:13) Read also:
MAN VS LAW AND SPIRIT OF MAN / SELF / FLESH/ WORLD.
(different expressions for the same)
Man = Human
Read, among other things, 1. Corinthians 2, Romans 8. Of course, it is not the case that any human being is completely evil. Everyone, including the worldly, has some amount of God's law, and of the Holy spirit. Different amounts, which vary depending on what choices we make in life, and also what areas, character and theme we are talking about. But what the Bible refers to as *man*, *the flesh*, * the self*; *the world * (all these are different expressions of the same) as it is in itself, without any of God's spirit and law, is evil. Now no human being is 100 percent filled with the spirit and law of man, the self, the flesh, the world. Say * for example * that there are 12 character traits that can be either of God or of Satan/spirit of the world, of the flesh. God's law is built on His character. That is why they are connected. All who have not matured and eventually overcome the whole man of sin, all the character traits of nature, that is, man in the fallen state, still have a little of the world, the self, the law and the spirit of man in them. The goal is to surrender everything that comes from the flesh, the self, the law and the spirit of the world. And receive the whole character of Jesus on our hearts and minds, from Christ who is our Master and Sanctifier.. From e.g. being a racist and a misogynist, to become impartial. The latter is a character trait from God / Christ. See James 2: 1, 8-11. Gal 3: 26-29. The point, however, is to advance, and pass the tests that He sends us in His sanctification. If you dedicate yourself and cooperate, then Jesus has promised to finish the work He has begun. So that one day we can say like Paul:"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2. Timothy 4:7. “And I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 This path involves having a relationship with Jesus, educating ourselves in His school, filling ourselves with His wisdom (God's word) and receiving His undeserved grace (forgiveness and power from the Holy Spirit) through faith, daily. In this way we can gradually become more filled with the spirit and "blood" of His righteousness. The character traits we have that are good come from God's law and spirit. It is Christ's character traits that come from His / God's law and spirit, not from the law / spirit of man / self / world. Therefore, we must acknowledge this as well, and give Him the honor.
Entire series: "Salvation/ Sanctification"
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