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nChrist
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« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2007, 09:34:29 PM » |
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AMEN!
I've heard this put many ways, and I've had many Bible Studies on this topic. Books have been written about this topic, but I just want to share a few thoughts. Bear with me for a moment and see if this makes sense.
To have a "Testament", you have to have a "Testator" and a death that involves an inheritance. For the Old Testament, we have Adam and an inheritance of the "curse of sin and death". Then the Law came and no man was ever able to keep the Law. In fact, no man has ever been able to totally please GOD. GOD hates disobedience and the filthiness of sin and evil. Burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin didn't please GOD, and the stench of sin was still on men.
For the New Testament, we have JESUS CHRIST offering HIMSELF as a perfect and Eternal Sacrifice for sin for those who believe and accept HIM as LORD and SAVIOUR. The inheritance for those belonging to CHRIST is rescue from the curse of sin and death and Eternity with JESUS CHRIST in Heaven. However, this is just the beginning. Believers are seen in and through JESUS CHRIST, so GOD is pleased, and the stench of sin is washed away with the perfect Righteousness of JESUS CHRIST. JESUS CHRIST was the only Perfect and Holy Sacrifice, so Only JESUS CHRIST could finish the work of Salvation on the CROSS!
Now, let's back up and talk about something really simple. Why did GOD Create human beings? It was to Glorify HIMSELF, but he gave man choice to do right and wrong. GOD didn't fail - man failed. Man didn't Glorify GOD, but JESUS CHRIST did! JESUS CHRIST fulfilled the Law perfectly and provided a WAY for mankind to be rescued from the curse of sin and death. Our original purpose is now fulfilled by GOD working in and through those who belong to HIM, and our Righteousness is the Righteousness of CHRIST! The stench of our sin has been washed away by the Precious Blood of JESUS CHRIST on the CROSS, and HE makes us acceptable for the Inheritance with the Saints in LIGHT. That LIGHT is JESUS CHRIST! We Love HIM because HE first Loved Us. HE showed us the ultimate Love by dying on the CROSS in our place and taking our punishment in HIS Own Body. The inheritance involves MUCH more than just Salvation, and ONLY JESUS CHRIST could fulfill GOD'S Plan for us.
I hope that I explained this in a way that makes sense. If not, read the portions of Scripture below and use them to Study other portions of Scripture. There was a time when men needed a Levitical Priest to petition GOD on their behalf, but Christians today have access to the THRONE OF GRACE always, and THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD lives in our hearts. There was a time when approaching the HOLY OF HOLIES meant immediate death, but GOD has made each Christian of today a living temple for HIS use. JESUS CHRIST accomplished all of this and much more on the CROSS. WHY? - It Pleased GOD, and we can now Please GOD through JESUS CHRIST, our LORD and SAVIOUR!
Love In Christ,
Tom
Hebrews 7:18-19 NASB
For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
Hebrews 10:19-25 NASB
Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Romans 5:1-2 NASB
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
Titus 2:11-14 NASB
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Titus 3:4-7 NASB
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Galatians 5:4-6 NASB
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
Ephesians 1:11-14 NASB
also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Romans 5:3-5 NASB
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
1 Peter 1:3-5 NASB
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Thessalonians 5:8-10 NASB
But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
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